Delta vs Provenance vs PPSSPP

Do you want to play your favorite childhood games like Pokemon Emerald, Super Mario World, Metal Gear Solid, and God of War on your iPhone or iPad for free? Then you need to choose right emulator app for your iOS Device. In this updated 2026 guide, we compare Delta Emulator, Provenance Emulator and PPSSPP Emulator three most popular iOS game emulators that lets you to play retro games on iOS 18 / 17 / 16 / 15 on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch device.

Why iOS Emulators got demand in 2026

In 2026 the official Apple App store changed their policies, this opened a gate for Retro gaming on iOS devices. Now you can download emulators directly from Official App Store without need of jailbreak or AltStore. This is biggest change for iOS gamers and makes emulation more accessible for everyone.​

But choosing right emulator still matters a lot. Some emulators focus on specific gaming console and do it extremely well. While others try to support many systems within single app. Performance speed, controller support features, save states options and device compatibility can completely change your gaming experience on iPhone or iPad.

In this post, we will compare Delta, Provenance and PPSSPP to help you decide which emulator is best for your gaming needs in 2026.

1) Delta Emulator iOS

Delta Emulator is a premium Nintendo-focused game emulator App, that was created and developed by popular iOS developer Riley Testut. The Same creator of GBA4iOS 2.1 and NDS4iOS emulator apps. In 2026, Delta become more stable and polished than ever before, especially after it got officially available on Apple App Store.​

Delta Emulator Supported Nintendo Gaming Systems:

• Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

• Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

• Game Boy (GB).

• Game Boy Color (GBC).

• Game Boy Advance (GBA).

• Nintendo 64 (N64).

• Nintendo DS (NDS).

Delta Emulator still doesn’t support non-Nintendo systems, And that’s actually its biggest strength. Instead of trying to emulate everything, Delta focuses on doing Nintendo emulation extremely well with high speed and rich graphics.​

Installation Methods in 2026:

• Official Apple App Store (Available in most regions)

• AltStore (For EU countries where App Store version not available)

• Third-party app stores supported by iOS 17 and later versions

If your main goal is playing Pokemon games, Mario series, Zelda adventures, Metroid collection or any classic Nintendo games, then Delta iOS is purpose-built emulator for you.

Delta Emulator Features 2026

• Delta supports all Nintendo consoles within single app.

• Available on Official Apple App Store since April 2024.

• No jailbreak or Computer PC required for installation.

• Automatic save states and game progress backup.

• iCloud, Dropbox and Google Drive sync support.​

• External game controller support (Xbox, PlayStation, Backbone).

• Clean and modern user interface like native iOS app.

• Customizable on-screen controller layouts.

• DS Online Multiplayer support added in version 1.7.​

• Keyboard support fixed for iOS 26 devices.​

• RetroAchievements experimental support.

• Fast forward and slow motion features.

• Cheat codes support for all systems.

• Screen recording with “Show Touches” feature.

• Real-time game controllers with haptic feedback.

• Regular software updates with bug fixes.

2) Provenance Multi-Emulator

Provenance Emulator is a powerful multi-console emulator app for Apple devices. This all-in-one emulator supports over 30+ classic gaming systems and runs across multiple Apple platforms including iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.​

Provenance positions itself as universal emulator solution. In 2026, it continues to improve stability especially for 16-bit console systems. But it still relies heavily on power of your device. On newer iPhone 15, iPhone 16 and M-series iPad models, it performs much better than earlier years.​

Provenance Emulator Supported Game consoles:

• Atari (Multiple generations).

• Nintendo NES and SNES.

• Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance.

• Sega Genesis, Game Gear, Master System.

• Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1).

• Neo Geo systems.

• Nintendo 64 (Experimental support).

• Nintendo 3DS (Work in progress).

• Sega Saturn and Dreamcast (Beta).

• And more classic consoles.

Provenance received major updates in 2026 with version 3.0.6 including core options menu, enhanced search functionality, improved disc selection for multi-disc games and major 3DS performance optimizations.​

If you like having one app for playing many different console games, then Provenance iOS fills that role perfectly.

