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, Pegasus and LaunchBox.

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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.

EmulationStation

Game Emulator
Free • Open Source

EmulationStation is 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

RetroArch
RetroArch is a graphical frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players.
152 RetroArch alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Game Emulator
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Blackberry
- iPad
- OpenPandora
- Steam
- Raspberry Pi
- Playstation
- Xbox
+6
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
Show all NaN RetroArch features ▾
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 comment •May 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 comment •Feb 15, 2018
4
Guest
EmulationStation is an interface for retroarch.
Negative comment •Jun 27, 2023
0
Guest
You need retroarch for emulationstation... they work together not alternates
Negative comment •Oct 2, 2022
0
- 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

Lakka
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.
24 Lakka alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Game Emulator
- Linux Distro
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Cubieboard
- HummingBoard
- Raspberry Pi
- Nintendo Switch
- Odroid
Lakka Features
Emulation
Linux-based
Gaming-focused
Show all NaN Lakka features ▾
+4
Lakka VS EmulationStation
Is Lakka a good alternative to EmulationStation?

Mame
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...
18 Mame alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Game Emulator
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- AmigaOS
- MorphOS
Mame Features
Portable
Integrated Android Emulator
Show all NaN Mame features ▾
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 comment •Jun 27, 2023
0
- Some users think Mame is a great EmulationStation alternative, some don't.
- Mame is Free and Open SourceEmulationStation is also Free and Open Source

Pegasus
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 hi...
33 Pegasus alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Game Library Manager
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Raspberry Pi
Pegasus Features
Portable
Game Launcher
Show all NaN Pegasus features ▾
Pegasus VS EmulationStation
Is Pegasus a good alternative to EmulationStation?

LaunchBox
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 ...
39 LaunchBox alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application type
- Game Library Manager
Platforms
- Windows
- Android
+4
LaunchBox Features
1. Portable
2. Front End Emulation
3. Game Launcher
4. Batch import
5. Launcher
Show all NaN LaunchBox features ▾
LaunchBox VS EmulationStation
Is LaunchBox a good alternative to EmulationStation?

RomStation
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 toge...
21 RomStation alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
- Game Emulator
- Game Library Manager
Platforms
- Windows
RomStation Features
1. Emulation
2. Multi System Emulator
3. Integrated Search
4. Skinnable
5. Gamecube
6. Playstation
7. Multiple languages
Show all NaN RomStation features ▾
RomStation VS EmulationStation
Is RomStation a good alternative to EmulationStation?

Mednafen
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), SuperG...
30 Mednafen alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Game Emulator
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
Mednafen Features
Portable
Multi System Emulator
Show all NaN Mednafen features ▾
Mednafen VS EmulationStation
Is Mednafen a good alternative to EmulationStation?

Happy Chick
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 futur...
36 Happy Chick alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
Happy Chick Features
Multi System Emulator
Emulation
Show all NaN Happy Chick features ▾
Happy Chick VS EmulationStation
Is Happy Chick a good alternative to EmulationStation?

WinDS PRO
WinDS PRO contains the latest versions of the emulators for the Nintendo, Sega and Playstation consoles for PC including:
29 WinDS PRO alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application type
- Game Emulator
Platforms
- Windows
WinDS PRO Features
Skinnable
Multi System Emulator
Multiple languages
Show all NaN WinDS PRO features ▾
WinDS PRO VS EmulationStation
Is WinDS PRO a good alternative to EmulationStation?

RetriX
RetriX is an emulator front end for UWP, on all the hardware platforms it supports: it serves the same purpose as RetroArch but is built from the ground up to integrate as well as possible with Windows.
107 RetriX alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Game Emulator
Platforms
- Windows
- Windows Mobile
- Windows Phone
- Xbox
RetriX Features
Windows Compatible
Emulation
Multi System Emulator
Show all NaN RetriX features ▾
RetriX VS EmulationStation
Is RetriX a good alternative to EmulationStation?

QuickPlay
QuickPlay is a windows powerful universal emulator 'frontend-of-frontends', which has support for countless emulators and systems, old and new, with a philosophy of being quick and easy for new users, yet compre...
5 QuickPlay alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
QuickPlay Features
Portable
Front End Emulation
Game Launcher
Launcher
Show all NaN QuickPlay features ▾
QuickPlay VS EmulationStation
Is QuickPlay a good alternative to EmulationStation?

MESS
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.
104 MESS alternatives
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application type
- Game Emulator
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
MESS Features
Emulation
Multi System Emulator
Show all NaN MESS features ▾
MESS VS EmulationStation
Is MESS a good alternative to EmulationStation?