How to Use an Emulator and Roms

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Last Updated: August 21, 2024

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This will show you how to use an emulator, so that you can play your favorite games on your computer.

Steps

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1. 1
   Find an emulator of the video game console you are wanting to play on your computer. There are many websites dedicated solely to storing emulators and ROMs for free download.
2. 2
   Once you have found the emulator you wish to use, download it. Don't forget to check it to make sure it doesn't infect your computer with a virus.
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3. 3
   Remember that emulators are only part of what you need to play games on your computer. You need to download a ROM for that video game console you wish to emulate. A ROM acts as the video game cartridge for the emulator, which acts as the console.

   • The Internet is your best friend when searching for the ROMs. Try searching for "(System Name) ROMs".
4. 4
   Once you have found the ROM you wish to play on the Emulator, download it. Check for viruses on this as well. The ROMs file extension usually resembles the abbreviation of the console (Ex: SuperMarioBros.nes).
5. 5
   ROMS mostly come in compressed formats, such as ZIP or RAR. You need to have a program that will decompress them, such as Winzip (Trial Version), or 7-Zip (Free). Sometimes, it is easier to leave the ZIP file compressed, and just place in its own folder. All of the save files should go directly into the created folder, nicely organizing your ROMs.
6. 6
   Some emulators have a folder set as the default for games, so make sure the ROM file goes in that folder. If there is no folder automatically set, you will have to set one yourself.

   • Most Emulators have a (File>Open ROM) option, so do that, and a box will appear to select your game file.
7. 7
   Pick the game you want to play (The ROM file).
8. 8
   Enjoy!
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• Question

  How do I get a ROM off of a NES cartridge?

  

  Community Answer

  You can't. You would ruin the cartridge and the save file on the cartridge, if you have one.

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  Not Helpful 13 Helpful 10
• Question

  What rom site is recommended?

  

  Community Answer

  Emuparadise.me and romulation.net are good and safe websites for downloading all types of ROMs, be it NES, SNES, PSX and more.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 38 Helpful 42
• Question

  Are emulators illegal?

  

  Community Answer

  Emulators themselves are legal. It's about the ROMS that have a fight over if they are legal or not.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• Not all games will work perfectly with every emulator.
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• Most emulators allow you to store multiple button configurations. Use this option to choose the control scheme that best suits the type of game you are playing.
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Warnings

• Even if there is very little risk of getting caught, consider the fact that it is illegal to download a copyrighted ROM from the ROM websites on the internet. Emulators are perfectly legal. ROMs created from your own copy of the games are too.^{[citation needed]} Contrary to popular belief, there is no law permitting a 24 hour download period for ROMs that you don't own and you are not even legally supposed to download those that you do own.
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Things You'll Need

• A computer (Newer consoles hold greater requirements).
• The Internet
• Internet Browser
• Up-To-Date Video Card Drivers
• Latest Version of DirectX (Some emulators require this)

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