The ultimate emulator list [Dec. 2025]
Here are the best emulators for any system! At least according to me.
OS
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Platforms
- Linux
- Raspberry Pi
- Odroid
An operating system that can (but is not limited to) run on a USB flashdrive to turn any PC into an emulation machine ! Really awesome
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Linux
- Raspberry Pi
- Odroid
This does not emulate a specific system but is a Linux OS that emulate the tactile nostalgia of 90s-2000 retro-gaming era by being simple. Own your DRM-Free games on SD cards, plug them, boot your machine, play.
As it's linux-based it does support emulators.
Multi system
THE KING !!! You can run this on almost everything, I wouldn't be surprised if your microwave supports it. Not super user friendly but you have tons of ressources and tutorials online on how to use it.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Blackberry
- iPad
- F-Droid
- Steam
- Raspberry Pi
- Playstation
- Xbox
+6
+4
+24
If you're on iOS, Delta is the one. And is now on the Apple App Store !
Previously known as GBA4iOS ! It now support NDS and N64 emulation too!
Worth mentioning:
Folium
+1
For android this is my go to as it's user friendly and pretty complete ! It's basically a simpler retroarch with MaterialYou Design
A26, A78, Lynx, NES, SNES, GB, GBC, GBA, Megadrive, Mega CD, SMS, GG, N64, PSX, PSP, Arcade, NDS, PCE, NGP, NGC support.
This is a multi-system emulator but I love it for Master System, Saturn and GameGear but is mainly focus on Arcade! Works on macOS, Windows and Linux ! For Android -
MAME4droid
For iOS or iPadOS I used this one since it's a WebApp you won't have problem with Apple revoking access to the app. Open it in Safari and add it to home screen. But now that emulator are on the AppStore you probably just be using Delta or something else. NES, SNES, GB, GBC, GBA, SMS, and GG support.
For classic graphical point-and-click adventure games and RPGs - such as SCUMM games (like Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle)
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Windows Mobile
- Android
- iPhone
- Symbian S60
- BSD
- Snapcraft
- Flathub
- Haiku
- AmigaOS
- MorphOS
+2
Adobe Flash
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Flathub
- Flatpak
- Mozilla Firefox
- Android
- F-Droid
Nintendo
NES & FamiCom
The NES emulator if you want to run games with texture packs so your NES games looks more like SNES games.
The macOS build still has a number of limitations (e.g no gamepad support).
+5
Nestopia is a portable NES/Famicom emulator written in C++. Nestopia UE (Undead Edition) is a fork of the original source code, with enhancements from members of the emulation community.
Cost / License
- Free Personal
- Open Source
Platforms
- Android
+1
Super Nintendo
64
The most suitable option for most people. Based on
Mupen64Plus with a GUI more closer to 
Project64
Gamecube / Wii
THE Gamecube and Wii emulator of choice. Probably the best emulator of all time (don't use stable it's super old) For macOS, Windows, Linux and Android !
The MMJR2 version can have better performance on Android in some games https://github.com/Bankaimaster999/Dolphin-MMJR2
For iOS and iPadOS :
DolphiniOSCost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Flathub
- F-Droid
+6
If you're planning on playing Metroid Prime (or other NGC FPS) PrimeHack is a dolphin fork made for that so you have a better PC experience !
A different dolphin build with some cool additional enhancements like depth of field, ambient occlusion, various types of color correction and a whole lot more. Also support for older DirectX version and thus older Windows PCs.
Gameboy Color
+1
+4
Gameboy Advance
My go to standalone GBA emulator for macOS, Windows and Linux
Worth mentioning :
Visual Boy Advance-M
+1
+2
DS
+1
For Android this one has an official version of its emulator, it works okay and is on the Play Store.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Android
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Wii / Wii U
Gu
Comments
please take Nox, Gameloop and LDPlayer down because all 3 of them are bundleware + some of them are bloatware or use SPYWARE (Tencent Program/Gameloop)
I am aware of the bad state of Android Emulation on Computer but Stacks isn't much better in these regards, I've also linked debloating guide when I founded good updated ones but I'm going to put a stronger disclaimer.
I've also added
Google Play Games as it got recently released for everyone and also 
WSABuilds which might both be better options for most people.
just a heads up that cemu now has a linux version, so you might want to update your description on that one. although the alternativeto entry for this of course already reflects this.
Amazing thanks for bringing that up