emulation
/ˌɛmjʊˈleɪʃən/
CommonRunning old or unavailable games on modern hardware through software that mimics the original console.
A genuinely contested topic. Preservationists, pirates, and nostalgia fans all use it but for different reasons. The legal gray area is real and widely acknowledged.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | just set up emulation on my steam deck, it plays every retro game perfectly | The person configured their Steam Deck to run old games through emulators. | reddit, 2024 |
| 02 | if nintendo won't sell the game anymore then emulation is preservation, period | The person is defending emulation on grounds of game preservation. | x, 2024 |
| 03 | emulation community every time nintendo files another lawsuit | Expressing exhaustion or frustration at Nintendo's actions against emulators. | x, 2024 |
| 04 | i own the original cart, emulation is just more convenient | Using a common argument that owning the physical game makes emulation acceptable. | reddit, 2023 |
Use it when
- Playing games from a console you no longer own or cannot buy.
- Preserving access to games that are out of print.
- Discussing the legality or ethics of playing ROMs.
- Running old games on a Steam Deck or PC.
Do not use it when
- You mean playing a remastered or official port of a classic game.
Variations and related forms
Origin and context
Emulation software has existed since the 1990s, with early SNES and NES emulators appearing on PC. The practice became widespread with improved hardware and internet access making ROMs easy to find.
- First seen
- 1990s
- Confidence
- high
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/emulationUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0