When was the last time you played Frogger or battled in the original Final Fantasy VII? Apple users can now relive these classic gaming moments with the release of RetroArch on the Apple App Store. RetroArch emulates dozens of game consoles and, as of March 15, is available for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, offering Apple fans access to a vast collection of retro consoles.
You can download RetroArch for free directly from the App Store. Although RetroArch has been available on macOS as a third-party download, the developers are working on a macOS App Store version, though there’s no estimated release date yet.
Apple reintroduced emulators to the App Store earlier this year. The first emulator was removed for being a knockoff, but Delta, the second emulator, launched alongside Apple’s first authorized third-party app store. While there have been some emulator releases since, RetroArch is the most notable name in console emulation to appear in the App Store to date.
RetroArch’s major advantage is the ability to play numerous classic games that have defined the gaming industry, such as Atari 2600 titles. From Frogger and the original Mario games to Spyro the Dragon, Sonic the Hedgehog, and older classics like Pac-Man on the Commodore 64, RetroArch provides a nostalgic gaming experience.
To run RetroArch, you need iOS, iPadOS, or tvOS version 14.2 or higher. It’s also compatible with the Apple Vision Pro running VisionOS 1.0 or later, covering most current iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, and all Apple Vision Pros.
Getting Started RetroArch isn’t technically an emulator; it’s a front-end for downloading emulators, or Libretro cores, which are essentially the emulators themselves. Upon first installation, RetroArch won’t play any games until you download the necessary cores. For instance, to play a Super Nintendo game, you would open RetroArch, download an SNES Libretro core, and use it to run your game. An example is the Sony PSP; you can download the PPSSPP emulator from the App Store or use its Libretro core within RetroArch.
The Libretro core system can be initially daunting, but once you learn how to download and access cores through the RetroArch app, using the app becomes straightforward, despite its somewhat dated UI. RetroArch supports a variety of systems, including Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and more.
Additional Features Besides console emulation, RetroArch offers features to enhance the gaming experience. It supports Bluetooth controllers, which is especially useful for Apple TV users who want to play old games on modern TVs. Emulation staples like save states allow users to save a “snapshot” of their game progress for instant reloading. Users can also fast-forward or rewind gameplay to speed up segments or correct mistakes.
RetroArch supports multiplayer play through Netplay, enabling you to play games with friends as if you had two controllers connected to the same console, but on separate devices. For instance, you can play Mario Kart 64 with a friend on separate iPhones using Netplay.
Additionally, RetroArch includes graphical enhancements to improve game visuals, cheat code support, and a built-in achievement system, making it a comprehensive tool for retro gaming enthusiasts.
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