Games that you couldn't appreciate until you played on original hardware.

[KrazyKoen]

I've hated Super Mario Bros. 3 since I first played it on virtual console when I was like 6, no matter how many times I tried it I never understood the appeal. I never liked the art style, I hated the physics, and I found the level design cruel. Until recently when I played the game on original hardware for the first time and suddenly it was finally enjoyable, pretty much everything I disliked about it suddenly felt so much more fun and charming. Does anyone else here have similar experiences?

 

[Turbo Kid]

Not exactly, but I know when revisiting the old Mega Man X games from the SNES era via modern collections there was something that felt off about them. I realize now it was probably some minor input lag, which I never experienced when originally playing them on the SNES. On original hardware you're guaranteed to have games playing smooth as butter and it matters for action oriented games.

 

[Miles Miles]

I've hated Super Mario Bros. 3 since I first played it on virtual console when I was like 6, no matter how many times I tried it I never understood the appeal. I never liked the art style, I hated the physics, and I found the level design cruel. Until recently when I played the game on original hardware for the first time and suddenly it was finally enjoyable, pretty much everything I disliked about it suddenly felt so much more fun and charming. Does anyone else here have similar experiences?

Was there a large time gap between you last playing SMB3 via emulation, and you playing it on real hardware for the first time?

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

With software emulation you're always guaranteed to have some input lag (and yes, all official rereleases use it). Now, that's never stopped me from enjoying a game before, but as someone who mostly only plays on original hardware it does feel a lot nicer in that regard.
I think a much more interesting case is something like the DS. The easily accessible touch screen and dual screen layout is a hard thing to replicate in emulation.

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

Absolutely, I’ve had that exact kind of experience. For me, it was Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. I always thought it was clunky and weird when I played it on emulators, just couldn’t get into it. But when I finally tried it on an actual NES, something about the controls, the pacing, even the music felt way more cohesive. It’s like the game was designed with that hardware in mind, and emulation just doesn’t capture the full vibe. Makes me wonder how many other classics I’ve misjudged because I didn’t play them the ‘right’ way.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

Absolutely, I’ve had that exact kind of experience. For me, it was Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. I always thought it was clunky and weird when I played it on emulators, just couldn’t get into it. But when I finally tried it on an actual NES, something about the controls, the pacing, even the music felt way more cohesive. It’s like the game was designed with that hardware in mind, and emulation just doesn’t capture the full vibe. Makes me wonder how many other classics I’ve misjudged because I didn’t play them the ‘right’ way.

Sound quality is a big thing too. A real Genesis/Mega Drive sounds so much nicer than any emulator I've ever heard.

 

[Dyne]

Absolutely, I’ve had that exact kind of experience. For me, it was Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. I always thought it was clunky and weird when I played it on emulators, just couldn’t get into it. But when I finally tried it on an actual NES, something about the controls, the pacing, even the music felt way more cohesive. It’s like the game was designed with that hardware in mind, and emulation just doesn’t capture the full vibe. Makes me wonder how many other classics I’ve misjudged because I didn’t play them the ‘right’ way.

Wow thats interesting. I've always liked Zelda II, but I think emulation makes it better simply because you can save state and not have to run back from the beginning of the game if you die lol

 

[Francis14]

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII.

It is a whole different experience playing it on the PSP instead of playing it on the emulator.

 

[DaeZun]

I always believed that, a game is going to be good or bad regardless of playing it on emulator or on original hardware with a huge CRT...
But to be honest, I never liked the enhanced edition of silent hill 2. Everything looks very clean compared to PS2 with CRT where part of its charm was in those low quality textures and the grainy which gave them an air of watching an old VHS.

Anyway, it is still better than playing the hd collection.

 

[bjork]

Only in a case where it's the hardware bringing something that emulation can't replicate. I never really notice input lag, or since my brain doesn't know the original, it accepts the emulated timing as the way it is I guess? So for me it would have to be something like an arcade machine in an actual arcade, the DS or 3DS, or like a Vectrex since the monitor is made for vectors. But even then, appreciation level varies from title to title, regardless of format. I can have fun with Berzerk in whatever form you give it to me, but I don't want to see Yoshi's Island on any format ever.

 

[CG4R12I4N]

The World Ends With You
Cause playing it in anything other than the DS is so friggin painful.

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

Wow thats interesting. I've always liked Zelda II, but I think emulation makes it better simply because you can save state and not have to run back from the beginning of the game if you die lol

Totally fair! Save states definitely make Zelda II way more forgiving, those long treks back after dying can be brutal. I guess for me, part of the charm was embracing the original challenge, even if it was punishing. It felt like I was finally playing it the way it was meant to be played, quirks and all. But yeah, I can see how emulation smooths out the rough edges. Funny how both approaches can give you a different appreciation for the same game.

 

[DaeZun]

I always believed that, a game is going to be good or bad regardless of playing it on emulator or on original hardware with a huge CRT...

And then there are other cases like ds/3ds games where much of the time trying to emulate them on platforms other than android (with the addition of having to buy a generic controller that has grip), is almost as beneficial as not playing at all. Especially with games like TWEWY or Mega Man starforce that benefit entirely from the dual screen and touchscreen gimmick.

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

Sound quality is a big thing too. A real Genesis/Mega Drive sounds so much nicer than any emulator I've ever heard.

The Genesis sound chip, especially the YM2612 has such a distinct character. Emulators often miss the subtle warmth and grit of the original hardware. Stuff like the Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack or Sonic 3’s music just hits different when played through a real console and CRT speakers. It’s wild how much the hardware shapes the experience.

 

[Turbo Kid]

I think how likely you are to notice input lag depends on the quality of the emulator and I don't think official rereleases always use the highest quality ones. I noticed input lag playing the Mega Man X Legacy Collection (primarily in Mega Man X3), but I don't think I ever did when playing those same games on a hacked New NIntendo 3ds via injection or on a Retroid Pocket 5 with SNES9x.

The Mega Man X Legacy Collection is still playable though. I've beat all three SNES games on it, but I just wasn't able to perform quite as well. Can't rely quite as much on last minute jumps or dashes so I just end up playing a little more conservatively.

As for DS/3DS games, they play pretty well on emulators but it takes a little bit to adjust to the modified controls. It's awkward but doable and every player will have to find which set up works best for them. Same thing with Wii games. I think you lose a little something though playing 3DS games without 3D.

I love emulation and use it a lot, but it's not without its issues. And with retro gaming being so pricey, it's become the most practical option for a lot of people. Even as someone who owns physical games and consoles, I still tend to favor emulation so I don't have to incur any wear and tear on my stuff or make space for a bunch of consoles and a CRT television. Fortunately for me, I got to play a lot of classic games years ago on original hardware before ever discovering emulation. So I have enjoyed many games the "right" way so to speak.

Emulators also have their own little perks too that make up for their flaws. And I'm sure many people here know what they are.

 

[Tonberry]

Metroid Prime, the Resident Evil 1 Remake and Silent Hill 2 come to mind first.