Apple’s recent decision to allow retro game emulators on the App Store has sparked controversy among users and developers alike. The most recent development in this ongoing saga is the removal of the iGBA Game Boy emulator, which was deemed to be too similar to another existing emulator.
Riley Testut, the developer behind the popular GBA4iOS emulator, accused iGBA of being a knock-off of his own creation and criticized it for being packed with intrusive advertisements. In response to this controversy, Testut has released Delta, the successor to GBA4iOS, on the App Store for free.
Delta boasts support for a wide range of classic gaming consoles, including the Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, and Nintendo DS. The app also includes several features to enhance the gaming experience, such as compatibility with third-party controllers, cheat codes, quick saves, and local multiplayer.
Users interested in accessing Delta and other third-party apps can also turn to AltStore PAL, an open-source marketplace based in the EU. For a nominal cost of €1.50 per year, AltStore PAL provides a platform for users to easily download these apps without the need for sideloading.
In order to use Delta and other emulators legally, users must provide their own game files and ensure that they are in compliance with copyright laws by dumping games they own into ROM files. With the introduction of Delta and AltStore PAL, the landscape of retro gaming on iOS devices is evolving, offering users more options and opportunities to explore classic titles on their mobile devices.
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