For most 8-bit and 16-bit consoles (NES, SNES, Game Boy, Genesis) a BIOS is not required by emulators. PS1, PSP, Sega CD and some arcade systems do need BIOS files, which are copyrighted firmware that should be dumped from your own hardware. Our emulation guides explain exactly which platforms need BIOS and how to check your system for them.
Do I need a BIOS file to play retro games?
Most 8-bit and 16-bit games run without BIOS; PS1 and some arcade games need one.
