In the case of a game console emulator, this would be the data off a game cartridge. Like your computer is useless without any software, an emulator won't do much without a ROM image. However, even among emulation fans there is dispute, so it is ultimatly up to you to decide whether or not you will participate in the exciting world of emulation. The thinking is that you paid for it, so why not let you have it in soft form. The reason for most of the fuss that you hear about emulation is that people download the ROM images without having made the physical purchase, theoretically taking sales away from the producers of those images.
Most emulators emulate one specific target, on one specific host.
For example, there are programs to emulate Windows on a Macintosh, and there are other programs to emulate a Macintosh on Windows - two very different things. In general, we have chosen to group emulators by target, rather than by host platform. All Rights Reserved.