Play old console games on your PC

Remember tanchiki at Dendy or Mortal Kombat on Sega? It would seem that it was so long ago, but the memories of his youth forever entrenched in the memory. Playing once a new shooter on your computer, if you catch yourself thinking that would be nice to sit down again now that old toy?

Let's start with an overview of the basics. In order to play your favorite old toy on the computer, you will need 2 things: directly the emulator, which allows you to run the game, and the ROM drive, a kind of image of the game, which is in the form of a computer file.

Search emulator

Find the emulator is pretty simple. Perhaps you have any preferences in this matter, but if you are quite new to emulate old consoles on your computer, you will find below an overview of the most functional for various emulators consoles. If you want to use the emulator, which is absent in this review, then the choice is always pay attention on the following parameters: performance, system requirements, and gamepad support cheatcodes and multiplatform. According to these indicators, you will surely find a suitable emulator.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Nestopia is a very popular emulator NES, which works on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. He is able to emulate most of the games, and also has a wide range of features, including hacking games. If you need even more advanced emulator, then pay attention to FCEUXWhich among other things has a HEX editor.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

SNES9X - perfect SNES emulator that is compatible with almost all operating systems. In addition to Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, there are versions for iOS and Android. Danyny product has the widest range of features, making it an ideal choice among emulators SNES. An alternative could serve emulator bsnesWhich runs on Windows, Mac OS X and the Linux, and thus more demanding of computer performance.

Sega console

Kega Fusion - emulator for various consoles from Sega, such as Genesis, SegaSD, Game Gear, and others. Runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, and in fact is the only good one for the Sega emulators.

sony Playstation

PCSX ReloadedLike other emulators, PS1, is not ideal, but it performs the required tasks from him and has the necessary functionality. Versions are available for various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, as well as some others. If you have Windows, you may have with the emulator ePSXe you'll get better performance. But due to lack of regular updates to this emulator, it is difficult to name the best choice. Remember, to emulate PS1 on the computer you always need to file the BIOS, which you can get directly from your old console, or search for it on the Internet.

If this list of emulators not enough for you, please refer to the resource Zophar's DomainWhere huge collection of emulators for various operating systems.

And where to get himself ROM

ROM little about themselves. There are official and "home" version of ROM. Official version - these are the cartridges that you once bought for his console, to be converted into a file. Homemade versions differ in that they are made by individuals to run on a particular emulator. Following ethics, before starting the official ROM, you must purchase the cartridge or disc, but many companies such as the Nintendo, believe that the creation of ROM is a violation of the rights of the user, who bought the game.

Now we introduce you with a list of resources where you can download a game ROM.

EmuParadise ROM contains a slot for almost all ever created consoles. Loading is carried out either from the website or from MegaUpload resource. Loading through the site does not allow to upload more than one file.

CoolROM - another resource for downloading game ROM. In addition, it contains a large collection of emulators for Windows and Mac. In addition, it is possible to set the sequence in which you want to upload your favorite ROM.

Torrent trackers are a great tool for searching and downloading game ROM. visit Demonoid or The Pirate Bay in the search for the appropriate ROM.

Let's play

So, we have an emulator and ROM, which then? On consoles, everything was easy - insert the cartridge and start playing. In our case it is worth remembering some things.

keyboard Configuration

Most emulators are configured on the keyboard as the default input method. Accordingly, there is an initial layout of the operation keys. Of course, you can find everything at random function keys, but it is much better to go to the emulator settings and change the keyboard shortcuts as you want. For example, in SNES9X is Config Menu, which is Configure Keyboard option.

Saving and pause

When we played on consoles, to save games required a memory card, or we recorded special codes, which has been encrypted our current progress. Emulators work slightly differently, maintaining data in a separate file. This is quite handy because you can transfer the stored files to a friend. More big plus is the ability to stop a game anywhere. Even if the game does not have the ability to save at any time (system control points or levels), we're still able to stop and save it at any convenient time for us. Find the setting of the emulator keys that are responsible for these functions and use them, as this is not only convenient, but also can greatly simplify the passing game.

Pimp your console

Let you have to play your favorite toy on the emulator, but try to make this process even more interesting and exciting.

use the joystick

The keyboard is comfortable for many games, and for some it is the best controller. But to even deeper plunge in the days of youth, we need a controller that we had then. You can find the version of usb-sticks for old consoles, or use more modern controllers for computer games. After installing the controller, you must configure it. Adjustment is made in the same way as the keyboard. If bundled with a joystick driver go, then you do not even need to configure it in the emulator. Just make sure to set the same key assignments in the emulator and on the joystick.

cheats

If you like sometimes use cheats in games, but now you can again resort to their help. If your emulator supports cheat code function, it is usually located in a separate menu, and it can be easy to find. The problem is to find a working code. Unless you are creating ROM drive, you will not know what codes should be used.

If you do not know where you can find cheats for your games, this list will help you in your search.

BSFree Code Archive It contains codes for almost all the games.

GameGenie.com It contains all the old codes Game Genie, as well as cheats and tips that can be applied without a cheat-system emulator.

GameFAQs It contains not only the passage of tips for many games, but also codes for them. The resource can not be called oriented precisely on the codes, although there contains a good collection, especially for older games.

GameShark.com It provides its own file with the codes primarily for newer consoles (PS2 and GameCube).

The Code Hut is very old, hardcore resource. There are dozens of records with the codes for the different games.

Emulators for the older systems, such as the NES, SNES and Sega Genesis, a different take codes. It is related wasps that for all time of old consoles, there were only two really popular device for use cheats: Game Genie and Pro Action Replay. Accordingly, some emulators sharpened by one of these devices, and some by the other. If the code does not fit, it is quite possible to convert, for example, using a utility GGHex. You need to read the documentation of your emulator to know what the codes of the devices it takes. It may also happen that your emulator receives the codes from both devices, so you do not have to deal with the conversion of all.

Break open the ROM

And now, some of the ROM hacking. What is it for? For example, to change the characteristics of the game your hero, sound, graphics, and even a level geometry. The simplest thing you can do - is to change some of the some of the characteristics of the character. To do this you will need a hex editor (HEX Editor). Now consider his work as an example. If you want your hero from the very beginning of the game has increased health characteristics, start the game and find out what value is responsible for the health. Then you need to convert this value in hexadecimal form. After that you must scan the ROM for the presence of this value and change it to what you want. It is worth noting that not every game to find the desired value easily, but trial and error will lead to a certain result. Free from HEX editor can advise XVI32 for Windows, and HEX Fiend for Mac OS X. If you decide to break into something more serious, such as graphics, the HEX editor you are unlikely to help. For more complex tasks requires specialized software, such as Tyle Layer Pro. If you decide to learn the ins and outs ROM hacking, we recommend to turn to Romhacking.net's start guideor Romhacking.net Data Crystal Wiki. Do not forget the old games.

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