Retro games from consoles could soon arrive on Apple TV 4K, as Apple has updated its terms to officially allow game emulators. However, obtaining games may still be a hassle.
After years of being banned, retro game emulators are now allowed worldwide on Apple's various platforms via the App Store.
Like Apple's decision to permit cloud streaming apps, the decision to allow game emulator apps is voluntary and not restricted to any specific region. However, it may be related to pressure from the EU's Digital Markets Act and the US Department of Justice's antitrust case.
- "Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws," Apple's updated terms read.
May still be a hassle
While the game emulator apps are welcome, Apple makes it clear that developers are still responsible for complying with guidelines and laws.
In other words, the apps may not come preloaded with lots of well-known retro games, as some of these games are still copyright-protected or hover in a legal grey area.
Game emulator apps could open the door to retro games such as Mortal Kombat from old consoles
Retro games can potentially be loaded as ROM files via a cloud drive instead.
- "If it turns out that the rules now allow emulators with ISO/ROM pickers, PPSSPP will come to the App Store later this year. If not, well, it won't!," the developer of the PSP emulator app, PPSSPP, commented shortly after Apple's announcement.
tvOS supports numerous game controllers including those from Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox.
Time will tell
Certain types of game emulator apps are already allowed on Google's Play Store. However, similar to Apple, Google does not permit pirated or otherwise copyright-contested retro games. While apps on Android can be sideloaded, they must be adapted for the TV screen to display correctly on Android TV or Google TV.
It remains to be seen whether retro game emulators will make their way to Apple TV 4K and other Apple platforms. The company opened its App Store to cloud gaming apps in January, but cloud gaming apps like Xbox and GeForce Now are still absent.
- Source: Apple Developer, 9to5Mac, PPSSPP
