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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about playing retro games on OldGames.Games

Getting Started

What is OldGames.Games?

OldGames.Games is a free online platform dedicated to preserving retro gaming history. We provide browser-based emulation technology that allows you to play classic video games from consoles like the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 1, Sega Genesis, and many more — all directly in your web browser without any downloads or installations.

Our mission is to make classic games accessible to everyone, whether you're a lifelong gamer who wants to revisit childhood favorites or a new player discovering these timeless experiences for the first time.

How do I start playing a game?

Playing a game on OldGames.Games is simple:

  • Step 1: Visit the homepage and browse games by console, or use the search bar to find a specific title.
  • Step 2: Click on any game card to select it.
  • Step 3: The emulator will load automatically in your browser.
  • Step 4: Start playing! Use your keyboard, gamepad, or touch controls on mobile.

No account, no downloads, no plugins required. Games typically load within a few seconds.

Is OldGames.Games really free? Are there hidden costs?

Yes, OldGames.Games is 100% free to use. There are no hidden fees, no premium tiers required for access, and no mandatory account creation. Every game in our library is available to all visitors at no cost. We sustain the platform through non-intrusive advertising. If you enjoy our service, you can optionally support us through donations, but this is never required.

Do I need to create an account to play?

No, you don't need an account to play any game on our platform. Simply visit the site and start playing immediately. However, creating a free account offers additional benefits like cloud-synced save states, play history tracking, and personalized game recommendations.

Controls & Gameplay

What are the keyboard controls?

Default keyboard controls vary slightly by console, but the standard mapping is:

  • Arrow Keys (↑↓←→): D-Pad / Movement
  • Z: B Button / Cross (PS1)
  • X: A Button / Circle (PS1)
  • A: Y Button / Square (PS1)
  • S: X Button / Triangle (PS1)
  • Q / E: L / R Shoulder Buttons
  • Enter: Start
  • Shift: Select

For arcade games, press 5 to insert a credit and 1 to start the game. You can customize key bindings in the emulator settings menu.

Can I use a gamepad or controller?

Yes! Our emulator fully supports USB and Bluetooth gamepads through the browser's Gamepad API. Simply connect your controller before or while playing, and it will be automatically detected. We support popular controllers including:

  • Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S controllers
  • PlayStation DualShock 4 / DualSense controllers
  • Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
  • 8BitDo and other retro-style Bluetooth controllers
  • Most generic USB gamepads

For the most authentic experience, we recommend using a controller that matches the original console (e.g., an SNES-style controller for SNES games).

How do touch controls work on mobile?

On mobile devices, our emulator automatically displays on-screen touch controls that emulate the original console's buttons. The virtual D-Pad appears on the left side of the screen, and action buttons on the right. Start/Select buttons are positioned at the top. For the best mobile experience, we recommend playing in landscape (horizontal) mode. The controls are responsive and designed to be as comfortable as possible on touchscreens.

Saving Your Progress

Can I save my game progress?

Yes! OldGames.Games supports save states, which capture the complete state of the game at any moment. Unlike the original consoles where you could only save at specific points, save states let you save anywhere, anytime. You can:

  • Create multiple save slots for each game
  • Save before difficult boss fights or tricky sections
  • Resume exactly where you left off in any game
  • Share save states between devices (with an account)

Save states are stored in your browser's local storage by default. If you clear your browser data, saves may be lost, so we recommend creating an account for cloud backup.

How do I load a saved game?

To load a previously saved game, launch the game first, then open the emulator menu (usually by pressing Escape or tapping the menu icon). Select "Load State" and choose the save slot you want to restore. The game will instantly return to exactly where you saved it, including your position, health, items, and all game progress.

Do in-game saves (battery saves) work?

Yes! In addition to save states, our emulator also supports native in-game saves (also called battery saves or SRAM). Games that originally supported saving to the cartridge battery — like Pokemon, Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy — will save your progress through their normal save menus. These saves are stored in your browser and persist between sessions.

Supported Consoles & Games

What gaming consoles are supported?

We currently support the following retro gaming platforms:

  • Nintendo: NES, SNES (Super Nintendo), Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
  • Sony: PlayStation 1 (PSX), PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation Portable (PSP)
  • Sega: Genesis / Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear
  • SNK: Neo Geo / Arcade (via MAME)
  • Others: Atari 2600, various arcade games

We are continuously working to add more platforms. Note that newer/more demanding systems like PS2 and PSP work best on desktop computers with modern browsers.

How many games are available?

Our library features thousands of games across all supported platforms. We regularly add new titles and update our collection. You can browse the complete library on each console's dedicated page, search for specific games using the search bar, or explore our curated featured games section on the homepage.

Why do some games run slowly or have issues?

Browser-based emulation depends on your device's processing power. Some factors that can affect performance:

  • More demanding consoles (PS1, N64, PS2, PSP) require more processing power than simpler ones (NES, Game Boy).
  • Older devices or phones may struggle with resource-intensive games.
  • Browser choice matters: Chrome and Edge generally offer the best emulation performance.
  • Too many browser tabs can reduce available memory and processing power.

For the best experience with demanding consoles, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer with a modern browser and closing unnecessary tabs.

Technical & Troubleshooting

What browsers are supported?

OldGames.Games works on all modern web browsers:

  • Google Chrome (recommended) — best emulation performance
  • Microsoft Edge — excellent performance, Chromium-based
  • Mozilla Firefox — good performance
  • Apple Safari — works on macOS and iOS
  • Opera / Brave — fully compatible

We recommend keeping your browser updated to the latest version for the best experience. Internet Explorer is not supported.

A game won't load. What should I do?

If a game fails to load, try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Refresh the page (Ctrl+F5 for a hard refresh)
  • Clear your browser cache and try again
  • Try a different browser (Chrome recommended)
  • Disable browser extensions that might interfere (ad blockers sometimes block game resources)
  • Check your internet connection — games need to download ROM data initially
  • Try on a different device — some demanding games may not work well on older hardware

If the issue persists, please contact us with the game name and your browser/device details.

Can I play games offline?

Games require an initial internet connection to load the game data. Once a game is loaded and cached by your browser, it may work offline for subsequent plays depending on your browser's caching behavior. However, for the most reliable experience, we recommend maintaining an active internet connection while playing.

Why is there no sound?

Modern browsers require user interaction before playing audio. If you don't hear sound:

  • Click anywhere on the game screen first — many browsers block autoplay audio
  • Check that your device volume is turned up
  • Make sure the game isn't muted in the emulator settings
  • Some browsers have per-tab mute — check the browser tab for a mute icon

Privacy & Legal

What data do you collect?

We respect your privacy. We collect minimal data necessary to operate the platform, including basic analytics (page views, game popularity) and information needed for advertising through Google AdSense. We do not sell personal data to third parties. For complete details, please read our Privacy Policy.

How do I request a game to be removed (DMCA)?

We take intellectual property rights seriously. If you are a rights holder and believe that content on our platform infringes your copyright, please submit a DMCA takedown request through our DMCA page. We will review and respond to valid takedown requests promptly.

How can I contact the OldGames team?

You can reach us through our Contact page, join our community on Discord, or email us directly. We welcome feedback, bug reports, game requests, and suggestions for improving the platform.