Open Source Emulators
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Emulators
Browse free open source Emulators and projects for Mac and BSD below. Use the toggles on the left to filter open source Emulators by OS, license, language, programming language, and project status.
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NetherSX2 Classic
Continuation of NetherSX2 based on AetherSX2 3668
NetherSX2-classic is a companion and variant of NetherSX2 that targets a specific older base version of the AetherSX2 emulator (based on the 3668 branch), applying similar custom patches to provide a stable and performant PS2 emulation environment on Android devices. The project stitches in anti-tampering modifications, RetroAchievements notification fixes, and controller and GameDB updates while maintaining the legacy behavior of the classic build for compatibility with titles that might perform better on the older codebase. Because this classic branch starts from a slightly different upstream version than NetherSX2-patch, users often choose it for performance reasons on lower-power devices or for games with known regressions in newer builds. As with the patch variant, the repository includes configuration changes, fixes for widescreen and deinterlacing behavior, and updated game and controller support developed by the community. -
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GNS3
An advanced network simulator to design and configure virtual networks
Build, Design and Test your network in a risk-free virtual environment and access the largest networking community to help. Whether you are studying for your first networking exam or building out a state-wide telecommunications network, GNS3 offers an easy way to design and build networks of any size without the need for hardware. -
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VICE
Versatile Commodore Emulator
VICE is an emulator collection which emulates the C64, the C64-DTV, the C128, the VIC20, practically all PET models, the PLUS4 and the CBM-II (aka C610). It runs on Unix, MS-DOS, Win32, OS/2, Acorn RISC OS, BeOS, QNX 6.x, Amiga, GP2X or Mac OS X machines. -
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Bochs is a portable x86 PC emulation software package that emulates enough of the x86 CPU, related AT hardware, and BIOS to run Windows, Linux, *BSD, Minix, and other OS's, all on your workstation.
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DeSmuME
DeSmuME is a Nintendo DS emulator
DeSmuME is the most seasoned open source Nintendo DS emulator. It sports tools designed for hackers, speedrunners, youtubers, and casual gamers. Homebrew programs are supported and can even be debugged through GDB. The Windows and OSX versions are both relatively feature rich, and there is a small universe of forks and mods that add even more features for casual gaming. DeSmuME is the origin of RetroArch and OpenEmu Nintendo DS support and is used by several mobile Nintendo DS emulators, with the notable exception of DraStic. DeSmuME's source code is now hosted at https://github.com/TASVideos/desmume/ win32 autobuilds @ https://ci.appveyor.com/project/zeromus/desmume/build/artifacts -
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Wine
Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris, and Mac OS X
Wine is an Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X and Unix. Wine provides both a development toolkit for porting Windows sources to Unix and a program loader, allowing many unmodified Windows binaries to run on x86-based Unixes. -
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GoldHEN - PS4 Homebrew Enabler
PS4 Homebrew Enabler
GoldHEN is a homebrew enabler and payload designed for PlayStation 4 systems that enables the execution of unsigned code, modifications, and custom applications by leveraging kernel-level access. It functions as an enhancement layer built on top of exploited firmware environments, allowing users to unlock additional capabilities beyond what is normally permitted by the console. The project provides a wide range of system-level features, including debugging tools, cheat engines, and plugin support, making it popular within the console modification community. It integrates closely with the PS4 operating system to provide seamless functionality while maintaining system stability. GoldHEN also supports features such as FTP access and file system browsing, enabling users to manage internal data and install custom content. Its modular design allows developers to extend its capabilities through plugins and updates. -
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NetherSX2
Continuation of NetherSX2 based on AetherSX2 4248
NetherSX2-patch is a community-driven continuation and enhancement of the NetherSX2 Android PlayStation 2 emulator, itself a modded fork of the open-source AetherSX2 project originally based on PCSX2. It focuses on providing a more complete and feature-rich experience by applying patches to the upstream emulator build and removing ad-related bloat, fixing notification issues, and exposing many internal settings so users have finer control over performance and compatibility on mobile devices. The project maintains an up-to-date GameDB (game compatibility database), improves controller support, and includes widescreen and no-interlace patches that make many games look and run better on modern screens. Developers also include additional fixes specific to AetherSX2 and NetherSX2 builds, along with tools to resign APKs to avoid Play Protect warnings, which makes installation smoother on Android hardware. -
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The Free Unix Spectrum Emulator (Fuse): an emulator of the 1980s home computer and various clones for Unix, Mac OS X and Windows.
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VisualBoyAdvance
An emulator for Gameboy and GameboyAdvance systems
An emulator for Gameboy and GameboyAdvance systems. -
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This is Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) CLDC/MIDP Emulator. Allows demonstrate MIDlet based applications in web browser applet, also can be run as standalone java application.
