I just shake my head everytime I see these kinds of compilations released. I’ve been playing these games for years, through emulation. These bundles advertise being able to use filters for ‘authenticity’ gameplay, online playability and such. Emulators can and have long done these things too.
But, there are people out there, who’ll wait for years on end for these compilations to be made and some shamelessly buy them. When you can cut all of that down by spending less than 2 minutes grabbing a ROM and grabbing an emulator before you’re well on your way to revisit your old favorites.
I agree, with one small caveat: Capcom actually made the Mega Man Battle Network games better through their collection - and while I’m sure those QoL features could have been implemented in ROMhacks (and I’m happy with emulation), I don’t begrudge anyone who has it. I’ve also bought the Mega Man & Zero collection carts for 3DS, because I wanted to play them specifically on that device.
Konami, shockingly, also did right by fans with the Yugioh Early Days collection, since they brought over a game that wasn’t translated (and the fan translation isn’t perfect) in Capsule Monsters, and I’m pretty sure there’s other improvements as well. Again I’m satisfied with emulation on those games, but I can’t bring myself to despise people who have bought the collection.
But that’s two or three examples against however many.
But I want to know how far back your outlook on this goes: Super Mario All-Stars (+ Super Mario World) is notable for bringing all 4 NES Mario games to SNES. It’s arguably a remaster collection. Should people have been as enthusiastic about it at the time? Or how about the first of these from Konami - Ninja Gaiden Trilogy?
Where does the line get drawn?