Just days after Microsoft released the PS4 Pro called Xbox One S, the tech giant has approved an emulator for the Xbox One that will be able to play classic Nintendo games.
Universal Emulator, an independent application by developer Nesbox, passed Xbox One certification today. The emulator allows users to play Super Nintendo, ROMs of NES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advanced titles and Game Boy Color.
According to Tech Radar, Nesbox's emulator has been available for some a while on PCs and Windows Phone. However, porting an emulation program capable of playing a competitor's games to a game console could be the final straw that lands Microsoft into hot water with Nintendo.
In addition, it is interesting to note that Universal Emulator appears to be compatible with Microsoft's HoloLens wearable, as posted on Twitter by Windows Central's Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino.
Representatives at Nesbox's Twitter have expressed concerns that the app is taking long to go live on Xbox One, though it is unclear if this is due to legal constraints or if the publishing process is just taking its sweet time.
Nintendo has a good history of been against unauthorized emulation, eventually highlighting its very specific legal guidelines for what is or is not a legal way to play its games, Kotaku reported.
The company is vigilant and litigious when it comes to protecting its intellectual property, which was demonstrated last month with copyright claims made against a fan remake of "Metroid II: Return of Samus." Polygon pointed out.
While uploading ROMs of Nintendo games on an emulator is illegal, it is still legal to use the Universal Emulator for authorized games, including those developed with the Nesbox Console, which allows users to code their own retro-styled games.
Fans will be amazed if this stays live on the Xbox Store for very long, despite the fact that there is nothing illegal about distributing an emulator, it is the distribution of the games themselves which breaks copyright laws.
Here is a video of Microsoft approval of the NES Emulator for Xbox One: