DMM GAMES Launches iOS App Store GAMES STORE on August 31
The launch gives iOS users a direct route to adult game versions that were previously limited to cloud streaming or all-ages App Store releases, changing how DMM GAMES distributes its catalog in Japan.
Key Facts
- DMM GAMES will release GAMES STORE, an iOS store app, on August 31.
- GAMES STORE launches with 12 titles, including Dot Abyss, Koihime†Sensen, and Muv-Luv Girls Garden.
- The store bypasses the App Store, enabled by Japan's Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Act effective December 2025.
- The Start iOS Apps Campaign runs from September 2 to September 22, 2026, offering DMM points.
- Tinkle Star Knights X on GAMES STORE restores original illustrations previously blacked out on the iOS App Store version.
Reporting from 2 sources: GAME Watch (Impress), Game Spark.
DMM GAMES, operated by EXNOA, will release GAMES STORE, an iOS store app that bypasses the App Store, on August 31. The app allows iPhone users to play supported DMM GAMES titles directly on their devices without going through Apple's store. The launch lineup includes 10 titles, such as Dot Abyss, Koihime†Sensen, and Muv-Luv Girls Garden, with adult X versions available for some games. The store is an alternative app marketplace, already available on Android, and its iOS release follows Japan's Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Act, which took effect in December 2025 and permits such distribution. The move addresses expression restrictions that have affected iOS versions of games like Tinkle Star Knights, where App Store review warnings led to characters being displayed as blacked-out silhouettes. With GAMES STORE, users can download adult versions with original illustrations. DMM GAMES also announced a Start iOS Apps Campaign from September 2, offering DMM points to users who launch games installed via the store. More titles are planned for future release.
GAMES STORE is an alternative app marketplace that lets iPhone users install DMM GAMES titles natively, sidestepping the App Store. The store already operates on Android, and the iOS version arrives after Japan's Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Act took effect in December 2025, enabling such third-party distribution. Epic Games began offering its Epic Games Store for iOS in Japan on May 1, 2026, part of a broader global push.
The launch lineup spans 12 titles, including Girls Creation: Shoujo Geijutsu Kitan, STELLAR IDOL PROJECT, Tinkle Star Knights, Tekuronosu, Detariki Z, Houseki Hime Reincarnation, Mist Train Girls, and FLOWER KNIGHT GIRL. Some games, such as Airisu Mysteria! R and FLOWER KNIGHT GIRL: X Shitei, appear to be adult-only, while others offer separate all-ages and X versions. Dot Abyss has both a standard and an adult X version.
The shift matters to players of Tinkle Star Knights, whose iOS version has been hampered by App Store review warnings that forced some character illustrations to be shown as blacked-out silhouettes. By downloading the adult Tinkle Star Knights X through GAMES STORE, users can see the original artwork. A Start iOS Apps Campaign runs from September 2, 2026, rewarding participants with DMM points based on stamps earned.
- Dot Abyss: Offered in all-ages and adult X versions.
- Koihime†Sensen: Part of the launch lineup.
- Muv-Luv Girls Garden: Supported at launch.
- Tinkle Star Knights: Adult X version restores original illustrations.
- Girls Creation: Shoujo Geijutsu Kitan: Listed under all-ages name.
- STELLAR IDOL PROJECT: Part of the launch lineup.
- Tekuronosu: Part of the launch lineup.
- Detariki Z: Tokubetsu Boueigun Taiin no Nichijou: Part of the launch lineup.
- Houseki Hime Reincarnation: Part of the launch lineup.
- Mist Train Girls: Kiri no Sekai no Shasou kara: Part of the launch lineup.
- Airisu Mysteria! R: Shoujo no Tsumugu Yume no Hiseki: Appears to be adult-only.
- FLOWER KNIGHT GIRL: X Shitei: Appears to be adult-only.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.