What do you think about video game emulators?

I personally find emulators pretty cool imo, knowing franchises and any other games by video game emulators is something really nice.

I support emulation.

A lot of titles from previous generations are now very hard to come by and outrageously expensive to boot - this is especially true of Nintendo games - so if companies are unwilling to make them available on current platforms (I would even settle for digital-only ports, which I can't imagine is as much hassle or expense as releasing physical copies or remasters) then I do not see why I shouldn't emulate them. If there is no VIABLE alternative, why should I go without?

As for licensed emulators, like these "mini" consoles they've been making...I do not support those at all. They're shamelessly bad cash grabs that should not exist at the expense of putting these games on the digital storefront. I'm looking at you, Nintendo. I already have a console, thank you, and I'd much rather play games on that, and there is no reason whatsoever why I should not be able to. I don't approve of being charged extortionate sums of money for a separate machine with a bunch of preloaded games, many of which I will never play and am not interested in.

Emulators offer something that companies are unwilling to provide me with these days: convenience. I can play everything all from one system, which is really all I want to do. I would happily pay for the privelege of doing this, and I have done many times in the past: I have PS1 and PS2 classics on my Sony platforms, and SNES classics on my New 3DS. But if companies don't want my money...well, not much I can do, really. Just going without older titles, or paying a scalper a disgusting sum of money, doesn't sit well with me.

My stance only applies to past generation titles, though - generally I purchase new games I'm interested in, or I wait for a price drop. The price of video games is something that annoys me immensely, but at the same time I recognise it could be worse and if the game is one I'm going to enjoy it's a price I have no issue with paying. Rewarding a developer who provides me with a complete experience with my business is just something I like to do. But I refuse to reward shitty business practices like releasing mini consoles with my money. Put the games on your existing platforms and you'll get my business. Until then, I'm going to emulate them. Simple as that.

Never would've gotten into gaming without them. DBZ Japanese SNES games in the PS2 era. That was my start, all through emulation.

I have nothing against emulators, but if I can play on the real system, I prefer doing that.

gba.emu.apk, an xperia smartphone with the micro-usb on the lateral side, an ipega 9023 controller, two micro-usb charge cables (the 1st cable for charge the xperia and the 2nd cable for charge the ipega bluetooth controller ...even while you play) et voilá, you have a gameboy for play the roms you wants, with cheats, speed hack, & multiplayer battles (with myboy)

I like Emulation. There are many old games I like or have owned which for whatever reason I can't play anymore so download them onto emulators.

Similar to Dawn I am not a fan of mini-consoles as cute as they are. Paying a high amount of money to play a handful of old games is not appealing to me. What's more there will be games on the mini-console I wouldn't play.

I like the Virtual Console on the 3DS but is disappointing the selection isn't greater. For example Yoshi's Island is unavailable on the Virtual Console on 3DS.