Emulation vs. Original Hardware: The Tech Battle to Preserve Retro Gaming

Emulation vs. Original Hardware: The Tech Battle to Preserve Retro Gaming

There has never been a single correct way to enjoy retro games.

Some players want the original console, the original controller and a cartridge clicking into place exactly as it did decades ago. Others want one compact handheld containing multiple systems, modern conveniences and a carefully organised game library.

Both approaches can deliver an excellent retro gaming experience, but they solve very different problems.

Original hardware offers direct compatibility with physical games and accessories, authentic controller behaviour and the experience of using the machines for which the games were designed. Emulation provides convenience, portability, visual enhancements, save states, flexible controls and access to many different systems through one device.

The argument is therefore not simply about whether emulation is better or worse than original hardware.

The more useful question is: which approach is better for the way you actually want to play?

This guide compares software emulation, original consoles and FPGA-based hardware across image quality, accuracy, latency, sound, cost, maintenance, collecting, portability, multiplayer, preservation and everyday usability.

The Quick Answer

Original hardware is the strongest choice when you want to use physical games, original controllers, specialist accessories and the exact behaviour of the original console.

Emulation is the strongest choice when you value portability, convenience, visual enhancements, save states, flexible controls and access to several systems through one device.

FPGA-based systems sit between the two. They recreate the logic of older hardware using configurable chips, combining many characteristics of original consoles with modern video output and storage.

Priority Best Starting Choice
Using original cartridges and discs Original hardware
Playing several systems on one device Software emulation
Portable retro gaming Emulation handheld
Original light guns and specialist accessories Original hardware with a compatible display
Save states, rewind and fast forward Software emulation
Hardware-style accuracy with modern output FPGA hardware or a modified original console
Collecting physical games Original hardware
Lowest entry cost across many platforms Software emulation

For many players, the best answer is not choosing one and rejecting the other. It is using original hardware for the systems and games where it matters most, while using emulation for portability, convenience and broader access.

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What Counts As Original Hardware?

Original hardware means running a game on the console or handheld for which it was released.

Examples include:

  • Playing a Game Boy cartridge on an original Game Boy.
  • Running a Mega Drive cartridge on a Sega Mega Drive.
  • Playing a PlayStation disc on an original PlayStation console.
  • Using a Dreamcast game with original Dreamcast controllers and VMUs.
  • Connecting a Super Nintendo to a CRT television.

The console does not necessarily have to remain completely untouched.

A recapped console, an IPS-upgraded handheld, a region-modded system or a console fitted with a modern digital video upgrade is still based on original hardware.

A flash cartridge also uses the original console to run the game. The software is loaded from modern storage, but the console itself still performs the processing.

Similarly, an optical drive emulator can replace a failing disc drive while retaining the original console motherboard, processors and controller connections.

Original hardware therefore covers a wide range of setups, from completely untouched systems to extensively restored and modernised consoles.

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What Is Software Emulation?

Software emulation uses one computer system to reproduce the behaviour of another.

An emulator interprets or recompiles the instructions intended for the original console and recreates its graphics, sound, timing, controls and memory behaviour on different hardware.

Software emulation can run on:

  • Windows, macOS and Linux computers.
  • Android phones and tablets.
  • Android retro gaming handhelds.
  • Linux-based emulation handhelds.
  • Single-board computers.
  • Modified games consoles.
  • Official miniature consoles.
  • Modern smart televisions and streaming devices.

An emulator may focus on speed, accuracy, low hardware requirements, enhanced graphics or compatibility with a particular device.

This is why two emulators for the same console can produce different results.

A highly accurate emulator may require more processing power because it recreates small timing and hardware behaviours that a faster emulator simplifies.

A lighter emulator may run better on a low-cost handheld but introduce minor graphical, audio or compatibility differences.

Software emulation is not one single experience. Its quality depends on the emulator, device, settings, display, controller and game files being used.

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Where Does FPGA Hardware Fit In?

FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array.

Unlike conventional software emulation, which normally runs console behaviour as software on a general-purpose processor, an FPGA can be configured to recreate interconnected hardware logic.

FPGA systems can reproduce parts of a console in parallel, more closely reflecting the way the original chips operate.

Popular examples include:

  • MiSTer FPGA.
  • Analogue consoles.
  • FPGA-based replacement boards.
  • Modern cartridge systems built around FPGA technology.

FPGA is often described as hardware emulation, although some manufacturers avoid the word emulation entirely.

It is important not to treat every FPGA recreation as automatically perfect. An FPGA core is still created by developers and can contain incomplete behaviour, timing errors or compatibility issues.

However, a well-developed FPGA core can provide:

  • Very low latency.
  • Accurate timing.
  • Consistent frame pacing.
  • Modern digital video output.
  • Support for original-style controllers.
  • Reduced dependence on ageing console components.

FPGA hardware is therefore a third major option rather than simply a more expensive form of software emulation.

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Emulation vs Original Hardware Comparison

Category Software Emulation Original Hardware
Initial Cost Usually lower across multiple systems Varies significantly by console and game prices
Portability Excellent Limited outside original handheld systems
Physical Game Support Usually none Native cartridge or disc support
Accuracy Ranges from approximate to highly accurate The reference point for that hardware revision and region
Input Latency Depends on emulator, settings, display and controller Extremely responsive with suitable controllers and displays
Image Enhancements Extensive scaling, shaders and filtering Requires external scalers or hardware modifications
Save States Commonly supported Not normally available without additional hardware
Controller Flexibility Very flexible Designed around original controllers and accessories
Maintenance Mostly software and storage management May require cleaning, repair and component replacement
Space Required Minimal Can become substantial across several systems
Special Accessories Support varies Best compatibility with original accessories
Collecting Primarily digital organisation Physical games, consoles, manuals and packaging

The table shows why the two approaches continue to coexist. Their strengths are often opposites rather than direct replacements for one another.

