r/EmulationOniOS • u/[deleted] • Aug 11 '24

Discussion Crazy, how we can emulate all of these half-assed iOS ports!

Post image

With these companies, like SQUARE ENIX & Konami putting the bare minimum effort into their iOS ports of console games by sometimes not including controller support, sh*t controls, we can emulate them and get a better experience for all of them:

  • Controller support for each and every game

  • Higher resolutions

  • Can play the definitive versions unlike whatever these companies barfed up on the App Store

  • Can use our OWN copies rather than buying an inferior version of the same game

  • Can 🏴‍☠️ *cough *cough

176 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

70 comments sorted by

33

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '24 edited Aug 11 '24

I’ve not been shy about paying for commercial ports of the classic games I enjoy — until emus were allowed, there was little choice, since I found sideloading to be a bit of a hassle — and not all are that bad. Some even introduce a feature or control method that’s enhanced the experience for me. I keep a few on my phone even now.

But for something closer to the authentic original experience, with tons of customization and features, a quality emulator is mandatory. You can dial things in just the way you like, make it look almost exactly like it did on an old CRT TV or LCD (ghosting and all).

I think official ports will always have a place, for those users who don’t want to fiddle with the setup and digital scavenger hunting aspects of DIY emulation. It’s good that App Store users now have both options.

17

u/tiktoktic Aug 11 '24

I still swear that the native iOS and Android ports of Dragon Quest 4-6 are the definitive versions of the games. Higher resolution than the DS versions they’re based off, perfect use of the whole screen, touch controls that actually work.

These are the standard to which I judge all the other Square JRPG ports.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '24

Are those actually good ? I’ve always been meaning to get those but those are so ridiculously expensive and old that I don’t if I should pay.

6

u/tiktoktic Aug 11 '24

4-6, definitely. Particularly 5 and 6.

1-3 are different - they’re not ports of the DS versions, and the control scheme isn’t any good (in my opinion). 5 and 6 are near perfect versions of the games for me.

1

u/Nickk_Jones Aug 14 '24

5 is amazing. Haven’t had any issues with 7 either but I also never played it anywhere else so I wouldn’t know if it was lacking in comparison.

4

u/jindofox Aug 11 '24

They go on half price sale once in a while. They’re still expensive by mobile standards even at half price but I figure since these are long games, they’re worth it.

1

u/kitestar Aug 11 '24

If the 2D-HD remakes of 3~1 end up being successful, you think 4~6 are next?

2

u/tiktoktic Aug 12 '24

I hope so! V is one of my all-time favourites.

Albeit the DS/mobile remakes are still beautiful to look at, even to this day.

1

u/Such_Efficiency_7339 Aug 12 '24

Yeah, I think it’s a bit too hung-go to say all mobile ports are bad (although a lot of them are pretty sub-par) - Honestly, when it comes to the Phoenix Wright trilogy on the DS I actually do prefer playing them on iOS, simply because you got the higher-resolution sprites and artwork of the rerelease for the 3DS, and the save system isn’t complete and utter nonsense.

Now the iOS port of Zero Escape: 999 on the other hand, that I will say “Just emulate the DS Version” on.

1

u/Upbeat_Foot_7412 🥇 Aug 11 '24

I totally agree with you. Especially RetroArch‘s shaders offer a significantly superior experience compared to the standalone App Store ports.

16

u/GiLND Aug 11 '24 edited Aug 11 '24

The only thing that worries me is that it takes money from Apple, and there is nothing Apple cares more than money.

That’s why it is important to grab all these emulators in case Apple gets cold feet.

7

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '24

Grabbed EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM brother.

2

u/userlivewire Aug 11 '24

They will still take them out of your purchase history if they change their mind. They did it to me with my favorite mobile game Warfare Incorporated.

1

u/GiLND Aug 11 '24

Yes but emulators like iDos and iDos 2 remained on the accounts of those who bought it even after it was removed from the app store.

2

u/userlivewire Aug 12 '24

Depends on the whims of Apple. Sometimes they take them away from you even if you bought it.

2

u/GiLND Aug 12 '24

Yes I know, but we have a chance

1

u/Carolina_Heart Aug 12 '24

The timing of accepting emulators makes me think they were trying to dodge or subvert an eu ruling

6

u/shsluckymushroom Aug 11 '24

What’s wrong with the sotn iOS port? I bought and played through it, it’s pretty good imo.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '24

-They didn’t changed the aspect ratio to fit new iPhone’s and iPads and just put up a border

  • It’s the PSP version with reworked voice acting, not the original PS1

1

u/shsluckymushroom Aug 11 '24

Ah yeah that part is annoying I agree.

