General

Features

Controls

Legal

 

FAQ

General

How do I get Retro8?

A: You can purchase Retro8 through Android Market.

Where can I get games?

A: Retro8 does not provide any games with the software. However we recommend if you own an existing NES game to obtain a backup copy of that game from a cartridge copier or by searching google.

What is a ROM?

A: Put simply it's a game file. A ROM (or Read Only Memory) is data that is pulled from a physical game cartridge and made into a computer system file. That file is loaded into emulation software where it can be played.

Is my game title supported?

A: Retro8 has a 97% compatibility rate with all known titles. Check the Game Compatiblity Database for specific titles.

Does Retro8 cost or is it free?

A: Yes! You can get the free lite version or full paid version of Retro8.

What's the difference between the lite and full versions?

A: The only difference is save game support (both save states and in-game saves) and multiple game genie selection.

Features

What file formats are supported?

A: Retro8 supports smc, sfc, snes, and fig file formats also with 7z or zip compression. Multi-part roms are archaic and unsupported. Delete them now.

What language localizations are supported?

A: Retro8 supports English, Français, Español, Deutsch, Português, Suomi, Svenska,  Pусский and 日本語 and 中文.

Why isn’t feature X supported?

A: Because not enough users have asked for feature X. Let me know!

Why can't X run in Retro8? It's not a NES game.

A: Retro8 is a NES (Nintendo) emulator and can only run NES games. For other platforms, search the Google Play store for "emulator".

I purchased Retro8 on a different phone. Do I have to purchase it again?

A: As long as you keep the same email address when logging into Google Play you can download Retro8 again for free. You may want to transfer your SD Card to your new phone to retain your save states.

I need a credit card to purchase Retro8, but I don't have one.

A: You can try using a pre-paid credit card to purchase the application. We are unfortunately not in control of the purchasing process; you should contact Google Play for support.

Can I use my save states from other emulators with Retro8?

A: We use our own special format and cannot support save state files from other emulators. Your best bet is to transfer existing games using the battery backup file .sav for cartridges that support in-game saves.

Controls

How can I make special key combinations?

A: To create a custom button in the Settings menus go to "Button Mappings" > "Controller 1" > "Custom 1" > then select a button (for instance Search). A dialog will appear to "Choose Buttons". Check the ABXY buttons then click okay. When you press the Search button in game it will trigger all the buttons.

What external USB or Bluetooth game controllers are supported (like Wii)?

A: Retro8 does not support USB or Bluetooth controllers directly. However Retro8 is compatible with any number of IME providers available on Android Market. Here are a few.

Gamepad IME

https://market.android.com/details?id=de.killig.gamepadime&hl=en

WiiMote

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ccpcreations.android.WiiUseAndroid

Legal

Are emulators legal?

A: Yes. In 1982, precedent was set in the landmark Coleco vs. Atari case where Coleco produced an Atari 2600 emulator for the ColecoVision. An emulator’s copying of its owners validly owned videogame software has qualified as fair use under U.S. copyright law. See Sega Enter. LTD v. Accolade Inc., 977 F.2d 1510, 1527(9th Cir. 1992); see also Sony Computer Ent. v. Connectix Corp., 203 F.3d 596, 609-10 (9th Cir. 2000). Similarly, simulated videogame images produced by an emulator that is used in valid advertising was found to qualify as fair use under U.S. copyright law. See Sony Computer Ent. v. Bleem!, 214 F.3d 1022, 1029 (9th Cir. 2000).

Is it legal to make a copy of a game I own?

A: Yes. U.S. Copyright law allows rightful purchasers of videogame software to make a backup copy of software they own. 17 U.S.C. § 117(a). However, that backup copy must have been necessary to use the software for the same function as the original purchased software copy and must not be disseminated or be made available to others. If you sell or give away your originally purchased software or hardware containing copies of the original software, you must destroy your backup copy or package it with the original software. Likewise, you may not sell or give away your backup software copy without the original.

Is it legal to download a copy of a game I own?

A: No. Even if you own the original videogame software, you are not entitled to download an online copy of such software without validly purchasing it from its original owner. U.S. copyright law only entitles you to a copy of software you make yourself. See 17 U.S.C. § 117(a).