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Accuracy & Compatibility

Original hardware is the baseline against which an emulator is judged.

A real console does not need to recreate its own processors, graphics chips, audio hardware or timing relationships. It is those components.

That does not mean every original system behaves identically. Regional models, motherboard revisions, component tolerances and video standards can all create small differences.

However, when a game is compatible with the console and the hardware is operating correctly, original hardware provides the expected system behaviour.

How Accurate Is Modern Emulation?

Modern emulation for many older systems is extremely mature.

Systems such as the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, NES, SNES, Master System, Mega Drive and PlayStation 1 have well-developed emulators capable of reproducing a very high level of the original behaviour.

Accuracy becomes more complicated with:

  • Unusual cartridge enhancement chips.
  • Complex audio hardware.
  • Systems with several processors operating together.
  • Timing-sensitive effects.
  • Undocumented hardware behaviour.
  • Games that rely on hardware faults or edge cases.
  • Special controllers and external accessories.

Some emulators aim for cycle accuracy or highly detailed low-level recreation. Others use shortcuts to reduce the processing power needed.

On sufficiently powerful hardware, a highly accurate emulator can produce behaviour that is extremely difficult to distinguish from the original system during normal play.

On low-cost emulation hardware, lighter emulator cores may be used to maintain full speed. These can still provide a good experience but may produce more noticeable differences in demanding or unusual games.

Accuracy Is More Than Whether A Game Boots

A game loading successfully does not prove that the emulation is completely accurate.

Differences can appear in:

  • Sprite priority.
  • Transparency effects.
  • Sound channels.
  • Music timing.
  • Controller response.
  • Random-number behaviour.
  • Frame pacing.
  • Screen transitions.
  • Save handling.
  • Peripheral support.

Most players will not notice every technical difference. Whether those differences matter depends on the game and the player.

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Input Lag & Responsiveness

Input latency is the time between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen.

It is one of the most frequently discussed differences between original hardware and emulation.

Original Hardware Latency

An original wired controller connected to an original console and displayed on a compatible CRT normally provides an extremely responsive experience.

There may still be delay built into the game itself. A character does not necessarily react on the first possible frame simply because the console is original.

The important point is that the console, controller and CRT generally add very little extra delay to the game’s own response.

Where Emulation Latency Comes From

An emulation setup can add delay through several stages:

  • The controller connection.
  • Bluetooth polling.
  • The operating system.
  • The emulator’s input processing.
  • Video buffering.
  • Vertical synchronisation.
  • Frame queues.
  • The display’s image processing.
  • Wireless video or streaming.

These delays are not fixed.

A poorly configured emulator connected to a slow television can feel noticeably delayed. A carefully configured emulator using a wired controller and low-latency display can feel extremely responsive.

Run-Ahead & Pre-Emptive Frames

Modern emulators can use latency-reduction techniques such as Run-Ahead or pre-emptive frames.

These features use additional processing to reduce or remove some of the delay built into an emulated game.

In suitable systems, an emulator can sometimes respond as quickly as original hardware or even reduce part of the game’s internal delay.

However, latency-reduction features are not suitable for every emulator core or device. They increase processing requirements and can introduce audio problems, stuttering or compatibility issues when configured incorrectly.

Bluetooth Is Not Automatically Bad

Bluetooth controllers can add latency, but the amount varies by controller, operating system and wireless connection.

A high-quality Bluetooth controller can still provide an enjoyable experience, particularly in slower-paced games.

For demanding rhythm games, shoot ’em ups, fighting games and speedrunning, a wired or low-latency wireless controller is generally preferable.

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Video Output & Image Quality

Image quality is one of the clearest areas in which emulation and original hardware take different approaches.

Original consoles output the video standards available at the time.

Depending on the system and region, this may include:

  • RF.
  • Composite video.
  • S-Video.
  • RGB.
  • Component video.
  • VGA.
  • Early digital video standards.

Connecting these signals to a modern television can require an adapter, line doubler, scaler or internal console modification.

Software emulation normally renders directly to a modern digital display.

This makes it easy to produce:

  • 720p, 1080p or 4K output.
  • Sharp scaling.
  • Custom aspect ratios.
  • Image filters.
  • CRT shaders.
  • Colour correction.
  • Widescreen output.
  • Higher internal resolutions for 3D games.

Higher resolution does not automatically mean a more faithful image.

A perfectly sharp grid of pixels on a modern display can look very different from the blended, scanlined image produced by the original console on a CRT.

The better option therefore depends on whether you want a clean modern presentation or the visual characteristics of the original display technology.

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CRT Televisions vs Modern Displays

A CRT television does more than display the signal from an old console.

Its scanlines, phosphor behaviour, softness, colour blending and response characteristics form part of how many games originally appeared.

Developers created artwork while viewing it through those displays.

Techniques such as dithering, transparency patterns and alternating pixel colours could blend together naturally on a CRT.

Advantages Of A CRT

  • Very low display latency.
  • Natural handling of low-resolution signals.
  • Smooth motion.
  • Authentic scanline structure.
  • Compatibility with many traditional light guns.
  • No digital scaling required for standard-definition systems.

Disadvantages Of A CRT

  • Large and heavy.
  • Increasingly difficult to find in good condition.
  • Potential geometry and convergence problems.
  • Ageing internal components.
  • Limited connection options on some models.
  • Electrical hazards inside the television.
  • Not practical for every room or setup.

Advantages Of A Modern Display

  • Thin and easy to position.
  • High-resolution digital input.
  • Widely available.
  • Suitable for modern and retro systems.
  • Excellent brightness and clarity.
  • Works naturally with modern emulation devices.

Disadvantages Of A Modern Display

  • May process and delay low-resolution analogue signals.
  • Can scale 240p content incorrectly.
  • May stretch 4:3 games to 16:9.
  • Requires a scaler or modification for the best original-hardware results.
  • Cannot reproduce a CRT perfectly.