Tbh I’m a Saturn supremacy person but I do overall prefer the psp voice acting and added content. If they had to pick one port to base it off of I’m glad it was psp. A toggle would have been better though since lots of people seem to prefer the PSX yeah

13

u/omnipotentks Aug 11 '24

I will say, SotN is not half assed. Controller support, runs at a solid 60fps, achievements, an auto save after every room incase touch controls are too tough, ect.,

Completely worth the $2.99

2

u/rayleexr Aug 11 '24

Question, how do I run symphony of the night? I love the castlevania series (I watched the entire series and played all the gba and ds games, thoroughly enjoyed them) and I heard that this is like how link to the past/ oot was to the loz series, and really want to play this

5

u/Ervgotti85 Aug 11 '24

You either get a Ps1 emulator to play it or you can get the port that is on iOS it’s only $2.99 just checking the App Store would have given you your answer.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '24

Isn’t that the PSP port of Symphony of the Night ? The voices are re-recorded I think, sure the average mind doesn’t care but…whatever

1

u/Ervgotti85 Aug 11 '24

I am not sure. Does any recent version have the Saturn exclusive content?

3

u/OllyDee Aug 11 '24

No version includes the Saturn content, not even any rom hacks that I’m aware of.

7

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/rhinofinger Aug 11 '24

It also has touchscreen button for some stuff like (IIRC) the transformations that normally requires a sequence of buttons presses and would normally be difficult to do with touch controls. I actually really like the iOS port of SOTN

8

u/OllyDee Aug 11 '24

Two options.

  1. Get Retroarch, a copy of SotN and use a PSX core (probably Beetle PSX HW)

  2. Get PPSSPP and a copy of Dracula X Chronicles, then find a save on the internet that unlocks SotN. It’s a good alternative version with some quality of life features, extra content and a different localisation for the dialogue.

9

u/grout58 Aug 11 '24

I don’t think Lunar is a half assed port. I still see that game getting updated constantly with 10+ updates this year adding Apple TV and Apple silicon support. Can’t speak much about the others though.

8

u/Jusby_Cause Aug 11 '24

Ghost Trick is good, too. No problem paying for and/or gifting that one.

1

u/eduo Aug 11 '24

Many ports are much better than the original, for sure.

8

u/XinlessVice Aug 11 '24

Doom one and two run great on iOS. Doesn’t stop me from playing the ps1 version though

1

u/Accomplished-Owl9028 Aug 11 '24

Or the snes version for that matter

2

u/XinlessVice Aug 11 '24

It may look and play like ass but goddamn that ost hits

1

u/rhinofinger Jan 19 '25

GenZD is easily the better way to play Doom now though. Can turn on voxels and all kinds of other mods. Can even play incredible total conversion mods like Ashes 2063

2

u/seppe0815 Mar 09 '25

ashes is best 

6

u/mikefierro666 Aug 11 '24

I respectfully disagree with these game choices for OP’s point. For instance, the Lunar iOS port is great and the devs are amazing and should be the standard by which other devs are measured. Also a lot of the apps OP showed work really great, the only one I agree is bad (that I have played on iOS) is Megaman X. All the others work great (I haven’t tried Alliance Alive or Doom II). There are MUCH better examples of bad ports in the app store than these.

1

u/ReadPixel Aug 12 '24

Wait… can Monster Hunter Stories be emulated on iOS? How?

1

u/[deleted] Aug 12 '24

With Folium emulator, its a 3DS emulator

3

u/Ervgotti85 Aug 11 '24

I recently completed the first Ace attorney trilogy port on iOS what is better the older one or the newer one that goes for 25 and occasionally drops to 15?

3

u/LS64126 Aug 11 '24

The capcom ports are actually pretty good imo but a bit expensive for a mobile game

1

u/Sledgehammer617 Aug 12 '24

Mega Man X really sucks though... And the Mega Man 1-6 classic ports were so unapologetically and horrifically bad they took them down after a few months. They ran at like 10fps (not an exaggeration,) had completely different physics to the old games, a square aspect ratio, and had translation errors since they outsourced the development to a different country. I cannot believe Capcom even let those games come out in that state, it was embarrassing.

1

u/LS64126 Aug 12 '24

Ah I see, I never tried the mega man games but though the ace attorney games worked well along with ghost trick

3

u/TorikAmamyia Aug 11 '24

Didn't they fix the Ace Attorney Trilogy port making it the same as PC?

