LEGAL versions of current arcade games??

[enigma]

Does anyone know if there are legal PC versions of games such as Hydro Thunder, Tekken, or San Francisco Rush (three quite awsome games   )?

If they exist, where could I leagally buy them??

[aeroflott]

To the best of my knowledge, none of those games were released as direct ports to the PC. They were released on various consoles (N64, Dreamcast, PSX era) so I guess if you owned the originals, you could legally play them on an emulator on your PC.

For straight PC Arcade-type games, I'd try the SEGA PC range of stuff - Sega Rally, Virtua Fighter 1 and 2 etc, etc.

T

[aeroflott]

.....in fact, this looks pretty good for the money:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005S7M2/qid=1073777558/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_11_4/202-6069465-9631031

T

[Howard_Casto]

For the record according to the dmca you can never ever play a legal "backup copy" of anything, especially if it's being played on a different platform. So trying to legitimize your collection by buying copys on other systems is a waste of time.  It might make you feel beter about yourself, but it's still just as illegal if you use the mame versions.  

Some of those games you mentioned are available at that new atari roms site though (sorry I don't have a link)  which lets you purchase legal rom liscenses for use in mame and other emulators.  

perhaps it's starroms.com ??

[APFelon]

As I mentioned in the private message to you, Hydro Thunder has a PC port. My best guess is that if you wanted a legal version of it, you should check the bargain bins of your local software reseller or do some internet legwork. There are sites out there where private users buy and sell PC games as well.

I feel foolish for stating the blindingly obvious...

APf

[enigma]

Maybe, but I simply can't find them anywhere.

Perhaps I'll buy the DC or PS1 disc and emulate them.

[Dak-ak]

For the record according to the dmca you can never ever play a legal "backup copy" of anything, especially if it's being played on a different platform.

I would say that statement is of limited merit... Strictly speaking, under the DMCA, its illegal to own markers.

I spose common sense would prevail in both cases.

[enigma]

Some of those games you mentioned are available at that new atari roms site though (sorry I don't have a link)  which lets you purchase legal rom liscenses for use in mame and other emulators.  

perhaps it's starroms.com ??

I don't think it's StarRoms. I believe that StarRoms has only the classic games there and nothing fairly modern.

[SirPoonga]

Well, atari arcade isn't really modern.  BUT there are awesome games there

[Howard_Casto]

For the record according to the dmca you can never ever play a legal "backup copy" of anything, especially if it's being played on a different platform.

I would say that statement is of limited merit... Strictly speaking, under the DMCA, its illegal to own markers.

I spose common sense would prevail in both cases.

No it's of absolute merit... case closed.  Now if they will actually persue legal action on you is another matter all-together but there is zero doubt that it's illegal according to the way current revisions to this law are worded.  

[StephenH]

You can legally buy the board, and a ROM dumper, and dump the hard disks of ones that are emulated.

You can also go the PSX route, and see if there are PS1 ports of them, and use Virtual Game Station, Bleem, PSXemu or other emulators.

Additionally, Hanaho.com and StarRoms.com offer arcade games for purchase, but they are older ones.

[SirPoonga]

You can legally buy the board, and a ROM dumper, and dump the hard disks of ones that are emulated.

Right, but I think HC mean then you can't play with the backup, IE the rom file.  Otherwise you wouldn;t need the rom dumper.  Just say you had someone dump the roms for you or something like that.

[Howard_Casto]

Exactly.... Making a backup isn't always illegal, using it on anything other than the original device is.  (And in many cases the act of simply making a backup is STILL illegal as your liscense agreement waves you of that right.)  Bleem is a prime example.... those poor guys got their butts sued off by sony until they eventually had to file for bankruptcy.  I find it odd that you used that example when it's a prime example of the kind of stuff I'm talking about.


So actually no, in many cases the act of dumping the rom images is illegal as it's technically circumventing copy protection or that right has been waved when you opened the package (or in this case opened the crate or the original owner opened the crate).

[Lilwolf]

Take note:  It WONT be as soon as there are no viable ways to buy a PS1... IE not for a bit.

But Tekken the real machine.  It's now LEGAL to run it on another machine since the original hardware is not accessable...

but that doesn't make emulation (for the masses) legal.  It means that if you own a Tekken machine, you burn your own roms... And your machine dies... You can put a PC in there and emulate your own roms legally now.

BTW this was added because of a TON of software that required doggles and the companies who made the doggles went out of buisness... And they where totally !@#cked.  

[SirPoonga]

Exactly.... Making a backup isn't always illegal, using it on anything other than the original device is.  

What's the purpose of a backup then?  If all you can run is the original.

[enigma]

Because,

If you ever lose the original, you can make a copy of the backup, and play it instead of the original backup, or maybe it's you play the original backup and... um... er... ...nevermind.

[enigma]

Perhaps I can call the actual company and see if they will sell me the rom? I dunno, it all seems like a catch 22 to me.

[enigma]

Another thought...

If this is true, then how do sites like StarRoms operate??
Are emulating StarRoms legal simply because they have partnered with those companies??

If so, they'd make alot more money by hosting some newer games too

[Howard_Casto]

Exactly.... Making a backup isn't always illegal, using it on anything other than the original device is.  

What's the purpose of a backup then?  If all you can run is the original.

You can make a backup and replace the corrupted data in some cases... running it on an emulator is not replacing corrupted data.  Uploading the rom data bock onto the board in the case of a rom failure usually is.  


Starroms operates because they bought the rights to those games from atari.... that right to copy that you usually wave by opening the package is not waved in this case.  It's as simple as that.... it's legal because the person you bought it from allows it to be.  

[DarkKobold]

Bleem is a prime example.... those poor guys got their butts sued off by sony until they eventually had to file for bankruptcy.  I

Sorry Howard, but I have to call you on that. Sony lost. Bleem went bankrupt because no one bought it. Bleem still had money left after their court cases - enough to take another case against Sony.  They were still fighting in courts - but Sony hadn't won anything.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/22910.html

[enigma]

Starroms operates because they bought the rights to those games from atari.... that right to copy that you usually wave by opening the package is not waved in this case.  It's as simple as that.... it's legal because the person you bought it from allows it to be.  

Then, isn't it possible that I could buy a rom and software direct from the company?? (If they want to sell it)

[Howard_Casto]

Yup, unfortunately they aren't willing to sell in rom format.  If they did we'd be all over it and there would be an announcment a page long on the news page, similar to when starrroms appeared.

[enigma]

Oh well, Even if I did emulate anything but the arcade rom, I wouldn't be able to get the coin slot to work. (at least I don't think). I'll figure out something eventually.

Perhaps I can dig a little deeper and find the PC-based version of Hydro Thunder.