Is it okay to download old game roms like for NES and Genesis? Do I need to worry about legality? The Scoop?

The long and short of it is, no you shouldn't download and play them on your computer. There are a great deal of lousy myths about this. Just bear in mind that 95% of what's online is usually opinion and not fact (you get what you pay for).

If you want more specific details, you should really visit http://www.nintendo.com/corp/legal.jsp#roms regarding Nintendo. I don't have the page for Sega, but Sega from my last recollection is even harsher than Nintendo regarding this stuff.

If you really want to play retro games, get the Nintendo Wii, as the built in Virtual Console allows you to play not just games from NES/SNES or Genesis, but from other systems as well. It works out to something like $3-5 dollars a game.

Yes, they're still protected by copyright. There are a few games that are considered "abandonware" but the vast majority are still under copyright and, therefore, illegal to download in ROM form. Many publishers still DO make profit off them, through places like the nintendo store where they sell digital copies of a lot of old games. Though tbh, no, they don't really go after you for downloading a copy of Bad Dudes or wtfe. I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it.

Legally speaking, even old games are still protected under copyright laws. Copyright lasts for the life of the owner of the copyright, plus 70 years. So 70 years after Nintendo and Sega go out of business, you can legally copy their games... unless they sell the copyright to someone else.

Realistically speaking, how much you should worry depends on how eager a copyright owner is to sue someone infringing on their older copyright. Regardless, it's still illegal.

Technically, you are only allowed to download a rom if you have the old cartridge/cd/etc, but don't worry about it, nobody will show up at your doorstep checking if you have the real thing, because it's just not worth it.

i wouldnt worry too much.

To be honest i have never heard of anyone actually having charges pressead abainst them for downloading any game. Not for personal use anyway. Somtimes if you sell em u will but u'll be alright mate as logn as u dont open a shop and put up posters lol

the best site to download old game is:

http://www.theoldcomputer.com/MainMenu.htm

u can download the emulators from there too

and u dont need to wory about the leagle and illeagle stuff I dont