Just a week after Apple changed its guidelines, the game emulator is now available on the iOS App Store.
According to AppleInsider, emulators such as Emu 64 XL for the Commodore 64 and iGBA for the Gameboy Advance and Gameboy Color are already available in the App Store. They can be downloaded by iPhone and iPad users – both emulators are free to download and have no in-app purchases.
Apple finally allows game streaming service on App Store
Last week, Apple changed its App Store policy to say that “retro console emulator apps may offer game downloads.” For years, Apple users have been concerned about being unable to download widely used retro gaming emulators on Android. The tech giant has previously banned emulators from the App Store, but its relationships with third-party developers have been accused of being anti-competitive. Emulators are a bit legally murky because the developers don’t own the games, but companies like Nintendo do.
But Apple was recently fined billions of euros in Europe and faces an antitrust lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice. This means Apple’s policy change may be an attempt to get ahead of its legal issues. Recently, Apple also allowed the use of third-party video game streaming apps like Xbox and Nvidia, which is a welcome change for gamers who have been frustrated by clunky solutions due to strict policies.
The Emu 64 XL is designed for iPad, but will also run on iPhones and Macs running iOS 11 and macOS 11 or later. The iGBA emulator also works with iPhone, iPad (iOS 12 and iPadOS 12 or later), and M1 Mac.