An introduction to Emulation
1. What is Emulation?
Emulation is having a computer act as another computer or console. This is done using a program called an Emulator, and means one can emulate say a Super Nintendo on a PC, or a Nintendo on a Dreamcast, allowing these consoles games on the PC or Dreamcast via computer files called Roms.
In short, emulation is the act of playing another system's games on your home computer or console.
2. Ok ok, but what is an Emulator and where do I get them?
An emulator is the program which mimics the other system. These emulators usually work like this: they translate or interpret the original program code of the original game and make it work on your PC. The games/demos/programs are usually stored in a Rom file.
3. Hm, now.. what is an Rom?
Most classic games are stored on cartridges (example: NES, Super Nintendo etc.). On those cartridges are special computer chips called ROM chips (Read Only Memory). Interfacing such a cartridge with the PC is not very easy so people have invented devices which can download the contents of such a Rom chip (the game software and data files) to a special file: a Rom file.
We don't offer any of these commercial Roms on Angel Roms, for the simple reason they are illegal to distribute and own. You can however, download demo and Public Domain Roms from Aroms.
4. What are Public Domain (PD) Roms?
Public Domain (PD) Roms are Games/Demos written by amateur/freelance programmers who make their work (Roms) available for free and legal to distribute. They are completely legal to download, own, play & redistribute!
5. So, is all this Legal?
The big question. Emulators themselves are generally perfectly legal. Roms however, are where the problems start. 'Commercial Roms' as they are known (Games which have been released under license), are definitely illegal, whether people think they should be or not. If you do not own the original cartridge, you are not allowed to possess a Rom file. However, the Roms available at this website are perfectly legal to download. They are not 'Commercial Roms' (see 'What are PD Roms?' above).
6. How do I run an Emulator?
The best place to start if you are new to Emulators or you are having trouble running one, is to read the emulators Read me file which should come with most emulators.