Nintendo offers many classic games over the Wii's Virtual Console, but who wants to pay $5 for an original NES game after investing all that childhood allowance money on the real thing? We're not lawyers, but there are some ways to play these games legally without spending a dime.
VirtualNES.com is a Web site that allows you to play a large library of Nintendo games right over the Internet. All you need is the Java Plug-in and you're ready to go. You probably have the plug-in already, but if not, your browser will likely bring up a download prompt when you visit the site.
To select a game, use the alphabetical index on the top right corner of the screen and choose a game from the list. VirtualNES uses the keyboard as the controller, with the arrow keys functioning as the directional pad and the Z, X, Ctrl and Enter keys functioning as the A, B, Select and Start buttons, respectively.
The Web site claims to be legal because it does not allow players to download the games in question, but this hasn't stopped the Entertainment Software Association from contending VirtualNES's legality. As an extra precaution, only games that VirtualNES owns in physical hard copy are accessible from the site. Additionally, VirtualNES argues that it has added legal safety because it is an advertisement-free, non-commercial Web site.
Console Classix is a downloadable program that acts as a virtual game rental store. Users browse the list of available games, and select one for a temporary download. Like a rental store, this game is now "out" and unavailable to other users of the service. That means there's a chance you'll have to wait to play some games, but by downloading the game and playing it on a Nintendo emulator, you can plug in your own game pad or take advantage of save states (allowing you to freeze the game for later).
This Web site claims to be legal because it's akin to borrowing a game from a friend. There's no duplication going on because only one copy of a game is allowed out at a time.
In case you are in the spending mood, these sites do rely on donations to stay up and running. VirtualNES accepts money, games and server space. Console Classix offers a premium membership for $5 per month, which also allows access to games for other consoles.