The emulator software itself is legal in most jurisdictions — emulators are just software that mimics hardware. Playing games you don't own raises copyright questions that vary by country. Always dump ROMs from cartridges you legally own.

Which emulator should I install first?

iOS: Delta (App Store, free, no fuss). Android: RetroArch for the widest coverage, or PPSSPP if you specifically want PSP. Delta is iOS-only.

Do I need a high-end phone for emulators?

For NES through PS1: any modern phone works. For N64, GameCube, and Wii: you want a flagship (iPhone 13+, Pixel 7+, Galaxy S21+). For GameCube/Wii in particular, a 2023+ flagship is recommended.

Can I play multiplayer on these emulators?

RetroArch has Netplay for online multiplayer on most systems. PPSSPP has ad-hoc (local WiFi) multiplayer. Delta supports two-player via two iPhones on the same WiFi.

Where do I get ROMs legally?

Dump them from your own cartridges using a game cartridge reader. For PC platforms, GOG and other stores sell DRM-free versions of classic games. Public domain ROMs (homebrew, demos) are legal to download.

Emulators50+ Games Tested

Best Mobile Emulators 2026 — iOS & Android

We tested 10 emulators across 50+ games on current iPhone and Android hardware. Here's which ones perform best for each system.

Delta

Best iOS Emulator

iOSEasy

Free

The most polished iOS emulator by a wide margin. App Store available worldwide. Excellent controller support, beautiful UI, and rock-solid performance.

NESSNESGBAGBCDSN64PS1 (beta)

SNES

60fps always

GBA

60fps always

N64

60fps (iPhone 13+)

60fps (most games)

Verdict

Delta is the iOS emulator. If you have an iPhone and want to play retro games, start here. The App Store release means no certificates, no expiry, no hassle.

RetroArch

Best Multi-System

iOSAndroidMedium

Free

The widest system coverage of any emulator frontend. iOS App Store + Android. More complex to set up but covers everything Delta doesn't.

Sega GenesisPS1Arcade/MAMEPC EngineNeo GeoAtari+more

Genesis

60fps always

PS1 2D

60fps always

PS1 3D

60fps (A15+)

MAME

Varies by game

Verdict

Use RetroArch alongside Delta for the systems Delta doesn't cover. The learning curve is real but worth it for the breadth of system support.

PPSSPP

Best PSP Emulator

iOSAndroidEasy

Free

The definitive PSP emulator. Available on App Store and Play Store. Upscales PSP games beautifully to modern screen resolutions.

PSP

Most PSP games

60fps

Resolution upscale

Up to 4K

Texture filtering

Available

Demanding titles

50–60fps

Verdict

If you want to play PSP games, PPSSPP is your only serious option and it's excellent. Games like God of War: Ghost of Sparta and Persona 3 Portable run beautifully.

Dolphin

GameCube & Wii

AndroidMedium

Free

The only practical way to play GameCube and Wii games on Android. Requires a flagship device for decent performance.

GameCubeWii

Simple GameCube

60fps (flagship)

Complex GameCube

30–45fps

Wii games

Varies

Mid-range phones

Playable only

Verdict

Dolphin on Android is impressive but demanding. A Samsung Galaxy S24 or Pixel 8 Pro handles most GameCube games at 30–60fps. Less demanding GameCube titles run well on mid-range phones.

System Compatibility

System	Delta	RetroArch	PPSSPP	Dolphin
NES / Famicom
SNES / Super Famicom
Game Boy / GBC / GBA
Nintendo DS
Nintendo 64
GameCube
Wii
PlayStation 1
PSP
Sega Genesis / MD
Arcade (MAME)
PC Engine

Frequently Asked Questions

System

Delta

RetroArch

PPSSPP

Dolphin

NES / Famicom

SNES / Super Famicom

Game Boy / GBC / GBA

Nintendo DS

Nintendo 64

GameCube

Wii

PlayStation 1

PSP

Sega Genesis / MD

Arcade (MAME)

PC Engine