**Apple’s Policy Affects GameCube and Wii Emulator “DolphiniOS”**
In a recent turn of events, Apple’s policy on app store listings has impacted the fate of the popular iOS emulator “DolphiniOS”, specifically designed for GameCube and Wii games. Despite the success of Nintendo emulator “Delta” on the App Store, “DolphiniOS” has faced hurdles that led to its decision to forgo listing on the official platform.
The core developer of “DolphiniOS”, known as Oatmeal Dome, revealed that the unique architecture of GameCube and Wii game code, designed for PowerPC processors, poses a challenge when running on iPhone and iPad’s ARM processors. To bridge this gap, “DolphiniOS” utilizes a just-in-time recompiler (JIT recompiler) to translate the code for compatibility.
However, Apple’s strict policy regarding the use of JIT recompilers resulted in the rejection of “DolphiniOS” from the App Store. While some third-party browsers are allowed to use JIT recompilers in certain regions, other software, including emulators like “DolphiniOS”, are not permitted.
Oatmeal Dome demonstrated the performance gap between using an interpreter and a JIT recompiler with the game “Mario Kart”, showcasing notable differences in gameplay experience. With the interpreter, the game faced delays and issues during gameplay, highlighting the necessity of JIT recompilers for optimal performance.
As a result, Oatmeal Dome decided to abandon the plans to list “DolphiniOS” on the official App Store and instead opted to keep it exclusively on third-party platforms like AltStore. The decision reflects the challenges faced by developers in navigating Apple’s stringent policies while catering to the needs of iOS users who seek gaming emulation options.
Overall, the case of “DolphiniOS” sheds light on the complexities of app development and approval processes, as developers strive to balance innovation with compliance within the confines of platform regulations. The fate of emulators like “DolphiniOS” serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of app store policies and their impact on the availability of diverse software offerings for users.