Apple removes Game Boy emulator iGBA from App Store over violations

The app, which rose to the top of the charts over the weekend, faced criticism for being a copycat version of the open-source GBA4iOS app developed by Riley Testut.

Riley Testut expressed disappointment over the unauthorized use of his work, highlighting concerns about consumer protection against scams and rip-offs. While the exact reason for iGBA's removal remains unclear, it coincides with complaints from users and developers alike.

iGBA allowed iPhone users to play Game Boy games using ROMs downloaded from the internet, including titles from popular franchises like Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda. However, downloading pirated copies of games is illegal, according to Nintendo's customer support website.

Apple's App Review Guidelines emphasize the importance of using only licensed content and warn against unauthorized use of intellectual property. The removal of iGBA comes shortly after Apple updated its guidelines to permit retro game console emulators.