Provenance Emulator Features

• Multi-console emulator supports 30+ gaming systems.

• Native app support for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

• Very accurate emulation with full speed performance.

• Stereo sound and battery save support.

• Save states for all supported systems.

• MFi game controllers and iCade controllers support.​

• Adjust on-screen control opacity easily.

• Portrait and landscape mode support.

• iCloud sync for game saves and states.

• Enhanced search functionality with auto-hiding bars.​

• Core Options Menu for RetroArch cores.

• Support for custom textures in games.

• RAR archive support for ROM files.

• Improved 3DS performance with NEON optimizations.

• Thread rendering for smoother gameplay.

• Currently available through TestFlight beta and Patreon.​

3) PPSSPP – PSP Emulator iOS

PPSSPP iOS Emulator remains the gold standard emulator for PSP gaming console emulation. In 2026, it’s still unmatched emulator in its category and most recommended by gaming community worldwide.​

PPSSPP is a premium Sony PlayStation Portable console emulator, that was developed by dedicated emulation community. Unlike other emulators, PPSSPP doesn’t try to support multiple systems. It focuses 100% on PSP emulation only, And that focus is why it continues delivering best results year after year.

Supported Platform:

• Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) only.

Multi-Platform Availability:

• iOS and iPadOS devices.

• Android smartphones and tablets.

• Windows PC.

• macOS computers.

• Linux systems.

In 2026, PPSSPP iOS version supports ISO and CSO game files, HD texture packs, cheats and mods, save states with fast-forward option and advanced graphics backends for best visual quality.​

PPSSPP Emulator Features 2026

• Best and most accurate PSP emulator available.

• Supports over 95% of PSP game library.

• HD graphics upscaling up to 5x or higher resolution.

• ISO and CSO game file formats support.

• Custom texture packs and HD mods support.

• Save states and fast-forward features.

• External game controllers support (All major brands).

• Touchscreen controls with customizable layouts.

• Cheat codes and game mods support.

• Multiple graphics backend options (Vulkan, OpenGL).

• Infrastructure multiplayer for online gaming.​

• Automatic DNS setup for revived online servers.

• Cross-platform save file compatibility.

• PPSSPP Gold features now available as in-app purchase.​

• Regular updates with performance improvements.​

• Active community support and compatibility lists.

• Free and open-source project.

Performance Comparison on iOS Devices 2026

Delta Performance Speed

Delta Emulator continues to be extremely well optimized for iOS devices. On modern iPhones and iPads like iPhone 15, iPhone 16 series, iPad Air with M1/M2 chips and iPad Pro with M-series processors, you will get smooth 60 FPS gameplay experience.​

• NES, SNES and GBA games run flawlessly.

• Nintendo 64 games perform very well on newer devices.

• DS emulation improved significantly on A16 and M-series chips.

• Near-instant save state loading speed.

• Touch controls feel very responsive.

• External controllers eliminate most input issues.

Older devices like iPhone XS and iPhone XR can still run GBA and SNES games smoothly. But Nintendo DS and N64 games may struggle on those old models.

Provenance Performance Speed

Provenance Emulator performance depends heavily on which gaming system you’re emulating and how powerful your iOS device is.​

• 8-bit and 16-bit console games run very well.

• Game Boy Advance and Sega Genesis performance is solid.

• PlayStation 1 performance improved but still inconsistent.

• 3DS emulation got major performance boost in 2026.​

• On Apple TV and older iPhones, PS1 games can experience audio stutter.

• On newer iPads and iPhones 15/16, it’s much more playable.

PPSSPP Performance Speed

PPSSPP remains the performance king among all iOS emulators in 2026.​

• Most PSP games run at full native speed.

• HD upscaling works perfectly on modern devices.

• Stable frame pacing with minimal frame drops.

• Very low input lag compared to other emulators.

• M-series iPads can push graphics beyond original PSP limits.

• Even mid-range iPhones handle PSP games well.

