Apple users now have access to RetroArch in the Apple App Store, allowing them to relive classic games on their iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs. RetroArch can emulate dozens of game consoles, providing a wide range of retro gaming options. The app is free to download from the App Store, making it easily accessible to fans of retro gaming. While RetroArch is already available on MacOS as a third-party download, the developers are working on an App Store version for MacOS as well. Apple allowed emulators back in the App Store earlier this year, with RetroArch being the biggest name in console emulation to hit the platform.
RetroArch is not technically an emulator itself, but rather a front-end where users can download and access emulators through the app. The app uses Libretro cores, which are emulators that allow users to play games from various consoles. To play games on RetroArch, users need to download the corresponding cores for the console they want to emulate. The app supports cores for systems like Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and more. Although the learning curve for RetroArch can be steep at first, once users learn how to download and access cores, the app is easy to use.
In addition to console emulation, RetroArch offers features like Bluetooth controller support, save states for instant game reloading, fast-forward and rewind gameplay options, and multiplayer play through Netplay. The app allows users to customize their gaming experience with graphical tweaks, cheat code support, and an achievement system. With Netplay, players can emulate playing with two controllers plugged into the same console, allowing for multiplayer gaming on separate devices.
To run RetroArch, users need to be on iOS, iPadOS, or TVOS version 14.2 or higher. The app is also compatible with the Apple Vision Pro running VisionOS 1.0 or later. By supporting most iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, and Apple Vision Pros available on the market, RetroArch can reach a wide audience of retro gaming enthusiasts. The app offers a vast library of old games, including classics like Frogger, Mario, Spyro, Sonic, Pac-Man, and more, providing players with a nostalgic gaming experience.
The release of RetroArch in the Apple App Store marks a significant milestone for fans of retro gaming, as it allows them to access a wide range of console emulators on their Apple devices. The app’s availability on iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs opens up a world of classic games for players to enjoy. With features like Bluetooth controller support, save states, fast-forward and rewind gameplay, multiplayer capabilities, and graphical enhancements, RetroArch offers a comprehensive retro gaming experience. As the biggest console emulation app on the App Store, RetroArch brings the nostalgia of old-school gaming to a new generation of Apple users.
