List of notable ports

Some systems are easier, or harder to emulate than others. For that reason, using a port of that game for another system might be useful. Also, systems may have inherent flaws, which are not found in a port of that game on another system. A game may also be natively ported to the PC, which might be easier to run.

This is not a complete list of every single port ever. Instead this focuses on games which are notable for having issues, which are solved by using another system.

(E) beside the name means that this port relies upon simple emulation of a ROM, and thus the ROM can be extracted from that port and played in another emulator.

(R) refers to a full remakes. Remakes may dramatically differ from the original game. There is however, some grey area between an "enhanced port" and a "remake". A game may be ported

Console versions may be more convenient to set up. See Virtual Console games or PlayStation Store games or Xbox Live Arcade games

PC versions

Benefits

It is usually preferable to rely on a native PC port rather than emulation. With emulation, all of the flaws of the system are also emulated, which are avoided with a direct PC port. The system requirements are significantly less than emulation. Ports to PC may support enhanced graphics, and sometimes superior controls for FPS games.

Drawbacks

However, sometimes these ports were sloppy, and prone to bugs. It has to be approached on a case by case basis. The game may also only have very out dated options, such as only a few resolutions.

The most common PC ports were to the Windows brand of operating systems. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows 2000 ports may be difficult to run on a modern Windows OS such as Windows 7 or Windows 8, usually with varying levels of compatibility or patching required. Wine can many times play these games very well. Other ports were to DOS, which can be played very well in DOSBox.

Many times fans have stepped in and released patches which can fix some of these issues. This is typically for only the most popular games however, and obscure titles may have no fixes.

Often times, controllers will not be entirely recognized by these old PC games. The most commonly cited is the digital pad not being recognized. In that case the program JoyToKey can be helpful.

PC to console ports

Since game consoles are much less powerful than PCs, it is recommended to avoid PC games ported to consoles. Typically the games have to be altered to fit the constraints of console, and may be forced to use a radically different control scheme. An exception to this rule would be Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine's N64 port.

NES

Main article: List of notable NES ports and remakes

NES games sometimes suffered from slowdown, and sprite flickering.

Sharp X6800

May be easier to emulate ports than the original versions.

Name	PS1	GC	PS2	GBA	NDS	Notes
Akumajo X68000 (Castlevania Chronicles)	✓

SNES

Main article: List of notable SNES ports and remakes

Some SNES games suffered from slowdown which may be fixed in ports.

Many SNES games were ported to the GBA. These versions may have extra features, but at the cost of poorer audio and visuals. The resolution is lower, and it was never intended to be played on a full display. The screen area may also be reduced due to the lower resolution. The audio is much lower quality than the SNES. Also, the GBA has much stronger colors to compensate for the lack of contrast in the original GBA display. To compensate, a shader or an option is needed. Additionally for controls, the GBA has two fewer buttons.

Several SNES games were ported to the PlayStation. These are typically emulated, and the CD format creates long loading times. Generally it is recommended to avoid the PS1 ports for this reason and to stick with the original releases. However, in some cases the PS1 port might offer more features.

Sega Saturn

Saturn emulation is poor, with only one emulator, SSF, worth using. That emulator, however, is closed-source and Windows only.

Name	PC	PS1	PS2	PS3	360	Notes
Grandia		✓
Panzer Dragoon	✓		✓			Both versions differ from the Saturn original (PS2 being a slight update). Also on Xbox as an unlockable in Panzer Dragoon Orta (it's a modified PC build)
Guardian Heroes					✓	Enhanced port with 16:9 aspect ratio, graphics and gameplay options, and expanded multiplayer modes.
Nights into Dreams...	✓		✓	✓	✓	Features both the original game and an enhanced graphics mode. The port to 360, PS3, and PC is missing a few effects. All rereleases include Chirstmas Nights into Dreams, but lack versus mode and Sonic the Hedgehog into Dreams.

PlayStation

The PS1 has problems with 3D which become more noticeable when emulating the games at higher than native resolutions. Many PS1 games were ported to Windows. However, some of these PC ports are difficult to run on modern Windows operating systems.

