Apple Removes iGBA Game Boy Emulator from App Store
April 15, 2024
Apple Takes Action Against iGBA Emulator
Apple, the leading tech giant, has announced the removal of the popular Game Boy emulator, iGBA, from its App Store. This decision comes in the wake of iGBA violating the company’s App Review Guidelines concerning spam and copyright infringement. However, specific details regarding the violation have not been provided by Apple.
What Led to the Removal of iGBA?
iGBA gained substantial popularity and had ascended the App Store charts following its release this weekend. However, users quickly voiced their concerns on social media, highlighting that the app, replete with ads, was simply a ripoff of developer Riley Testut’s open-source GBA4iOS app. Riley Testut, in a dismayed thread post, expressed his astonishment at the knock-off being featured at the top of the charts, despite his lack of authorization and the intrusive ads and tracking embedded in it.
At present, it remains unclear whether Apple removed iGBA due to the app being a duplicate of GBA4iOS. We have reached out to Apple for product clarification, and, once we receive any further information that sheds light on this decision, this article will be promptly updated.
Understanding iGBA and Its Features
iGBA is an emulator that allows iPhone users to play Game Boy games by sideloading free Read-Only Memory (ROM) files downloaded from the internet. These ROMs encompass an extensive repertoire of games, including the highly-acclaimed Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda franchises. Existing users who previously installed iGBA before its removal from the App Store can still enjoy their game library without interruption.
Possible Involvement of Nintendo in the App’s Removal
Nintendo, the renowned gaming company, asserts that obtaining pirated copies of its games is an unlawful act. It remains uncertain whether Nintendo filed a complaint regarding iGBA to Apple, and whether this had any bearing on the app’s removal from the App Store.
Apple’s App Review Guidelines and Advancements
Only a short period ago, Apple updated its App Review Guidelines to allow “retro game console emulators.” Following iGBA’s swift elimination, Apple enthusiasts are now keen to ascertain the exact limitations that will be imposed on similar apps in the future.
Developer Riley Testut’s Alternatives
Riley Testut, the creator of GBA4iOS app, is not solely rooted in his past creation. Testut has moved on to develop another Nintendo game emulator called Delta, which is distributed outside of the App Store. The Delta emulator is also set to be available through Testut’s alternative app marketplace, known as the AltStore, on iPhones in the EU. Whether Testut intends to bring Delta to the App Store following these recent rule changes remains undisclosed.
