Dear Future Gamer,

I am an emulation fan and thought I would respond and give you my thoughts on the subject. I'd also like to know what steps Nintendo are taking about the recent UltraHLE emulator.

I wouldn't like to be quoted on the following information as it came from an emu news site and may not be accurate. Anyway, this site says that the N64 contains a "security chip," the purpose of which is to stop people being able to write emulators and copy games.

For those that don't know, copying games is legal (due to the data protection act you are allowed to back up any software you own whether it be on cartridge or a more popular format). Nintendo are reluctant to take the makers of UltraHLE to court because of the implications of the security chip. To cut a long story short, Nintendo could find that the security chip is declared illegal as it stops people making back-up copies.

I do not agree with what Rick said about the N64 being crap because someone managed to write an emulator for it. When you look at all the other failed N64 emulators you can only come to the conclusion that the makers of UltraHLE put an inordinate amount of effort into the emulator.

Andrew Burchill

FG: Nintendo could well find themselves in a tricky position, we'll keep you up to date with any news we hear. In the meantime, though, you'll enjoy our Emulator feature in next week's FG, (it's not N64-specific).