A good low-latency scaler can make original hardware look excellent on a modern television, while a well-designed shader can make emulation resemble a CRT more closely.

Neither solution is identical to placing the original console on a period-appropriate display, but both can provide a strong result.

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How Pixel Art Changes Between Displays

Pixel art is often described as though every individual pixel was intended to appear as a perfectly sharp square.

That is not always how the artwork was viewed during development.

On a CRT, adjacent colours can interact and blend. Thin lines can appear smoother, checkerboard patterns can create transparency and harsh colour transitions can soften.

On a modern display, nearest-neighbour scaling exposes every source pixel clearly.

This can be attractive and useful, particularly on handheld screens, but it changes the presentation.

Emulation allows players to choose between several styles:

  • Sharp unfiltered pixels.
  • Bilinear smoothing.
  • Integer scaling.
  • CRT shaders.
  • LCD grid simulation.
  • Colour correction.
  • System-specific borders and overlays.

Original hardware on a CRT provides the natural result of the original signal and display.

Emulation provides more choice.

The better image is subjective. The more authentic image depends on the original system, its intended display and the quality of the emulation setup.

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Sound Accuracy

Audio differences are sometimes more noticeable than visual differences.

Original sound hardware may use:

  • Dedicated sound chips.
  • Analogue filtering.
  • Sample playback.
  • Frequency-modulation synthesis.
  • Noise channels.
  • Cartridge-based expansion audio.
  • Console-specific mixing circuits.

An emulator must reproduce both the digital behaviour and, in some cases, the characteristics of analogue output stages.

Inaccurate emulation can produce:

  • Incorrect instrument tones.
  • Unbalanced sound channels.
  • Missing effects.
  • Popping or crackling.
  • Music running slightly too quickly or slowly.
  • Incorrect reverb or filtering.

Well-developed modern emulators can reproduce many systems extremely accurately.

Original hardware is not automatically in perfect condition, either. Ageing capacitors, failing audio circuits, poor cables, noisy power supplies and worn headphone sockets can all affect sound quality.

A restored console can provide the intended audio behaviour. A neglected original console may sound worse than a well-configured emulator.

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Controllers & Physical Controls

The original controller is a major part of how a console feels.

A Mega Drive six-button controller, Nintendo 64 controller, Dreamcast controller and GameCube controller each shape the games designed around them.

Original hardware provides direct support for the expected controller layout.

Advantages Of Original Controllers

  • Correct button positions.
  • Expected D-pad and analogue-stick behaviour.
  • Native support for controller accessories.
  • Correct trigger travel and resistance.
  • Game-specific controller design.
  • No software mapping required.

Advantages Of Emulation Controls

  • Buttons can be remapped.
  • One controller can be used across many systems.
  • Turbo functions can be added.
  • Analogue sensitivity can be adjusted.
  • Dead zones can be changed.
  • Accessibility controllers can be used.
  • Wireless controllers are easy to add.
  • System-wide hotkeys can control saves and menus.

Emulation is more flexible, but one universal controller does not perfectly replace every original design.

The Nintendo 64 is the clearest example. Mapping its central analogue stick, directional pad, shoulder buttons, trigger and C buttons onto a modern dual-stick controller can work well, but it does not feel exactly like the original layout.

USB adapters and modern reproduction controllers can narrow the difference by allowing original-style controls to be used with emulation.

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Light Guns, Link Cables & Specialist Accessories

Standard controllers are relatively easy to reproduce. Specialist accessories are more difficult.

Original systems may support:

  • CRT light guns.
  • Fishing controllers.
  • Dance mats.
  • Microphones.
  • Memory cards.
  • Rumble accessories.
  • Multitaps.
  • Link cables.
  • Motion controllers.
  • Keyboard and mouse accessories.
  • Cartridge readers.
  • Game-specific peripherals.

Emulators may reproduce the software side of an accessory without supporting the original physical device.

A light-gun game may be playable using a mouse, analogue stick or modern sensor-based gun. That can make the game accessible on a modern display, but it is not the same as using the original gun with a CRT.

Game Boy link-cable features can sometimes be emulated through multiple emulator instances or network connections. Setup and compatibility vary considerably.

Original hardware remains the safest choice when a game depends heavily on unusual physical accessories.

Emulation remains useful when the original accessory is rare, expensive, unreliable or incompatible with modern displays.

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Save States, Rewind & Fast Forward

Convenience features are among the strongest arguments for emulation.

Save States

A save state records the current condition of the emulator, allowing a game to resume from almost any point.

This is useful for:

  • Games with long gaps between save points.
  • Short handheld sessions.
  • Practising difficult sections.
  • Pausing games that lack a pause function.
  • Protecting progress in games with ageing cartridge batteries.

Rewind

Rewind stores recent gameplay states continuously and allows mistakes to be reversed.

It can make difficult games more approachable, although it changes the intended challenge.

Fast Forward

Fast forward is particularly useful for:

  • Slow battle animations.
  • Lengthy dialogue.
  • Random encounters.
  • Resource gathering.
  • Repeated introductory sequences.

Original Hardware Saves

Original hardware normally relies on:

  • Passwords.
  • Battery-backed cartridge memory.
  • EEPROM or flash memory.
  • Console memory cards.
  • Internal hard drives.

These systems preserve the original rules and limitations but can be less convenient.

Battery-backed cartridge saves may eventually fail when the internal battery is exhausted. Memory cards can also become corrupted or worn.

Flash cartridges, optical drive emulators and console modifications can sometimes add backup or save-management functions to original hardware.

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Resolution Scaling, Widescreen & Other Enhancements

Software emulation can change how a game is rendered rather than merely enlarging the original image.

For 3D systems, internal resolution scaling can produce much cleaner geometry.

A PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast or PSP game can be rendered at several times its original internal resolution, reducing jagged edges and improving detail.

