What Is It With Emulation??

[Weekend_Warrior]

How is it that I can have all these classic old arcade games on my computer and never feel like playing them. Yet.. if I were to walk into actual arcade room and see all these games, I'd probably think I died and went to Heaven?

[emwearz]

It's like owning a print out of a painting, its just not the same.

[Bradtemple87]

It's like owning a print out of a painting, its just not the same.

Well spoken, I was sharing the same thought

[Xeogred]

Authentic is the word. What emulation lacks.

Sometimes I'll have an emulation phase and really get into a game that way (often with fan translated games and stuff the US never got), but yeah... for the most part, I'd usually rather bust out my old systems and play them on the TV.

[Niode]

No matter how hard I try I can't seem to bring myself to play anything but handheld and arcade games via Emulation.

[Retro]

I think the main issue with emulation is that, for me at least, its quite a clean and lonely affair.

Super Mario Kart is just so much better when you're playing it on a TV, with the actual controller in your hand, and with someone else there to either play or watch you play it.

This is also the reason I am upset over the lack of spitscreen these days.

I don't hate online multiplayer, in fact Team Fortress 2, Monday Night Combat, and Borderlands are brilliant to play online with a friend or two, and its especially convenient for me, as my closest friend live quite far away from me, but it is nothing compared to the experience you get when you have you and your friends together for a day or two of drinks, pizza (or sushi), and loads and loads of games! (and maybe go out for town for a bit o' shoppin!)

[Erik_Twice]

It's not exclusive to emulation. When you have a lot of options you will find them very unnapealing and stick to the same two or three things. I don't know why that happens but it's not only about emulation. (See: People with huge collections)

[D.D.D.]

If you do it right emulation is beautiful. However the problem is that when you have too much to choose from, say 1,000s of games on your PC, oXbox, Wii, or however you emulate, you can't choose due to the magnitude of it all. If you go into an arcade, you likely will have to choose from a few dozen (if lucky) and then you will steer towards what you like.
If you want to enjoy emulation, don't throw 1,000s of games on there, only ones that you loved before, and get the proper equipment to make it happen (TV-out for PCs or proper original controller adapters for emulation on consoles).
Sure it's not 100% original but not many of us actually have time for the 100% experience; sometime 95% is good enough.

[noiseredux]

[brunoafh]

It just feels tacky. I'll do it if I have to (to play a fan translation, to avoid having to buy some super rare $200 game, etc), but I have an affinity for playing games on original hardware and a TV.