I prefer playing games on original consoles simply because it feels more special. Also, I only use special features like save states for games that I find really difficult and tedious to play without them. With most games, I've only experienced how they run on emulators and I'm always curious about how they run on the actual console.

When it comes to handheld games I don't really care though, the controls aren't as different and on emulator, the screen is better and bigger.

Performance-wise, I have yet to find any difference between original hardware and emulators. For most intents and purposes I prefer to use an emulator, if solely for convenience.

However, I do appreciate the "specialness" of playing a game on console. It adds an aura of authenticity- quite a pervasive force I find.

In my opinion, I prefer to use both. Emulation for convenience and original hardware just because it is the original and physical, makes me feel better. 

Although, there are advantages to emulation such as quick saving and fast forwarding.

Original when I can,but there is nothing wrong with an emulator. Emulators give us the ability to play an unknown or long lost game in the comfort of our homes and the originals just feel right. Like playing an arcade cabinet.

The physical form is the way that the game is meant to be played, and to me, that means it's the best way to play by default.
However, emulation can be helpful when you 
-Want to play a game that is way out of your budget
-Need to record game footage
-Want to play a translated version of a game that wasn't released in the US (I'm looking at you, Mother 3)
-Want to see games with a crisper image than what is projected onto the screen

So, I think emulation is pretty awesome, all things considered. But given the choice, I prefer the physical console version. Because you just can't beat that.

When the controller works for it.

Emulation for a few reasons 1. I don't really have money to spend on an actual console (the only console/system I have is a 3DS) 2. I can play home console games on the go using emulators 3. I can use cheats more easily 4. our house is kinda small so there's really nowhere to set up game consoles without it being in the way and 5. I can play hacked versions of games using emulators

I would love to be able to play all the games I've emulated on the real machine but it is so hard to find games for NES or SNES anymore that I don't bother. Plus, being able to use save states while playing a game makes most games a LOT easier to play. Better than having to wander around to fight a spot to save in those old games.

Still, I would love to play games on my TV like I used to instead of on my computer screen.

"Emulation is Preservation" - CammyQuotes

   Hmm, that's pretty much a hard decision for me I guess 0.0. Well let's think this clearly first.
The Emulation
   By performance wise, and game play wise, I think this one takes the top on those topics. I mean by performance wise, it depends mostly on what game, or console it is, and it might either run smoothly or really bad. It also depends on what type of computer it is as well. Besides, my computer only has a touch pad mouse, and not the better scrolling mouse that all desktops have, and some laptops may have (bought separately). My computer doesn't run well with games and it is mostly a office working laptop, or a home laptop. You can also connect controllers to your computer (which is a plus) which whatever feels comfortable. So you can play the computer by its buttons and mouse, or use the controller. People also said that you can use save states, slowdowns, and more, but I think that only applies to old games only.
The Original Hardware
   The original hardware, is really just for authenticity, and people who wants to get nostalgic somehow, But also, can be used for, if your computer is bad, meaning this would also replace the performance of your computer. Though there's a few issues though. One, your cartridges or CDs can mess  up and can ruin your game play, or won't let you play at all. This is the thing, with computers. There isn't the physical copy of the game, if you download it. If you have the physical copy, you might ruin it or destroy it though. 2nd, you might lose it. With cartridges and CDs, you can lose it somehow. Meaning you can't play it anymore, but with computers, it is hard to lose it. There may be more to talk about here, but I think this is fair enough.
My personal verdict
   Honestly, though, even if I talked about how better the emulation is, I'd rather stick with the original hardware. You get this feeling of authenticity, and you can have collection of games at your house. I mean, it feels good getting all the games and stuff, but also you get to play it on your television, which is bigger than the computer itself (well, if the computer screen is really big though 0.0), so for now, I'll stick with the Original Hardware.