Other emulator enhancements may include:

  • Texture filtering.
  • Anti-aliasing.
  • Anisotropic filtering.
  • High-resolution texture packs.
  • Widescreen hacks.
  • Improved colour depth.
  • Removal of distance fog.
  • Frame-rate patches.
  • Geometry correction.
  • Deinterlacing options.

These features can make an old game look cleaner on a modern display, but they move the presentation away from original hardware.

Widescreen hacks can reveal areas the game was not designed to display. This may cause objects to appear suddenly, menus to stretch or background elements to disappear.

Higher resolutions can also expose low-resolution textures, simple geometry and visual shortcuts that were less obvious on the original display.

Original hardware provides the intended rendering limits.

Emulation lets the player decide how closely to preserve them.

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Shaders, Filters & Display Simulation

Shaders allow an emulator to change the final image in real time.

They can simulate:

  • CRT scanlines.
  • Shadow masks.
  • Aperture grilles.
  • Screen curvature.
  • Phosphor glow.
  • Composite-video blending.
  • LCD pixel grids.
  • Game Boy colour palettes.
  • Ghosting and response characteristics.

A strong CRT shader can restore some of the blending and structure lost when a low-resolution game is displayed as sharp pixels on a modern screen.

However, a shader cannot reproduce every physical characteristic of a CRT.

Its effectiveness depends on:

  • The resolution of the modern display.
  • The display’s brightness.
  • The emulator’s scaling.
  • The quality of the shader.
  • The processing power available.
  • The viewing distance.

Heavy shaders can reduce performance on lower-powered devices.

On small emulation handhelds, a lightweight LCD or scanline shader may be more practical than a complex CRT simulation.

Original hardware on a CRT produces these characteristics naturally. Emulation provides an adjustable approximation that can be saved separately for each system.

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Game Compatibility

Original hardware has excellent compatibility with games released for the correct region and hardware revision, but there are exceptions.

Compatibility can be affected by:

  • Regional lockout.
  • PAL and NTSC differences.
  • Console model revisions.
  • Cartridge enhancement chips.
  • Disc-drive condition.
  • Copy-protection systems.
  • Damaged cartridges or discs.
  • Required accessories.

Emulator compatibility depends on whether developers have accurately recreated the required hardware behaviour.

Well-supported systems may run almost every commercial release correctly.

More complex systems may have:

  • Games that do not boot.
  • Graphical errors.
  • Audio problems.
  • Random crashes.
  • Incorrect physics.
  • Missing accessory support.
  • Game-specific settings or patches.

A compatibility percentage can also be misleading.

A game being labelled playable may mean it can be completed despite minor issues. It does not necessarily mean the experience is identical to the original console.

For systems such as GameCube, PlayStation 2, Sega Saturn and Xbox, checking game-specific compatibility remains more important than it is for many 8-bit and 16-bit systems.

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Original Hardware Is Not Always Identical

It is easy to describe original hardware as one fixed reference, but consoles often received several internal revisions.

Different revisions can change:

  • Video quality.
  • Audio output.
  • Power consumption.
  • Component count.
  • Compatibility with modifications.
  • Disc-drive behaviour.
  • Region support.
  • Physical ports.

Different regions can also run games at different refresh rates.

Many European PAL releases were converted from 60Hz NTSC games to 50Hz. Some were properly adjusted, while others ran more slowly or displayed with borders.

A PAL console running an unoptimised PAL release is original hardware, but it may not represent the speed or presentation of the original NTSC version.

Emulation makes it easy to select different regional versions and reproduce multiple console revisions.

Original hardware provides the characteristics of the specific machine connected in front of you.

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Cost Comparison

Emulation is usually the more affordable way to access a broad range of retro systems.

One capable device can replace several consoles, displays, controllers and video adapters.

The total cost of original hardware can include:

  • The console.
  • Controllers.
  • Physical games.
  • Memory cards.
  • Power supplies.
  • Video cables.
  • Modern scalers.
  • Repairs.
  • Replacement capacitors.
  • Disc-drive or laser replacements.
  • Storage furniture.
  • Special accessories.

Some original consoles and games remain inexpensive. Others have increased significantly in price.

Rare games can cost more than an entire modern emulation handheld.

Emulation Costs Can Also Increase

A premium emulation setup may include:

  • A powerful PC or Android handheld.
  • Large-capacity storage.
  • Several original-style controllers.
  • A low-latency display.
  • A mini PC or living-room system.
  • Premium frontend software.
  • High-quality docks and adapters.

Emulation has the lower minimum cost, but it does not have to remain a budget option.

Cost Per System

Original hardware can make sense when you care deeply about one or two consoles.

Emulation becomes increasingly cost-effective when you want to explore many platforms.

A complete original-hardware setup covering Nintendo, Sega, Sony, NEC and arcade systems can require a large budget and considerable space.

A single emulation device can provide access to all of those system categories through one interface.

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Collecting Physical Games

Original hardware is not only about playing games. For many people, the physical collection is part of the hobby.

Collecting can include:

  • Cartridges.
  • Discs.
  • Boxes.
  • Manuals.
  • Strategy guides.
  • Controllers.
  • Console variants.
  • Promotional items.
  • Limited editions.

A physical collection provides something that a digital menu cannot reproduce.

The artwork, packaging, instruction manuals and physical history all contribute to the appeal.

However, collecting also creates practical problems:

  • Prices can be high.
  • Counterfeit cartridges exist.
  • Discs can be resurfaced or damaged.
  • Boxes and manuals require careful storage.
  • Large collections take up significant space.
  • Collectors may become reluctant to use valuable items.

Emulation separates playing from collecting.

A player can access and organise games without building a physical library. A collector can also preserve valuable original items while using emulation or a flash cartridge for everyday play.

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Maintenance & Ageing Hardware

Original consoles are ageing electronic devices.

Even a well-designed system may eventually require attention.

