Ok, I need to know this (well not need but want to know). How the heck do you rip sprites from SNES or NES ROMs. And also, what's a good app to make animated gifs?
I just take sequential screenshots myself, then assemble them in Fireworks. Certain emulators can simplify things. For instance, ZSNES can remove background layers and take frame-by-frame screenshots, both of which make the process much easier.
Fireworks comes with the Macromedia Studio. Costs about few 100 bucks. But I think you can buy it alone too, but i dont know what price. Its good though
Check Macromedia's homepage for a trial version, not sure about their current stand but previously most trial version weren't crippled. So, try it and if you like it - buy it.
A simple search would have answered your question. There are plenty of programs that can produce animated gifs, some undoubtedly freeware, but I find Fireworks to be the easiest (for me). Not to mention its other uses.