- This tutorial detailed the steps to install OpenBOR app – the Open Source Beat ‘Em Up game engine – to enable you to play many amazing Beat ‘Em Up homebrew games on your iPhone running on latest iOS.
- No jailbreak nor any forms of subscriptions is required.
- This tutorial though intended for iPhone, but works the same for iPad as well as iPod Touch.
- For other interesting articles related to gaming, check it out here Xbox, PS5, Nintendo Switch, other gaming, iOS, Tech or more at JILAXZONE.
- If you find this article / content inside is already obsolete, do let me know by commenting on the comment section below so that I can update the article to reflect the latest process/news. Thanks.
This article is showing the step by step to install OpenBOR app for iPhone and iPad. If you are looking for OpenBOR download link and installation steps for other platforms / devices, check out the link here: OpenBOR download links for PC / Android / Nintendo Switch / Wii / PSP and many other platforms at JILAXZONE.
Meet OpenBOR
There’s a new emulator in town for iPhone and iPad. Well, it’s not really an emulator but rather an open source game engine, mainly for Beat ‘Em Up games, named as “OpenBOR” – short for “Open Beats Of Rage” where Beats Of Rage is the first game to use this open source game engine, a 2D side-scroller beat ’em up game inspired by Street Of Rage.
OpenBOR has existed at least one decade ago, however only in 2022, someone has finally ported it for iOS, so here we come, the OpenBOR app for iPhone and iPad!
OpenBOR download link for iOS & iPadOS
Thanks to Harakari (at ChronoCrash website) and Yoshisuga (at Github page) (I assumed you two are the same persons), this is where you can download OpenBOR app for your iPhone or iPad.
FYI, similar to other game emulators existed for iPhone and iPad, you can’t get them directly from the Apple App Store, however you can get them by downloading them and sideload them into your device, same goes to OpenBOR, once you download it (outside the Apple App Store), you need to sideload it to make it installed and worked on your iPhone or iPad. Check out the download link below and the steps required to get it working on the next section.
| Direct download link | https://mega.nz/file/ORIylK4K#bxf6QKABXe7WGrU-hfnXW74pzmubQ1lW1wsCw-xPpOk |
| Reference to ChronoCrash website | https://www.chronocrash.com/forum/threads/native-ios-port-of-openbor-early-but-working.4158/ |
| Reference to Github page | https://github.com/yoshisuga/OpenBOR-iOS |
Prerequisites – Here’s what you need
These are the key ingredients you need to get OpenBOR up and running.
a) iPhone
The main show. If you have iPad or iPod Touch, they also work good.
In case you need, here are links to get iPhone case:
  | iPhone 14 Pro Max Clear with Slim Cover & Shockproof Bumper on Amazon |
  | iPhone 14 Pro Max Case [Military Grade Drop Tested] [Compatible with MagSafe] on Amazon |
b) Apple ID
Required to install OpenBOR app. Details on section below.
c) Apple FREE Developer account
Required to install OpenBOR app. Details on section below.
d) Computer (either a Mac or PC)
Required to install AltServer, so that you can install AltStore and finally install OpenBOR app on your iPhone.
In case you need Windows VM, do check out the following guidelines to get Windows VM for FREE.
| Windows 10 | Guide to get Windows 10 VM FREE & Official from Microsoft at JILAXZONE |
| Windows 11 | Guide to get Windows 11 VM FREE & Official from Microsoft at JILAXZONE |
e) iTunes
Required to be installed on your computer to be able to install OpenBOR app on your iPhone (and to transfer the games to OpenBOR app).
f) AltStore & AltServer
Required to install OpenBOR app. Details on section below.
g) Lightning Cable
Required during OpenBOR installation and to transfer the games to OpenBOR app.
Here are links to get Lightning cable (in case you need):
h) Internet Connection
The downloads and installation require active Internet connection, so ensure your computer and iPhone are connected to the Internet.
i) Your Precious Time (for this one-time setup, around ~0.25 – 1 hour)
Depending on your Internet speed and your completeness on all the ingredients, the installation process can take 0.25 to 1 hour. If this is the first time you ever sideload an app / an emulator, then likely it will take 1 hour for your. However if you sideload an app / an emulator before, especially using AltStore, then the steps are like 0.25 hour only.
Ensure you have all of the key ingredients with you before starting.
Note: If you buy anything from Amazon / AliExpress using links above, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost charged on your purchases.
