I first encountered console emulators when one was given to me by one of my friends, it imitated a SNES and came with several entertaining games. These titles ranged from Act Raiser, to Chrono Trigger, to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Of course, because they were the SNES versions of the games their sound wasn't exactly up to par with the industry standard.

But nonetheless, they're fun, and provide an excellent distraction from getting anything done (a telltale sign of good games).

The question/discussion that I propose to the Abandonia community is this: Are console emulators, such as the as-of-now unnamed one I use reasonable to use? Or are they just another warez-esque tools that rob developers of money?

The thing I don't understand is that because i'm using an emulator of such an old console, I don't believe i'm doing much harm, seeing as those games are generally not sold in stores anymore. But if such an emulator turns out to not be such an unspeakable act of piracy, i'll gladly post up some info on obtaining them, because I think that several users are reading this and thinking things like "Man, he's right, i'd love to be able to kick the crap out of Mortal Kombat 2, or pull out my hair at the difficulty of Contra 3 from the comfort of my PC." and that'd be cool to spread around.

If, however, it turns out that these are immoral to have...

:tomato: *looks at warn level* :tomato:

:wallbash: "Curse you Abandonia moderators!!!!" :wallbash:

Closing sidenote: I specifically mentioned console emulators, because as we all know, good 'ol DOSBox is 100% emulator itself.

As far as I know emulators are nothing illegal, however the game ROM's are copyrighted and downloading them therefore is probably still considered illegal. The rights to the respective games are still held by the companies that were producing the earlier consoles, like Nintendo that's still in business, and they hang on to their old games as sometimes they re-release them as part of the new games, such as the classic Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong 64's gaming machine.

I would say obtaining ROM's is pretty much the same as obtaining games on this site. It is illegal but if the software maker doesn't actively protect it's rights you have no problems.

This particular site (Abandonia) is related just to abandoned DOS games, so there won't be any console emulators or ROMs here.

However, I seem to remember the possibility of a new site being opened, by the Abandonia people, specifically for the purpose of console ROMs, in the same way that Reloaded is dedicated to freeware. The long term goal here is a network of Abandonia sites, catering to a large variety of gaming needs.

How it will be before this site makes an appearance, if at all, I have no idea. Probably some time after the upcoming Abandonia redesign.

It's going to be Abandonworld :D
One site for Dos Games, one for freeware, one for consoles, I hope there'll be something for C64 ^_^

One Ring to rule them all and in the DOS-ness bind them. Mwahahaha

This sounds very good indeed. A whole bunch of little sisters covering different grounds. I cheer to taht.

I don't like the idea simply because after reloaded popped up this site just lost most of it's active community and split it in two. Just what we need. Three sites to split us up.

Hmm, well it would make sense to have an Abandonia dedicated to emulators...

Anyway, the SNES emulator I was given is called "ZSNES", and I love it because of it's simple functionality and general ease of use.

However, I can never seem to get MAME emulators to work...anyone know anything 'bout those?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Iowa @ Jun 19 2007, 05:25 AM) [snapback]295101[/snapback]</div>I think the one you can download at the official site is for the command line. So you'd have to make a shortcut for each game adding the name of the game (of the ZIPped ROM) as a parameter to the target. For example the target could be «"C:\Program Files\Mame\mame.exe" tetris». All ROMs should be in the "roms" subfolder for Mame to find them.

The easy option though is using something like Mame32 which provides you with an easy interface and lets you run all your games from a single shortcut.

I support emulators all the way, just like any other type of gaming.

Love the Spectrum ones...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Japofran @ Jun 19 2007, 03:35 AM) [snapback]295148[/snapback]</div>I think the one you can download at the official site is for the command line. So you'd have to make a shortcut for each game adding the name of the game (of the ZIPped ROM) as a parameter to the target. For example the target could be «"C:\Program Files\Mame\mame.exe" tetris». All ROMs should be in the "roms" subfolder for Mame to find them.

The easy option though is using something like Mame32 which provides you with an easy interface and lets you run all your games from a single shortcut.
[/b][/quote]
Yeah, I downloaded MAME32 once, and it came with around 300 games on it's Games list that I had no possesion of. Furthermore, when I put my roms in the "roms" directory, it seemed to not detect them at all (and yes, they were still zipped). I dunno, just can't seem to figure out it's interface...DOSBox is way easier to use...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Iowa @ Jun 19 2007, 10:05 PM) [snapback]295221[/snapback]</div>You've got to tell Mame32 to refresh the list every time you've copied new games, and of course the first time. File > Audit all games

I love emulators as well, having several. Man, its great to pop up one of the oldies and just leave the regular world for a few hours.

