The SNES was a 16-bit video game console and one of the most successful home consoles. You need an emulator because not all the games have been made available on the newer generation consoles. Most of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System games were not put on CDs but rather sold as cartridges that had to be inserted into a game console. The emulators for different consoles on PC are very helpful because they allow you to play old games that are not available in the current generation consoles. All these games are just one click away with the help of an emulator!