

Instead, to power their adorable micro-console they turned to the same platform that pretty much every micro-computer uses: Linux on an ARM processor, like that found in most smartphones. Nintendo didn’t stuff a whole SNES in the SNES Classic Edition. That’s Nintendo’s own SNES Classic Edition. There is one perfectly legal and safe way to enjoy classic SNES games without owning a vintage SNES. Our list of the best SNES emulators includes only well-established emulators with a good history.

This also makes emulators a prime target for the spread of malware, since there are few “official” channels for distribution.

Nintendo is particularly protective of its games, and while it hasn’t gone after individuals downloading emulators, it has put pressure on people hosting games for download. Emulators are legal in most countries, but downloading a game to play on an emulator often isn’t, and distributing an emulator is considered infringement in most countries. While retro games enjoyed through emulation are no longer sold, the rights are often held by the original company.