But I'm having problem getting my Amiga-emulator to work, though. I use WinUAE or something, but it's all just gibberish to me. I have no idea what does what, and I can't seem to find a simple tutorial for true boneheads like me. A shame really, cause the good old A had som excelent games.
Oh well, I still have the option of temporarily downgrading my PC to a lowly C64, so not everything is bleak and gray! ^_^

Normally i stay away from emulators but some months ago an strange force took over me and moved me to get "Dinosaurs and Cadillacs" running in a Mame32 emulator.... i think that i finished the game twice before moving away

!

*realizes that they have indeed made C64 emulators and he needs to get his hands on 100 ROMs and an emulator as soon as possible*

*rushes to the nearest spyware-free Bittorrent site*

*conceals the fact that he just rushed to the nearest spyware-free Bittorrent site*

You didn't see anything...

Yeah, I didn't know they actually had emulators for that good 'ol piece of plastic and its 5" floppy goodness. And I want in.

emulators are fine with me. hell, i have lots on my computer. i have some of the systems i emulate though (snes, nes and dc to note)

I tend to only emulate the SNES and GBA, Advance Wars, the later Pokemon games and Final Fantasy 6 are the main game I play.

More advanced consoles are a bit over my head though, all that messing around with graphics settings and bios files. Alos, you can't control it through a keyboard (need a gamepad with joysticks).

psx and n64 can be emulated with keyboard, doesn't work very well but otherwise it works. i use a 360 pad but been emulating a lot recently on my psp

Is there such a thing as a USB SNES controller for Super Nintendo emulation, or is this simply a wishful fantasy?

You can always get an USB joypad with 6 buttons or more, center and customize it in Windows Control Panel, and the emulator should recognize it through Windows.
Since SNES controller had 4 buttons, 2 side buttons and Start + Select button you'll probably need a joypad with more than 6 buttons, though you can always set the missing keys to some on keyboard.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Iowa @ Jun 23 2007, 12:17 AM) [snapback]295885[/snapback]</div>the possibility exists but you need to create an adapter or mod the controller yourself

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Scatty @ Jun 23 2007, 02:54 AM) [snapback]295924[/snapback]</div>That's a great idea :w00t: , I can definitely pull that off. Thanks Scatty! :max:

So what 6 button controller did you find? Currently on the market I've found that Saitek has a controller that looks like the XBox (original) with a 4 button layout, then a black and white button so that you can easily use it for 6 button. Actually, I love this thing. I think it's the P2900 for the wireless one.

So what brand/type do you use.

I am using a standard XBOX controller, paid something about 2 pounds for the plug to connect it via the USB port.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kajjj @ Jun 26 2007, 09:58 PM) [snapback]296564[/snapback]</div>where do you get them? i mean the plug since i have my xbox still and it would be good for multiplayer games on my computer :)

I actually found a controller for SNES emulation: a Logitech Wingman 3.628. It works splendidly, and playing Mega Man X has never been this much fun! :brain:

I prefer using a PS2 controller, connected to the PC via a USB/PS2 bridge.

Oh, and two days ago I got "Impossible mission" for PSP. It's not only a remake of the original C64 classic with the same name, but it's three versions of it:
- New version with better graphics and choice of three characters (only for visuals, gameplay is the same)
- Old C64 version
- Merged version, with background decoration from the new with sprites from the old version.

And I'm having a blast with it. I had forgotten how much fun this pearl of a game were! ^_^

Isn't that the game where you have to search things to find passcodes and such to disable the robots on the level? Oh, and doesn't your character make a hilarious death-scream when you fall into a bottomless chasm?

If it is, right on, I like that game!

Nintendo emulators/ROMs are very much illegal
http://www.nintendo.com/corp/legal.jsp#emulator

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gormash @ Jul 8 2007, 09:04 AM) [snapback]298469[/snapback]</div>i remember that game! i was considering getting it but since there's C64 emulators for psp i decided not to. and the 360 controller is better than the ps2 controller by far (better layout by far)

and velik, the emulators are not illegal by any stretch of the imagination (they are merely emulating a bit of hardware which is not illegal, is it? getting the roms is the "illegal" part of the issue)