Based on the way I get Xbone games, I'm not going to pass judgement on anyone.

^^^This

Pirates are immortal . Is it good thing ?

There goes the excuse that it will never be available again
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-07-14-nintendo-announces-palm-sized-mini-nes-console

Always found it odd to say, well if I can't buy it, it's ok to steal it. You're not starving, there's plenty other stuff to buy. Just admit you're stealing and too lazy to track down a legitimate copy and move on.

This is my case. I don't mind buying old PC games or retro titles on PSN or VC. If they're actually there that is. Otherwise, zero regrets pirating.

Well now, keep in mind that system comes with a selection of NES first party titles and some select third party ones like Mega Man 2 is included... but just the second game, no Metal Gear, Super C but not the first title? , doesn't even have Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde heh.

But yeah while this is a nice way to play a selection of the titles from the NES licensing issues or just lack of effort for some of the titles on that system leaves the only place to get them to play is on ebay from people who aim to profiteer from the sale of the rarity of those carts, Nintendo isn't getting cash from those transactions, in the same way people claimed that USED games were as bad for this generation as piracy I don't see why buying the Games off Ebay vendors does anything extra for Nintendo over going to .... a website and downloading the ROMs of those titles, literally no difference to the bank account you seem to think people are "stealing" money out of.

How is it discontinued.... most game are available for sell on Virtual consoles. What your doing is illegal but not really being inforce, you should really do what feal right for you. But never the less even as a poor student you could always get a job and support your gaming hobby. The cost of these game are pretty cheap on virtual consoles. I would say if you intended to play a game to completion then I would make an effort to support the creator.  Would you ever go to work and expect nothing back and no salary? The problem is the same with all media Books, Music, TV show & Movies, people consume all these illegally and feel no remorse. I say do right for you and please support when you can.

Another huge advantage with releases on GOG is that they fix compatability issues for the OS as well, the games simply work. I have 60-70 titles on GOG now, most are games I've played before, released in digital and more bug free and functional versions. It's a genius idea, really!

In my case, yes.

I used to pirate older games out of convenience. But with the advent of digitalisation in the gaming space a lot of old games have been easier to find legally via gog or virtual console. Most of them are affordable so I prefer to buy them that way.

I would still pirate if there is no other way for me to play/enjoy the game. The Ace attorney investigations games for example never made it to the west, but there is a fan translation patch you can use. Or Anno 1404 never got a mac port but you can play it via wine or get the 'Anno 1404.app'. If it's a port issue I usually own the games, but use pirated versions out of convenience.

Yes. I've bought games that I played and beat pirated for that platform.