Scratching the Retro Gaming Itch

Everyone, at one time or another, has had a special memory with a video game.  They aren't just for "gamers" and we've all had a moment with one that touched us in some way.  Carly always talks about how she would play Sonic or Battle Toads with her brothers.  I grew up with games and would consider myself a gamer with many great moments with games and friends.  My point is that if we all think back we can find fond memories and sometimes we want to replay those games.

So I said to myself, "Eric, let's play some Super Nintendo."  "Awww yeeeaahhhh!" I said in reply.  I dug out my old SNES and got working on setting it up.  I checked the games, controllers, and cables getting ready to relive the games of my childhood until I noticed I was missing a cable!  The AV cable to be precise and without it I wouldn't be able to play.  I checked around online and found that it was pretty cheap but I didn't want to wait.  I decided to turn my MacBook into a SNES.

I've done this before, turn a computer into a retro gaming system, a simple Google search for a SNES emulator will give you exactly what you need but I wanted something more.  I wanted to be able to use a controller and have a nice big screen and a couch, you know like old times.  I chose my MacBook because it is currently only being used as a wireless adapter for my XBox 360, a story for another day, and was already sitting by the TV.  I made my list of how I was going to accomplish my task, because I love lists, and set forth!

The List:
1.  Download an SNES Emulator
2.  Connect XBox 360 Controller
3.  Connect to TV

I used ZSNES for my emulator, found some drivers for the XBox 360 controller, you'll need an XBox 360 wireless USB adapter for this, and grabbed my lame video out dongle for the TV.  After fighting with settings here and there to get the controller to work I was in business!  The emulator is easy to use, just install, download some ROMs (Only ones you legally own of course, these are back ups after all), and get to playing!

After it was all hooked up I just plugged it into the TV with my handy-dandy-video-output-thing and that was it!  Now I can sit back on my couch and relive the younger days using my MacBook as a Super Nintendo!  It's not quite as nice as it would be had I plugged in a real SNES but this works just fine for scratching my itch.

gg

Eric