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While many companies discourage making "backups" or "archival" copies, if you want to <i>legally</i> play your games on an emulator you're going to need to dump them yourself. This guide covers the basics and more well-known methods, so there may be other methods not mentioned here.==PlayStation 1/2Cartridge-based (Up to 4th Gen)==Windows: Use [http://imgburnGames on Nintendo's NES, SNES, GB and N64, Sega's Master System and Mega Drive (aka Genesis), NEC's PC-Engine (aka TG-16), and other systems from the same era were stored on special cartridges to be read with a very particular pin layout only found on their intended hardware.com/index.php?act=download ImgBurn]

It will ask you ===With Special Hardware===Special hardware dumping the cartridge contents to install toolbars and other junka more digital-friendly binary form has been made for older consoles. However, choose custom installation, and deselect them. It does not install them if you say no like other programsthese pieces of hardware have been going out of print recently.

* Kazzo: for the NES.* INLRetro: From the same person as Kazzo, but able to dump NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, Famicom, GB, and GBA.* Retrode: for the SNES and Sega Mega Drive. Third-party physical plug-ins add more systems, including the GB, GBA, N64, VB; Sega's Master System, Pico; NEC's PC-Engine; Atari 2600 and more. An NES add-on was said to be under development. Bear in mind that when trying to dump cartridge games, there'Instructionss a significant risk of having corrupt sectors in the resulting dump. If you're using your DIY adapters but don't know what you are doing, there's a risk of damaging the original cartridge due to out-of-spec voltages. Newer systems using game cards such as the DS and 3DS have other solutions relying either on recent dedicated hardware, or homebrew under a compromised system. ===Ripping From Emulated Releases===Sometimes the companies re-release the games digitally, as a wrapper containing an emulator and the ROM. Depending on the company, the ROM may or may not be directly playable in regular emulators. You can extract those ROMs and play them without having to go to shady sites nor tracking expensive cartridges and potentially breaking them in the ripping process. And you get to support the company who made the stuff you love, instead of resellers hoarding second-hand game copies or random, less-reputable ROM sites other than those trusted by the community. That being said, emulated re-releases may contain changes due to licensing or censorship issues amongst other things. ====Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U, 3DS)====The Wii VC releases are most of the time ready to work in emulators. In fact, Nintendo was so kind they even included the iNES headers in NES ROMs (16 bytes at the beginning of the ROM that are not part of the original cart data yet the emulator needs them to know which mapper it is and run the game at all). You can even replace the ROM with one from the same system from your choice, and get it to run if Nintendo's emulators are compatible. The discovery of iNES headers in VC releases led to a rumour wherein Nintendo, or at least those whom Nintendo subcontracted for the re-releases, merely downloaded their own games off a ROM site, though while both the VC release of ''Super Mario Bros.'' and pirated copies of it do share the same checksum (and are thus identical), it might be just a coincidence, and knowing Nintendo they will certainly deny any such accusations of pirating their own games. Some Virtual Console versions have been enhanced or modified compared to the original release.  While some just modify the ROM directly (like Monster World IV's English translation), other modifications rely on real-time patching by patch files included with the ROM (like Romancing SaGa 2's extra dungeons). The anti-seizure effects and texture enhancements are most of the time tied to the VC emulator. Also, Super Nintendo ROMs have their SPC sound data blanked in the ROM and stored in a separate file, meaning the ROM dump is incomplete for these. And you might need a byte swapper tool for N64 games. '''For Wii VC:'''* Get ShowMiiWads.exe and select "I accept and take the risk of WAD editing features". Go to Tools/Create Common-Key and type in the text it asks you for. * You need a wad file of the VC app. * If you don't have a wad file yet, you can get it from a NAND dump extracted off your Wii with dedicated homebrew apps (changing it and reinserting it in the Wii could be dangerous if you don't know what are you doing, that was what the disclaimer was for, it's not relevant here though). In ShowMiiWads, click Options/Change NAND Backup Path, then click View/ShowMiiNand, and then on the file with the name of the game right-click and click Pack Wad. Then click View/ShowMiiNand again.* Now that you have the wad file, go to File/Open Folder and where the wad file is.* Right-click, Extract/To Folder.* You go to the newly created folder, and you'll find lots of files. Chances are the biggest "app" file has the emulator and ROM data. It's usually "00000005.app" for MSX/GEN/N64 roms. In the utility, load it and click Tools/Unpack U8 Archive. Congrats! You should have the ROM somewhere in there. Check the file sizes and name for hints and find out which one it is, it's part of the fun. However! Some post-2010 ROMs give inside another compressed "romc" file. That's the ROM, but compressed. You'll need the romc command-line decompression tool, following the commands:<br/>cd C:/romfolder/<br/>romc d C:/romfolder/romc C:/extractionfolder/customromname.extension [https://gist.github.com/Prof9/ed3d0e70d8f8a3116a5f5db29b54873d Here] is how to dump GBA images off Wii U's VC and unscramble the resulting ROM images to something playable on emulators. ====Various Compilations====* Sega Ages - MD* Sega Mega Collection (multiple systems) - MD* Sega I Love Mickey Mouse (Saturn) - MD - ROM divided* Animal Crossing GC - NES/SNES* Zelda Collector Disk GC - NES/N64 (includes 60Hz PAL OoT/MQ/MM versions)* Konami Twinbee Collection - SNES - ROM divided* Rare Replay ==Nintendo Game Boy Advance=====With a Flashcart (On DS)===* [https://github.com/RocketRobz/GodMode9i GodMode9i]===GBA Link Cable (GCN and Wii)===* [https://github.com/FIX94/gba-link-cable-dumper/releases GBA Link Cable Dumper] - Slow transfer speeds, can dump BIOS also. Cannot be used to dump GB(C) sadly. ==Nintendo DS / 3DS=====With Custom Firmware (On DSi)===* [https://github.com/RocketRobz/GodMode9i GodMode9i] - Only works if run off of SD card, not on flashcart.===With Custom Firmware (On 3DS)===To hack your 3DS, refer to [https://3ds.hacks.guide 3ds.hacks.guide]. DS and 3DS cartridges can be dumped using [https://github.com/d0k3/GodMode9/releases/ GodMode9]. This works for both the old and new models, as well as variations like the 2DS. ==Sony PlayStation 1/2=====With A PC's Optical Drive===Windows: Use [https://ninite.com/ImgBurn/ ImgBurn] It will ask you to install toolbars and other junk, choose custom installation and deselect them. It does not install them if you say no like other programs.