Common problems include:

  • Leaking or worn capacitors.
  • Corroded battery contacts.
  • Oxidised cartridge connectors.
  • Failing power supplies.
  • Worn controller membranes.
  • Damaged ports.
  • Weak disc-drive lasers.
  • Broken drive belts.
  • Failing optical-drive mechanisms.
  • Cracked solder joints.
  • Dead cartridge save batteries.
  • Yellowed or brittle plastic.

Maintenance is not necessarily a reason to avoid original hardware.

A professionally restored console can continue operating for many years. Replaceable parts, modern power solutions and active repair communities keep many systems practical.

However, buyers should understand that purchasing an old console is not the same as purchasing a new appliance.

Emulation Maintenance

Emulation avoids many mechanical and electronic faults, but it introduces different maintenance tasks:

  • Updating emulators.
  • Managing configuration files.
  • Backing up saves.
  • Replacing microSD cards.
  • Correcting metadata.
  • Maintaining BIOS files.
  • Handling operating-system updates.
  • Fixing controller mappings.

Original hardware maintenance is physical.

Emulation maintenance is primarily digital.

Neither is completely maintenance-free.

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Storage Space & Cable Management

A multi-console original-hardware setup can require considerable space.

Each system may need:

  • A console shelf.
  • A separate power supply.
  • Video cables.
  • Controller storage.
  • Game storage.
  • Input switching.
  • A scaler or switch box.

Connecting many systems to one television can become complicated.

Analogue switchers, HDMI switches, power strips and cable labels may all be required.

Emulation reduces an entire multi-console setup to one device, one power supply and one video connection.

A handheld system reduces it further by combining the screen, controls, battery and processing hardware.

This makes emulation especially practical for:

  • Small homes.
  • Shared rooms.
  • Travel.
  • Temporary setups.
  • Players who do not want visible cables and shelves.

Original hardware becomes more practical when there is dedicated space for it.

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Portability

Portability is one of emulation’s clearest advantages.

A modern handheld can carry games from many different systems while fitting into a small bag or pocket.

Depending on its performance, one device may cover:

  • Atari systems.
  • NES.
  • SNES.
  • Game Boy.
  • Game Boy Color.
  • Game Boy Advance.
  • Master System.
  • Game Gear.
  • Mega Drive.
  • PC Engine.
  • Neo Geo.
  • Arcade systems.
  • PlayStation 1.
  • Nintendo 64.
  • Dreamcast.
  • PSP.
  • Nintendo DS.
  • Selected GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo 3DS games on more powerful hardware.

An original Game Boy, Game Gear, PSP or Nintendo DS is also portable, but each is limited primarily to its own compatible library.

Original handhelds offer the correct form factor, controls and display characteristics for their games.

Emulation handhelds offer variety and convenience.

The better choice depends on whether you want the most authentic experience for one system or access to many systems through one device.

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Local Multiplayer

Original consoles were designed around local multiplayer.

Connecting several controllers is normally straightforward, particularly when the console supports four ports or a multitap.

Advantages include:

  • Predictable controller assignments.
  • Original multitap support.
  • No operating-system pairing issues.
  • Correct controller layouts.
  • Reliable game-specific accessories.

Emulation can also provide strong local multiplayer.

Modern devices may support several USB or Bluetooth controllers, allowing games from many systems to run through one television setup.

Potential difficulties include:

  • Controllers changing player order.
  • Bluetooth pairing delays.
  • Different controller layouts.
  • Incorrect emulator port assignments.
  • USB hub power limitations.
  • Individual core settings.

Once properly configured, an emulation system can become an extremely convenient local multiplayer machine.

Original hardware is usually easier for spontaneous play when the controllers are already connected and working.

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Online Multiplayer & Netplay

Emulation can add online multiplayer to games that originally supported only local play.

Netplay systems synchronise emulator sessions over a network.

This can allow two players in different locations to play older fighting games, racing games, sports games and cooperative titles together.

Successful netplay normally requires:

  • Matching game files.
  • Matching emulator cores.
  • Compatible emulator versions.
  • Stable internet connections.
  • Similar settings.
  • Low network latency.

Rollback-based netplay can provide a smoother experience than older delay-based methods, but support depends on the emulator and system.

Original hardware can also be played online using specialist adapters, tunnelling software or original network services where they remain available.

These setups are generally more system-specific.

Emulation provides the most flexible route to adding online features to games designed for the same room.

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Original Handhelds vs Emulation Handhelds

The comparison becomes particularly interesting with portable systems.

Original Handheld Advantages

  • Correct screen shape.
  • Correct controls.
  • Original cartridge support.
  • Native link-cable and accessory support.
  • No emulator configuration.
  • Direct compatibility with the intended library.

Original Handheld Disadvantages

  • Older screens can be dim or difficult to view.
  • Battery contacts may corrode.
  • Save batteries can fail.
  • Only one main system library per device.
  • Original cartridges can be expensive.
  • Some systems require disposable batteries.

Emulation Handheld Advantages

  • Several systems on one device.
  • Bright IPS or OLED displays.
  • Rechargeable batteries.
  • Save states.
  • Fast forward.
  • Adjustable scaling and shaders.
  • Modern USB-C charging.
  • HDMI output on selected devices.
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on selected devices.

Emulation Handheld Disadvantages

  • Setup can be complicated.
  • Low-quality storage cards can fail.
  • Controls may not suit every system.
  • More demanding systems may have inconsistent performance.
  • Sleep and resume behaviour varies.
  • Firmware quality differs between manufacturers.

A restored original handheld with a modern IPS screen and rechargeable battery can combine original cartridge support with a much more practical display and power system.

An emulation handheld remains the better choice when carrying several system libraries matters more than using original games.

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Batteries & Power

Original handhelds were often designed around AA or AAA batteries.

This has one modern advantage: depleted batteries can be replaced immediately rather than waiting for the device to charge.

However, disposable batteries are less convenient for frequent use.

Rechargeable modifications can modernise many original handhelds with:

  • USB charging.
  • Higher-capacity batteries.
  • Charge indicators.
  • Improved voltage regulation.

