Since the introduction of retro emulators on iPhone, we have been treated to the arrival of many consoles in iOS, but some are missing. This is particularly the case for the Nintendo 3DS, which is now joining the App Store thanks to the Folium application. However, there are several parameters to take into account, because it may not last long. On the one hand, Folium could encounter a legal problem, and on the other, a technical obstacle.
Nintendo
The first paid Nintendo emulator in the App Store
First of all, it is good to note that Folium is paid, and costs 5.99 euros in the French App Store. A curious initiative on the part of developer Jarrod Norwell, given the fate that was reserved for the Yuzu emulator. The latter is a Nintendo emulator that made profits by selling its application.
Nintendo doesn't like emulators, and even less those who make profits by emulating its consoles. The Japanese giant therefore initiated legal action, which resulted in Yuzu paying Nintendo $2.4 million.Folium therefore risks being taken to court by Nintendo, just like Yuzu.
No JIT = catastrophic performance?
The second problem with Folium is that Apple refuses to support JIT technology.As explained initially, it is a compiler which aims to offer better performance to emulators, particularly recent ones, such as the PSP and the 3DS.Demonstration of a game with/without JIT here. On Reddit, a user asked if Folium was really worth it, because the reviews seemed too mixed. Here is theanswerwhich he obtained:
It really depends on what games you want to play. Some are completely unreadable, due to constant crashes or terrible performance. Others work mostly fine. So I recommend that you ask around based on the games you had in mind
Another counter-argument to purchasing Folium would be the possibility that amulti-emulator platform like RetroArchoffers the 3DS for free in the future.
About Folium, the app also offers to simulate a Game Boy Advance, but also the Nintendo DS.
i-nfo.fr - Official iPhon.fr app
By : Keleops AG
