Can you play the NES Classic on an iMac (late 2012)

[TJ82]

Anyone tried this or know if it's possible? Missus wants a NES Classic but we don't have a TV (we're odd like that!). She has a 2015 15inch MPB, and I've got a late 2012 iMac. Can it be done on either? Or have i Got to get a TV too?

 

[Krevnik]

You can't use either Mac as a monitor (no HDMI input).

But you can buy a monitor with HDMI input (24" 1080p monitors are plentiful and not too expensive for decent quality).

 

[TJ82]

You can't use either Mac as a monitor (no HDMI input).

But you can buy a monitor with HDMI input (24" 1080p monitors are plentiful and not too expensive for decent quality).

Thanks Krevnik. Shame, is there no way to convert the signal from HDMI to something to iMac can use?

 

[CaneCollegeboy]

Honestly just download openemu and you can play the old nes games or snes games on the imac

 

[TJ82]

Thanks Cane, will run that past her

 

[Krevnik]

Thanks Krevnik. Shame, is there no way to convert the signal from HDMI to something to iMac can use?

The issue is that the computers aren't displays. They are computers. It's possible, but it isn't really what you are looking for. There's no good way to turn these computers into displays, even if they have one. It's a hardware limitation.

Now, you could get video capture hardware, but it's easier just using OpenEMU like the other poster says, or buying a cheap 1080p monitor. And depending on how good the video capture tool is, it can be in the same price range (or more) than even a gaming 1080p monitor, but introduce lag because it's capturing and processing the video rather than displaying it. That's why I don't recommend it.