Raw Speed Winner: PPSSPP
Best iOS Optimization: Delta Emulator
Most Versatile: Provenance

Game Compatibility and ROM Support

Delta Game Compatibility

• NES and SNES games → Nearly perfect emulation.

• Game Boy and Game Boy Color → 100% flawless.

• Game Boy Advance → Excellent compatibility.

• Nintendo 64 → Mostly good with minor glitches in some games.

• Nintendo DS → Improved compatibility but not perfect yet.​

Save states are extremely reliable in Delta. And in-game native saves work as expected for all Pokemon games and RPG titles.

Provenance Game Compatibility

Compatibility varies depending on which system you’re playing:​

• Atari, NES and Genesis → Very good compatibility.

• Game Boy Advance → Solid performance.

• PlayStation 1 → Mixed results depending on game.

• Nintendo 64 → Still experimental, some games don’t work.

• Nintendo 3DS → Work in progress with recent improvements.

Provenance is best viewed as generalist emulator that supports many systems. But not perfectionist emulator for specific console.

PPSSPP Game Compatibility

PPSSPP supports over 95% of entire PSP game library.​

• Minor graphical glitches in handful of games only.

• Most compatibility issues solved with simple settings tweaks.

• Active community maintains updated compatibility lists.

• Regular updates fix newly discovered game issues.

If game compatibility matters most to you, then PPSSPP iOS is most reliable emulator choice.

Controller Support and Input Options

Delta Controller Support

• Xbox Series X/S controllers.

• PlayStation DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers.

• Backbone One gaming controller.

• All MFi certified game controllers.

• Custom touchscreen layout options.

• Rumble vibration works on supported controllers.

• Most Apple-like user interface design.​

Provenance Controller Support

• Bluetooth game controllers.

• MFi certified controllers.

• Apple TV remote control support.​

• iCade controller compatibility.

• Custom button mapping options.

PPSSPP Controller Support

• Xbox controllers (All models).

• PlayStation controllers (DualShock and DualSense).

• Nintendo Switch Pro controller.

• Backbone and iPega controllers.

• All major Bluetooth gaming controllers.

• Excellent analog stick mapping.

• Deep touchscreen customization options.​

Most Flexible Controller Support: PPSSPP Emulator.

Which iOS Emulator Should You Choose in 2026?

1) Choose Delta Emulator if:

• You love Pokemon, Mario, Zelda and Nintendo classics.

• You want smooth and iOS-optimized gaming experience.

• You prefer clean interface that feels like native iOS app.

• You only need Nintendo console emulation.

• You want emulator from Official Apple App Store.​

2) Choose Provenance Emulator if:

• You want one single app for many classic gaming systems.

• You play mostly older 8-bit and 16-bit console games.

• You own Apple TV and want big-screen retro gaming.​

• You enjoy exploring different gaming platforms.

3) Choose PPSSPP Emulator if:

• You are PSP gaming fan and love Sony games.

• You want best performance and visual quality.

• You need HD graphics upscaling features.​

• You want to play online multiplayer PSP games.​

• You prefer most compatible and reliable emulator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I download these emulators from App Store?

Yes, Delta Emulator is officially available on Apple App Store since April 2024. Provenance is currently in TestFlight beta testing. PPSSPP is also available on App Store with in-app purchase for Gold features.​

Q: Do I need jailbreak to use these emulators?

No, all three emulators work on non-jailbreak iPhone and iPad devices in 2026. You can install them directly from App Store or through AltStore without jailbreak.

Q: Which emulator has best performance on iPhone 16?

PPSSPP has best raw performance. Delta has best optimization for Nintendo games. Provenance offers decent performance for multiple systems.

Q: Can I use save states in these emulators?

Yes, all three emulators support save states feature. You can save your game progress at any point and load it later.

Q: Which emulator supports most gaming consoles?

Provenance Emulator supports over 30+ different gaming systems. While Delta focuses only on Nintendo and PPSSPP focuses only on PSP console.

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