ArcEmu brings retro game emulation to Apple Watch.
It also works on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, delivering a seamless gaming experience across your Apple devices.
Supported Consoles
- Game Boy (.gb)
- Game Boy Color (.gbc)
- Game Boy Advance (.gba)
- Pokémon Mini (.min)
- Nintendo Entertainment System (.nes)
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System (.sfc and .smc)
- Atari 2600 (.a26 and .bin)
Main Features
- Accurate, high-performance emulation powered by the mGBA and Ares cores
- Game Link Cable support with online multiplayer for up to four players*
- Cheat-code support with a built-in database of popular codes**
- Frame-independent emulation at 30 or 60 FPS
- Multi-touch and Digital Crown support on Apple Watch
- Support for all screen orientations on iPhone and iPad
- Precise, thoughtfully designed on-screen controls
- Customizable control position and transparency on iPhone and iPad
- Fast-forward at 2×, 4×, or maximum speed
- Slow motion at 0.5× speed
- Touch-based light gun controls for NES and SNES
- Custom color palettes for Game Boy games
- Button hold/sustain feature
- Accelerometer support
- Gyroscope support on iPhone and iPad, with Digital Crown input on Apple Watch
- Haptic feedback on iPhone
- Game controller support with customizable button mappings
- ZIP archive support
- Automatic saving
- Save-state sharing between devices
- iCloud support for ROMs and save states
- ROM sharing through iCloud using share codes
- Support for Apple Watch devices configured with Family Setup
- ROM sorting and search
Apple Watch Compatibility
- Apple Watch Series 4 or later
- Apple Watch SE or later
- Apple Watch Ultra or later
ArcEmu does not include any games or ROMs.
You can import compatible ROM files from your iPhone and store them in iCloud. Your Apple Watch can then download them directly from iCloud.
On an Apple Watch configured with Family Setup, ROMs can be downloaded from iCloud using share codes.
Games Featured in the Screenshots
- Acorn Grove: https://gibbongl.itch.io/acorn-grove
- Anguna: https://gauauu.itch.io/anguna
- Hauntsfield: https://alliemackie.itch.io/hauntsfield
- µCity Advance: https://skylyrac.itch.io/ucity-advance
* Requires a Game Center account.
** Cheat codes may cause unexpected behavior or affect game stability and save data.
ArcEmu is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nintendo. Nintendo and the names of its game systems are trademarks of Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Thank you so much!! It really worked! I got the game I want and thanks for helping me out. You responded very quick to my email and I appreciate that thank you very much for helping me. Only problem is that the controls are hard to press but I know it’s a limitation for the Apple Watch, and Multitouch is not there which makes the controls harder. However, this is an amazing app and I would recommend this app for anyone who wants an emulator for the Apple Watch. Once again thank you so much.
Developer Response
Did you do what I told you to do?Email me so we can sort this out faster: support@raffaeledamato.it
Really great app
Thirdpizza
Really underrated, and everything is so easy to follow, one of my favourite go to apps to kill time on my Apple watch. The only things are that the game boy link doesn’t really seem to work when connecting and the cheats crash my phone whenever I activate them. It doesn’t really bother me that much because setting up a game is as simple as selecting the file, and the app basically does the rest for you.
Fully functional
LucasBobson
Excellent emulator first of its kind on Apple Watch thank you. I hope that there can at least be the option to have game boy games full screen with the buttons slightly smaller as there’s plenty of space for them.
Works like a charm!
Alexandaaa123
Super easy to install. Just hope there’s an option to help with cheats soon
Developer Response
Thanks for the feedback! Cheat codes are now available with the latest update 🎮😊
- Restored the button hold/sustain feature on watchOS.
- Improved iCloud ROM management.
- Various bug fixes.
Version 2.0.1
The developer, Raffaele D'Amato, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
Seller
Raffaele D'Amato
Size
180.5 MB
Category
Games
Compatibility
Requires iOS 15.5 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 15.5 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 15.5 or later.
iPod touch Requires iOS 15.5 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 13.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.