How to Get an Emulator

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Determine the systems you want to emulate.

   There are tons of emulation options available for Windows computers, more than any other platform.
   
   The emulator(s) you choose will depend on what you plan to play.
   
   You can emulate any retro system and most handheld systems.
   
   There are no stable emulators for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Vita, or 3DS.
   
   Wii U has one emulator as of this writing (cemu), which is somewhat stable but still very early.
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   Step 2: Decide on your emulator.

   Once you know the system you want to emulate, you can decide on the emulator you want to use.
   
   Below are the most popular and stable options:
   RetroArch
   - This program is a front-end for a variety of emulators.
   
   It is the best choice for all retro systems (including PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, and PSP) and Nintendo handhelds (including all Game Boy systems and the Nintendo DS).
   
   It can also emulate DOS for old DOS games.
   
   PCSX2
   - This is the best emulator for PlayStation 2, but be aware that each game will require individual configuration.
   
   Dolphin
   - This emulator can run Wii and GameCube games. nullDC
   - This is one of the more stable Dreamcast emulators. , This guide will focus on installing RetroArch, which will get you access to NES, SNES, Genesis, Saturn, Neo Geo, MAME, Game Boy family, Nintendo DS, PlayStation, Atari, PSP, Nintendo 64, and other emulators.
   
   Visit the Libretro (RetroArch) website and click the Download link. , This will display the Windows download options. , This will display the files for 64-bit systems, which most modern computers are.
   
   If you're using an older computer, check if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit first. , This will begin downloading the RetroArch system files. , This is a free, open-source archiving program that is required to open files with the .7z format.
   
   You can download it from the 7-Zip website.
   
   Download the EXE file and follow the prompts to install it. , You'll find this in your Downloads folder.
   
   This will open the file in 7-Zip. , This can be anywhere on your computer, and you'll be running RetroArch from this folder. , This will copy all of the files from the .7z file into the folder, which is all you need to do to install RetroArch. , This will launch RetroArch. , This will select the menu option.
   
   Use this key until you connect a controller. , Use the arrow keys to navigate. , You'll see a list of all the available emulators.
   
   Find an emulator for the system you want to play and press X to start downloading the emulator files.
   
   If the system has multiple emulators available, try the first one on the list. , This will return you to the previous menu. , RetroArch does not contain any game files.
   
   You'll need to find and download these on your own.
   
   Do a web search for "game name rom" to find files hosted on various websites online. , The easiest way to load your games into RetroArch is to sort your ROM files into folders for specific systems.
   
   For example, if you're loading NES games, place all of your NES ROMs in an "NES" folder. ,,,, This will load the game using the emulator you selected earlier.
   
   Note that different systems will use different input mappings.
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   Step 3: Visit the emulator's download site.

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   Step 4: Click the Windows folder.

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   Step 5: Click the x86_64 folder.

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   Step 6: Click the RetroArch.7z file.

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   Step 7: Download and install 7-Zip.

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   Step 8: Double-click the RetroArch.7z file.

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   Step 9: Create a new folder for the RetroArch program.

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    Step 10: Drag the entire contents from the RetroArch.7z file to the new folder.

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    Step 11: Double-click retroarch.exe.

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    Step 12: Select Load Core and press X.

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    Step 13: Select Download Core.

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    Step 14: Highlight the core you want to install and press X.

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    Step 15: Press Z to go back.

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    Step 16: Download some ROM (game) files.

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    Step 17: Place the ROMs into folders dedicated to their system.

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    Step 18: Select the + column in RetroArch.

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    Step 19: Highlight Scan Directory and press X.

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    Step 20: Navigate to the directory that contains your ROM files.

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    Step 21: Highlight a game you want to play and press X.

Detailed Guide

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