RetropaRETROPA / Delta alternative
Delta Emulator Alternative for iPhone & iPad | Retropa
Retropa plays handheld and arcade systems on iPhone and iPad. It reads Delta .deltaskin packages, covers arcade families Delta does not, and keeps a handheld-first layout.
Download for iOSFree to download. Optional in-app purchases. iOS 18 or later.
What carries over from Delta
Switching emulators only pays off if the setup you already have survives the move. Retropa imports Delta .deltaskin packages, so a layout you spent an evening tuning does not need rebuilding. Check which system and orientation the package targets, then make sure the game view is not covered by the controls.
- A .deltaskin package applies without conversion.
- Confirm the intended system before you trust a skin.
- Portrait and landscape support both come from the package.
Where Retropa adds something Delta does not
The widest gap is the arcade side. Retropa runs supported CPS I, CPS II, CPS III, Neo Geo, PGM and M92 arcade families next to its handheld systems, so one library holds both. Arcade cores need Retropa Plus. Games and BIOS files are not included.
- Arcade families sit in the same library as handhelds.
- Arcade cores need Retropa Plus.
- Arcade sets come as several files and often want a BIOS.
Display filters without an integer scale requirement
Most retro filters assume the picture lands on a whole number of screen pixels. A modern iPhone screen rarely divides that neatly, so you end up with unused space or scanlines that shimmer. Retropa's advanced filters read the actual output area instead, which holds up across orientations and skin layouts. Treat the browser preview on this site as a rough sketch; the iOS app is the reference.
- Filters change presentation, never game resolution.
- Advanced filters need Retropa Plus.
- Conventional scanline overlays can shimmer at fractional scales.
Where Delta is the stronger choice
Delta has a far larger user base, a longer run on the App Store and a broader set of published skins. If the most widely used option, the deepest skin catalog or the most third-party guides is what you want, Delta is a sound pick. This page will not pretend otherwise.
- Delta has the bigger community and more third-party material.
- Network effects keep Delta's skin ecosystem growing.
- Retropa is newer and its catalog is smaller.
Trying both costs nothing
Both apps download for free and both offer optional in-app purchases. One practical test: import a Delta skin into Retropa, load a handheld game and an arcade set, then decide by how the controls and the picture feel in your hands. Keep your original files and skins whichever way you go.
- Nothing stops you from installing both.
- Keep your original files and skins either way.
- Judge with your own hands, not a comparison table.
Questions
Can Retropa import my existing Delta skins?
Yes. Retropa reads .deltaskin packages. Hang on to the original package file and make sure it matches the system and orientation you play in.
Is Retropa free?
Retropa is free to download, with optional in-app purchases. Retropa Plus covers arcade cores, premium skins and advanced filters.
Does Retropa include games?
No. Retropa is an emulator, so it ships without games or BIOS files. Import only content you are entitled to use.
Which emulator is better?
They aim at different things. Delta brings the bigger community and the larger skin catalog, while Retropa adds arcade families, non-integer-scaled filters and .deltaskin import. Try both on your own device.
Delta is a third-party product. All product and company names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, and their use here is for identification and factual comparison only. Retropa is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of them.
Retropa.
Free to download. Optional in-app purchases. iOS 18 or later.