Delta is a free emulator for iPhone and iPad that can run games from several classic Nintendo systems—but it does not include games. You install Delta from an official distribution source, place a legally obtained game file in Apple’s Files app, import it with Delta’s + button, and launch it from your library.
Delta supports NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS. Installation depends on your location: Apple’s App Store is the official route outside the European Union, while Delta’s current guide directs EU users to AltStore PAL. Check the official instructions and store listing before installing because availability and menu labels can change.
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What you need
- An iPhone or iPad running a current version of iOS or iPadOS.
- Delta installed from the official App Store listing or AltStore PAL, depending on your region.
- A compatible game file that you created or obtained in a way permitted by the law where you live.
- Apple’s Files app for storing and selecting the file.
- An optional compatible controller.
- An optional cartridge dumper if you want to create personal backups from physical Game Boy-family cartridges.
Delta is designed for non-jailbroken iOS devices. It is an emulator, not a Nintendo game store, subscription service, or replacement for a Nintendo Account. The emulator application and the rights to game files are separate issues. See Delta’s official project documentation and game-importing guide for the current supported workflow.
Which Nintendo systems does Delta support?
Delta’s official listings identify support for these systems:
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- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
| System | Common file extensions | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Entertainment System | .nes |
Some files may arrive inside a compressed archive. |
| Super Nintendo Entertainment System | .smc, .sfc |
Compatibility can vary between different game dumps. |
| Game Boy | .gb |
Use a clean, compatible dump. |
| Game Boy Color | .gbc |
Import works the same way as for Game Boy files. |
| Game Boy Advance | .gba |
Save compatibility matters when moving files between emulators. |
| Nintendo 64 | .n64, .z64, .v64 |
Performance and graphics vary substantially by game. |
| Nintendo DS | .nds |
Touchscreen input and some DS-specific functions need special handling. |
These are typical extensions, not an exhaustive compatibility promise. Delta does not play every Nintendo game: support depends on the system, game, file format, dump quality, emulator core, and title-specific behavior. The official App Store listing is the best place to check the current feature set.
Install Delta on iPhone or iPad
Outside the European Union: use the App Store
- Open Delta’s official App Store listing.
- Tap Get.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple Account password.
- Open Delta after installation.
This is the simplest route because installation and updates are handled through Apple’s App Store. The official Delta installation guide currently distinguishes App Store distribution outside the EU from the EU installation path.
In the European Union: follow AltStore PAL’s current instructions
Delta’s official guide currently directs users in EU countries to AltStore PAL. Open the official AltStore site and follow its current installation instructions rather than relying on old tutorials that describe general sideloading steps.
Do not download a random “Delta IPA,” modified copy, cracked build, or configuration profile from an unfamiliar site. Avoid enterprise certificates that ask you to trust an unknown developer, and avoid pages advertising Delta with preloaded ROM libraries. These routes create unnecessary security, authenticity, update, and copyright risks.
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How to get Nintendo game files legally
Delta requires you to import game files; it does not supply commercial Nintendo games. The safe editorial guidance is simple: use files you created or obtained in a way permitted by the law where you live, and do not download or share unauthorized copies. Copyright and personal-backup rules differ by jurisdiction. Owning a cartridge does not automatically answer every legal question in every country.
For personal backups, Delta’s official guide recommends using a cartridge-dumping device such as the GB Operator. At a high level, the process is:
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- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
- Connect a compatible cartridge reader or dumper to a Mac or PC.
- Insert your original cartridge.
- Use the manufacturer’s software to create a backup file.
- Transfer your own file to the iPhone or iPad using AirDrop, iCloud Drive, Finder file sharing, another cloud-storage provider, or a direct download of your own file.
- Open the file in Files and import it into Delta.
The GB Operator is most relevant to readers with original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or Game Boy Advance cartridges. It should not be presented as a universal dumper for NES, SNES, N64, or Nintendo DS cartridges, and buying it does not grant permission to download games you do not own.
Import a game into Delta
- Save the compatible game file in Apple’s Files app. Downloads, iCloud Drive, or another easy-to-find location are suitable.
- Open Delta.
- Tap the + button, generally at the top-right of the game library.
- Select the location containing your file.
- Tap the game file.
- Wait while Delta imports the file and identifies its system.
- Tap the new game tile to launch it.
You normally do not need to place files manually inside Delta’s internal folders. Importing through Delta’s file picker is safer and easier.
If the game is compressed
Delta can accept zipped games in supported cases, but not every archive format or archive contents will work. If a .zip file is not recognized:
- Open Files.
- Tap the archive to extract it.
- Import the extracted game file into Delta.
