Now that emulation is allowed on iOS, I would think this is the worst time for either of them to start selling ROMs for iPhones. If Nintendo launched a Virtual Console app years ago? Easy money, no question. Captive audience in a closed ecosystem. Now? If I open the app store and see an app that can play Pokemon Red/Blue for free right next to an app from Nintendo that charges me $5 - $10 for the same experience, why would I pay?
Regardless, Nintendo wouldn’t even try to sell you ROMs these days anyway. They’ll sell you a subscription service like they do on Switch. No thanks. I’m good with the emulation we have now.
Now that emulation is allowed on iOS, I would think this is the worst time for either of them to start selling ROMs for iPhones. If Nintendo launched a Virtual Console app years ago? Easy money, no question. Captive audience in a closed ecosystem. Now? If I open the app store and see an app that can play Pokemon Red/Blue for free right next to an app from Nintendo that charges me $5 - $10 for the same experience, why would I pay?
Regardless, Nintendo wouldn’t even try to sell you ROMs these days anyway. They’ll sell you a subscription service like they do on Switch. No thanks. I’m good with the emulation we have now.