save states
Frozen game moments
Save states are snapshots of a video game's exact condition at a specific moment, allowing players to resume from that precise point later.
Unlike checkpoint systems built into games, save states capture everything—player position, inventory, enemy locations, even mid-jump timing.
The feature originated with emulators but has spread to official retro game collections: I abuse save states to get through hard sections, purists say save states cheapen the experience.
- quickloadsRapid save-state retrieval
- checkpointInspection station on route
- speedrunningCompleting games fastest possible
- memory cardPortable digital data chip
- game cartridgePortable console software housing
emulator · snapshots · backup · battery backup · savefiles · preservation · retro gaming · rewind · suspend · persist · unlockable · progress · homebrew · modchip · debug mode · patching · Easter egg · instant replay
- gaming techgame engine, graphics card, console, controller, GPU
- Retro ArcadePac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Asteroids, Galaga
- emulatorsStella, VICE
save statescheckpoints
Inspection stations along routes
autosave · autosaves · quicksave · cloud saves · quicksaves
save statesvolatile memory
Storage requiring constant power
game over · starting over · fresh start · reset · blank slate
save, states, state, saved, saves, saving, saver, savers, savings