- Keep the original archive as a backup if you want.
Do not assume that every .7z or .rar archive will work directly. If Delta still cannot identify the file, confirm its extension, system, and dump quality.
Launch and control a game
After importing, tap the game’s cover tile. Delta displays an on-screen controller, and you can rotate the device if the selected controller skin supports landscape play. Open Delta’s in-game menu to pause, save, configure controls, use fast-forward, or access other features.
- Touch controls: convenient and always available, but less precise for fast action games.
- External controllers: generally better for NES, SNES, GBA, and N64 games.
- Keyboard controls: useful on iPad with a compatible external keyboard.
Connect a physical controller
Delta’s current App Store listing identifies support for Nintendo Switch Pro controllers, Joy-Con controllers, Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, and N64 controllers, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 controllers, Xbox One S and Xbox Series X controllers, MFi controllers, and Bluetooth or wired keyboards.
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- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
- Put the controller into pairing mode.
- On the iPhone or iPad, open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Select the controller when it appears.
- Open Delta and launch a game.
- Open Delta’s pause menu and verify or configure the button mapping.
A controller can pair successfully with iOS and still need mapping inside Delta. A single Joy-Con may require a custom mapping. N64 games can feel awkward on standard PlayStation or Xbox layouts because the original N64 controller used an unusual three-pronged design; an N64-oriented controller may be more comfortable. For DS games, a physical controller helps with buttons but does not replace touchscreen input.
For readers comparing hardware, the right category depends on use: a telescopic iPhone controller favors portability, while a standard Bluetooth controller is better for iPad or TV play. Official product pages from 8BitDo, Backbone, GameSir, and Apple’s gaming accessories store are safer starting points than unverified marketplace listings. Current prices and compatibility should be checked before purchase.
Normal saves versus Delta save states
Normal in-game saves
A normal save uses the mechanism built into the game, such as a save menu or checkpoint. It is usually the most portable and dependable type of save when moving between emulators.
Save states
A save state captures the emulator’s exact position, including the current moment in gameplay. Delta supports saving and loading states from its pause menu.
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Use both thoughtfully:
- Use normal in-game saves whenever possible.
- Use save states for convenience or as an additional backup.
- Create more than one save-state slot before difficult sections.
- Do not assume a save state will work in another emulator or after every major version change.
- Back up important progress before updating Delta.
DS players should be especially careful. Delta’s App Store release history included a warning that a version update made existing DS save states incompatible. Save normally in-game before major updates, and preserve an independent backup of important saves.
Use Delta Sync carefully
Delta’s project documentation says Delta Sync can synchronize games, game saves, save states, cheats, controller skins, and controller mappings. It supports Google Drive and Dropbox according to the documentation.
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- Open Delta’s settings.
- Find the sync option. The exact label or location may change between versions.
- Choose a supported provider.
- Sign in and authorize access.
- Wait for the initial synchronization to finish.
- Check the second device to confirm that the library and saves appear.
Sync is not the same as a complete independent backup. It can keep devices aligned, but conflicts may occur if the same game is played on multiple devices. Confirm which cloud account is connected, resolve conflicts carefully, and preserve important save files separately. Google Drive and Dropbox are unnecessary if you only use AirDrop or local Files transfers for a small collection.
Nintendo DS: what to expect
DS emulation is more demanding to use on a single-screen phone because the original system had two screens, a touchscreen, a microphone, and sometimes other hardware-specific behavior.
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- Use a custom skin if the default controls make the screens too small.
- Expect to use the touchscreen for games that depend on drawing, tapping, or stylus input.
- Microphone-dependent games may need version-specific support or configuration.
- An iPad, AirPlay setup, or larger display can make the layout easier to see, but may introduce input delay or other limitations.
BIOS requirements are version- and feature-dependent. A later Delta App Store update noted improvements to the melonDS core that made BIOS files optional and added support for inserting a GBA game into DS dual-slot functionality. Do not treat that as a guarantee for every Delta version, game, or feature, and do not download BIOS files from random websites. If a specific game or feature requires firmware, consult Delta’s current official documentation and consider the separate copyright and distribution issues involved.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Nintendo 64 troubleshooting
N64 emulation is more demanding than NES, Game Boy, or GBA emulation, and compatibility varies by title. Delta’s App Store notes describe an updated N64 core, OpenGL ES 3.0 rendering, a per-game option to switch back to OpenGL ES 2.0, and fixes for black, missing, or incorrect textures. Some releases also support optional custom resolutions and texture packs through configuration files.
If an N64 game has broken graphics or performance problems, try this order:
- Update Delta from the official source.