Here’s how to install OpenBOR for iPhone and iPad
The guide shown here is using AltStore. If you prefer to use SideStore, refer to this guide to get SideStore up and running on your iPhone: Step by step sideloading using SideStore – untethered sideloading at JILAXZONE.
| The steps written here are tested on: a) Latest iOS – at the time this article is written is iOS 16.6 Public Beta 3 and using the iPhone that I currently have – iPhone XR. In case you are not on iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 yet, check the link here to get iOS 16 & iPadOS 16: Here’s how to update iPhone to iOS 16 & iPad to iPadOS 16 today at JILAXZONE. b) Latest Windows – at the time this article is written is Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview Build 25387. In you are also using Windows and would like to install Windows 11, check the link here to get them installed: Getting Windows 11 and installing on your Computer at JILAXZONE. Should you are using different version of iOS or iPadOS and / or different computer OS (such as Linux / Mac), the steps may be slightly different but should not deviate too much. Anyway, in case you have questions / issues, feel free to put them down on the comment section down below, I’ll be more than happy to help you. |
Some of the steps mentioned here you can skip them if you have done it before. In summary, here they are.
1) Install iTunes on Computer.
2) Register for Apple FREE Developer Account.
3) Generate App Specific Password.
4) Install AltStore to Computer.
5) Connect your iPhone.
6) Install AltStore to iPhone.
7) Get latest OpenBOR app.
8) Install OpenBOR app to iPhone.
9) Run OpenBOR app on iPhone.
Article continues below.
Popular on JILAXZONE today:
Step 1) to Step 6) Read here.
For details of step 1) to step 6) – including all download links, I have detailed and provided them here on this link: Complete guide how to sideload apps/games into iPhone/iPad without jailbreak at JILAXZONE. You need about 15-30 minutes, depends on your internet connection to complete everything – since mostly are either downloading software or registering account.
Once you have done all the first 6 steps, then continue on subsequent steps below.
Step 7) Get latest OpenBOR app.
Step 7a) Open the following link on your iPhone using Safari browser. You should be able to find “OpenBOR.ipa”, 2MB in size. Tap on “Download” button to start downloading the IPA file.
Step 7b) Once downloaded, open Files app, then navigate to the Safari downloaded folder (typically under “On My iPhone > Downloads”), you should see a file with name “OpenBOR.ipa”.
In case you couldn’t find the “OpenBOR.ipa” file inside Files app, then you need to first configure your Safari download folder to a folder of your choice (but I do recommend to set it here: “On My iPhone > Downloads”), check it out here: Configuring Safari Download Folder on your iPhone at JILAXZONE and re-download the “OpenBOR.ipa” file.
Step 8) Install OpenBOR app to iPhone.
| Prerequisites: Before proceeding to the steps below, ensure you have done Step 1) until Step 7) and ensure you have AltServer running on your computer and your iPhone plugged in to the same Computer that AltServer is running. |
With iPhone connected to your computer with AltServer running, follow these steps:
Step 8a) Run AltStore app. On your iPhone, tap AltStore app icon to run it.
Step 8b) Navigate to My Apps. Once AltStore is opened, tap on “My Apps” tab.
Step 8c) Tap on “+” button located on the top left of AltStore screen.
Step 8d) Navigate to the Safari downloaded folder where you have downloaded “OpenBOR.ipa” file. Tap on the file to begin installing. In case prompted, key-in your Apple ID and password – this is required for code signing.
“OpenBOR.ipa” should now in-progress being installed to your iPhone; you just need to wait until it finished installing. Once finished installing, it will appear on “My Apps” tab under “Active” section.
Just to be sure, you can go back to your iPhone Home screen and check whether you can see OpenBOR” app icon (icon with “NEC PC-8801mkII” on it) on the Home screen. If you can see “OpenBOR” app on your Home screen, that means you have successfully installed OpenBOR – The Open Source Beat Of Rage app on your iPhone.
At this point, you can safely remove your iPhone from your computer.
Step 9) Run OpenBOR app on iPhone.
Running OpenBOR on iPhone is as simple as tapping the “OpenBOR” app icon. If this is your first-time opening OpenBOR, you won’t see any of the games on it. You need to get the games for it. Check out the next section to get the game download links.
Well then, you have just managed to install OpenBOR – The open source Beat ’em up game engine app on your iPhone on your iPhone (or iPad or iPod Touch). Congrats!
