That answer began in the mid-1990s, when people started porting console video games to the computer. This was done through what is known as emulation, and became a popular alternative to console gaming, and can prove to be much more efficient in some cases (for example, NES gaming can be more efficient on the computer because of the lack of hardware related issues; gray flashing screen, anyone?). As emulators have evolved, they have proven to outperform and outshine the original systems as computers continue to grow faster and more powerful everyday. They also allow users to play hacked or modded versions of their favorite games, such as the original Legend of Zelda, or Super Mario World, to name just a couple.​

 

Some may argue that it is illegal to game via emulators, hence the reason for the underground emulation scene, so-to-speak. However, emulated gaming is not technically illegal, so long as that person owns a copy of the emulated game, as the games are technically considered backups (but let's face it; this is the Internet, and people play ROMs all the time, regardless of their game ownership status, without any worry at all). Additionally, game companies and developers have caught on to the underground popularity of emulation, as well as the demand for a resurgence of retro gaming. Such an example of a commercial emulator is the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console. Unlike conventional emulators, they are specifically designed to emulate one game, such as Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Overall, because of emulators, it is possible to set up multiplayer matches online with others.​

 

As the Internet has also evolved with the computer, video gaming, and emulation, its uses have ever expanded. One such use is the ability to game with other people playing the same game. With the use of broadband Internet becoming ever more common, so too has online multiplayer gaming. In fact, this method of multiplayer gaming has become so popular, that entire games, such as World of Warcraft, are completely dedicated online multiplayer games. But for other games, such as those on gaming consoles that were not built with Internet usage intended, people from the emulation community looking to game with others on the Internet have made it possible. Different emulators may do this differently, some better than others, but in all, still offer what is usually known as Netplay.​

 

One of the more popular options for Netplay is Kaillera. It is a server client that has been built into many different popular emulators for the ability to play others worldwide in multiplayer games. It also features the easiest interface for doing so, while others may offer a built-in netplay client specific to that emulator, that usually requires port-forwarding and connection through manually entering IP addresses or server names. The advantage for Kaillera is that it offers a different list of servers, each different from one another, that vary in location and can be a central hub for many online gamers. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference for those who choose which emulator to use and whether to use Kaillera or not, but this website can serve as a guideline for those new to the scene.