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Denise
C64/Amiga emulator with shader and runAhead
Denise is a cycle accurate and platform independant C64 / Amiga 500/1000 emulator. My motivation for this project is understanding how it works and write clean and easy readable code. RetroArch SLANG shaders are supported by Denise. Features already known from the C64 emulation, such as runAhead, savestates, drive sounds, PAL encoding, dynamic rate control, G-Sync/FreeSync, Warp, just in time polling are also available for the Amiga. Denise supports SuperCPU, Final Chesscard, REU, GeoRam, EasyFlash, EasyFlash³, Gmod2, Retro Replay, Action Replay, Final Cartridge, Light Guns/Pens, GunStick, Mouse 1351, Mouse Neos, Paddles, fast loaders such as ProfDOS, PrologicDOS, DolphinDOS, ProSpeed 1571, Turbo Trans, 1571, 1581, drag'n'drop and command line support. GIT repo: https://bitbucket.org/piciji/denise/src/master -
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An open source NES Emulator for Windows and Unix that features solid emulation accuracy and state of the art tools for power users. FCEUX's source code is now hosted at https://github.com/TASVideos/fceux/ win32 autobuilds @ https://ci.appveyor.com/project/zeromus/fceux/build/artifacts
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RetroArch
RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.
RetroArch is a way to run classic games on a wide assortment of Operating Systems and Consoles. Support the Developers on their Patron! https://www.patreon.com/libretro -
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NESbox
Emulator of NES, SNES, Sega Mega Drive, GameBoy video consoles
The nesbox/emulator is an open source, browser-based emulator for a collection of retro gaming systems (NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Mega Drive, GameBoy, etc.). It’s written in ActionScript/Flash, and the project includes SWF binaries so you can embed the emulator into web pages. The emulator allows users to load ROMs and play them in their browsers via the Flash plugin. It’s licensed under the MIT license, meaning it’s quite permissive in terms of reuse. While Flash is an aging technology, the project remains a practical way to access old console gaming via browser, as long as Flash is supported or available. -
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xBRZ
xBRZ: "Scale by rules" - high quality image upscaling filter by Zenju
xBRZ is a high-quality image upscaling filter for creating beautiful HD representations from low-resolution images. Reference implementations for common emulators can be found in the download section: ● DOSBox ● ePSXe ● HqMAME ● ScummVM ● Snes9x ● Kega Fusion http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbrz/files/ Test the xBRZ scaler with your own images and compare against other scalers with the "Scaler Test" tool: http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbrz/files/ScalerTest_1.1.zip -
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Yabause is a portable Sega Saturn emulator.
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ASAP (Another Slight Atari Player) plays and converts 8-bit Atari music (*.sap, *.cmc, *.mpt, *.rmt, *.tmc, ...) on modern computers and mobile devices.
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This emulator is capable of providing a faithful replication of the HP48. It also has a debugger for the saturn processor.
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Java SID Player Music Library V2
C64 Emulator
This is a Commodore 64 emulator specialized for sound reproduction. It is also a SID player for music collections like HVSC and CGSC. It is a full C64 emulator and can play games of the GameBase64 project as well. -
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DICE is a Discrete Integrated Circuit Emulator. It emulates computer systems that lack any type of CPU, consisting only of discrete logic components.
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NET-Simulator was created to help lecturers and students in the study of computer networks. Students can build virtural networks in the virtual environment provided by NET-Simulator. These devices are controlled by means of command line interface.
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Android Emulator M1 Preview
Preview of some basic Android emulation functionality
android-emulator-m1-preview captured the early effort to bring the Android Emulator to Apple Silicon by targeting the ARM64 host and macOS virtualization APIs. The preview introduced native builds that avoid x86 translation, dramatically improving boot time, UI smoothness, and battery usage on M1-class Macs. It documented limitations typical of a preview—graphics features, sensor fidelity, and compatibility quirks—while outlining the path to parity with established macOS targets. Developers could test app installs, basic input, and network scenarios to validate their toolchains ahead of mainstream IDE support. The project also served as a staging ground for feedback on Hypervisor.framework usage, Metal rendering, and system image formats for ARM guests. Although superseded by stable emulator releases, it remains a useful historical reference for how Android tooling crossed the Apple Silicon transition. -
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RetroPie BIOS
Full BIOS collection for RetroPie
RetroPie BIOS is a curated collection of BIOS files intended for use with the RetroPie emulation platform, providing the essential firmware required to run a wide range of classic gaming systems. The repository organizes BIOS files for numerous consoles and arcade systems, ensuring compatibility with RetroPie and related emulation environments. Each file in the collection has been verified against reference databases such as the Libretro system definitions, ensuring accuracy and reliability. The project simplifies the process of setting up emulation systems by consolidating required BIOS files into a single, organized package that users can directly integrate into their RetroPie installation. It also includes checksum validation mechanisms, allowing users to verify file integrity and ensure that BIOS files match expected standards. By maintaining a structured and verified dataset, the repository reduces common issues associated with missing or incorrect BIOS files.