OpenBOR Games download links
OpenBOR games are homebrew or fan-made which you can’t and won’t find on stores like Apple App Store or physical game shops.
OpenBOR games can be found and download here:
1) Chrono Crash forum or,
2) Go Go Free Games.
3) If still not enough, try Google for it.
I’ll cover my OpenBOR game recommendations soon (including the download link to get them) on my subsequent articles, so stay tuned!
Controller Recommendation
Playing Beat ‘Em Up games is always better with controller!
While you can always use the touchscreen of the iPhone to play the games, but for greater fun and enjoyment, I would recommend you to play the games with the Controller using physical buttons – so the experience is (almost) the same as the original. Just in case you need recommendation, here they are. I am personally using Nimbus and DualShock 4 to play the games.
| 8BitDo M30 |  | The Bluetooth controller that looks like the 6-button SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive controller. Get 8BitDo M30 on Amazon Get 8BitDo M30 on AliExpress Get 8BitDo M30 iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
| Razer Kishi |  | Best telescopic controller for iPhone. It comes with Lightning connector for passthrough charging as well as better low-latency gaming. In case you need it: Get Razer Kishi for iPhone on Amazon Get Razer Kishi for iPhone on AliExpress |
| SteelSeries Nimbus+ |  | For playing iOS games. I like it because it’s MFi certified – Made for iOS, any controller-compatible games will for sure run with this controller. In case you need it: Get SteelSeries Nimbus+ on Amazon Get Nimbus iPhone clipper on AliExpress. |
| Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller |  | Great controller from Xbox compatible with your Xbox (of course!) as well as Windows PC, Android and iOS, recommended for those with big hands. Read here for pairing Xbox Series X|S Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE. In case you need it: Get Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller on Amazon Get Xbox Series X|S iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
| PS5 DualSense |  | Awesome controller from PlayStation compatible with your PS5 (of course!) as well as Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands. Read here for pairing PS5 DualSense Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE. In case you need it: Get PS5 DualSense on Amazon Get PS5 DualSense iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
| PS4 DualShock |  | While DualSense is the latest PlayStation controller but doesn’t mean DualShock 4 is bad. DualShock 4 is indeed one of the cheaper alternatives to get into gaming on your Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands. In case you need it: Get PS4 DualShock 4 on Amazon Get PS4 DualShock 4 on AliExpress Get PS4 DualShock 4 iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
| Xbox One Wireless Controller |  | This is the previous generation of Xbox Controller. Although previous generation, it’s still a great controller to use with your Xbox One (of course!) as well as Windows PC, Android and iOS. This controller is recommended for those with big hands. The main controller appeal is the fact that it’s much cheaper than the Xbox Series X|S wireless controller. In case you need it: Get Xbox One Controller on Amazon Get Xbox One Controller on AliExpress Get Xbox One iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
Note: If you buy anything from Amazon / AliExpress using links above, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost charged on your purchases.
Other Retro game emulators available on iPhone (and iPad and iPod Touch)
These are retro game emulators available on the iOS and iPadOS platform, none of them requires jailbreak. Head out to their individual links for detail step by step on how to get them installed on your device.
| Emulator | Description | Installation guide Link |
|---|---|---|
| CEMU | Nintendo Wii U emulator, workaround for iOS | CEMU workaround for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Delta | Multiple Nintendo console emulator for iOS | Delta for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Delta iPac | Multiple SEGA Genesis & Nintendo console emulator for iOS | Delta iPac for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| DolphiniOS | Nintendo Wii & Nintendo GameCube emulator for iOS | DolphiniOS for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| EmuThreeDS | Nintendo 3DS emulator for iOS | EmuThreeDS for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| eNGE | PS1 emulator for iOS | eNGE for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Flycast | SEGA Dreamcast emulator for iOS | Flycast for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| iNDS | NDS emulator for iOS | iNDS for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Play! | PS2 emulator for iOS | Play! for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| PPSSPP | PSP emulator for iOS | PPSSPP for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Provenance | Multiple game console emulator for iOS | Provenance for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| RetroArch | Multiple game console emulator for iOS | RetroArch for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| RetroGameBot | Multiple game console emulator runs on Safari for iOS | RetroGamesBot for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Yuzu | Nintendo Switch emulator, workaround for iOS | Yuzu workaround for iOS at JILAXZONE |
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