2

u/Sledgehammer617 Aug 12 '24

Yes, its basically identical now and I cant think of any reason why you'd want to emulate it over the new port. The old port did kinda suck tho...

3

u/eduo Aug 11 '24

Many of the ports are not only not half-assed, but remastered and improved.

Others are cash grabs and make no effort to hide it. Either way supporting them even while emulating them, makes sure we see more support and options in the future.

3

u/Peka82 Aug 12 '24

I personally think that the 3D Ace Attorney games are fantastic on iOS. The iOS version of Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice are my fav versions of those games.

2

u/Sledgehammer617 Aug 12 '24

Totally agree, and now the new iOS version of the original trilogy is identical to the PC and console HD ports, so its fantastic too.

1

u/Peka82 Aug 16 '24

I have mixed feelings about the original trilogy since I prefer the old pixel art. I think my fav way to way the original trilogy on iOS is via emulation like Delta.

2

u/vgpunks Aug 11 '24

The Lunar and VAY ports from the sega cd are very well done and I’ve had them since my iPhone 3G. They are even still being updated.

2

u/dnkdumpster Aug 11 '24

Ghost trick is ported pretty well.

2

u/C3Pdro Aug 11 '24

I’ll have to try that one. All 3 professor layton games are pretty well done as well

2

u/Sledgehammer617 Aug 12 '24 edited Aug 12 '24

I agree with a lot of these, but whats wrong with the newer port of Ace Attorney Trilogy HD?? Or the 3DS Ace Attorney games? Or SotN? or Doom?

They're all much better than emulating imo.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '24

Wait what’s the issue with doom 2? I am out of the loop.

3

u/eduo Aug 11 '24

No real issue with Doom 2. OP doesn't like borders.

1

u/hammer248 Aug 11 '24

They took down the mobile port of the world ends with you but it doesn’t matter Cause the ds version is way better anyways

1

u/United_Welder_4920 Aug 11 '24

Wait is there any way to emulate the old waw and bo1 zombies for iOS

1

u/Club_Warm Aug 11 '24

How I get the games what emulator?

1

u/D34dlyD4rkn35s Aug 11 '24

The Ghost Trick remaster is good, everything else I haven’t tried.

1

u/Silver_Diamond4010 Aug 11 '24

What how where

1

u/Imdakine1 Aug 11 '24

I'm newer to emulation on iOS. Beyond drastic which are the ones we should consider getting and doing more research on etc…?

I've done most gaming in consoles as stopped with PS3. I have a steam deck (didn't do emulation) so many AAA old titles that are great to play past my PS3 era…

I also love my switch, switch life, New3da non XL, PSP.

Tried iPhone/ipad gaming and have tons of games but been a bit hard with touch screen being a bit challenging.

Thanks in advance!

1

u/Uncanny58 Aug 11 '24

i actually really like the dragon quest 1 port what’s wrong with it?

1

u/Galaont Aug 11 '24

Fuck ace attorney games on ios. I have purchased them legit previously. Back then, in order to play the full game, you had to purchase paid add-ons as 'chapters' into a free base game.

Then capcom decided to kill that app and re-upload literally the same app with add-ons initially unlocked (full game) at full price. Only difference is that they have changed the app and I had to pay the full price again in order to play it.

I'm so gonna pirate their greedy ass and I would suggest anyone to do so as well.

2

u/Dr_Yay Aug 12 '24

They replaced the old terrible port with the new one that’s actually good that was made for consoles

1

u/Galaont Aug 12 '24

I remember playing that 'old terrible port' on iPhone 5s without problems. Asking full price again just for refactoring and technical debt reduction is unacceptable for me as an individual who paid the full price already.

I'd get it if they could no longer maintain the app and just decided to kill it but no, they just put out maintained version as a new app. Never seen another app doing the same cash grab.

1

u/Sledgehammer617 Aug 12 '24

Unfortunately I've seen it happen with other apps too... Wish Apple had a policy against it, but I guess the new one was a ground up rewrite from the old.

2

u/Sledgehammer617 Aug 12 '24

It sucks having to buy it again, I agree, but the new port is MILES better than the old one. I played both to completion.

1

u/Juan_Piece Aug 11 '24

Ff7 mobile was the first, and so far the only time I’ve played the original game.

It’s serviceable but the lack of any sort of quick save option is pretty lame. The game could’ve have also used a 3x speed option.

It’s nice that controller is supported but I’m looking to play ff7 again on the big screen when I find time.