Emulation on iOS has had a rocky road, especially when it comes to Nintendo’s heavier hitters like the GameCube and Wii. While Apple began relaxing its rules around emulators last year, certain technical restrictions, especially around just-in-time (JIT) compilation, kept powerful emulators like DolphiniOS from making their way to the App Store.
Until now, that is.
A Possible Breakthrough for iPhone Emulation Fans
A new app called StikDebug just quietly appeared on the U.S. App Store, and it might be a game-changer.
Originally released through AltStore in Europe (where Apple is now forced to allow third-party app marketplaces under the Digital Markets Act), StikDebug enables on-device JIT for any app. In plain English, that means it could make full-blown GameCube and Wii emulation possible directly on your iPhone or iPad.
What Makes StikDebug Special?
Unlike previous workarounds that required sideloading DolphiniOS via a PC or Mac, StikDebug could potentially cut out the hassle altogether. If everything works as it should, you might be able to run DolphiniOS natively. This doesn’t involve any tethering, or third-party installs. Even more interesting, this could open the door for Switch emulation too, with projects like meloNX possibly following suit.
That said, it’s still early days. Full compatibility or functionality hasn’t been confirmed just yet, and this could all vanish in a blink if Apple decides it approved StikDebug by accident. Historically, Apple hasn’t been too welcoming of anything that might tread on copyright-sensitive territory.
Grab It While You Can
If you’re into retro gaming or just curious about emulation on iOS, now might be the time to act. With StikDebug live on the App Store (for now), this could be your window to relive your Super Smash Bros. Melee glory days, on your iPhone.
Just don’t be surprised if Apple pulls the plug. Download it while it’s still available.
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