Apple’s decision to open the App Store to emulators has sparked excitement among gamers, with many wondering which emulators will be approved. One popular emulator, PPSSPP, known for its availability on Android and PC, is now set to make its way to iPhones.
The creator of PPSSPP, Henrik Rydgård, confirmed that he is working on an iOS version of the emulator. However, he emphasized that Apple would need to allow users to select and load their own ROMs onto their phones for the emulator to be fully functional.
Emulators function as virtual consoles on devices, allowing users to play games by downloading ROMs. The legality of acquiring ROMs varies, from dumping physical media to illegal piracy.
Apple recently clarified that emulators can use downloaded ROMs, but only for retro console games, not modern ones. The definition of “retro” remains ambiguous, raising questions about which consoles will be eligible for emulation on iOS.
Despite the uncertainty, Rydgård remains optimistic about PPSSPP’s future on iOS, especially since Apple has confirmed users can choose their own downloads. The launch of emulators on iOS has faced challenges, with Apple recently removing an emulator from the App Store due to spam and copyright infringement issues.
As the gaming community eagerly awaits the arrival of PPSSPP on iPhones, the debate over which consoles qualify as retro for emulation on iOS continues. With Apple’s recent stance on user-downloaded ROMs, the future looks promising for emulator enthusiasts on iOS devices.