EmulationStation Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to EmulationStation for Windows and since it's discontinued a lot of people are looking for a replacement. The best Windows alternative is RetroArch, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to EmulationStation and 19 are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to EmulationStation are Lakka, Mame, LaunchBox and Pegasus.

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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
  5. 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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  6. 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Raspberry Pi
    Pegasus screenshot 1
     
  7. 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
     
  9. 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
     
  10. Mednafen icon

    Mednafen

     20 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)...

    39 Mednafen alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Mednafen screenshot 1
     
  11. Happy Chick icon

    Happy Chick

     8 likes
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    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...

    39 Happy Chick alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Happy Chick screenshot 1
     
  12. Nostlan icon

    Nostlan

     5 likes
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    A front-end or user interface (UI) is the presentation and interaction layer of an app or website. Most modern emulator apps have basic game list UIs that you can interact with using a mouse/keyboard but not a game controller.

    116 Nostlan alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dolphin (Wii, Gamecube, Virtual Console) [Linux, macOS, & Windows]
     
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    Comments about Nostlan as an Alternative to EmulationStation
    kendo friendo
    Positive
    0

    The latest version of the application is locked behind a purchase. Users cannot change the theme of the application without donating to their patreon. Avoid.

    EmulationStation Icon
    Nostlan icon
    • Nostlan is Freemium and Open SourceEmulationStation is Free and Open Source
  13. HyperSpin icon

    HyperSpin

     10 likes
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    HyperSpin is an animated arcade frontend for Windows for use on Home Arcade Machines. HyperSpin allows you to create custom menu systems to run most executables with that arcade look and feel. HyperSpin takes a more artwork oriented approach to creating menu's.

    20 HyperSpin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    HyperSpin screenshot 1
     
  14. MESS icon

    MESS

     14 likes
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    MESS emulates portable and console gaming systems, computer platforms and calculators. The project strives for accuracy and portability and therefore is not always the fastest emulator for any one particular system.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Menu
     
12 of 19 EmulationStation alternatives