The game emulator is now available on the iOS App Store, just a week after Apple changed its guidelines.
According to AppleInsider, emulators like Emu 64 XL for Commodore 64 and iGBA for Gameboy Advance and Gameboy Color have appeared on the App Store. Available for download for iPhone and iPad users — both emulators are free to download and have no in-app purchases.
Apple finally allows game streaming services on the App Store
Last week, Apple changed its App Store policy, saying that “retro game console emulator apps may offer game downloads.” Apple users have had FOMO for years because they can’t download the retro game emulators that are widely available on Android. The tech giant previously banned emulators from the App Store, but its relationship with third-party developers has been accused of being anti-competitive. Emulators are a bit legally murky because the developers aren’t the owners of the games, but companies like Nintendo.
But Apple was recently fined billions of euros in Europe and faces an antitrust lawsuit from the US Department of Justice. This means that with Apple’s policy change, it probably tried to pre-empt its legal issues. Recently, Apple also allowed third-party video game streaming apps from the likes of Xbox and Nvidia, a welcome change for gamers frustrated with clumsy workarounds due to its strict rules.
Emu 64 XL is designed for iPads, but also works on iPhones and Macs running iOS 11 and macOS 11 or later. The iGBA emulator also works on iPhones, iPads (iOS 12 and iPadOS 12 or later) and M1 Macs.