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

Return to our complete collection of recommended free and open source software including our latest additions.

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