I installed both apps and immediately opened Zelda: Link’s Awakening. They both work perfectly. SameBoy has a familiar interface, while RetroArch gives off a more complex, nerdy vibe. However, getting a game running on SameBoy is surprisingly trickier.

Both apps support uploading games via a browser using their IP address. If you have ROM files on your iCloud Drive, simply go to the file manager in iOS, find your ROM file, and long-press it to open the share option. Select SameBoy, and the game will open instantly. From there, the usage is straightforward.

RetroArch isn’t just a Game Boy emulator like SameBoy; it offers many more options and settings. RetroArch supports so many consoles and OS that it leaves me speechless. It seems like there’s nothing it can’t emulate.

Getting used to RetroArch’s UI takes time. It’s not user-friendly and feels like a programmer designed it without much thought to aesthetics. Despite this, I won’t complain too much because the extensive features and settings it offers are worth the effort.

I haven’t tried using a controller with either emulator yet, but that’s the next logical step. I’ll either buy one or try my old Xbox 360 controller. RetroArch can emulate virtually everything, from the Sega Master System to the PlayStation and Atari 2600. Imagine gaming on a big screen with a controller—that would be fun. I haven’t tested AirPlay with the app, but if you own an Apple TV, you don’t need to. The best part? RetroArch is available in the App Store for Apple TV. That’s frigging awesome! I’ll try it soon and keep you updated.

I’m also curious if iCloud savegames will work, allowing seamless switching between devices. That would make sense, and would RetroArch make a retrogamechanger.

I foresee hours of retrogaming ahead—just need to find the time.

Sideloading is now available on iOS, and with it, the first alternative App Store called AltStore is here. As of now, the App Store contains only two apps: Clip (a clipboard manager) and Delta. While Clip is available only through a pledge, Delta (a Nintendo Emulator) is downloadable for free.

Installing the open-source AltStore only works through Safari and costs €1.50 per year + VAT. That is the amount to cover Apple’s Core Technology Fee. I think that’s a fair price. Furthermore, I’m curious to see how the emulator works. A few years ago, there was a website where you could upload a ROM file and play Game Boy games, and I had fun playing there. And now I wonder if I can do that again.

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: yes, but there’s always a “but.” On the plus side is to say that you can play NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy (Color & Advance), and even DS Games. For the DS, the screen is divided into two screens, and I can’t wait to play Zelda for DS because I never played that so far. Uploading and loading the ROMs is as easy as possible. Subsequently, the game library is filled with games and sorted by device. If you miss a game artwork in the library, you can download that from an integrated artwork gallery. Games start within a blink of an eye, and the performance is superb, but not surprising considering the original devices only had a fraction of today’s iPhones resources.

As a big fan of the Zelda series, I started Delta with my all-time favorite: “Link’s Awakening” for Game Boy Color. Back in the days, I only had the regular Game Boy, but color can’t add much more to the fun that game is. It was my first Zelda ever, and even though Ocarina of Time is on top of the most community rankings, Link’s Awakening will always have a special place in my heart because it took my Zelda virginity.

When the splash screen appears, and the 8-bit soundtrack intros the opening sequence, I feel shivers going down my spine, just like when I started it for the first time. I skipped the dialogues because I played that game like 10 times, and I know what they are saying anyway. When I walk around there, it just feels like coming home after you’ve been away for a long time. And I would love to play the Switch version of that game one day.

But, and that’s a minus, the controlling is not working to my satisfaction. My fingers are maybe too fat for such delicate non-flexible touchscreen controls. Despite the haptic feedback, it’s really difficult for me to master complex maneuvers. But the option to save the game at any given moment helps to reduce frustration. You can even add cheat codes if it pleases you. You can also turn the screen for a different gaming layout.

Of course, you can use a controller if you’ve got one. I don’t, but I think this is a good reason to get one. Despite the lack of a controller, I think Delta will give me a few hours of fun and desperation. I would wish for alternative on-screen controls, in addition to the classic control layout.