- Restart the game.
- Open the per-game graphics settings.
- Try the alternate OpenGL option if it is available.
- Test a clean, correctly dumped game file.
- Remove unsupported texture modifications.
- Check Delta’s current release notes or troubleshooting documentation.
Do not promise perfect N64 compatibility. A problem with one title does not necessarily mean that Delta or the iPhone is defective.
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Optional Delta features
- Fast-forward: useful for slow travel sections or repetitive gameplay.
- Hold Button: useful when a game requires a button to remain pressed.
- Custom controller skins: change the appearance and layout of touch controls.
- Quick save and quick load: access save states from the pause menu.
- Screenshots: capture gameplay moments where supported.
- AirPlay: display gameplay on a compatible larger screen, with possible latency.
- Local multiplayer: supports up to four players for certain NES, SNES, and N64 games according to the App Store listing.
- Cheats: Delta supports system-specific formats including Game Genie for NES and SNES, Pro Action Replay for SNES, GameShark for N64 and Game Boy Color, Game Genie for Game Boy Color, Action Replay, Code Breaker, and GameShark for GBA, and Action Replay for DS.
- DS online features: newer releases added functionality through community Nintendo WFC servers where supported. Availability depends on the Delta version, game, and community server.
Patreon benefits mentioned in Delta’s listing are not required for basic installation or gameplay. Check the official Delta or AltStore page for current benefits and pricing before considering a subscription.
Delta troubleshooting guide
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Delta cannot see the file | Wrong Files location, compressed archive, incorrect extension, unsupported system, or corrupt dump. | Extract the archive, move the file to Downloads or iCloud Drive, confirm the extension, update Delta, and retry. |
| The game imports but will not boot | Bad or incomplete dump, unsupported mapper or special hardware, wrong format, or a game-specific limitation. | Test a clean personal dump, remove patches or modifications, update Delta, and check the system-specific documentation. |
| The game runs slowly | N64 or DS workload, texture modifications, AirPlay overhead, or input delay mistaken for performance lag. | Update Delta, disable texture modifications, test locally without AirPlay, try another graphics option, and disconnect peripherals temporarily. |
| N64 graphics are broken | Rendering mode or title-specific compatibility issue. | Try the alternate OpenGL setting, use a clean dump, remove texture packs, and check release notes. |
| The controller works in iOS but not in the game | Delta’s mapping has not been configured. | Open the pause menu and configure or verify the controller mapping. |
| A DS save state will not load | Version-specific save-state incompatibility. | Use a normal in-game save, restore a compatible backup, and avoid relying on one save state. |
| A save disappeared | Different ROM dump, overwritten state, sync conflict, app deletion, or update-related incompatibility. | Check normal in-game saves, use Delta’s save-management or export options where available, restore from sync history if configured, and keep independent backups. |
Is Delta legal?
Delta is an emulator application, while Nintendo game files are separate copyrighted works. The legality of making, downloading, possessing, or sharing a backup depends on your jurisdiction and the circumstances. Do not assume that every emulator use or every ROM download is automatically legal, and do not use Delta as a reason to download unauthorized copies.
Use game files you created or obtained in a way permitted by the law where you live. Avoid ROM repositories, preloaded game bundles, unauthorized sharing, unofficial Delta builds, and BIOS downloads from unknown sources.
Keep these details current
Delta’s supported features, App Store availability, version number, installation instructions, and menu labels can change. The supplied research recorded an App Store listing showing version 1.7.3s dated November 11, 2025, but that is not a guarantee of the version available at publication. Recheck the official Delta guide, App Store listing, and Delta project page before publishing screenshots or version-specific claims.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Delta come with Nintendo games?
No. Delta is an emulator and requires you to import compatible game files yourself. Use files you created or obtained lawfully where you live; do not download unauthorized ROM copies.
Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to use Delta?
No. Delta is designed for non-jailbroken iPhone and iPad devices. Use the official App Store route outside the EU or the current AltStore PAL instructions in EU countries.
What is the difference between a ROM and a save state?
A ROM or game file is the software Delta runs. A normal save is created by the game itself. A save state captures the emulator’s exact position and may not remain compatible across emulator versions.
Why will my Nintendo DS save state not load?
DS save states can be version-specific. Use normal in-game saves, keep independent backups, and check Delta’s release notes before updating.
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Install Delta only from its official distribution route, import a compatible game file you are legally entitled to use, and save normally in-game as well as using save states. Touch controls are enough to start, but a physical controller improves most NES, SNES, GBA, and N64 games. Expect more troubleshooting with N64 graphics and Nintendo DS touchscreen features.
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