After years of being banned on iOS, Apple finally loosened its App Store restrictions to allow retro gaming emulators to be hosted on the platform. Developers have just started to roll out their emulator apps, but the user demand already speaks for itself. Delta swiftly shot to the top of the App Store rankings upon release, and retro gaming emulators were a key motivator driving iPhone owners in the European Union to check out third-party app stores.
Apple says games offered by these emulators must adhere to “all applicable laws” to prevent things like piracy, so it’s hardly a free-for-all. And despite the obvious restrictions, it’s easy to see the appeal: the smaller screen on smartphones is well suited to playing low-resolution games, and iPhones are far more portable than modern gaming handhelds capable of running retro titles, like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.
We’re collecting all the latest news around App Store console emulators here, including the latest app releases, updates from developers, and any related accessories that support iOS gameplay.
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