This is something I've always wanted on the AppleTV. I was lucky enough to get hold of the AppleTV developers kit and here is the result using tvOS beta 2.

The tvOS app is based on Les Bird's code I found here :- http://www.lesbird.com/iMame4All/iMame4All_Xcode.html

The original work is based on iMAME4all which is a iOS universal app, port of MAME 0.37b5 emulator by Nicola Salmoria for all iOS devices (iPad HD, iPhone 4G , iPod touch and older) based on GP2X, WIZ MAME4ALL 2.5 by Franxis.

Videos

Initial Test

Apple TV - remote

To get this to work you need

• A real Apple TV device, this won't work in the simulator.

• Drag the rom zip file into the resource folder in the xcode project so they are copied to the device (Should appear as files in Build Phases/ Copy Bundle resources)

Apple TV - Brief guide to using to play game (Tested with 1942,Donkey Kong, Raiden)

• Turn the controller on it's side (It will work both directions but I found this easier)
• Select rom using up down on dpad
• Press play to select
• Swipe left/right for OK message
• Hold play and press dpad for credit
• Hold play and press dpad for start
• Play game :-)

The code needs some work but you can play basic games

Areas that need work

• Sound - fix arm64 assembler which has been commented out
• Apple TV remote support (WIP)