Emulation vs. Original Hardware

[fmsynthetic]

Greetings.

Just this weekend, I got one with a PSX and a Nintendo 64 after many years of emulating all the retro systems, and I have to say that although the first few hours with those systems were pure fantasy, I think I'd still stick with emulation.

Based on my experience and perception, I think emulation today is just as good as the original system, except for the feel of the CD or cartridge format. But in every other way, it's better. For example, it lets you use any controller you want, add filters, improve the image, or leave it as it was before. It's all faster and more practical.

For me, both are wonderful, but if you don't have the right place and the right tools for the original systems, it's a hassle.

From a practical point of view emulation is the superior choice for most people. I would like to see the appearance of clone hardware reproducing old systems at a board/transistor level. I feel like that's the ultimate best way to preserve games as we go forward.

 

[Tetronomicon]

From a practical point of view emulation is the superior choice for most people. I would like to see the appearance of clone hardware reproducing old systems at a board/transistor level. I feel like that's the ultimate best way to preserve games as we go forward.

https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Emulation_accuracy#Transistor-level_accuracy

My guess is something akin to an ASIC (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application-specific_integrated_circuit) on a per-console basis. From what I can tell, it would be something like getting a core from the MiSTer FPGA project once it's been perfected and converting it to it's own specific piece of hardware. It couldn't be altered after that (and I'm not sure if it's plausibly cost-effective as a value proposition to the consumer).

But as a static piece of technology frozen in time, it would effectively act as a culmination of decades of reverse engineering we've learned from emulation development in the form of a locked-in, unchangable piece of extremely accurate interactive hardware.

You know... a game console!

 

[tonyhoro]

I gave up on CRT TVs years ago. Just got a cheap SCART to HDMI upscaler on Aliexpress to play my old consoles. The rest I stick to emulation.

 

[PhrawzT]

Personally I believe that original hardware with flash cards or an ODE is the best way to go. You gst the tactile feel of the original controller and the best way to play any game you wish.

 

[tonyhoro]

Personally I believe that original hardware with flash cards or an ODE is the best way to go. You gst the tactile feel of the original controller and the best way to play any game you wish.

THIS. This is where I've been standing for years now.


For the consoles I have, here are my setup for each of them:

Console	Setup	TV Connection
Mega Drive / Genesis	Cheap chinese flashcard	SCART to HDMI non-passive upscaler (720p)
Super Nintendo	Cheap chinese flashcard	SCART to HDMI non-passive upscaler (720p)
PlayStation 1	PS1 Classic Edition with ERIS (CFW) and a 64GB thumb drive	HDMI
PlayStation 2	OPL installed on Memory Card; Games loaded from internal HDD (fat model)	Cheap HDMI adapter (component cable available if I'm feeling fancy)
PlayStation 3	HEN (kinda of CFW); Games loaded from internal HDD	HDMI
Sega Saturn	Saroo cartridge (ODE) with 64GB SD card; modchip installed so it can run burned discs to if I want	SCART to HDMI non-passive upscaler (720p)
Sega Dreamcast	GDEMU (ODE) with 32GB SD card	Cheap HDMI adapter
Wii	Softmoded with Modmii; USBLoader GX to run games on external drive	Cheap HDMI converter (component cable available if I'm feeling fancy)

Not gonna include 3DS, GBA, and GBC but assume they're all softmoded too.

If someone needs helping on the matter, don't shy away from asking on my DMs.

 

[GatorCountry]

Nah doe dog. Emulation, 100% of the time. The only time I play my actual consoles is to make sure the stuff I make works on them. Ports and whatnots, especially if porting something new-old like Eyra on Genesis to Dreamcast or some such. Got to test them on hardware. Otherwise, nah.

They're slow and super limited.

It's crazy to me y'all have time to play a game properly. Maybe I'm super old here. If I'm playing a SNES JRPG you best believe I'll be having no walls here and there and no rando battles here and there because this fool hasn't the time to grind for BoF properly anymore.

I'm gonna cheat, I'm gonna let FMVs play but I'll fast forward the boring bits to the climatic bits, I might stretch or mess with aspect ratios, if there's an HD upscaling of some kind you best believe I'm gonna do it, and if I am playing a fighting game or some such and don't feel like putting in ten button combos or whatever I might make me some macros and throw the whole combo on one button. Oh man I missed a chest? No worries, rewind. Got'em.

That way I can beat a game like Final Fantasy pick a number in a month or two with just a few minutes to play each time.

Actually ... shit ... I play emu 100% of the time because the only time I play video games is when the old lady and dotters are in the bathrooms getting ready to go someplace all at once. Because, otherwise, you know those girls keep an old fool busy.