==PSP Eboots======Convert ISOs to EbootsPS Classics (PS1C PSP, PS1C PS3, PS2C PS3)====Convert your own Sony also has a digital distribution service for their old PS1 ISOs into Eboots using [http://pspslimhacksand PS2 games.com/psp-tutorials/converting-psone-games-The selection is limited considering Sony prohibits any kind of modification to-psp-eboots-psx-to-psp/ PSX2PSP].the ISO data compared ====Popsloader====If you are having some trouble with converted eboots, be sure to download '''Popsloader v4gFor PS1 Classics on PSP:''' [http://zloadRip the EBOOT.net/v2/archives/PBP file/?id=2417473 here]. Most of the games will work without it nowadays, but for those that don't, you'll need thisIt can be directly opened in some emulators like PCSX-R. See [https://googledriveIts ISO can also be extracted with other tools.com ==Sega CD /hostSaturn /0B1-FBFXyMbdvSDE1WnpfNW1wWTA/Pops-Compatibility-List.htm popsloader compatibility list]Dreamcast==For the Sega Saturn, see Playstation 1.

Use ===With a PC's Optical Drive===Only some out-of-print models of DVD drives may read GC and Wii discs, mainly from LG (compatibility list [httphttps://wiibrewforums.dolphin-emu.org/wiki/CleanRip CleanRipThread-howto-dump-wii-or-gamecube-games-with-pc-no-wii-needed here]). Even then, Windows won't recognize the disc as valid. You'll need a tool like Rawdump or Friidump to dump it. Make sure you convert the dump to ISO format.

===With Homebrew===For the GC and Wii, use [http://wiibrew.org/wiki/CleanRip CleanRip]. You'll need a Wii with homebrew channel installed, so if you don't have homebrew already, go [http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Homebrew_setup here] check which homebrew installation method works for what System Version you have ETC.

'''Instructions (#Make sure a GameCube controller is plugged into your Wii)'''.

'''Instructions for formatting SD card/USB stick:''' If your SD card or USB stick is not FAT32 or NTFS here's how to format on a Windows computer.

==Emulated ReleasesWii U==Sometimes the companies reWii U discs have rounded edges making it impossible to read on Blu-release Ray drives for PC the games digitallysame way, as though early dumping groups made a wrapper containing an emulator and non-public physical modification to the ROM. Depending on Wii U to dump the company, the ROM may or may not be data directly playable in regular emulatorsfrom its optical drive. You If your console can extract those ROMs and play them without having to go to shady sites nor tracking expensive cartridges and potentially breaking them in the ripping process. And you get to support the company who made the stuff you loverun homebrew, instead of resellers hoarding second-hand game copies. ===Virtual Console (Wiihowever, you can dump your Wii Udiscs with [https://gbatemp.net/threads/dumpiine-v1-0-dump-your-rpx-and-rpl.398790/ Dumpiine], 3DS)===The Wii VC releases are most of the time ready to work in emulators[https://gbatemp.net/threads/451736/ Wudump] or [https://wiiu.guide/disc2app disc2app]. In factOnly Wudump produces a lossless dump, Nintendo was so kind they even included the iNES headers in NES roms (16 bytes in others extract the beginning of the ROM that are not part of the original cart bare code and data yet the emulator needs them to know which mapper it is and run for the game at allin either RPX/RPL (Dumpiine). You can even replace the ROM with one from the same system from your choice, and get it to run if Nintendo's emulators are compatibleor WUPInstaller (disc2app) format.

