Retro gamers will have to find another method to play old games as Android removed a collection of console emulators from the Android markets. CNET reports that console emulators, N64oid, Nesoid and Snesoid from the -oid series developer Yong Zhang had been removed and his account with Android Market has been terminated.

The legality of emulators has long been a murky area. Emulators aren't by themselves illegal but using an actual game ROM is, at least according to Nintendo's lawyers. Commercial application stores don't carry emulators unless the included ROMs are licensed. Google has allowed users to sell emulators on its Android Market. Yongzh's emulators have been one of the most popular and highest rated in the market until his account was terminated.

Google now seems to have changed its tune in regards to emulators. Last month it removed the PSX4Droid emulator from the market, which may or may not have coincided with the release of the Ericsson Xperia which allows users to play old PlayStation games on the phone. Yongzh's Genesis emulator was also deleted from the site but this wasn't enough to appease the console makers who have complained to Google. Sega claims that users are playing illegally obtained ROM files on the emulators.

Users are now openly decrying the way Google is suddenly banning apps from the Android Market. Android users have long been used to the market's openness, a stunning contrast to Apple, and this sudden banning can be disconcerting. Suddenly app makers will have to think twice about posting their apps that are in the gray area, at least legally.

As for Yongzh there's no need to worry about him. The app maker may be out of his main source of income but the Android Market isn't the only site out there. He's transferred his emulators in an alternate app market Slide Me. The N64-oid has already registered more than 23,000 downloads since he posted the emulator on Sunday, proving that users will always find ways of getting illegal stuff.