The Apple App Store was updated with new options for retro gaming fans. The first emulators have arrived for iOS, which means they have been approved for use on iPhone and iPad devices. Apple has eased its rules for the App Store According to Forbes, recent changes have made it possible for such apps to enter the App Store.
Previously, this was not allowed on the iPhone, but now gaming emulators have been included after the company updated its App Store guidelines earlier this month. Users worldwide can now download gaming emulator apps for their iOS devices. The first app of this kind to appear on the App Store is called IGBA. Once downloaded, it allows people to play Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games on their iPhone or iPad.
Gaming emulators simulate Nintendo devices, meaning that if the user has a ROM file for a Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Color game, they can easily open it in the iGBA and the game will be playable on the device where the app is downloaded.
This type of app has previously not been available via the official App Store. However, when it was accused of being anti-competitive, Apple updated its App Store guidelines. However, emulators are a bit complicated legally because the developers don't own the games. So to avoid legal issues, users need to know that they need to own a copy of the game and not just download a ROM from the web.