Name	PC	Saturn	N64	DC	GC	PSP	Notes
Dino Crisis	✓			✓
Dino Crisis 2	✓
Breath of Fire III						✓	Adds widescreen support and an extra minigame.
Breath of Fire IV	✓						Has shorter load times and includes an option for sprite smoothing.
Metal Gear Solid	✓				✓ (R)		PC: Patches needed for modern systems. These patches do not fix FMVs; most easily noticed when loading the VR Missions part of the game. GC: Full remake minus VR missions. Depending on your stance on the original's tone and gameplay, this version may not be for you.
Suikoden I - II						✓	Adds widescreen support (although maps and scenes are not redone to accommodate for the larger screen area) and fixes a couple of glitches. Adds a couple of more, as well. Released only in Japan.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night		✓				✓	Saturn: Worse graphics, but a few new areas and playable Maria. Released only in Japan. PSP: Included in Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. It has a few porting issues. It also replaces the remarkably cheesy voices with technically-better-but-unremarkable voices, as well as playable Maria (albeit completely different from her Saturn version). The Xbox 360 version is largely similar to the original release. It removes loading times, but lacks FMVs.
Resident Evil	✓ ✓ (R)	✓			✓ (R)		Rereleased twice on PS1. The poorly-named Director's Cut is still cut, but includes better character models, an arranged mode, auto aiming from the Japanese release, and an added Beginner difficulty. The Dual Shock Ver. includes DualShock support and a different OST that can only be described as...different. Must be heard to be believed. Saturn: Includes an extra game mode. PC: Win95 only. The only English version of the original game that includes all uncensored FMVs. GC: Full remake. Same on Wii. Redone in HD for its most recent PC release, as well as on most modern HD consoles. The PC version plays at 60 FPS and lacks minor stability issues that the other HD versions have.
Resident Evil 2	✓		✓	✓	✓		Later rereleased on the system with DualShock support and a new game mode. 480p on other systems; varies between 240p and 480p on N64. Each version adds more features, with the DC version having the most.
Resident Evil 3	✓			✓	✓		480p, more features
Wipeout	✓	✓					These ports feature a different OST from the original release. The PAL release also includes extra music.
Wipeout 2097	✓	✓					These ports feature a different OST from the original release. Released in North America as Wipeout XL.
Mega Man Legends	✓		✓			✓	PC: Basic graphics options available, but it suufers from many porting issues that cripple the experience. N64: Simultaneously better and worse in the graphics department. Sound is compressed so it can fit on a cartridge. Released as Mega Man 64 in North America. PSP: Standard port. Released only in Japan.
Mega Man Legends 2	✓					✓	The PC port fares slightly better than the first game in the series, but not a lot. It was released on PC only in Japan and Taiwan. PSP: Standard port. Released only in Japan.
Mega Man 8		✓			✓		Saturn: Includes two bonus Robot Master fights from the original Mega Man game, as well as bonus features. Maybe not actually a port since the game was originally developed for the system. GC: Part of the Mega Man Anniversary collection. Suffers from emulation errors and bad controls. Also released on PS2 and Xbox, but with better controls.
Mega Man X4	✓				✓		Released on the Sega Saturn the same day as the PS1 version, so technically not a port.
Mega Man X5	✓				✓
Mega Man X6	✓				✓		PC: Released only in Korea and some other parts of Asia.
Final Fantasy VII	✓						Backgrounds/FMVs are the same resolution as the PS1 version. The original release had the music played through terrible MIDI instruments. The music can be fixed with a mod. The recent PC release on Steam release fixes all issues, making it the current definitive version. This version will soon release on PS4.
Final Fantasy VIII	✓						Same stance as FFVII. The recent Steam release even includes Chocobo World from the Japanese release (via PocketStation).
Final Fantasy Tactics						✓	Extra content, multiplayer support, redone cutscenes, 16:9 aspect ratio, and new game modes. Suffers from slowdown, but this can be fixed with an unoffical patch. This version was later released on iOS and Android devices (the latter only in Japan).
PaRappa the Rapper						✓	Adds widescreen support, ad-hoc multiplayer, and song remixes as DLC.

