Software:Delta (emulator)
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| Original author(s) | Riley Testut |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Riley Testut et al. |
| Initial release | September 28, 2019 (AltStore)[1] April 17, 2024 (App Store)[2][3] |
| Repository | github |
| Written in | Swift |
| Operating system | iOS iPadOS |
| Platform | iPhone iPad |
| Predecessor | GBA4iOS |
| Type | Video game console emulator |
| License | GNU Affero General Public License 3.0 |
| Website | deltaemulator |
Delta is an video game console emulator created by Riley Testut for iOS and iPadOS. It supports games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Gameboy Advance, and Sega Genesis. Development of Delta started prior to Testut entering university, with it being a successor to the earlier GBA4iOS application. Prior to the application's release on the App Store, iOS users had to download Delta via AltStore, Testut's app store for the iOS and iPadOS operating systems. Upon release onto the App Store in April 2024, the app reached the top of the App Store rankings for several days.
Background
GBA4iOS
Riley Testut started developing GBA4iOS, the predecessor of Delta, during his senior year at Richardson High School along with his friend Paul Thorsen.[4][5] It was a emulator of the Game Boy Advance for the iPhone. iOS users had to sideload the emulator via a loophole called the "Date Trick", where the app is allowed to be downloaded and installed via the Safari browser, without needing to jailbreak (i.e. using exploits to bypass software restrictions) the device.[6]
The exploit was patched in the iOS 8.1 update, thus ending the lifespan of the software. The source code for the app is currently hosted on Bitbucket.[7][6]
Development and release
Development of Delta started prior to Testut entering the University of Southern California.[8] He released the emulator in 2019 alongside the AltStore app marketplace for iOS and iPadOS.[9] It serves as an alternative to jailbreaking.[3] Before Delta was released on the App Store, the only way to install Delta was through AltStore.[2] Prior to the app's release, Apple took down a copycat emulator called iGBA, a fork of GBA4iOS. Testut called it a knockoff of the emulator. He also stated that he had not given permission to the developer of iGBA to publish the application.[10]
Delta released on April 17th, 2024. It reached the top of the App Store charts at the same time, maintaining the postition for multiple days.[3]
References
- ↑ Statt, Nick (25 September 2019). "AltStore is an alternative iOS App Store with a built-in Nintendo emulator" (in en). The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/25/20884363/altstore-riley-testut-delta-nintendo-emulator-ios-app-store-alternative-jailbreak. "Testut released AltStore earlier today in an early preview form. The full application launches on Saturday, September 28th, with Testut’s full Delta emulator as one of the available apps within the store."
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Orland, Kyle (18 April 2024). "Delta takes flight: Apple-approved Nintendo emulator is a great iOS option" (in en-us). Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/04/a-touchscreen-of-nostalgia-delta-brings-classic-nintendo-consoles-to-ios/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Davis, Wes (2024-04-17). "The free Delta game emulator for iPhones is live on Apple's App Store". https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/17/24132984/delta-free-emulator-nintendo-gba-n64-iphone-app-store-us. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ↑ Knight, Shawn (18 April 2024). "Nintendo emulator Delta lands on the Apple App Store, now the top free app". TechSpot. https://www.techspot.com/news/102668-all-one-nintendo-emulator-delta-lands-apple-app.html.
- ↑ Hodapp, Eli (25 February 2014). "Secret Deals, Pizza Parties and Countdowns: The Story of Riley Testut's GBA4iOS". TouchArcade. https://toucharcade.com/2014/02/25/the-story-of-riley-testuts-gba4ios/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Orland, Kyle (8 October 2014). "iOS 8.1 plugs security hole that made it easy to install emulators" (in en-us). Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/10/ios-8-1-plugs-security-hole-that-made-it-easy-to-install-emulators/.
- ↑ Testut, Riley (8 October 2014). "GBA4iOS is Dead. Long Live GBA4iOS" (in en). Riley Testut. https://rileytestut.com/blog/2014/10/08/gba4ios-is-dead-long-live-gba4ios/.
- ↑ Statt, Nick (4 October 2019). "How an iOS developer built an alternative App Store for the iPhone" (in en). The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/4/20791856/apple-ios-app-store-riley-testut-altstore-delta-nintendo-emulator-release.
- ↑ Newman, Jared (6 May 2022). "How AltStore is building a haven for forbidden iPhone apps". Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/90749170/altstore-riley-testut-iphone-sideloading-app-store.
- ↑ Jeffrey, Cal (15 April 2024). "Apple cans knockoff Game Boy app as emulators suffer first App Store casualty". TechSpot. https://www.techspot.com/news/102628-emulators-suffer-first-app-store-casualty-apple-cans.html.
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