Modern emulation handhelds normally use internal lithium batteries.

Battery life depends on:

  • Processor load.
  • Screen brightness.
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth use.
  • Emulated system.
  • Performance mode.
  • Shader complexity.
  • Battery condition.

An 8-bit system generally uses less processing power than PSP, Dreamcast or GameCube emulation.

Original home consoles also require consideration of old external power supplies.

A failing or poorly regulated power adapter can create instability, noise or damage. A suitable modern replacement can improve reliability when it matches the console’s electrical requirements correctly.

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Modernising Original Hardware

Original hardware does not have to remain limited by its original screen, video output or power system.

Modern upgrades can include:

  • IPS handheld screens.
  • Rechargeable batteries.
  • USB-C charging.
  • Audio amplifiers.
  • Replacement speakers.
  • New capacitors.
  • Digital video output.
  • RGB modifications.
  • Region switching.
  • Switchless modifications.
  • Replacement power boards.
  • Optical drive emulators.
  • Modern shells and controls.

These upgrades can make original systems easier to use without replacing the console’s main processing hardware.

An IPS-upgraded Game Boy Color, for example, still plays original cartridges through original Game Boy Color hardware while providing a brighter and clearer screen.

A digitally modified home console can connect directly to a modern television without relying on its original analogue output.

The Trade-Off

Every modification changes part of the original design.

A replacement display may have different colours, scaling and response characteristics. A digital video modification may bypass original analogue circuits. A rechargeable battery changes the power system.

This does not make the result worse, but it may move the console away from a completely original presentation.

Modified original hardware often provides one of the best compromises between direct compatibility and modern usability.

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Flash Cartridges & Optical Drive Emulators

Flash cartridges allow game data to be loaded from modern storage while the original console runs it.

They can provide:

  • A consolidated game library.
  • Reduced wear on original cartridges.
  • Homebrew support.
  • Fan translations.
  • ROM hacks.
  • Save backup functions on selected devices.
  • Faster access to frequently played games.

An optical drive emulator replaces or bypasses a disc drive and loads game images from an SD card, USB device or other modern storage.

This can be particularly useful for systems with ageing optical mechanisms.

Examples of systems commonly used with optical drive replacements include:

  • Dreamcast.
  • PlayStation.
  • Saturn.
  • GameCube.
  • 3DO.
  • PC Engine CD.

These devices create a hybrid setup.

The console still performs the game processing, but the original cartridge or optical disc is no longer required during play.

This provides much of emulation’s convenience while retaining original-hardware behaviour and controller support.

Compatibility depends on the specific flash cartridge or drive emulator. Enhancement chips, multi-disc support, audio tracks and copy-protection behaviour may require particular hardware or firmware.

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Clone Consoles & Modern Replacement Systems

Modern replacement consoles cover several different technologies.

Some use software emulation. Others use FPGA hardware. Some use newly manufactured system-on-chip designs that approximate an older console.

They may offer:

  • HDMI output.
  • Original cartridge slots.
  • Original controller ports.
  • Wireless controllers.
  • Save states.
  • Regional compatibility.
  • Modern power connections.

Quality varies widely.

A low-cost clone console may have incorrect colours, audio differences, poor controller latency or limited cartridge compatibility.

A carefully developed FPGA console may reproduce the original hardware extremely closely and provide excellent modern video output.

Before buying a replacement console, check:

  • Whether it uses software emulation, FPGA or a clone chip.
  • Supported cartridge regions.
  • Controller compatibility.
  • Audio and video accuracy.
  • Input latency.
  • Enhancement-chip compatibility.
  • Firmware support.
  • Whether the system is still actively maintained.

A cartridge slot does not automatically mean a console behaves exactly like original hardware.

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Game Preservation

Original hardware and emulation both play important roles in preserving retro games.

What Original Hardware Preserves

Original hardware preserves:

  • The physical console design.
  • Original controllers.
  • Cartridge and disc interfaces.
  • Video and audio output behaviour.
  • Accessory compatibility.
  • Packaging and printed materials.
  • The complete physical context of the game.

However, original hardware is finite.

Components fail, optical media degrades, batteries leak, plastics become brittle and replacement parts can become scarce.

What Emulation Preserves

Emulation can preserve:

  • Game data.
  • Firmware behaviour.
  • Hardware research.
  • Regional versions.
  • Prototype software.
  • Undocumented console behaviour.
  • Games for rare or inaccessible systems.

An accurate emulator is also a form of technical documentation.

To recreate a console properly, developers must investigate how its processors, graphics hardware, audio system, memory and timing interact.

No single preservation method is enough.

A game stored as data without an accurate emulator may become difficult to run. An original cartridge without working hardware may become unusable. A console without documentation may become harder to repair or reproduce.

Long-term preservation benefits from:

  • Original hardware.
  • Physical software.
  • Verified digital copies.
  • Accurate emulators.
  • FPGA recreations.
  • Hardware documentation.
  • Repair knowledge.
  • Native ports and recompilation projects.

The strongest preservation strategy keeps multiple routes available.

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Ownership & Long-Term Access

A physical game can be stored, displayed, sold, lent and used without relying on an online storefront.

However, physical ownership does not guarantee permanent access.

A cartridge can fail. A disc can become unreadable. A console can break. Required accessories can become difficult to replace.

A digital emulation library is easier to duplicate and back up.

Multiple copies can be kept on:

  • A computer.
  • An external drive.
  • A home server.
  • A handheld storage card.
  • Secure off-site storage.

Digital access depends on file organisation and reliable backups.

A microSD card should never be treated as the only copy of an important library or save collection.

Original games provide tangible ownership.

Digital libraries provide redundancy and portability.

A strong long-term setup can use both: physical originals for collecting and verified personal backups for preservation and practical use.

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Setup Difficulty

Original hardware is often simple once the correct equipment is available.

  1. Connect the console.
  2. Insert the game.
  3. Connect the controller.
  4. Switch on the system.

The complication comes from connecting an old video standard to a modern television, maintaining the hardware and collecting compatible games.