Some Virtual Console versions have been enhanced or modified compared to ==Sony Playstation Portable / Playstation Vita=====Using PSP with Homebrew===To extract the original releaseISO game image from a physical PSP UMD disc, you simply need a 6.60 CFW PSP, its USB connection cable, and a PC.

While some just modify On the ROM directly (like Monster World IV's English translation)main menu, other modifications rely on real-time patching by patch files included press the Select button to bring the PRO VSH menu with the ROM neat overclocking options. You'll need to change UMD ISO MODE from "Memory Stick" to "UMD Disk" (like Romancing SaGa 2don't forget to revert this after you's extra dungeonsre done). The anti-seizure effects and texture enhancements are most of the time tied to the VC emulator.

AlsoNow, Super Nintendo ROMs have their SPC sound data blanked in if you "Initialize USB Connection" with your computer, what will appear under the ROM and stored freshly mounted drive in Windows isn't your memory stick, but a drive with a separate neat ISO fileripe for copying to your computer, meaning the ROM dump is incomplete for these. And which you might need can emulate or load in a byteswapper tool for N64 gamesCFW enabled PSP.

'''For Wii VC:'''==See Also==* Get ShowMiiWads.exe and select "I accept and take the risk of WAD editing features". Go to Tools/Create Common-Key and type in the text it asks you [[File_Hashes#Hash_Lists|Sites for. * You need a wad file of the VC app. * If you don't have a wad file yet, you can get it from a NAND dump extracted off your Wii with dedicated homebrew apps Determining Good Dumps (changing it and reinserting it in the Wii could be dangerous if you donCRC't know what are you doing, that was what the disclaimer was fors, itMD5's not relevant here though). In ShowMiiWads, click Options/Change NAND Backup Path, then click View/ShowMiiNand, and then on the file with the name of the game right-click and click Pack Wad. The you click again View/ShowMiiNandetc.)]]* Now that you have the wad file, go to File[http://Open Folder and where the wad file iswiki.* Right-click, Extractredump.org/To Folderindex.php?title=Dumping_Guides Redump Dumping Guides]* You go to the newly created folder, and you'll find lots of files. Chances are the biggest "app" file has the emulator and ROM data. It's usually "00000005.app" for MSX[https:/GEN/N64 romswiki.no-intro. In the utility, load it and click Toolsorg/Unpack U8 Archiveindex.php?title=Dumping_Guides no-intro Dumping Guides] (not maintained very well so some systems may have multiple methods not mentioned)

Congrats! You should have the ROM somewhere in there. Check the file sizes and name for hints and find out which one it is, it's part of the fun. However! Some post-2010 ROMs give inside another compressed "romc" file. That's the ROM, but compressed. You'll need the romc command-line decompression tool, following the commands:<br/>cd C:/romfolder/<br/>romc d C:/romfolder/romc C:/extractionfolder/customromname.extension ===PS Classics (PS1C Converting PS1 ISOs to PSP, PS1C PS3, PS2C PS3)Eboots===Sony also has a digital distribution service for their old Convert your own PS1 and PS2 ISOs into Eboots using [http://pspslimhacks.com/psp-tutorials/converting-psone-games. The selection is limited considering Sony prohibits any kind of modification -to-psp-eboots-psx-to the ISO data compared  '''For PS1 Classics on PSP:''' Rip the EBOOT.PBP file. It can be directly opened in some emulators like PCSX-R. Its ISO can also be extracted with other toolspsp/ PSX2PSP]. ===Various Compilations=Popsloader====* Sega Ages - MD* Sega Mega Collection (multiple systems) - MD* Sega I Love Mickey Mouse (Saturn) - MD - ROM divided* Animal Crossing GC - NESIf you are having some trouble with converted eboots, be sure to download [https:/SNES* Zelda Collector Disk GC - NES/N64 (includes 60Hz PAL OoTarchive.org/MQdownload/MM versions)* Konami Twinbee Collection popsloader- SNES v- ROM divided* Rare Replay  ==4i/Popsloader_v4i.7z Popsloader v4i]. Most of the games will work without it nowadays, but for those that don't, you'll need this. See [httphttps://emulation.gametechwikigoogledrive.com/index.phphost/0B1-FBFXyMbdvSDE1WnpfNW1wWTA/File_Hashes#Determining_Good_Game_Dumps Sites for Determining Good Dumps (CRC's, MD5's, etcPops-Compatibility-List.)htm popsloader compatibility list]==.