Legit just want to get to wave 27 in joust but I'm leaving to go pick one up two minutes ago!

 

[YungBonz]

I prefer both, but I've always been more faithful to play on the original hardware than playing through emulation, I'm not saying that emulation is bad, I discovered too many games thanks to it, but having the console and the original physical games is very special for me: seeing the manuals, art covers, the disc art and posters make you appreciate the game more as you play it, but I'm aware that not everyone can get the console and some original games (including me), so I also go to emulation.
What I am against are the so called “savestates” in the emulators, I have never used them and I never liked them at all!. :)

 

[Girlslush]

Emulation is definitely extremely valuable and useful, especially as original copies and hardware get more and more expensive, but personally when I play through a game start to finish I like playing on original hardware (or at least something close enough like an fpga system) when I can as I find it really relaxing to play through a game on its own thing. I will say though for me, its more about the actual setup I'm playing on than it is about the thing running it as long as it isn't noticeably inaccurate.

 

[fmsynthetic]

Emulation is definitely extremely valuable and useful, especially as original copies and hardware get more and more expensive, but personally when I play through a game start to finish I like playing on original hardware (or at least something close enough like an fpga system) when I can as I find it really relaxing to play through a game on its own thing. I will say though for me, its more about the actual setup I'm playing on than it is about the thing running it as long as it isn't noticeably inaccurate.

It's a cool experience, but getting there is increasingly way too much trouble for most people. That's why I want clone hardware.

 

[GeraVet106]

I like the hardware more, enjoy the original, but these days emulation is so good that I prefer it today.

 

[petran79]

original hardware is for purists, speed runners, tournament players

for casual players emulation has caught on dramatically in the last 15 years

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

original hardware is for purists, speed runners, tournament players.

Aren't some tourneys and speedruns tolerating one specific emulator?

 

[Tronky.it]

I'd happily build a collection of retro consoles and video games if I could—vibes that modern consoles like the PS5 can't even give you if you paid a kidney for them. But at the same time, I'd continue to use emulators.

For consoles, I'd go straight for action or sports games, while emulators would focus on RPGs and JRPGs (which take time, and LUCKILY there's a Turbo Mode).

 

[KittenLikeYou007]

For me, it really depends on several factors, especially the type of console. Emulating a Game Boy or Game Boy Color game on a big screen just looks bad, even with the best filters in the world. On the other hand, NES or SNES games look good either way. Let’s be honest, emulation is still the most accessible option. Without a CRT, PS1 and N64 games don’t look great, but N64 emulation in particular is still pretty rough compared to PS1. In that case, it might actually be better to get the real console for N64, although it can be quite expensive nowadays. As for the DS, it’s almost unplayable because of the touchscreen, except on a phone. One of the advantages of PS1 and PS2 emulation is that you can even use texture packs to smooth out the graphics, on top of the modern filters we have today. So for me, I’d say it’s 50/50 , it really depends on the console.But overall, I lean more towards emulation.

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

Emulation and original hardware offer fundamentally different approaches to experiencing retro games, each with its own advantages and limitations. Emulation provides broad accessibility, allowing users to play games across modern devices with enhanced features such as save states, fast-forwarding, and support for fan-made modifications or translations. It plays a key role in digital preservation, especially for rare, region-exclusive, or discontinued titles, and is generally more cost-effective than acquiring vintage consoles and physical media. In contrast, original hardware delivers a more authentic experience, preserving the tactile and visual elements of gameplay as originally designed, such as the physical act of inserting a cartridge or the distinct display characteristics of CRT monitors. However, original systems are subject to wear and degradation over time, and may require maintenance or specialized equipment. Emulation can introduce technical inconsistencies, including input latency or audio discrepancies, depending on the software and hardware used. From a legal standpoint, using original hardware with licensed games is straightforward, while emulation often exists in a legal gray area, particularly regarding the distribution and use of ROMs and BIOS files. Ultimately, the choice between emulation and original hardware depends on whether the priority is convenience, preservation, or fidelity to the original experience.

 

[ZEGA ZONIC]

A real PS3 is better then emulating one.

 

[bjork]

I'll go with emulation every time it's possible. If I absolutely need the original controller, adapters exist. I'm past the point of finding it ok having nine tons of stuff hooked up everywhere, let me just do it all with one little box and that's great.

 

[Isegrim]

Save states are the one thing that puts emulation over original hardware IMO. Without that, I'd pick original hardware. In fighting games, I loathe trying to get to secret bosses like Akuma where you need to win every match before him with no losses and 3 perfects (SFA2). Save states ensure I don't need to jump those hoops just to fight Shin Akuma which is the easier thing than getting to him is. And I don't have to worry about the game not letting me continue against him either if I lose.

