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How to Play NES Games on a PC

Although its 8-bit graphics and two-button controller might be old school by recent standards, the classic Nintendo still holds a certain charm for many older gamers. Those who want to relive the glory days of the original "Super Mario Brothers" and "Metroid" don't need the classic gaming console to do so, either. Using an NES emulator and ROM, players can enjoy these games on a home computer. Emulation is typically a processor intensive activity, but since the Nintendo wasn't a particularly sophisticated gaming console, it doesn't require a powerful PC to emulate. Most NES emulators are smaller than a megabyte.

Instructions

- 1
  Install an NES emulator on your computer (see Resources for links). There are over a dozen options, most of which perform adequately. The most popular are FCEUX, Jnes and Nestopia. These emulators offer graphical and sound filters that improve the resolution and smooth out the jagged bits of your game.
- 2
  Download an Nintendo ROM. ROM files contain the complete NES game in a single file, and using an emulator, you'll be able to play the game in its entirety. Note, however, that if you do not own the original game cartridge, downloading its ROM is theft, just as downloading an MP3 you do not own.
- 3
  Configure the emulator to suit your needs. If you have a fast computer, you'll be able to use advanced features like filters, which will improve the graphical quality of your game. Although each emulator has a default keyboard layout, you can also configure this to fit your system more comfortably.
- 4
  Open the ROM in your emulator to start playing.

Classic Console Games