Universal Emulator, an indie app made by developer Nesbox, has just been approved for release on the Xbox One. The application actually allows users to play Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advanced ROMs. Users would however have to upload the games through the console USB slot, bearing no responsibility on the developers. Using the emulator technically shouldn’t land Microsoft in any hot water, as its only the uploading of the games where questions of legality start to present themselves.
Regardless, Nintendo is expected to respond in some manner, as the company is rather vigilant in making sure that its characters or any other intellectual property is not used without authorization. In addition, Nintendo is expected to release a mini NES console (NES Classic Edition) this holiday season packed with 30 titles for $59.99. so going after Microsoft may be the only way to make sure that this console doesn’t suffer from the release of the application.
The emulator has been available for both Windows and Windows phone for sometime, and even seems to be compatible with Microsoft’s HoloLens headset. While going after Microsoft legally may not get the title removed from the Xbox Store per se, it may introduce guidelines on how companies can handle emulators going forward, as this has always been a rather grey area.
Nesbox, on its Twitter account, has mentioned that the title is taking a long time to go live, which may suggest that legal action has already taken place.
