You may encounter other types of files, but most gamers refer to all copies of original game files as ROMs when speaking generally.įrontend: Every emulator needs a frontend where users can launch games. Data retrieved from these cartridges are called ROM files. Why? Older game consoles used a Read-only Memory (or ROM) chip to store game data. ROM (or ROM files): Copies of games originally meant for a console are loosely referred to as ROM files or just ROMs.
In this case, it replicates the features and functions of a game console, which tricks games into running as if you had the original hardware.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know:Įmulator: An emulator is a program that mimics the hardware of a specific device.
Explaining emulation relies on a few technical terms that you might not be familiar with.