First of all, this is not to talk about emulation by itself. It would be best not to even mention a particular emulator program. This is to talk about playing a game on an emulator, and then you liked it so much you bought the game for real.

Second of all, if you think buying a game you can pirate is for suckers... then why are you even on a site where sales is the point?

Anyway, this likely means I admit I use emulators. But as you can see from my games owned list, I also like to buy legitimately. I'd like to think I would buy most of the games I play on emulators for real, if I had the means, or didn't have to import the games (due to them not being in English). I would pay for Parodius, Sailor Moon Another Story, and the Magic Knight Rayearth (Super Famicom version) if they were on the virtual console. And I'm sure a lot of us would pay for the first Mother game if it was brought over here (and Earthbound should be on the VC as well).

So some games that I emulated, but then bought when I could, include:

• Phantasy Star I-IV: When I saw the PS2 Sega Genesis collection had II, III, and IV, it was worth the $20 for that alone. And when we got wireless internet, which meant the Wii could use it, and a Nintendo points card, Phantasy Star I was the first VC game I got.
• Kirby's Adventure: My brother and I played the first Kirby game on the gameboy, and we liked it a lot. I tried this game as a ROM, but somehow this felt better playing just in front of the TV. So I also got it on the VC later on.
• Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance and Aria of Sorrow: I tried these as ROMs, and thought they were great successors to Symphony of the Night. So when I saw the Double Pack, getting them both for one game was a no brainer. So I can now play the games anywhere.

EDIT: Um, is it not allowed to even bring up emulation in this manner (I'm having trouble finding the rules)? If so, then I will accept locking this thread and not bring it up again. If it is allowed, hopefully we can stay on topic. If not, I will accept locking it for that reason.

@ EDIT

Only if you are talking about a specific program/how to download ROMs etc.

@ OP

Yeah. I played Super Metroid on an emulator back in 05 and liked it a lot. Didn't get very far. Only escaped from Ceres Station and landed on Zebes. I eventually bought it on the VC just before Corruption was released.

Ive liked a game so much I got the rom, never in reverse however

yep, Red Alert 2, liked it SO much I boguht it twice

But you still had a legitimate copy anyway.

Same with me and Ocarina of Time. I own it 3 times and Resident Evil 4; I own it twice.

lol I own Ocarina of Time 3 times and Resident Evil 4 two times too

OOT - original, Master Quest, collector's edition

RE4 - GCube and Wii

I played Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask on an N64 emulator in the early 2000's and subsequently bought them in a 'Collector's Edition' package for the Gamecube.

As far as double-dipping for games goes, I've bought Deus Ex, Max Payne 1 and 2, Psychonauts, The Witcher, Giants: Citizen Kabuto, Civilization 4, The Longest Journey, Oblivion and Hostile Waters from either Steam or GOG despite already owning them on disc.

Nope that hasn't happened for me, I have however plaed a rom and later on bought it. But I was going to buy the game anyways. I did actually play a Dragon Ball adventure rom or something for gba and I ordered thew game from buy.com but they messed up my order and sent me some kind of video cable ??? but I got my refund and didn't re-order it.