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The 20 Best Games to Play on Emulators in 2024

As a long-time retro gaming enthusiast, I‘m excited explore 20 of the greatest classic video games that hold up beautifully when played on modern emulators. Theselandmark titles transport you back to nostalgic days while showcasing the technical innovations that laid the foundation for gaming as we know it.

Before we dive in, a quick primer on emulators for the uninitiated…

What Are Video Game Emulators and ROMs?

Game emulators allow you to virtually recreate discontinued consoles like the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, and PlayStation on your current devices. This opens the door to revisiting beloved games decades after their original release.

ROMs (read-only memory) are software files containing the data from classic game cartridges or discs. By loading the ROM into an emulator, you can play a pixel-perfect version of the retro title on your modern PC, phone, or tablet.

As long as you own the original physical game, emulation provides a legal and often enhanced way to re-experience these classics. High-resolution screenshots, faster frame rates, and save states are just some of the advantages.

Now let‘s relive 20 unforgettable gaming gems that no emulator library should be without! I‘ve played each of these over the years, but many bring me right back to being a ‘90s kid marveling at these cutting-edge masterpieces.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64)

Ocarina of Time brought the iconic Legend of Zelda series into 3D on the N64, blowing gamers away with its lush Hyrule overworld, lock-on targeting system, and innovative use of music. Its groundbreaking game design and epic storyline still inspire game developers today.

Wielding Link‘s sword and slingshot feels as satisfying now as ever on an emulator. With its perfect mix of combat, puzzles, platforming, and exploration across miles of terrain, Ocarina of Time deserves its status as one of the greatest games ever made.

As a kid, I have vivid memories of first stepping out onto Hyrule Field and realizing the possibility of open world games. Ocarina made me feel like I was on a personal adventure, not just blasting through levels. Its clever time travel mechanic, iconic ocarina songs, and unforgettable bosses like Ganondorf still awe me today on emulators.

2. Super Metroid (Super Nintendo)

This 1994 sci-fi platformer perfected the Metroid formula pioneered by its NES predecessors. With a huge interconnected 2D world to explore, crazy power-ups to discover, and tense encounters with threatening alien lifeforms, Super Metroid is a 16-bit masterpiece.

From the title screen music to the final heart-pounding escape sequence, Super Metroid immerses players in its atmospheric, stormy planet Zebes. Modern "Metroidvania" games owe a huge debt to this SNES classic.

I‘ll never forget that nervous descent down the elevator shaft into the dark world of Zebes, with foreboding music signaling that I had clearly stumbled into dangerous territory. Each new ability I acquired – the Speed Booster, Grapple Beam, X-Ray Scope – unlocked additional areas in unexpected ways. Super Metroid kept me endlessly curious to probe the next hidden corner.

With visuals still strikingly detailed and alien for 16-bit sprite art, Super Metroid‘s action platforming gameplay holds up flawlessly on SNES emulators.

3. Street Fighter II Turbo (Super Nintendo)

When it first launched in 1992, Street Fighter II revolutionized fighting games and laid the groundwork for competitive gaming. Choose from a roster of eight distinct world warriors like Ryu, Chun-Li, and Blanka, then pummel your friends with exactly timed combos and special moves.

With its colorful sprites, cheeseball character animations, and infectious music, Street Fighter II Turbo looks and sounds superb even when played through a SNES emulator. It set the template for the fighting game genre that is still followed over 30 years later.

I can still pull off my go-to move sets and combos with Ryu and Ken – that muscle memory never leaves you! And taunting after a win against my brother is just as satisfying now through emulation as it was in 1992.

4. Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation)

While graphically primitive by today‘s photoreal standards, Final Fantasy VII‘s blocky 3D polygonal visuals were mindblowing in 1997. More importantly, its deep characters, mature themes, movie-quality pre-rendered cutscenes, and thrilling storyline about eco-terrorists took the RPG genre to new cinematic heights. FFVII completely changed my teenage expectations for storytelling in video games.

The heartwrenching death of Aerith, the attack and motorcycle escape from the Shinra headquarters, the final one-winged angel showdown against Sephiroth…these moments stick with gamers forever.

Selling over 11 million copies globally, Final Fantasy VII proved roleplaying games could tell emotionally resonant stories while still having fun, strategic turn-based combat. It remains an icon for good reason.

And 20 More Classic Masterpieces

Beyond those top entries, here are 20 more highlight classics guaranteed to entertain across PC, smartphone, and tablet emulators:

Game Original Platform Release Year Genre Metacritic Score
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi‘s Island Super Nintendo 1995 Platformer 92%
Chrono Trigger Super Nintendo 1995 RPG 95%
Super Mario Kart Super Nintendo 1992 Racing 93%

What games do you enjoy revisiting on emulators? I‘d love to hear your rotation of retro favorites in the comments below!

Preserving Gaming History Through Emulation

As this list demonstrates, video game emulators make it easy to re-experience milestone titles from past console generations. Playing these classics that laid the groundwork for modern gaming provides enjoyable tech nostalgia.

Beyond nostalgia, keeping retro games alive through emulation helps preserve seminal moments in gaming history. Many consoles and cartridges degrade over time or fail entirely after 30-40 years. Emulators save important cultural touchstones by digitally archiving classic software and experiences.

So game on by exploring gaming‘s past on an emulator – we hope you discover some new retro favorites or rediscover why certain games remain legendary!