As every gamer knows, there are only two ways to play a game. You can either use the actual hardware, for which the game is made for. Or you can use an emulator.

Suppose you have a computer, a laptop or a PC. But the game you have is made for Nintendo. Take Super mario for an example. If you want to play the game with your computer, you have no other choice but to use mario roms or Super Mario World rom. You would need a super mario emulator to run the game.

So in short, an emulator is that software which allows your computer to behave like some other device. In case of video games, this other device would be the gaming console. But there are other kinds of emulators as well. You can emulate an out-of-date operating system or even difference programs!

There is another term that you should know about which is often mistaken as emulation. That word is - virtualization. In case of virtualization, the only imitated part is the required hardware. But emulation is a separate matter altogether. Emulation uses both hardware and software. If you want to play retro games, then you have to use an emulator. Older generation knows the allure of these games. Now the younger generation can enjoy them too.

Here are a few reasons for you to try an emulator:

1. Enjoy Old games:

If you want to play old games with your new hardware, you have to turn to an emulator. There is no other way. As an example, games like GTA: San Andreas were made for PlayStation. But you can easily play them on PS3! You can relive the glory days of super mario, only via a super mario emulator.

2. Preserve the old goldies:

Video games have an ability to become a part of an individual. So fans and game developers alike want to collect, store and preserve them. But old hardware is getting replaced by newer and more powerful one each day. The stride in technological world has made almost all older gaming console obsolete. So emulation has become the only way to preserve them.

3. Start playing, where ever you want:

Most consoles require a setup. So naturally, for the best experience you should play while you are at your house. But if are not or can’t take the console with you, then an emulator is the next best thing.

Commuting can not be more fun!

4. Creating a bridge:

The new generation of gamer will only get the taste of the old popular games if they turn towards emulators. It is the only way to maintain the popularity of the older games. So an emulator often acts as the bridge between to generations of gaming.

5. Money Trouble?

An emulator is often free of cost. But a gaming console will cost money. In cases of the games that emulators usually run, the cost may be exponentially high! So the tendency of a gamer to use an emulator rather than a console is understandable.