Update: The application has been removed from the App Store. Original story below.
Last week, Apple changed its App Store policies to apparently allow game emulators on the iPhone for the first time.
Since this policy change, the first emulator apps have appeared . appearance in the store. iGBA is a free Game Boy emulator for iPhone and iPad that can actually download and play ROMs downloaded to the device – a category of apps that Apple would have clearly rejected two weeks ago.
The iGBA developer is clearly profiting from an unexpected rule change. The app is a lazy copy of the open source project GBA4iOS, although it monetizes with built-in advertising. (In case it's not obvious, Riley Testut confirms that the application was submitted without his participation or consent.)
Nevertheless, this is a full-featured emulator. You can actually download a Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Color ROM from the Internet and then ‘Open in’ iGBA to start playing them. Save states, virtual controller customization, haptic settings, and AirPlay external display projection are available here.
The App Store policy change was a bit ambiguous as to whether it would allow installation via sideloaded ROM, since the language is specific to licensed emulated programs in the main application.
But assuming that iGBA's approval is not a reviewer's fault, then there appears to be no limitation to ROM download functionality, and hence it is now open season on the App Store for gaming emulators to exist and thrive.
