EmulationStation AlternativesTop Game 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 Batocera.linux, Lakka, Mame and Pegasus.

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EmulationStation alternatives are mainly Game Emulators but may also be Game Library Managers or Linux Distros.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of EmulationStation.
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A graphical and themeable emulator front-end that allows you to access all your favorite games in one place, even without a keyboard!.

More about EmulationStation
EmulationStation alternatives page was last updated Jun 27, 2023
  1. RetroArch icon
     275 likes

    RetroArch is a graphical frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players.

    151 RetroArch alternatives
    Main view

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • iPad
    • OpenPandora
    • Steam
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Playstation
    • Xbox

    RetroArch Features

    1.  Multi System Emulator
    2.  Multiplatform
    3.  Emulation
    4.  Controller Support
    5.  Modular System
    6.  Gameboy emulation
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Variety
    9.  Rewind button
    10.  Portable
    RetroArch iconEmulationStation Icon

    RetroArch VS EmulationStation

    Is RetroArch a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
    Comments about RetroArch as an Alternative to EmulationStation
     
       
    Oktay Mercan

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

    Positive commentMay 1, 2019
    0
    Guest

    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.

    Negative commentFeb 15, 2018
    4
    Guest

    EmulationStation is an interface for retroarch.

    Negative commentJun 27, 2023
    0
    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. Batocera.linux icon
     19 likes

    Batocera.linux is an operating system specialized in retrogaming available for your pc and different nano computers like the Raspberry and the Odroids.

    12 Batocera.linux alternatives
    Batocera.linux screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Odroid

    Batocera.linux Features

    1.  Multi System Emulator
    Batocera.linux iconEmulationStation Icon

    Batocera.linux VS EmulationStation

    Is Batocera.linux a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  3. Lakka icon
     33 likes

    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.

    25 Lakka alternatives
    Splash screen

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Cubieboard
    • HummingBoard
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Odroid

    Lakka Features

    1.  Emulation
    2.  Linux-based
    Lakka iconEmulationStation Icon

    Lakka VS EmulationStation

    Is Lakka a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  4. Mame icon
     89 likes

    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.

    18 Mame alternatives
    Mame screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS

    Mame Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Integrated Android Emulator
    Mame iconEmulationStation Icon

    Mame VS EmulationStation

    Is Mame a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
    Comments about Mame as an Alternative to EmulationStation
     
    Guest

    Emulationstation is an interface for mame

    Negative commentJun 27, 2023
    0
    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
  5. Pegasus icon
     26 likes

    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.

    35 Pegasus alternatives
    Pegasus screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Raspberry Pi

    Pegasus Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Game Launcher
    Pegasus iconEmulationStation Icon

    Pegasus VS EmulationStation

    Is Pegasus a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  6. LaunchBox icon
     45 likes

    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...

    41 LaunchBox alternatives
    Immerse Yourself

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android

    LaunchBox Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Front End Emulation
    3.  Game Launcher
    4.  Batch import
    5.  Launcher
    LaunchBox iconEmulationStation Icon

    LaunchBox VS EmulationStation

    Is LaunchBox a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  7. RetroX icon
     6 likes

    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.

    107 RetroX alternatives
    RetroX screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    RetroX iconEmulationStation Icon

    RetroX VS EmulationStation

    Is RetroX a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  8. Retropie icon
     20 likes

    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.

    9 Retropie alternatives
    Retropie screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
    Retropie iconEmulationStation Icon

    Retropie VS EmulationStation

    Is Retropie a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  9. RomStation icon
     12 likes

    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.

    21 RomStation alternatives
    overview

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    RomStation Features

    1.  Emulation
    2.  Multi System Emulator
    3.  Integrated Search
    4.  Skinnable
    5.  Gamecube
    6.  Playstation
    7.  Multiple languages
    RomStation iconEmulationStation Icon

    RomStation VS EmulationStation

    Is RomStation a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  10. Mednafen icon
     21 likes

    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)...

    30 Mednafen alternatives
    Mednafen screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux

    Mednafen Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Multi System Emulator
    Mednafen iconEmulationStation Icon

    Mednafen VS EmulationStation

    Is Mednafen a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  11. WinDS PRO icon
     12 likes

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

    29 WinDS PRO alternatives
    Main Screen

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    WinDS PRO Features

    1.  Skinnable
    2.  Multi System Emulator
    3.  Multiple languages
    WinDS PRO iconEmulationStation Icon

    WinDS PRO VS EmulationStation

    Is WinDS PRO a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
  12. Happy Chick icon
     8 likes

    Happy Chick emulates more than 18 systems all in one APP, some of the included emulators are FAB/MAME/MAMEPLUS,PS,PSP,FC(NES),SFC(SNES),GBA,GBC,MD,NDS,DC,NGP,WS(WSC),PCE, ONS…etc. More games will be updated in the future...

    36 Happy Chick alternatives
    Happy Chick screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad

    Happy Chick Features

    1.  Multi System Emulator
    2.  Emulation
    Happy Chick iconEmulationStation Icon

    Happy Chick VS EmulationStation

    Is Happy Chick a good alternative to EmulationStation?
     
12 of 29 EmulationStation alternatives