Emulation is usually easier to connect but more complicated to configure.

A complete emulation setup can involve:

  • Installing emulator software.
  • Selecting emulator cores.
  • Adding BIOS files.
  • Organising game folders.
  • Configuring controllers.
  • Creating playlists.
  • Downloading artwork.
  • Choosing video settings.
  • Setting save directories.
  • Creating system-specific overrides.

Once completed, the emulation setup can become more convenient than original hardware because every system is available through one interface.

Original hardware has a lower software-configuration requirement.

Emulation has a higher initial setup requirement but can be easier to use afterwards.

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Reliability

Original hardware can be exceptionally reliable when restored and maintained correctly.

Cartridge-based consoles have fewer moving parts than disc-based systems and can remain practical decades after release.

Disc-based consoles are more likely to develop mechanical faults involving:

  • Lasers.
  • Motors.
  • Drive belts.
  • Spindles.
  • Lid switches.
  • Drive gears.

Emulation removes dependence on these original components but introduces reliance on:

  • The host device.
  • The operating system.
  • The emulator version.
  • Storage media.
  • Configuration files.
  • Battery health.

Software updates can fix compatibility problems but can also change settings or save-state compatibility.

The most reliable setup is the one that is properly maintained and backed up.

For original hardware, that means repairs, cleaning and suitable power supplies.

For emulation, that means reliable storage, normal in-game saves, configuration backups and tested updates.

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Which Approach Works Best By System?

The balance between emulation and original hardware changes from one platform to another.

System Category Emulation Position Original Hardware Position
8-Bit Consoles Mature, low hardware requirements and highly portable Excellent for original controllers, cartridges and CRT output
16-Bit Consoles Generally mature with excellent shaders and low latency options Strong original experience with RGB and high-quality controllers
Game Boy Systems Excellent portability, colour options and save features Best cartridge and accessory compatibility; highly practical when upgraded
PlayStation 1 Mature with resolution enhancement and convenient disc management Correct controller, memory-card and original visual behaviour
Nintendo 64 Very good for many games but emulator and plugin choice can matter Original controller and accessory support remain major strengths
Sega Saturn Improved significantly but can remain demanding and game-dependent Strong compatibility but ageing disc drives require consideration
Dreamcast Strong for many games with higher-resolution rendering Original controllers, VMUs and specialist accessories provide a distinct experience
PlayStation 2 Broad compatibility but performance and settings remain game-dependent Large physical library and direct accessory support; optical-drive condition matters
GameCube Strong emulation with resolution scaling on suitable hardware Excellent controller support and direct compatibility with original accessories
Original Xbox Continuing to improve but not universally straightforward Original hardware remains valuable for broad compatibility and accessories
Arcade Games Enormous practical advantage in cost, access and storage Original boards, controls and displays provide the complete arcade experience

8-Bit & 16-Bit Systems

These systems offer the closest contest.

Software emulation is mature, inexpensive and capable of low latency. FPGA recreations are also highly developed. Original consoles remain easy to understand, repair and connect to CRT displays.

The deciding factors are normally cartridge collecting, original controllers, display preference and portability.

PlayStation 1

PlayStation emulation offers convenient disc compression, higher internal resolutions, geometry correction and save-state support.

Original hardware provides the intended rendering, original memory cards and direct controller compatibility.

Both are strong choices.

Nintendo 64

Nintendo 64 emulation has improved greatly, but the system’s unusual hardware and controller design make original hardware particularly distinctive.

Emulation is more convenient and can produce much cleaner output. Original hardware provides the correct controller layout, Controller Pak, Transfer Pak and Rumble Pak support.

Sega Saturn

Saturn hardware is complex, and emulation has historically been demanding.

Modern emulators can provide very good results, but compatibility and performance can still vary between games and devices.

Original hardware remains a strong option, particularly when paired with an optical drive emulator to reduce dependence on the ageing disc mechanism.

Dreamcast

Dreamcast emulation is practical on many modern devices and can provide higher-resolution output.

Original hardware remains attractive because of its controllers, VMUs, arcade sticks, light guns and VGA output.

GameCube

GameCube emulation can provide excellent image quality and portability on sufficiently powerful devices.

Original hardware remains valuable for Game Boy Player use, original controllers, memory cards and specialist accessories.

A modern optical drive replacement can make an original GameCube much more convenient.

Arcade Hardware

Original arcade boards, cabinets, monitors and controls provide an experience that desktop or handheld emulation cannot completely replace.

They are also expensive, large and difficult to maintain.

Emulation makes thousands of arcade titles practical in a home environment and can be paired with high-quality arcade controls.

For most players, emulation is the practical choice. For dedicated collectors, original arcade hardware remains unmatched as a complete physical experience.

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Who Should Choose Original Hardware?

Original hardware is likely to suit you when:

  • You enjoy collecting physical games.
  • You want to use original controllers.
  • You own or want to use a CRT television.
  • You care about specialist accessories.
  • You want direct cartridge or disc compatibility.
  • You enjoy restoring and modifying consoles.
  • You mainly focus on one or two systems.
  • You want the behaviour of a specific console revision.
  • You prefer inserting a game and playing without emulator menus.
  • The physical presentation is part of the experience for you.

Original hardware is particularly rewarding when the console itself has features that are difficult to reproduce elsewhere.

Examples include:

  • Nintendo 64 controller layouts and accessories.
  • Dreamcast VMUs.
  • Game Boy link cables.
  • Light-gun games on CRT displays.
  • GameCube and Game Boy Advance connectivity.
  • Arcade boards with original control panels.

Be prepared for maintenance, storage requirements and potentially high physical-game prices.

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Who Should Choose Emulation?

