This new iPadOS emulator turns your iPad into a retro gaming machine
Retro gaming emulators have been popping up on iOS at an ever-increasing rate in recent months. Now, the popular Delta emulator for iPhone has made the jump to iPad (a few months after a tablet version was first hinted at), allowing you to enjoy old-school games on a much larger screen.
Delta is already a popular option among retro gaming enthusiasts. It lets you play games designed for consoles like the NES, SNES, N64, Nintendo DS, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance, and it’s currently available as a free download from the App Store.
As emphasized in a AltWinkel post on Threads, the latest version of the Delta is “fully optimized” for iPads. You can download it now in the EU via AltStore or “coming soon to the App Store”.
In addition to the large collection of compatible platforms, Delta’s iPad app features skins specifically designed for Apple’s tablet, as well as support for controllers, Stage Manager, and Split View.
The app developer has added that Delta will carry over your game progress when you switch between iOS and iPadOS, so you can continue your gaming session on another device.
Are emulators allowed? It’s complicated
Apple has a somewhat tense relationship with developers of retro gaming emulators. Until a few months ago, they were banned from Apple’s platforms. That changed in April, when Apple allowed them into the App Store, presumably to avoid regulatory oversight from the European Union (EU).
That didn’t mean developers had complete free rein, though. In June, for example, Apple banned the UTM SE app from its devices. The emulator allows users to run old versions of Windows as well as retro games, but Apple wasn’t happy to allow its release to iOS users.
Developers have long complained that Apple’s App Store rules are confusing, and that turned out to be the case with UTM SE, with the creator stating that Apple staff had “no idea” what changes could be made to remedy the situation. Even stranger, Apple has since done an about-face and allowed UTM SE into the App Store this past weekend.
We call it odd because section 4.7 of Apple’s App Review Guidelines specifically makes an exception for “retro game console emulator apps.” While UTM SE can technically be used to play retro games, its primary function is as an operating system emulator, which is presumably why it fell foul of Apple’s rules in the first place.
With those rules now relaxed, it will be interesting to see what other emulators Apple allows in the future – and whether this will result in a flood of new emulators for your device.
Please note that using emulators may violate the terms and conditions of the game developer and publisher, as well as applicable intellectual property laws. These may vary, so please check. Emulators should only be used with your own purchased copy of the game. TechRadar does not condone or encourage illegal downloading of games or actions that infringe copyright.
