Delta all-in-one retro game emulator comes to iPad

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iPad users, get your game on. The Delta retro game emulator that launched for iPhone in the spring is now out for Apple tablets, too.

The software can handle ROMs originally for the classic Game Boy plus NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS.

Delta retro game emulator for iPad, at last

For many years, Apple prohibited developers from listing retro game emulators for download on the iPhone App Store. But in early April, the company updated the App Store guidelines to allow this type of software. That soon resulted in a rush of such apps, including Riley Testut’s Delta.

But at that time, Delta was an iPhone application. It would run on an iPad only in an iPhone-shaped window on the tablet’s screen — not very satisfactory for players.

But Friday brought the release of Delta 1.6, which removes the limitation. Testut says of the latest version:

• Play games full screen on iPad’s beautiful display
• Brand new controller skins designed specifically for iPad
• Supports multiple windows in Stage Manager and Split View
• Automatically pauses games when switching windows (optional)

On-screen controls are fine for an iPhone and the emulator offers them (as noted) but these aren’t very practical when playing on a tablet. Fortunately, Delta supports external game controllers. And the result is quite a bit like playing the classic games in an arcade back in the day.

If you get tired of the big screen, gamers can handoff from iPhone and iPad and vice versa. “Continues playing exactly where you left off,” claims Testut.

Supports multiple classic game platforms

Delta doesn’t stop by emulating one or two classic game platforms. Currently there are six supported:

• Nintendo Entertainment System
• Super Nintendo Entertainment System
• Nintendo 64
• Game Boy (Color)
• Game Boy Advance
• Nintendo DS

Start playing today

Delta is ready to download on the App Store now. It runs on iPhone and iPad, is free, contains no advertising and does not track users in any way. It even supports external game controllers so virtual on-screen ones aren’t required.

The software includes a system to access ROMs stored on the iPhone or iCloud. And Testut built in options to save the game state so players don’t lose their progress when they flip away from the app. It even supports cheats designed for the original game ROMS.

Those who want more can turn to the Gamma retro game emulator for playing original PlayStation titles

Ed Hardy

Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.

That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)

Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.