Through Space on Apple Silicon Macs: A 2025 Compatibility Report
As we close out 2026, the state of Mac gaming has been fundamentally reshaped by Apple's unified silicon architecture. The transition, which began with the M1, has now matured with the widespread adoption of the M3 and the recent introduction of the M4 chip, setting a new standard for performance and efficiency. In this context, evaluating game compatibility is no longer just about whether a title runs, but how it leverages the unique capabilities of these systems, including the powerful GPU cores, unified memory, and advanced media engines. For Mac users invested in this ecosystem, understanding a game's native support is crucial. This report provides a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of "Through Space" by Bell Studio, a title that, unfortunately, remains a significant outlier in the modern Mac gaming scene.
Current Compatibility Status: Firmly Unplayable
As of February 2026, "Through Space" is officially classified as unplayable on all Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, and M4). This designation is not a minor performance hiccup but a fundamental incompatibility. The game was built for a much older architecture, specifically, 32-bit Intel Macs, and has not received any updates from Bell Studio to support the 64-bit requirement that macOS has enforced since Catalina, let alone a native Apple Silicon binary.
When attempting to launch, the game will either fail to open entirely, displaying a generic error, or it will crash immediately after the initial splash screen. macOS's built-in translation layer, Rosetta 2, is designed to bridge the gap for Intel-based apps, but it cannot translate applications that are 32-bit. "Through Space" hits this insurmountable wall, making it one of the stranded titles from a bygone era of Mac software.
Performance Analysis Across Apple Silicon Generations (M1 through M4)
Given the fundamental binary incompatibility, discussing traditional performance metrics like frame rates or thermal throttling is moot. No current Apple Silicon chip, from the base M1 to the top-tier M4 Max, can execute the game's core instructions. However, it's instructive to understand why:
- Architecture Barrier: The shift from 32-bit to 64-bit was a software requirement. The shift from Intel x86_64 to Apple Silicon ARM is an architectural one. "Through Space" fails at the first, older hurdle, never presenting a chance for Rosetta 2 to work on the second.
- Unified Memory & GPU: The game cannot access the touted benefits of Apple's unified memory architecture or the powerful GPU cores in M3 and M4 chips, as the application binary is completely unrecognizable to the system.
- No Native Advantage: Unlike games updated with native Apple Silicon support, which see dramatic performance-per-watt gains, "Through Space" derives zero benefit from the efficiency or power of the M-series chips.
How to Install (For Reference Only)
It is critical to state that there is no functional method to install and play "Through Space" on any Mac running a version of macOS from late 2019 (Catalina) onward. The steps below are provided for archival context only, to illustrate the point of failure.
- Source the Game: You would typically purchase and download "Through Space" from a digital storefront like the Mac App Store or a developer's website.
- Attempt Installation: The
.appbundle would copy to your Applications folder without issue, as this is just a file operation. - Encounter the Failure: Upon double-clicking the application icon, you will receive one of two errors: "You can’t use this version of the application with this version of macOS" or a more generic "The application cannot be opened."
- No Workaround: Right-clicking and selecting "Open" or adjusting Security & Privacy settings will not bypass the 32-bit check. Third-party tools like wrappers or emulators designed for 32-bit Windows applications do not solve this macOS-specific binary issue.
Potential Avenues for Experience (Not Guaranteed)
For users determined to experience this title, the only viable paths involve completely bypassing macOS on your Apple Silicon hardware. These are complex solutions with significant caveats:
- Cloud Gaming Service: If "Through Space" is available on a service like NVIDIA GeForce Now or Boosteroid, you could stream the Windows version to your Mac's browser. This uses remote hardware and is not running the game on your Mac itself.
- Windows Virtualization: Using ARM-compatible virtualization software (e.g., Parallels Desktop for Mac), you can install a licensed copy of Windows 11 on ARM. From there, you could attempt to run the 32-bit Windows version of the game. Performance and compatibility are not guaranteed, as this involves multiple translation layers (Windows on ARM's x86 emulation running a 32-bit app).
- Legacy Hardware: The only surefire way to play is to maintain or source an older Intel-based Mac running macOS Mojave (10.14.6) or earlier, which still supports 32-bit applications.
Common Issues and Error Messages
Users attempting to run "Through Space" will universally encounter these issues:
- Immediate Crash on Launch: The most common behavior. The app may appear in the Dock for a moment before quitting.
- Error Message: "You can’t use this version of the application..." This is the definitive macOS error for 32-bit incompatibility.
- Error Message: "The application cannot be opened." A more generic failure that points to the same core problem.
- No Process in Activity Monitor: The application fails to spawn a running process, confirming it is blocked at the operating system level, not during execution.
Conclusion for 2025
In 2025, with the Mac platform fully evolved around Apple Silicon, "Through Space" stands as a clear example of software left behind by technological progress. Bell Studio has not signaled any plans for a native Apple Silicon port or even a simple 64-bit Intel update. For Mac gamers, this title remains inaccessible on modern systems. The recommended course of action is to check the developer's official channels for any miraculous update announcements or to explore the alternative gaming methods mentioned above, understanding their limitations. Your M-series Mac is a capable gaming machine for supported titles, but legacy 32-bit games like this one are permanently outside its operational scope.
