

For CD and DVD-based games, a PC or laptop CD drive and some software will be enough to rip the game files. So dig through the cupboard, pull out your old favorites, and digitize them.

Sharing the files afterward or downloading copies of a game you don’t own would be illegal. You can make additional copies of games you own, provided you’re the only one using them. The consensus seems to be, ripping a game from an old cartridge or CD you own for personal use would fall under fair use. However, our sister site HowToGeek did consult a law professor about the legal aspects of emulation. A case related to someone using an emulator to play a game on another device has never gone before a court, so there are no precedents or certainties to draw on. But getting game files to use with those emulators is a bit of a legal grey area. Where To Get Game Files Color TreeĮmulators themselves are perfectly legal. Some emulators can also “update” older games by adding features like pausing or saving game states. For example, Kega Fusion can play files designed for a variety of Sega consoles. Some emulators can combine multiple similar systems. PlayStation 2 fan? You need a PlayStation 2 emulator, and so on. Want to run a DOS game? You need a DOS emulator. Technology has advanced to the point where processing power isn’t an issue when running most emulators.Įmulators also tend to be specific to a type of device. The software in question mimics original hardware and runs the game on top of that-so emulation requires more computing power. Your phone is not designed to run Nintendo 64 games and Nintendo 64 games certainly weren’t designed to run on cellphones that did not exist at the time.Īn emulator creates a virtual version of a device that can run those games. What Emulators Are Aaron Brafa/Īn emulator is essentially a program that runs software on a device it isn’t designed to run on. Your Phone or Tablet Allows You to Play Old Games on the Move