Emulation is likely to suit you when:

  • You want several consoles on one device.
  • You want to play while travelling.
  • You have limited storage space.
  • You value save states and fast forward.
  • You want to use one controller across multiple systems.
  • You want higher-resolution 3D graphics.
  • You want shaders and flexible scaling.
  • You want online netplay.
  • You want an organised menu with box art.
  • You want to explore systems before collecting them.
  • You need accessibility options or custom controls.
  • You do not want to maintain several ageing consoles.

Emulation is especially practical for players who value access and convenience more than physical collecting.

It can also be the only realistic option for rare arcade boards, computers and consoles that are prohibitively expensive or difficult to maintain.

The main disadvantages are the initial setup, variable emulator quality and the temptation to add far more games than you will realistically play.

A smaller, well-organised library normally provides a better experience than an enormous collection filled with duplicates and untested files.

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The Hybrid Approach

The most practical retro gaming setup often combines several methods.

A hybrid setup might include:

  • Original hardware for favourite consoles.
  • An emulation handheld for travel.
  • A flash cartridge for convenient play on real hardware.
  • An optical drive emulator for a disc-based console.
  • A modern scaler for connecting original consoles to an HDMI display.
  • FPGA hardware for systems you do not physically own.
  • Software emulation for save states, translations and enhanced graphics.

Example Hybrid Setup

A player might use:

  • An IPS-upgraded Game Boy Color for original cartridges.
  • A modern Android handheld for PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PSP.
  • An original GameCube with a digital video adapter and optical drive replacement.
  • RetroArch on a computer for shaders, achievements and netplay.

This avoids forcing one method to solve every problem.

Original hardware is used where its controls, accessories or physical games matter.

Emulation is used where convenience, portability and enhancements provide the greater benefit.

The two approaches are complementary.

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Common Myths

“Emulation Always Has Terrible Input Lag”

A poor emulation setup can have obvious latency, but latency depends on the complete chain.

A capable device, low-latency emulator settings, a suitable controller and a display in Game Mode can provide an extremely responsive result.

Latency-reduction features can improve it further.

“Original Hardware Always Looks Better”

Original hardware can look excellent when connected through a suitable signal path to a CRT or high-quality scaler.

It can also look poor through RF or composite video connected directly to a television that handles 240p incorrectly.

Image quality depends on the console revision, cable, output signal, display and scaler.

“Higher Resolution Is Automatically More Accurate”

Higher internal resolution can make 3D graphics cleaner, but it changes the original presentation.

Accuracy and visual clarity are not the same thing.

“FPGA Is Always Perfect”

An FPGA recreation is only as accurate as the core design.

High-quality FPGA cores can be extremely accurate, but bugs and incomplete behaviour are still possible.

“Original Hardware Requires Original Games”

Flash cartridges and optical drive emulators allow original consoles to run software from modern storage.

The console remains responsible for processing the game.

“Emulation Is Only For Cheap Devices”

Emulation can range from a basic low-cost handheld to a high-end computer with advanced shaders, original controllers, low-latency video and premium frontends.

“Using Original Hardware Means No Configuration”

An original console may require regional modifications, replacement capacitors, a new power supply, a scaler, suitable cables and display configuration before it works properly in a modern setup.

“A Huge Game Library Is Always Better”

An oversized collection can make games more difficult to find and encourage constant browsing instead of playing.

A clean, tested and well-organised library is normally more useful than a large number attached to the box.

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Questions To Ask Before Choosing

Before buying original hardware or an emulation system, ask yourself:

  • Which consoles do I genuinely want to play?
  • Do I want to collect physical games?
  • How important are original controllers?
  • Will I play mainly at home or while travelling?
  • Do I have space for several consoles?
  • Am I comfortable maintaining ageing hardware?
  • Do I want save states, rewind and fast forward?
  • Do I want original accessories?
  • Will the system connect to a CRT or modern television?
  • Am I willing to configure emulators?
  • Do I want higher-resolution 3D graphics?
  • How much am I prepared to spend on games?
  • Do I want one system or a broad multi-platform library?
  • Will local multiplayer be important?
  • Do I need an easy setup for other family members?

Choose Original Hardware When:

  • The console itself is a major part of the appeal.
  • You want cartridges, discs and original accessories.
  • You are happy to repair or restore the equipment.
  • You have the space and display equipment required.

Choose Emulation When:

  • You prioritise convenience and portability.
  • You want one device to cover several systems.
  • You value modern features and flexible controls.
  • You do not want a large physical setup.

Choose FPGA Hardware When:

  • You want hardware-style recreation with modern output.
  • Low latency and timing accuracy are major priorities.
  • You want several older systems through one dedicated device.
  • You are prepared to pay more than a basic software-emulation setup.

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The Verdict

Emulation and original hardware are not competing for exactly the same purpose.

Original hardware preserves the direct relationship between a game and the machine designed to run it. It provides original controller support, physical media, specialist accessories and the specific behaviour of the console itself.

Emulation removes many of the practical barriers.

It allows several platforms to run through one device, adds save states and visual enhancements, reduces the space required and makes retro games practical on modern handhelds, televisions and computers.

Neither option guarantees a perfect experience.

An unmaintained original console connected poorly to a modern television can produce weak video, unreliable operation and considerable delay from the display.

A badly configured emulator can suffer from inaccurate cores, unsuitable settings, poor controls and disorganised game libraries.

The quality of the complete setup matters more than the label attached to it.

Choose original hardware when the physical console, controller, cartridge, disc or accessory is central to the experience.

Choose emulation when convenience, portability, flexibility and access to multiple systems matter more.

Choose FPGA hardware when you want a dedicated modern system that recreates many characteristics of older hardware without relying on ageing original consoles.

For most retro gaming enthusiasts, the strongest answer is a combination.

Use original hardware for the systems you care about most. Restore or modernise it where appropriate. Use emulation for travel, broader libraries, netplay, save states and systems that would otherwise be impractical to own.

There is no requirement to prove that one route is the only authentic way to play.

The important part is having a reliable, well-organised setup that makes you want to pick a game and actually play it.

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