Many of us have used emulators at least once to play games from various platforms on our PC. While it’s not ethical to play pirated games on them, it’s unlikely that anyone will come knocking on your door.
While emulators are popular, streaming emulator games on Twitch falls into a somewhat grey area.
When using emulators on Twitch, remember that emulators are allowed only for original games (you cannot stream cracked or pirated ones). Also, because some games can have copyright-protected in-game sounds, it is best to mute the stream.
The Best Emulators for Playing Retro Games on Twitch
1. PCSX (for PS1/PS2)
2. Dolphin (for Gamecube and Wii)
3. Mupen64Plus/Project64/MelonDS/Snes9x (for Nintendo 64/Super Nintendo/DS)
4. Pantheon (for Atari 2600)
5. VisualBoyAdvance (for GameBoy)
Today, I will address the question: can you stream emulators on Twitch? I will explain Twitch’s emulator policy and which emulators are permissible to stream in various situations.
Table of Contents
The Legality of Emulators
Emulators on Twitch are not technically banned, and they are completely legal even if you are not streaming. You can download any emulator online, and it is perfectly acceptable to use it to play games from your favorite console.
The main issue is the use of cracked and pirated console games on these emulators, as they not only violate copyright laws but also Twitch has strict DMCA rules that prohibit any use of cracked games.
Discontinued consoles, like Sega and Atari, contain a mix of copyrighted and non-copyrighted games created by amateurs in the past. These should be avoided, as it is difficult to determine the legality of broadcasting someone’s work to a large audience, especially when the original creator may not be known.
This means that playing any discontinued copyrighted game, even if it is in the public domain, is illegal. Not only could this result in a ban on Twitch, but you may also face legal issues if the creator takes action against you.
However, this does not mean that emulators are prohibited on Twitch. Twitch’s position on emulation is quite clear: you can play emulated games from various consoles as long as the games are legally purchased or obtained and not pirated.
To make a long story short – can I stream emulators on Twitch? – Yes, you can. However, another issue arises. The soundtracks of the games may not be copyright-free, so it’s advisable to stream the games without sound.
Related: Best Copyright Free Music for Twitch
Which Consoles Can You Use on Twitch?
Now that we understand that streaming emulators on Twitch is legal for certain consoles, provided you own the original games, let’s examine which consoles you can use on Twitch.
Sega
Nintendo
Sony
Xbox
These are not all the consoles used on Twitch, but each of these consoles has legitimate Twitch emulators that won’t cause you any issues if you wish to stream them.
Which Twitch Emulators Can I Use?
While the Internet offers a plethora of emulators for download, be aware that many of them may contain viruses. Therefore, it is advisable to download legitimate emulators that have been reviewed and deemed safe by other users.
Some popular Twitch TV emulators for retro games and consoles include:
1. PCSX
Any PCSX emulator, whether it is PCSX2 for PS2 or PCSX-R for PS1, is a legitimate emulator.
2. Dolphin
Dolphin emulator is excellent for both GameCube and Wii platforms as well.
3. Mupen64Plus/Project64/MelonDS/Snes9x
The first options are for Nintendo 64, the latter is excellent for Nintendo DS, and the Snes9x emulator is ideal for Super Nintendo.
4. Pantheon
Pantheon emulator is the top choice for Atari 2600.
5. VisualBoyAdvance
VisualBoyAdvance is the best emulator for GameBoy.
All of these emulators have been reviewed and are safe to download. However, if you have other emulators that you know are not scams or filled with viruses, you can use those as well.
How to Stream Emulators on Twitch?
Streaming emulators on Twitch is quite simple and is similar to other streams you would conduct on your PC. You just need to open your emulator and select the game you wish to stream.
Preparation is essential, so you should test your emulator a few times off-camera to assess how well it appears on your screen before you begin streaming.
Be aware that some emulators do not permit full-screen mode, which can be an issue if you want your viewers to comfortably enjoy your streams without squinting.
Lastly, emulators are typically used on PCs, and cross-console emulators are uncommon. Therefore, if you want to play an Atari game on your Xbox, you can buy flashback games from the Microsoft Store, eliminating the need for an emulator.
Related: Best Games to Stream
Conclusion
Now that I’ve addressed the question of whether you can stream emulators on Twitch and you’ve learned the rules for doing so without risking a ban, you can safely play your emulated games while streaming.
I hope this article has been helpful to you and that you can now enjoy streaming your favorite retro games without any fear of encountering issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are emulators safe?
If you download trusted emulators for your favorite retro consoles, there won’t be any harm to your PC, but you need to know which ones are legit and which ones are full of viruses. So it’s best to Google them and see the reviews.
2. Are emulators illegal?
Emulators aren’t illegal, but the games you play on them, if cracked or pirated, are. So you can freely download an emulator as long as you have the original game you want to play on it. You can still buy retro games online even if they’re discontinued.
3. Are emulators allowed on Twitch?
As I already answered the question of does Twitch allows emulators, you’re perfectly safe by using them and you won’t get banned. However, using cracked games will get you in trouble.
4. Can you get banned on Twitch for using an emulator?
Yes, you can. If you use an emulator to play a cracked or pirated retro game, Twitch will ban your account. However, because Twitch moderators aren’t so precise, you can get away sometimes, but it may not be worth the risk.
