Certainly! Here’s the rewritten content while keeping the HTML tags and attachments intact:
<div id="content">
<article class="news-post">
<div class="news-article">
<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap lead-image-holder" data-post-url="https://www.slashgear.com/1850488/use-old-laptop-do-not-throw-out-make-video-game-emulator-instead/" data-post-title="Don't Throw Out Your Old Laptop, It Could Be Your New Favorite Game Console" data-slide-num="0" data-post-id="1850488">
<picture id="p0a6008a1edafb9441395f3ffbd82de1f">
<source media="(min-width: 429px)" srcset="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/intro-1746296655.webp" type="image/webp">
<source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/intro-1746296655.sm.webp" type="image/webp">
<img class="gallery-image" src="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/intro-1746296655.jpg" data-slide-url="https://www.slashgear.com/1850488/use-old-laptop-do-not-throw-out-make-video-game-emulator-instead/" data-post-id="1850488" data-slide-num="0" data-slide-title="Don't Throw Out Your Old Laptop, It Could Be Your New Favorite Game Console: " width="780" height="438" alt="A laptop with an old PlayStation controller"/>
</picture>
<span class="gallery-image-credit">The_burtons/Getty Images</span>
</div>
<div class="columns-holder">
<p dir="ltr">Instead of relegating that dusty old laptop to a forgotten corner, think about this — it could be your next preferred gaming device. If it powers on and runs Windows, that's all you need to transform it into a <a href="https://www.slashgear.com/1641993/retro-gaming-machines-worth-buying-used/" target="_blank">dedicated retro gaming machine</a>. No coding required, no pricey mods, just free software and some file organization.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p dir="ltr">Begin with EmulationStation-DE (ES-DE), a user-friendly, controller-compatible frontend providing a console-like experience for accessing games. Install it and direct it to your ROM folders where your games are stored. Create subfolders for each console—NES, SNES, Genesis, etc.—and it'll handle the rest.</p>
<p dir="ltr">To maintain organization, remove unused directories. Then, install RetroArch, the emulator backend performing the heavy lifting. This allows you to run games from various systems with individual emulator cores, without the hassle of juggling multiple applications.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Connecting a controller is also essential. Wired USB controllers usually work instantly, while wireless ones might require some adjustments in Windows Bluetooth settings. If RetroArch doesn't recognize your gamepad immediately, try switching input drivers until it connects. The process is relatively easy, although you might encounter minor issues with input mapping or emulator quirks. Nonetheless, once running, the entire setup resembles a plug-and-play gaming console; it's quick to boot, user-friendly, and excellent for everything from Mario to Metal Slug.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="news-article">
<h2 class="">What you can play (and what to expect)</h2>
<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap" data-post-url="https://www.slashgear.com/1850488/use-old-laptop-do-not-throw-out-make-video-game-emulator-instead/" data-post-title="Don't Throw Out Your Old Laptop, It Could Be Your New Favorite Game Console" data-slide-num="1" data-post-id="1850488">
<picture id="p1fbba2cece582f0c50943604fde345e6">
<source media="(min-width: 429px)" srcset="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/what-you-can-play-and-what-to-expect-1746296657.webp" type="image/webp">
<source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/what-you-can-play-and-what-to-expect-1746296657.sm.webp" type="image/webp">
<img class="gallery-image" src="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/what-you-can-play-and-what-to-expect-1746296657.jpg" data-slide-url="https://www.slashgear.com/1850488/use-old-laptop-do-not-throw-out-make-video-game-emulator-instead/" data-post-id="1850488" data-slide-num="1" data-slide-title="Don't Throw Out Your Old Laptop, It Could Be Your New Favorite Game Console: What you can play (and what to expect)" width="780" height="438" alt="Gamers using a modified Nintendo Controller"/>
</picture>
<span class="gallery-image-credit">Tatiana Maksimova/Getty Images</span>
</div>
<div class="columns-holder">
