Microsoft Takes Stronger Stance Against Emulators, Removing RetroArch from Xbox Store.
Microsoft ban the practice of using emulators to play old games on modern hardware. The tech giant has removed the popular RetroArch app from the Microsoft Store, making it difficult for gamers to run emulation on their Xbox Series X/S consoles.
Emulation has long been a popular way for gamers to enjoy classic titles on modern hardware. Whether it's playing Super Mario Bros. on a PC or reliving the glory days of the original PlayStation, emulation allows gamers to revisit beloved games that may not be available on current consoles. However, it looks like Microsoft is cracking down on emulation on the Xbox Series X/S.
One of the most popular emulation suites, RetroArch, has been removed from the Microsoft Store. This means that gamers can no longer download and use the app to emulate classic games on their Xbox Series X/S consoles. While RetroArch could previously be downloaded as a private app under a different name, Microsoft is now removing these uploads and re-uploads.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a good run.But now we've no choice but to @Xbox @XboxP3 #LetUsEmulate pic.twitter.com/K9KO1p655K— 🇮🇪 gamr13 🇮🇪 (@gamr12) April 6, 2023
While RetroArch may no longer be available in retail mode, it is still possible to use emulation on the Xbox Series X/S in Dev Mode. However, this option comes with some limitations. Dev Mode requires a $20 sign-up fee and users must register as an official Xbox partner. Additionally, Dev Mode is apparently locked to files of up to 2GB in size, which means that some older games may not be able to run properly.
Microsoft has made it clear that it does not support emulation on its devices. "Products that emulate a game system or game platform are not allowed on any device family," the company said in a statement to Kotaku. This means that RetroArch and other emulation suites are unlikely to be available on the Xbox Series X/S in the future.
The removal of RetroArch from the Microsoft Store has caused concern among gamers who enjoy emulation on their Xbox Series X/S consoles. Dev Mode is still an option, but it has certain significant limitations that may deter some users from using it. It is unknown if more simulator items will ever be taken down from the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft's crackdown on emulation on the Xbox Series X/S has left many gamers disappointed. The removal of RetroArch from the Microsoft Store means that it is now more difficult to run emulation on the console. While Dev Mode is still an option, it comes with some significant limitations. It seems, Microsoft will relax its stance on emulation in the future.