EmulationStation AlternativesGame Emulators and other similar apps like EmulationStation

EmulationStation is described as 'A graphical and themeable emulator front-end that allows you to access all your favorite games in one place, even without a keyboard!' and is a Game Emulator in the gaming software category. There are more than 25 alternatives to EmulationStation for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Android, Raspberry Pi and Mac apps. The best EmulationStation alternative is RetroArch, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like EmulationStation are Lakka, Mame, Batocera.linux and LaunchBox.

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EmulationStation alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. RetroArch icon

    RetroArch

     319 likes
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    A fast, modular emulator frontend offering portability and extensive support for systems from arcade consoles to mobile platforms, featuring game engines like Doom and Quake, and capabilities for real-time rewinding and shader support on a variety of devices.

    155 RetroArch alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Steam
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Main view
     
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    11
    Comments about RetroArch as an Alternative to EmulationStation
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    0

    RetroArch is core (emulator) but emulationStation is like a interface or GUI.

    Guest
    Negative
    4

    RetroArch allows you to emulate directly using "cores" included with the program and downloadable from their website. EmulationStation does not do emulation, and only acts as a front-end for other emulators installed on the system.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    EmulationStation is an interface for retroarch.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    EmulationStation Icon
    RetroArch icon

    • Some users think RetroArch is a great EmulationStation alternative, some don't.

    • RetroArch is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to EmulationStation.

    • RetroArch is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to EmulationStation.

    • RetroArch is Free and Open SourceEmulationStation is also Free and Open Source
  2. Lakka icon

    Lakka

     37 likes
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    Lakka is the official Linux distribution of RetroArch and the libretro ecosystem. Each game system is implemented as a libretro core, while the frontend RetroArch takes care of inputs and display.

    37 Lakka alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Cubieboard
    • HummingBoard
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Odroid
    Splash screen
     
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    7
  4. Mame icon

    Mame

     94 likes
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    MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. When used in conjunction with images of the original arcade game's ROM and disk data, MAME attempts to reproduce that game as faithfully as possible on a more modern general-purpose computer.

    24 Mame alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Mame screenshot 1
     
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    6
    Comments about Mame as an Alternative to EmulationStation
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Emulationstation is an interface for mame

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    EmulationStation Icon
    Mame icon

    • Some users think Mame is a great EmulationStation alternative, some don't.

    • Mame is Free and Open SourceEmulationStation is also Free and Open Source
  6. LaunchBox icon

    LaunchBox

     49 likes
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    LaunchBox was originally built as an attractive frontend to DOSBox, but has since expanded to support both modern PC games and emulated console platforms. LaunchBox aims to be the one-stop shop for gaming on your computer, for both modern and...

    54 LaunchBox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    Immerse Yourself
     
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    7
  7. Pegasus icon

    Pegasus

     28 likes
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    Pegasus is a graphical frontend for browsing your game library (especially retro games) and launching them from one place. It's focusing on customizability, cross platform support (including embedded devices) and high performance.

    49 Pegasus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Raspberry Pi
    Pegasus screenshot 1
     
  9. Retropie icon

    Retropie

     23 likes
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    RetroPie allows you to turn your Raspberry Pi or PC into a retro-gaming machine. It builds upon Raspbian, EmulationStation, RetroArch and many other projects to enable you to play your favourite classic games with the minimum set-up.

    13 Retropie alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
    Retropie screenshot 1
     
  10. WinDS PRO icon

    WinDS PRO

     13 likes
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    WinDS PRO contains the latest versions of the emulators for the Nintendo, Sega and Playstation consoles for PC including:

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main Screen
     
  11. RetroX icon

    RetroX

     6 likes
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    RetroX is an Android application that will help you organize and play your own Retro Games with the less possible effort. Put your collection in your device and RetroX will take care of the rest.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    RetroX screenshot 1
     
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    9
  12. RomStation icon

    RomStation

     12 likes
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    Simple and all in one emulation with RomStation!

    Features

    • All in one GB, GBC, GBA, NDS, NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, Game Gear, Master System, MegaDrive, 32X, Mega-CD, Dreamcast, Neo-Geo, PS1, PS2 and Arcade together in one program.

    • Fast access to games The entire RomSt.

    24 RomStation alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    overview
     
  13. Mednafen icon

    Mednafen

     21 likes
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    Mednafen is a portable, utilizing OpenGL and SDL, argument(command-line)-driven multi-system emulator with many advanced features. The Atari Lynx, GameBoy (Color), GameBoy Advance, NES, PC Engine (TurboGrafx 16), SuperGrafx, Neo Geo Pocket (Color), PC-FX, and WonderSwan (Color)...

    38 Mednafen alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Mednafen screenshot 1
     
  14. Recalbox icon

    Recalbox

     15 likes
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    Recalbox is a light embedded system created to run on the raspberryPi ,raspberryPI 2 and others!

    11 Recalbox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Odroid
    Recalbox screenshot 1
     
12 of 29 EmulationStation alternatives