Some informations

Legality of Consolation

You probably know that downloading a game (on the lastest consoles or PC) is not legal.
Actually you can download a game if you have bought the exact same version of it. But it is kind of different for emulators and games also called ROMs.

They allow us to use and download games and emulators for consoles that are outdated. It is still not legal but they allow us to, so do not even hesitate to play old school games if you want to !

Here is more informations :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_console_emulator#Legal_issues

List of consoles that aren't outdated in 2015 :
- Playstation 3
- Playstation 4
- Play Station Portable
- Playstation VITA
- Wii
- Wii U
- Nintendo DS
- Nintendo 3DS
- Gamecube (yeah i know, hard to believe)
- Xbox 360
- Xbox One

There are not emulators for them except for a few of them, so anyway

Softwares

- Steam
- Xpadder (if you are using a controller that is not recognized by games or Steam).
- Logitech Assistant for games (being able to check in-real time the usage of your PC)

Hardware (recommanded)

- Quad core
- 4 OR 8GB RAM
- a GPU with at least 1.5GB of VRAM (Video Memory), GTX 560 to 980 or ATI 7770 to X295
- a TV or at least a 23" screen

for more informations take a look at the Hardware article.

Other informations

Does Consolation need an active internet connection ? No, you will need need it while installing everything (hardwares and softwares), but i recommand it to use Steam features.

Prices

Average price would be / for one unit :

30-40€  / Wiimote plus
20-30€ /  Logitech K400 *
24€ / Wired 360 controller
35€ / Wireless 360 controller **
12€ / 8 rechargeable batteries ***
50€ / Dualshock 4 controller
12€ / Kinivo BTD-400 Bluetooth 4.0 USB Adapter ****
400-500€ / the computer without screen (for more informations take a look at the Hardware article)

* is a Keyboard with a pad (like on laptops)
** (that also contains the wireless adapter in the box)
*** (if you need them for the wireless 360 controller) count 4 batteries per controller
**** (for the Dualschok 4)

Recommanded skills

- patience
- to know what a PNG image is and how to convert any format to this one, to know what a shortcut is and how to make one, to create a folder, to move files from a folder to another
- to follow instructions step by step
- still a lot of patience

No, you are not going to code, that's the beauty of this project !