Excitement rippled through the retro gaming community recently when iGBA, the first Apple-approved emulator for Game Boy Advance (GBA) games, landed on the App Store.
This meant iPhone and iPad users could finally enjoy classic titles like Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, or The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, directly on their devices.
However, the party was short-lived.
What are GBA emulators?
Simply put, an emulator is a software program that allows you to run games designed for a different system on your current device. In this case, a GBA emulator lets you play GBA games on your phone or tablet. These emulators mimic the GBA’s hardware and software, creating a virtual environment where the games can function.
iGBA’s appearance marked a turning point, fueled by recent shifts in the landscape of third-party app stores. Apple’s App Store policies previously prohibited apps that could potentially function as emulators. However, new regulations, particularly in the European Union, are prompting tech giants like Apple to relax their control over app distribution. This includes allowing alternative app stores to operate on iOS devices.
It was within this context that iGBA managed to become available for a short while.
Why did iGBA disappear from the App Store?
Apple’s decision to remove iGBA from the App Store after a short while was shrouded in secrecy. Speculation swirled around copyright infringement, as the emulator’s code allegedly resembled an existing open-source project, GBA4iOS.
Additionally, reports surfaced about excessive advertising and unnecessary location tracking within the app, violating Apple’s App Review Guidelines.
Riley Testut, the developer of GBA4iOS, has shared to following insights about the removal on Threads:
Post by @rileytestutView on Threads
Is it legal to run GBA emulators?
It’s important to note that the legality surrounding emulators can vary depending on your region. Generally, the emulator itself is not illegal, but acquiring the game files (ROMs) can be a grey area. Ideally, you should only use ROMs for games you already own a physical copy of.
Finding GBA emulators can be tricky, especially on platforms with strict app stores like Apple’s iOS. Some alternative app stores or independent developers might offer emulators, but proceed with caution, as these can sometimes be unreliable or contain malware.