It's the reason why I haven't gotten the new Capcom Fighting Collection 2 yet. Someone in Capcom must really hate save states a lot since they've been nerfing it in their official emulation progressively...with the latest, only having a save before matches and only 1 slot for the whole collection whereas I can have a whole bunch at any point in unofficial emulation.

I also appreciate certain emulated games improved with hacks like Super Castlevania 4 having most of the slowdown eliminated. Played it recently and I really enjoyed it. I don't think I'd want to play the original now that I've experienced that.

 

[Turbo Kid]

I would say original hardware to someone who has never had the experience. It is definitely the proper way to experience games or consoles for the first time.

However, speaking as someone who has played games on original hardware for many years, nowadays I stick primarily to emulation. Why? To preserve my games and consoles from any wear and tear. These things are getting pretty old in 2025. Plus, the value of retro games has gone up so significantly that I like to keep my stuff in good condition.

I also like to occasionally take advantage of the perks of emulation. Like if something in a game is really frustrating me I can use cheats or abuse save states to get past it.

I also like the convenience of using emulators on hand held devices.

If I had kids though and wanted to raise them as gamers like myself, I would have them play a few things on original hardware so they could have that experience. I would first introduce them to the Atari 2600 and gradually introduce new consoles to them in the order in which they released in order to install in them an appreciation for every era of gaming.

 

[5thWolf]

Both.
Original for the full nostalgia! The feel and look of the consoles, cartridges, disks, discs! Yes I meant floppy and CDs.
Emulation for the ability to actually try to play them with saves states and other enhancements to try and complete them since I don't have the time play all the time due to spending time with family and job.

 

[HyperTurboFox]

I can say that Emulation by the winner here, because you can use save states, upscale old pre-HD games in High Definition and plus you have more control options compared to original Hardware. Where you're limited by the cooperated unless you mod it.

 

[Klonesixfour]

I used to be all about playing on original hardware. Back then, I thought emulators were a glitchy mess—and if I was going to play games, I wanted to do it on the big TV, not hunched over a desk. (I eventually outgrew that mindset once I built a gaming PC.)


One thing I always dreamed of, though, was playing GameCube and PS2 titles on the go. I was big into handheld gaming as a kid (my parents loved it too since handhelds were cheap and didn’t hog the TV), so the idea of console-quality games in my pocket was huge for me. When the Switch came out, I was so excited—it was amazing finally getting that portable console experience. But I still wanted to take my retro library with me. I thought about getting a gaming laptop just for emulation, but I never pulled the trigger.


Then the Steam Deck arrived—and that completely changed my view of emulation. Now, I almost exclusively emulate unless there’s a good reason not to (like Wii motion controls or newer systems that are still tricky to emulate). I travel a lot for work, and having my whole retro collection with me has honestly made me fall in love with gaming all over again. Being able to sneak in 30 minutes here and there on the road has been incredible.

 

[Morgana Veil]

I have a few systems in my collection. Not a huge amount of games, but from time to time I will pop on the old PS1 or Dreamcast or Sega Master System. However, it's getting increasingly hard to even look at the old games because it strains my eyes. I would much rather have a PC for my systems and just turn on what I want. I like it to be nice, crisp, and upscaled within reason (I don’t want 16:9 NES)

Some games you have to play on original hardware, like some OG Xbox games. Still, to get good 360 and PS3 games, you need to mod the console to play them. PS3 emulation is getting really good, by the way. The 360 will likely have a coldboot permanent softmod soon (thanks to Grimdoomer he's an absolute GOD)

I will always prefer emulation over original hardware because I hate some console controllers. I like the NES library, but I hate the controller, it’s fairly small now and cramps my hands. On the other hand, I can use my PS3 controller just fine with no problems.

But to each their own, there’s no wrong way to enjoy gaming.

 

[Danieru-Emanyueru]

Emulation is a great thing but unfortunately many developers always give up. I have no idea what the future holds for this but I hope more console emulators will be released.

 

[Dumbshenanigans45]

While I'm not exactly a very qualified person to say which one is better, but I can definitely see it both ways. On one hand, playing on original hardware mostly if not entirely gets rid of lag or the technical difficulties that come from emulating on a PC or mobile device, but on the other hand it's much more convenient to emulate games. It's mostly a cakewalk to set it up and in some cases surpasses the original hardware since it's hard to preserve the original hardware it was designed to play on. Hell, I even played on one of my cousins old DS during a week long visit and it felt like I was reliving what it was like owning a DS at the time.

But it's all up to you on which is better, both mediums have their pros and cons but it's all up to choice and that's completely fine.