hedwards: My main concern would be the ability of GOG or somebody else to accurately emulate those newer systems as my current computer can't even run BSNES at full accuracy.

hedwards: In terms of IP we tend to be much more strict about it than most other parts of the world.

And yes, I'm pretty sure the patents on the SNES and Genesis have expired, I have in my possession a NES/SNES/Genesis machine and the only way that's possible is that the patents expired. Which given the typical term for patents in the US, is to be expected.

Emulation itself has never been illegal around here provided that it didn't infringe on any patents or make use of privileged information.

Newer systems are more likely to run into patent problems though, and at any rate any games from after the SNES/Genesis period are likely not to be hard to get ones hands on anyways, even those systems are often times still pretty cheap as well.

My main concern would be the ability of GOG or somebody else to accurately emulate those newer systems as my current computer can't even run BSNES at full accuracy.

SirPrimalform: What threshold of accuracy are we talking about? I've been using ZSNES for years and didn't notice a great deal of 'inaccuracy'.

wodmarach: Patents are not the problem the problem is the copyright of the ROMs in a system. Emulating the hardware is fine using a ROM image you don't have permission to use is the problem.

hedwards: Depends on the ROM, many ROMs are going to work just fine, but then there are other ones that depend upon a bug or glitch in the hardware to render properly. In general it's better to do the emulation accurately and then not have to worry about having an obscure ROM that doesn't work.

PenutBrittle: SNIP
Also, I can't imagine you could emulate a game without the original console manufacturer's permission. It'd be fine to make a PC port (like the FF7 or Metal Gear Solid), but I highly doubt you could distribute a ROM commercially.

PenutBrittle: Also, I can't imagine you could emulate a game without the original console manufacturer's permission. It'd be fine to make a PC port (like the FF7 or Metal Gear Solid), but I highly doubt you could distribute a ROM commercially.

Snickersnack: Konami Collector's Series: Castlevania & Contra
http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/konami-collectors-series-castlevania-contra

I wonder if Konami needed permission to release this. The NES has no BIOS and most games were programmed to the metal.

hedwards: Unlikely, any contract that would have been in effect for NES or probably SNES with a provision for exclusivity wouldn't be enforceable now, given the number of intervening years and the out of production status of the hardware.

So, unless they signed a new licensing agreement covering emulation the rights are almost certain to belong exclusively to Konami to emulate the game on whatever hardware it sees fit.

Siecje: It doesn't appear that GOG has console games, there are a lot fo great greats exclusively for consoles.

Is it planned to expand with console titles?

You could use emulators and then provide more games, I like not having to deal with DOS Box when playing your games.

doady: Emulators are not illegal.

Snickersnack: That sounds reasonable. I'm just amazed that emulated console game compilations (on platforms with different owners) are such a rarity. It seems like free money.

wodmarach: Patents are not the problem the problem is the copyright of the ROMs in a system. Emulating the hardware is fine using a ROM image you don't have permission to use is the problem.

Navagon: Now this is what I was getting at, but you said it better. Essentially you'd need to create something that was compatible yet wholly different. Or you'd need permission. I don't know which would be more difficult, but chances are that, financially speaking, it wouldn't be worthwhile.