This is a question that has multiple answers, at least for me, but I will try to give you a fairly varied one.  Basically, I was raised on console gaming starting with the Sega Genesis, built a fairly big collection of consoles throughout my lifetime, and never really got into PC gaming until Steam entered my life around 2010 or something.  For some things, I agree.  Having physical hardware can add to the authenticity aspect of playing your favorite video games, especially if they were particularly old and you still knew the cheat codes for them.  I remember wishing Sonic & Knuckles Collection was on the Genesis, at least until I grew older and wiser, when I learned that I already basically HAD Sonic & Knuckles Collection by owning Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, and a fair several Genesis cartridges in my bedroom.  But as far as emulation, I apologize, but I think this should be the go-to option if you just don't have the money, don't trust digital distribution, and just REALLY want to play some Turtles in Time or something.  I do agree that people shouldn't just constantly emulate games and never buy the real thing, but at the same time, companies make some pretty weird decisions, so emulation should instead be seen as something of a safe bunker created by the fans.  So I both emulate and purchase physical things proudly.  Because sometimes, it feels good to walk a thin line between two avenues.

If it is possible, I love to play games on the real hardware, has a certain feeling of authenticity for me. It is also why I get flashcarts, so that I can play on the original hardware.

For me it really all comes down to what I'm emulating. I'm not gonna emulate Wario Ware Twisted but I will emulate Zelda. I've also had issues performance wise using emulators which causes me to play that certain game on hardware. Honestly despite the minor issues that emulation has I prefer it over hardware because it can be convenient as well.

I'm a casual collector and I'm into gaming history and stuff, so maybe that's why I prefer playing on the actual hardware. But for games that are hard to find or that I only want to try briefly, I'm fine with emulating them. You can generally get higher quality screenshots and video from emulating too, so that's nice. And save states are handy for practicing certain parts of a game if I'm speedrunning it.

As a console peasant (which I do not mind calling myself that) and becoming a pc peasant as well. I say the console because it brings more nostalgia into playing the game on the original hardware. And it gives you that good feeling knowing you still own that hardware and it works along with the games that run with that console. Still I like emulating cause some of the games you never got to play or which case was too much money to get back at the time is now free and you can play it to your liking and have replay value as the same can be said on the console.

I definitely prefer the original hardware.
Emulation makes it too tempting to use save states and other things I would consider "cheats."
Not to mention, some games just don't work the same as they would on the original hardware (ie: Sonic's music on emulation >.< ).

It really makes no difference for me. As long as I can make the controls work well enough to play, I'm a happy gamer. I simply use emulation for the games I can't find or play on an actual system. As long as it runs fine, a game's a game

Generally, I prefer to use the original hardware if possible.  I tend to feel that not only is it a more genuine experience, but often, certain games run better (no lag, no glitches, etc.) on their original hardware (mostly more modern consoles in my experience).  However, I do find that sometimes emulation can give a better experience (perhaps on old consoles or old handheld consoles where emulation can allow for HD upscaling or, just in general, easier to see screens).  So in the end, I guess it just depends, but I lean towards original hardware.

I'd much rather play the game on its console of origin. I never liked emulating games before I found this site. For one I always got performance issues whie emulating on my pc. When playing a PS1 game on my console I at least KNOW it's gonna work when I push the on button. Setting up the emulator to its right settings, getting the right BIOS files, etc. It's pretty tedious work.

I love the emulator this site has though, because basically everything you need is all there already, so with a click of a button you're making use of the emulator, which is good. But then there's the morality issue I have for some reason. Emulating games just doesn't feel right for me. I know developers aren't making money off of retro games anymore so it wouldn't matter if you'd emulate them, but I still feel weird when playing Ocarina Of Time on an emulator when I didn't pay money for it. The only games I plan on playing in the Retro Game Room are ROMhacks.

As a collector, I like to simply have games. I mean, I love playing them, but it's nice to actually own something physical. I'm not that there yet by a long shot, but just imagining having a room, dedicated to your collection of video games and gamesystems. Inviting friends over, starting up the N64 and playing Mario Kart together... I'd imagine there's no feeling quite like it. It's something emulators just cannot accomplish.