Emulation
Ongoing coverage on Emulation.
Latest coverage
Are Emulators Legal? Everything You Need to Know in 2026 | TAG
Emulators are legal in the US, a fact established by court cases like Sega v. Accolade and Sony Computer Entertainment v. Connectix. However, downloading ROMs of games you do not own is copyright infringement, and the legal landscape for current-generation consoles like the Nintendo Switch is complicated by DMCA Section 1201, which prohibits circumventing technological protection measures. Nintendo actively targets emulator developers and ROM distribution sites, not individual users of retro emulators.
Is PS3 Emulation Possible on PS5? Tech Experts Find Fascinating Results
An experiment by Digital Foundry has tested PlayStation 3 emulation on PlayStation 5 hardware using the RPCS3 emulator via a Linux hack. Results show that emulation performs well for games that did not heavily utilize the PS3's SPUs, while titles that offloaded many tasks to the SPUs struggle to match native performance. Later generation games also show promise if certain features like MLAA are disabled.
Picking up The Spectrum White Edition is a no brainer if you love retro gaming lore and want speedy access to '80s microcomputer classics
The Spectrum White Edition offers a faithful emulation-based remake of the classic ZX Spectrum microcomputer, featuring a design that pays homage to the original 'one millionth' model. It provides easy access to 48 built-in '80s classics and supports custom ROMs via HDMI, though it lacks advanced display settings and has specific power requirements.
SN Operator from Epilogue brings SNES carts to modern PCs and its now up for order
Epilogue has released the SN Operator, a device that allows Super Nintendo Entertainment System cartridges to be used on modern PCs and Steam Deck, with Linux support. The device costs $71.99 and is available for order, with shipping expected in July. It works with Epilogue's Playback app, which includes an emulator with features like save states and rewind functionality, aiding in physical game preservation.
'Please stop submitting AI slop code': team behind popular PS3 emulator call time on user submitted vibe…
The development team behind the open-source PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 has requested that contributors stop submitting AI-generated code, citing issues with quality and regressions. While AI tools are not entirely banned, contributors must disclose their use and fully understand the code they submit to avoid bans. This issue mirrors similar concerns raised by developers in other open-source projects like Linux.
Gravity Rush 2 Fans Find a Way to Play Sony's Neglected PS4 Classic at 4K, 60fps
A talented coder has created a modification for the ShadPS4 emulator, enabling Gravity Rush 2 to run on PC at 4K resolution and 60fps. This fan-made enhancement requires an original copy of the game and offers improved performance on platforms like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. The community is keeping the legacy of the neglected PlayStation 4 classic alive, as creator Keiichiro Toyama has left Sony.
Nintendo 64 emulator just implemented rollback netcode for the entire library: 'It was honestly not that hard'
The RMG-K Nintendo 64 emulator has implemented rollback netcode for all its games, significantly reducing input delay and desyncs for online multiplayer. While currently limited to two-player sessions, the feature has been demonstrated successfully in games like Super Smash Bros. and GoldenEye. The use of AI in the development process has drawn criticism from the original emulator's creator.
The Best Retro Handhelds Under $100: Anbernic vs. Miyoo vs. Powkiddy (2026) | TAG
This guide compares the best retro handheld gaming devices available for under $100, focusing on brands like Anbernic, Miyoo, and Powkiddy. It highlights the Miyoo Mini Plus as the overall best for its pocketability and OnionOS software, the Anbernic RG35XX H for analog stick users, the TrimUI Smart Pro S for PSP emulation, and the Anbernic RG CubeXX for its unique square screen ideal for Game Boy games. The article also explains emulation basics, the importance of custom firmware, and the legalities surrounding ROMs.
Proton 11.0-1 Beta 3 brings FEX upgrades for Linux ARM64 (like the Steam Frame)
Valve has released Proton 11.0-1 Beta 3, which includes an upgrade to FEX, an emulator enabling x86 applications to run on ARM64 Linux devices like the upcoming Steam Frame. This update brings performance improvements, controller crash fixes, and better support for the Snapdragon X2 Elite processor. Proton Experimental also incorporates these changes.
PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 devs battling "AI slop code pull requests"
The developers of the PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 are experiencing an increase in what they describe as "AI slop code pull requests." They are implementing new guidelines requiring contributors to fully understand and own any AI-generated code submitted, with undisclosed or untested AI code potentially leading to bans.
"Stop submitting AI slop code": PS3 emulator RPCS3 shuts down vibe coders, tells them to "learn how to debug, code, and leave behind something useful to humanity when you're gone"
The open-source PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 has updated its policies to address the influx of AI-generated code submissions, often referred to as "vibe coding." The project will now ban users who submit AI-generated code without proper disclosure and will require explicit statements detailing the scope of AI involvement and human testing.
Amiga 1200 remake is delayed until December, and chip shortages are partly to blame
Retro Games Ltd has delayed the release of its Amiga 1200 remake until December 4, 2026, citing issues with its operating system and global chip shortages. This marks another setback for the emulation-based microcomputer, which was previously postponed due to legal disputes over the Amiga branding. The company is working to ensure the full Workbench environment mimics the original 32-bit home computer's functionality.
Commodore 64 THEC64 and The Spectrum Handhelds Arrive in 2026
Blaze Entertainment announced new handheld gaming devices, THEC64 and The Spectrum, inspired by the classic Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum computers. These clamshell-style handhelds will launch in October 2026, each pre-loaded with 25 games, and will be available in standard and collector's editions.
Nintendo 64 emulator gopher64 gets even easier to use
The Nintendo 64 emulator gopher64 has received several updates, most recently to version v1.1.19, making it easier to use. New features include FPS display, ROM drag-and-drop support, VSync options, and a list of recently opened ROMs. The emulator is noted for its potential as a tool for game preservation, especially on Linux and SteamOS.
The popular ZSNES emulator returns as SUPER ZSNES with enhanced features
Two original developers of the ZSNES emulator have returned with a new project called SUPER ZSNES, which features enhanced features for Super Nintendo Entertainment System games. The emulator utilizes a "Super Enhancement Engine" to add modern enhancements like high-resolution graphics, overclocking, and uncompressed audio to select titles. While not open source and built with Unity, SUPER ZSNES is available for PC and Linux.
Game History and Preservation
The article discusses the history and preservation of video games, highlighting Zork's 1980 code and the development of "Super SNES," a modern emulator created by the original developers. It touches on the importance of preserving classic titles and the technology behind them.
After 20 years, ZSNES is back as original devs return to give a 3D, widescreen treatment to Nintendo's best 16-bit…
Original developers zsKnight and _Demo_ have revived the iconic Super Nintendo emulator ZSNES with a new version called Super ZSNES. This updated emulator utilizes GPU-powered emulation for advanced visual features like 3D perspective and widescreen support for select Super Nintendo titles. The project is now seeking community involvement and financial support through Patreon for future development.
Business and Finance
Atari has acquired the emulation studio Implicit Conversions, which specializes in bringing classic games to new platforms. This acquisition aims to expand Atari's reach and preserve its legacy titles.
Atari acquires emulation studio Implicit Conversions
Atari has acquired emulation studio Implicit Conversions, which specializes in porting classic games to modern platforms using proprietary technology. Implicit Conversions has previously worked with Atari on titles like Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection and Rayman. This acquisition, following previous purchases of Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios, strengthens Atari's capabilities in retro game preservation and emulation.
Atari acquires emulation studio Implicit Conversions
Atari has acquired emulation specialist Implicit Conversions and its proprietary Syrup engine, which is capable of bringing 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit games to modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. This acquisition aims to strengthen Atari's position in the retro market and enhance its game preservation capabilities.
