Last Updated on January 28, 2019
This page is retained for historic interest only. Read our updated article showcasing the best free Linux video console game emulators.
Emulation refers to the duplication of functions of one system using a different system. Specifically, an emulator is software specifically written to emulate aspects of the original console or computer, primarily the CPU, I/O and memory system.
This article focuses on selecting the best software which enables a Linux machine to emulate classic video consoles, such as the GameBoy, Nintendo 64, Megadrive, PlayStation 1 & 2, and many others. Please be aware that although all of the software featured in this article is free to download, some of the emulators are not open source.
Other emulators that are worthy of mention include Dolphin, and Snes9x; the former is a promising Gamecube / Wii emulator in its very early stages of development, the latter is a cross-platform emulator for the SNES.
To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 21 high quality Linux Video Console emulators. Hopefully, there will be something of interest for anyone who wishes to have some fun and reminisce about their misspent youth.
Now, let’s explore the 21 emulators at hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, providing a screenshot of the software in action, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources and reviews.
| Video Console Emulators | |
|---|---|
| DeSMuMe | Nintendo DS emulator that aims to be portable |
| FCEUX | NTSC and PAL Famicom/NES emulator |
| KiGB | Accurate emulator for Gameboy, Gameboy Color and Super Gameboy |
| Mednafen | Emulates GameBoy (Color), GameBoy Advance, and other systems |
| Mupen64Plus | Plugin-based N64 emulator |
| Nestopia | NES/Famicom emulator |
| TuxBoy | Fork of the open source GameBoy/Color emulator gnuboy |
| VisualBoyAdvance | Game Boy Advance emulates GBA, GBC, SGB, and GBA roms |
| ZSNES | Super Nintendo Entertainment System with advanced features |
| DGen/SDL | Virtual environment for Sega Genesis games |
| Gens | Sega Megadrive, MegaCD and 32X |
| lxdream | Dreamcast emulator |
| Meka | Multi machine emulator, originally started as a Sega Master System emulator |
| Yabause | Emulator for the Sega Saturn |
| ePSXe | Sony PlayStation 1 emulator |
| PCSX | Advanced PlayStation (PSX) emulator |
| PCSX2 | PlayStation 2 emulator |
| pSX | Self-contained Sony PlayStation 1 emulator |
| AdvanceMAME | Unofficial MAME/MESS versions |
| GnGeo | Neo-Geo game platform |
| SDLMAME | Port of the popular emulator MAME |
 Read our complete collection of recommended free and open source software. Our curated compilation covers all categories of software. The software collection forms part of our series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. There are hundreds of in-depth reviews, open source alternatives to proprietary software from large corporations like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. There are also fun things to try, hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. |
Please include PPSSPP and Citra 3ds
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