'GBA4iOS' Game Boy Emulator Shut Down After Nintendo Files DMCA Notice

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GBA4iOS, the popular Game Boy emulator for iOS, has been removed by its creator Riley Testut on GitHub after Nintendo filed a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown request, reports The Next Web. First sharing the news through his Twitter, Testut stated that the emulator will continue to function normally on iOS devices, as in-app ROM downloads will be "temporarily suspended."

gba4ios
GBA4iOS saw its last major update in February, which added iPad support, controller skins, iOS 7 controller support, Dropbox integration, and an in-app web browser that could used to download Game Boy games from any ROM website. The emulator was also notable for bypassing Apple's App Store restrictions as it could be installed directly on an iOS device by visiting the project's official website and tapping a download link.

Traditionally, Apple has taken a strict stance on emulators in the App Store, which has caused apps like GBA4iOS to seek alternative methods for user downloads. For instance, open emulators such as iMAME and iDOS have made their way onto the App Store only to be pulled a short time later likely because of potential legal issues.

Despite the removal of GBA4iOS, the 'NDS4iOS' Nintendo DS emulator for iOS devices released last month remains available on its respective web page. However, it is unknown if Nintendo will file a similar takedown notice in efforts to prevent potential piracy.

Tag: thenextweb.com

Top Rated Comments

cmChimera Avatar
cmChimera
94 months ago
Wow, negative comments. I love how Nintendo enforcing their intellectual property rights, by not letting people illegally download their games, is bad choice. :rolleyes:
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roadbloc Avatar
roadbloc
94 months ago
Wow, negative comments. I love how Nintendo enforcing their intellectual property rights, by not letting people illegally download their games, is bad choice. :rolleyes:

+1. If Apple were to do this, the praise would be so high that angels in heaven would sing songs of copyright and litigation.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SPUY767 Avatar
SPUY767
94 months ago
Watching the death spiral of Nintendo will painful.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lewisd25 Avatar
lewisd25
94 months ago
Taking out the in-app web browser that facilitates rom downloads would have complied with the DMCA. Emulators are not illegal, unauthorized distribution of roms is. The dev is just scared of Nintendo's legal pit bulls.

I never cared for GBA anyway. Someone please release a good NES, SNES, and MAME emulator using this alternative app distribution method. Please!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fel10 Avatar
fel10
94 months ago
The only legal way to play their old games is on a Wii U. That is just ridiculous.

How is that ridiculous? It's their ips. They have the right to them.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whooleytoo Avatar
whooleytoo
94 months ago
Wow, negative comments. I love how Nintendo enforcing their intellectual property rights, by not letting people illegally download their games, is bad choice. :rolleyes:

Considering how Apple protects its IP like a rabid doberman, it does seem a bit ironic to complain about Nintendo's actions on this site.

As a fan of iOS devices and many Nintendo games though, it's a pity there couldn't be a legal solution to this.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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