What's everyone's thoughts on emulation? Now that games are being re-released via systems like Nintendo's Virtual Console, what does this mean for the emulation scene? It's true that it's always going to have it's [more] legitimate uses, such as for translations of games that have not (and likely will never) receive official translations.

I personally tend towards emulators over the original consoles, right up to the PS2. This is because my computer doesn't have the hardware limitations of those systems, which allows games, at times, to run and look better than they did on the console that they were designed for. Moreover, there's no need to worry about memory card space, and saves are easily transferable to others.

Of course, even more legally questionable are the counterpart to classic emulators: roms.

I believe that roms are more of a problem with mod chips rather than emulators. This is because emulation takes time to catch up to the functionality of the system it attempts to emulate. For instance, as of Friday, one PS2 emulator, PCSX2, was finally able to play Kingdom Hearts II on a version that is not yet released. Meanwhile, the PS3 has been released, and the PS2 is dying out (although Persona 3 is still coming <3).

Any thoughts?

It's all right, but emulation does have its drawbacks. I've only really had two emulators at any given time, one for SNES...another for Amiga.

If you ask me, I think the computer emulators are much easier to work with. Super Metroid was the only emulated game I ever actually completed, but boy did it take awhile to adjust to the controls, that I custom designed.

Nothing, imo, will ever really feel like the originals. You just can't really replace them with the new stuff, all the time. Over time, the industry will get better on their own with a way of bringing back the classics in the most classic and ergonomic way possible.

Virtual Console looks to be pretty cool, but I'm sure some out there would probably get bored or confused using the controls given with the classic controller. That's just my thought. I'm still hoping they'll expand their TG-16 library to have the Legendary Axe and Keith Courage: In Alpha Zones (the only two TG-16 games I've ever had) to see how it measures up with the original gameplay experience.

I'm kind of torn when it comes to Emulation. On the one hand, I'm a fan of collecting games and game systems. I love having the physical copy of the game in my possesion, and seeing the label art and cover design. I love collecting the extras that come with the game when you buy them, the little collectable artbooks, the soundtracks, and other awesome knick-knacks. That's something you can't get from an emulate game, and this is also a reason why I'm not big on burned games. I'm a big fan of presentation.

Yet, with Emulation you can play games that you would normally wouldn't have access to. I have Neo Geo and Arcarde emulators. Since arcades are fading faster than polar ice caps, its a way for me to re-live some great gaming moments without having to track down a working arcade stall of my favorite games and try to house them in my tiny apartment. I have a good SNES and GBA emulator that I use to play some good Japanese games that would be almost impossible to find, let alone get a hold of. I have a version of Shin Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei II that play great. Like Rated H said, with emulation you're not bound by hardware limitations, don't have to worry about filling up that mem card, you can save states of the game anywhere, and easily transfer saves.