For retro gaming fans, playing classic video games from decades past is a dream, but it’s tough to do legally. This is where game emulation comes in — a way to recreate old consoles in software, letting people play vintage games on modern devices. Despite opposition from big game companies, emulation developers put in years of work to make these games playable.
Game emulators work by reading game files, called ROMs, and creating a digital version of the console they were designed for. Riley Testut, creator of the Delta emulator, says it’s like opening an image file: the ROM is the data, and the emulator brings it to life with visuals and sound.
Testut and his team spent years refining Delta, even adding new features like online multiplayer for Nintendo DS games.
Some consoles are easy to emulate, while others are a challenge. Older systems like the Game Boy are simpler, but emulating a PlayStation requires recreating multiple processors and intricate hardware functions. Developers use tools like OpenGL or Vulkan to help with complex 3D graphics, especially on mobile devices.
Emulators like Emudeck, popular on the Steam Deck, make it easy to access multiple games in one place. For those wanting an even more authentic experience, FPGA hardware emulation mimics old consoles precisely, though it’s costly.
While game companies often frown on ROMs, some, like Xbox, use emulation to re-release classic games legally.
However, legal questions remain, and complex licensing issues keep many games out of reach.
Despite these challenges, emulation is thriving, driven by fans and developers who want to preserve gaming history. Though legal issues persist, emulation is vital for keeping classic games alive and accessible to new generations.