Nintendo 64

The N64 is a difficult system to emulate, and no emulator has a high degree of game compatibility. It may be easier to rely upon a port rather than try to emulate it. Also, many N64 games had poor draw distance and other flaws that ports might reduce or fix. PC ports would also typically sport enhanced graphics and superior controls for FPS games. While system requirements are substantially higher, emulating the emulated Wii virtual console releases results in more accurate emulation, even making some unplayable games playable.

Virtual Console N64

1080 Snowboarding Bomberman Hero Cruis'n USA Custom Robo V2 (Japan only) F-Zero X Kirby 64: The Crystal Stars Mario Golf

Mario Kart 64 Mario Party 2 Mario Tennis Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber Paper Mario Pokemon Puzzle League Pokemon Snap Sin & Punishment (English)

Star Fox 64 Super Mario 64 Super Smash Bros. Wave Race 64 Yoshi's Story Zelda: Majora's Mask Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Other Ports

Name	Win	GC	Xbox	X360	DS	3DS	Notes
Super Mario 64					✓ (R)		The DS remake has three more playable characters and some extra features, but has poorer controls, mixed graphical changes (they look more "accurate" but have less polygons and worse textures), and altered progression. Some may prefer it, others not so much.
Star Fox 64						✓ (R)	The 3DS remake has updated graphics, a slightly different instrumentation, multiplayer, and some token 3DS features. It also has redone voices, for better or worse.
Conker's Bad Fur Day			✓ (R)				Live and Reloaded is censored, but has much better graphics and updated multiplayer. Not even even the Xbox 360 can emulate it well.
Banjo-Kazooie				✓			Added widescreen mode, generally better framerate and draw distance. Ice Key and Secret Eggs are available if the user also has a savefile for Banjo-Tooie or Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. Removed Nintendo references, obviously.
Banjo-Tooie				✓			Generally better framerate and draw distance. Ice Key and secret eggs collected in BK are available here.
Perfect Dark				✓			Improved graphics, better framerate, online multiplayer.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter	✓
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil	✓
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time		✓ (E)				✓	Both the original game and the Master Quest are emulated at 480p on the GameCube. The 3DS port (sans lack of vibration) is the definitive version of the game.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask		✓ (E)				✓ (R)	The GameCube version has audio glitches when moving between areas in Clock Town, framerate issues, and random crashes. The 3DS remake will be released on February 13.

Dreamcast

Since the system died early, many of its games were ported to other consoles.

Name	GameCube	PS2	PS3	Xbox	360	PC	Notes
Skies of Arcadia	✓						Slightly updated with new features.
Ikaruga	✓					✓	Slight remix, PC Demo & Full game available
Grandia II		✓				✓	The PS2 version is technically inferior. The PC version has a plethora of bugs. Honestly, you're better off sticking with the Dreamcast version.
Capcom Vs SNK 2 Millionaire Fighting 2001	✓	✓		✓
Resident Evil Code: Veronica	✓	✓	✓		✓		All ports are referred to as Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. They feature additional cutscenes and, in the case of HD-capable ports, HD resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio.
Sonic Adventure	✓		✓		✓	✓	All ports of the complete version of the game are referred to as Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut. They feature updated character models and a new mission mode. The 2003 version includes unlockable Game Gear games. The GameCube version features GBA connectivity for the Chao Gardens. Unfortunately, each successive port of the game manages to be more bug-ridden than the last. Unofficial patches to fix many issues exist for the PC release(s).
Sonic Adventure 2	✓		✓		✓	✓	All ports of the complete version of the game are referred to as Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. They feature slightly better character models, a more in-depth multiplayer mode, and a new Chao minigame. The GameCube version features GBA connectivity for the Chao Gardens. The most recent ports have HD resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio.

Playstation 2

Main article: List of notable PS2 ports and remakes

3DS

The 3DS cannot be emulated yet as no emulator has been created for it.

Name	Windows	PS3	Xbox 360	Notes
Resident Evil Revelations	✓	✓	✓	Also on WiiU, minor HD update for all.