<p dir="ltr">Your device doesn’t have to come from one of the <a href="https://www.slashgear.com/1760450/best-gaming-laptop-brand-ranked-worst/" target="_blank">major gaming laptop brands</a> with top-tier specifications to handle retro gaming. Anything produced in the last decade or so can emulate systems up to the original PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, or even Nintendo DS. Install RetroArch, obtain the necessary cores for the systems you want, and you’re ready to go.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p dir="ltr">The key is to match the correct core with the appropriate ROM. For instance, SNES games typically perform best with the Snes9x or bsnes cores. Once your emulators are configured, EmulationStation-DE organizes everything into one stylish menu, complete with box art, descriptions, and even game previews.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Performance relies on your laptop's age, but older consoles are very forgiving. NES, SNES, Genesis, and <a href="https://www.slashgear.com/1580039/old-game-boy-value-today/" target="_blank">Game Boy systems (some of which can be surprisingly valuable)</a> require almost no computing power. Nintendo 64 and PlayStation games can also run smoothly, depending on the game and core used. For DS, you'll need a system with decent RAM and a mouse for touchscreen emulation. Challenges may arise with PAL region games running at incorrect speeds or input bugs specific to certain cores, but they are usually fixable with some trial and error.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p dir="ltr">You may encounter at least a few odd hiccups. Visual glitches, mismapped buttons, or audio delay—these can happen. Fortunately, EmulationStation and RetroArch both have active communities, and solutions are typically just a setting away. Expect to make adjustments, but once everything is set, you’re good to go.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="news-article">
<h2 class="">Why it's worth the effort</h2>
<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap" data-post-url="https://www.slashgear.com/1850488/use-old-laptop-do-not-throw-out-make-video-game-emulator-instead/" data-post-title="Don't Throw Out Your Old Laptop, It Could Be Your New Favorite Game Console" data-slide-num="2" data-post-id="1850488">
<picture id="pd2b7d995ef40291d2f54440ecb252536">
<source media="(min-width: 429px)" srcset="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/why-its-worth-the-effort-1746296658.webp" type="image/webp">
<source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/why-its-worth-the-effort-1746296658.sm.webp" type="image/webp">
<img class="gallery-image" src="https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/dont-throw-out-your-old-laptop-it-could-be-your-new-favorite-game-console/why-its-worth-the-effort-1746296658.jpg" data-slide-url="https://www.slashgear.com/1850488/use-old-laptop-do-not-throw-out-make-video-game-emulator-instead/" data-post-id="1850488" data-slide-num="2" data-slide-title="Don't Throw Out Your Old Laptop, It Could Be Your New Favorite Game Console: Why it's worth the effort" width="780" height="438" alt="Teen gaming online on his laptop using a controller"/>
</picture>
<span class="gallery-image-credit">Nomads Image Lab/Shutterstock</span>
</div>
<div class="columns-holder">
<p dir="ltr">Most vintage laptops are perfectly adept at emulating everything from 8-bit classics to early 3D consoles, and the setup requires only a time investment. You sidestep escalating prices of retro hardware and avoid dealing with troublesome cartridges or aging disk drives. With the right software, your games load in mere seconds, allowing you to save anytime, and they look fantastic on modern displays. Pairing it with your favorite controller transforms it into a comfortable experience that mimics a modern console while embodying the charm of classic games.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p dir="ltr">Additionally, the customizations make it uniquely yours. You can scrape artwork for your collection, download interface themes, and even set it to auto-launch into EmulationStation on boot. For newcomers to emulation, ES-DE and RetroArch greatly simplify the learning curve. For those who grew up loving these games, the reward is significant — rapid, reliable emulation right from your couch. If you have an old laptop gathering dust, this is the best use for it.</p>
</div>
</div>
</article>
</div>This retains the original HTML structure and attachments while rewriting the content for clarity and engagement.
