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iAmiga Amiga 500 emulation system coming to iPhone
Pay attention, nostalgia fans. iAmiga is a soon-to-be-released Amiga 500 emulator for the iPhone. It's from Manomio, the same group that released the C64 emulator that was pulled from the App Store, only to return minus a pesky BASIC interpreter. Way back in April, we saw a tech demo of the iOS Amiga emulator, and now Touch Arcade has a first look at the real deal. From what they've seen (you can watch a demo video after the break), it looks great. They report dead-on graphics and sound, smooth gameplay and faithful interpretation of several titles. Manomio has pulled it off by using tuned ARM assembly language. Note that the app will only support the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, or the iPod touch 3rd generation and up, so those with older devices are out of luck. The folks at Manomio say that they're working with several developers to secure licenses for their emulator. In the demo video, you'll see Defender of the Crown, Battle Squadron, International Karate +, R-Type, R-Type II, Speedball, Stunt Car Racer, Shadow of the Beast, Virus and Xenon 2: Megablast. Of course, there's no assurance that any of those titles will make it into the final product. Right now there's no solid release date or similar information, so we'll keep you posted. This one looks like a lot of fun.
As Apple relaxes App Store rules, C64 emulator for iOS gets BASIC again
If you weren't already convinced that Apple is seriously easing back on some of its more annoying App Store restrictions with the appearance of titles like GV Voice (a Google Voice client), this news might help. After a wild ride of ping-pong approvals and pulls, Manomio's C64 emulator has reappeared in the Store with its BASIC interpreter fully intact, and available for your coding pleasure. We've tested the software and can confirm that you will indeed be able to revisit your youth (provided your youth took place in the early 80's) via the newest version of the software. Of course, it's not super fun to program using the tiny, virtual C64 keyboard provided onscreen, but couple this with a Bluetooth keyboard of your choosing, and you can pretty much go wild. The emulator is available right this moment for $4.99, and obviously it's a free upgrade for those who've already bought in.
Karate Champ, Amiga games coming soon to iPhone
Two companies have announced new iPhone releases of old games. First, Pocket Gamer reports that Cobra Command developer Revolutionary Concepts will release another Data East classic, Karate Champ, on iPhone and iPod touch. The port will feature Bluetooth and local wi-fi two-player, and will simulate the original dual-joystick interface of the arcade game. In addition, Manomio, developer of the on-again, off-again Commodore 64 emulator for iPhone, has gotten an Amiga emulator working and plans to release Amiga games as standalone apps. According to Touch Arcade's report of a Retro Gamer magazine article, one of the first games in the works is another early karate title, International Karate+ -- a slightly more modern version of a C64 fighter. The two titles will then face off in a one-on-one battle to be the most popular retro fighting game.
iPhone Commodore 64 emulator back on the App Store
Having been rejected, accepted and subsequently removed, developer Manomio has finally gotten its iPhone Commodore 64 emulator back on Apple's App Store. The emulator had originally been rejected by Apple, thanks to its inclusion of a BASIC interpreter. Access to the interpreter was later removed, and the app was accepted, only to be later removed after some users figured out how to hack it and access the interpreter. Now, with further revised code, the emulator has reappeared on the App Store. In addition to the revised code, Casualgaming.biz reports that the application has received a boost in performance as well as three new games, International Basketball, International Baseball, and International Tennis. These new titles join the other bundled games, Dragons Den, Le Mans, Arctic Shipwreck, Jack Attack and Jupiter Lander. C64 ($4.99):
iPhone Commodore 64 app removed from App Store
Were you happy to hear that C64, the iPhone Commodore 64 emulator app, had been approved by Apple and finally seen release? We were too. Try to remember that feeling, then, as we tell you that after having been rejected, and then finally accepted, it's been pulled from the App Store.When developer Manomio learned that the C64's BASIC interpreter was the problem the first time, it removed obvious access, but left the interpreter in the software so it could be re-enabled later if Apple changed its mind. However, some users discovered how to access BASIC. Apple found out and removed it before anyone could use the C64's incredible computing power to blow the iPhone platform wide open.Manomio has (re)re-submitted the app, so hopefully it'll actually make it to the App Store and stay there this time.[Via Engadget]
Apple pulls C64 App after Manomio shenanigans revealed
Come on Manomio, what did you expect? Did you really think Apple would leave your C64 emulator in the App Store after it was revealed that the BASIC interpreter was still in your software, exposed with a little up, up, down, down, left, right trickery? That's a clear breach of the SDK and well, downright sneaky. In a blog post to its site, Manomio claims that it had "no intention of tricking basic into the app" and only left the code in to be remotely activated later should Apple change its policy. Of course, with so much money left on the table, Manomio promptly submitted a new, presumably BASIC-free app for approval. Something we're sure Apple will get right on.[Via The iPhone blog]Read -- Enable BASIC in C64 hackRead -- Manomio's plea for mercy
Commodore64 iPhone app finished, denied by Apple
If you're hoping to see a few text-filled blue screens or play a few games that have reached the American legal drinking age on your iPhone, you're going to have to wait -- perhaps indefinitely. Mobile developer Manomio (of iPhone Flashback fame), together with Danish studio Kiloo Aps have crafted an eerily accurate simulacrum of the keyboard-equipped hardware on Apple's cellular device -- unfortunately, their submission of the app was recently shot down by the fruit-themed hardware juggernaut.The legally licensed project (which has been in development for over a year) was denied due to a clause in the iPhone SDK agreement which states, "an Application may not itself install or launch other executable code by any means." As the program would allow users to "boot" C64 disks, it violates this clause -- then again, as mobile gaming news site Touch Arcade points out, a few iPhone apps do the same thing, such as Frotz, an app which loads and runs interactive novels.Will the Commodore rise again? Or will the man continue to keep it down? Only time will tell.
There's something fishy about Flashback on iPhone
You likely remember (maybe with just a tinge of embarrassment) our giddy delight at the release of adventure/platforming classic Flashback on the iPhone. But a report from Pocket Gamer indicates you might want to hesitate before you plunk down the $5 asking price.For one, it seems you're actually paying for an emulator that downloads a ROM independently (kind of a shady workaround of App Store policies against otherwise copyrighted material). Since this version of Flashback apparently isn't designed for the phone there are also complaints of wonky controls. Speaking of which, can anybody tell us how to pick up the holocube? ... Anybody?
Flashback now available on iPhone
iPhone users, today could very well be one of the most important days in your life, because Flashback is available right now in the App store. It's a port of the Amiga version of the game, done by platform newcomers Manomio LLC, and features the requisite touch-based controls and a redesigned menu system. We'd like to say that this iPhone version of one of the greatest games ever made is a surefire hit, and you should download it immediately, but, frankly, we just don't know. It could be another Mega Man 2, which is an amazing game on just about every platform besides the iPhone.Flashback ($4.99, Manomio LLC) %Gallery-51820%
