iMAME Arcade Emulator Hits the App Store (For Now) [Update: Pulled] - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

iMAME Arcade Emulator Hits the App Store (For Now) [Update: Pulled]

TouchArcade has spotted the appearance of a free MAME game emulator on the App Store called iMAME. MAME is a popular arcade machine emulator that will run thousands of arcade games if you have the original ROMs.

icade
iMAME running Simpsons with iCade support.

iMAME ships with nine "less than stellar" ROMs to play, but apparently can load arbitrary ROMs using a 3rd party utility such as iExplorer without jailbreaking:

It seems that the same method used to get games into iDOS also works in iMAME. Twitter user @mattlukens mentions, "Yep, add a .zip rom to the Docs folder through PhoneView and it works perfect! Just tried Crime Fighters!" He also provided a screenshot. The clock is really ticking now on Apple pulling this down

Apple has had a bit of a spotty history with emulators on the App Store. While a number of individual emulators do exist on the App Store, Apple has been more restrictive about these open emulators, presumably due to potential legal issues. For example, a full DOS/Windows 3.0 emulator appeared in the App Store at one point but was quickly pulled by Apple.

iMAME is currently available as a free Universal application on the App Store. [Link]

Update: It took Apple two days to get around to it with the holidays, but iMAME has been removed from the App Store.

Popular Stories

HomePod mini and Apple TV Sage

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Are 'Nearly Ready' to Launch, New Siri Remote Also Rumored

Sunday May 31, 2026 8:47 am PDT by
New models of the Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are "nearly ready to go," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Both devices have been ready "for months," but Apple is holding off on launching them until the more personalized version of Siri is available, he said. "I am told the hardware for the next Apple TV...
iphone 17 pro black feature

iPhone 18 Pro's Camera Upgrade Will Cost Apple 50% More

Friday May 29, 2026 3:44 am PDT by
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max's all-new variable aperture lens will cost Apple 50% more than the camera unit used in current models, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Variable aperture has been one of the most persistent iPhone camera rumors of the past few years. Kuo first flagged the feature in late 2024, and it has since been corroborated by multiple reports and...
iphone 18 pro color dummies

First Look at iPhone 18 Pro Color Options Revealed by Dummy Models

Friday May 29, 2026 4:50 am PDT by
Leaker Sonny Dickson today shared images of iPhone 18 Pro dummy models in the device's four rumored colors, offering the first real-world look at what to expect from the lineup visually. Corroborating previous rumors, the dummies show the iPhone 18 Pro Max in Light Blue, Black, Silver, and Dark Cherry. Dickson said "Cherry will probably be the next hit, orange did very well." Cosmic Orange...

Top Rated Comments

189 months ago
Downloaded and saved forever (at least until iOS 6)
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wordoflife Avatar
189 months ago
Don't think I'll ever use this, but downloaded it just in case.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
189 months ago
I can put in a folder with Tether titled "Banned 2011 Apps"
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
189 months ago
Don't think I'll ever use this, but downloaded it just in case.


Haha. Yeah, same here.

----------

Easiest way is to open "www.macrumors.com" in your iPod Touch's web browser, then click on the "Link" at the end of the article.

arn


I just love how arn is helping out with the deviant behavior. :D
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TMar Avatar
189 months ago
It's not breaking any of the app store rules. There are many emulators up on the app store. The only app store requirement is that you can only play games bundled with your app. It doesn't cover users jail breaking the phone and loading more.

I guess your reading comprehension isn't so great because in the OP it says you can load more on it with-OUT Jb'ing...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
189 months ago
How do I download it? iMame emu isn't in the app store?

Thanks

Direct link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imame/id485639079?mt=8

arn
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors