Official Nintendo Museum Utilizes Emulators to Showcase Classic Games

Nintendo’s newly inaugurated museum in Japan has stirred up controversy over the potential use of emulators to showcase its classic games. This revelation coincides with the company’s heightened legal actions against emulators and piracy.

Opened on October 2, 2024, in Uji City, the Nintendo Museum pays tribute to the company’s rich heritage, which began with Hanafuda card production and evolved into a leading force in the global gaming industry. Attendees can engage with a variety of exhibits that highlight renowned Nintendo merchandise and enjoy playing timeless games.

However, this homage to Nintendo’s rich history takes place amid the company’s rigorous efforts to combat emulation. Earlier this year, Nintendo initiated lawsuits against prominent emulator developers such as Yuzu and Ryujinx, citing issues related to piracy.

In March, Yuzu reached a settlement with Nintendo amounting to $2.4 million, resulting in the project’s discontinuation. Similarly, Ryujinx, another well-known emulator, ceased its activities following an agreement with Nintendo in October.

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In spite of their strict policies, a video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) seems to showcase an instance where a game in the museum abruptly halted, accompanied by the familiar “device disconnected”sound typically heard when a USB device is unplugged from a Windows machine.

This has led many fans to conjecture that the museum may indeed be utilizing emulators on PCs to present classic titles. The clip has ignited discussions, with some calling out Nintendo for perceived hypocrisy.

This situation, if accurate, points to a potential inconsistency in Nintendo’s approach — condemning emulators in the broader gaming community while seemingly employing them for their exhibits.

While Nintendo publicly opposes third-party emulation, this does not preclude their capacity to utilize emulation for their internal needs. The company has a history of creating its own emulation technologies, particularly through its subsidiary, Nintendo European Research & Development (NERD). Their emulation efforts span several retro consoles, including the NES, SNES, and Game Boy, particularly for the Nintendo Switch Online service.

We have reached out to Nintendo for clarification on the viral video and whether emulators are being employed in the museum’s operations. As of this writing, Nintendo has not provided a response.

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