The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is one of the most popular game consoles. This article will introduce you to the ten best NES emulators for Linux. We will also show you how to install and use them. With these emulators, you can play all your favorite NES games on your Linux computer.
1. Mesen
Mesen is a free and open-source NES emulator for Windows and Linux. It features excellent compatibility, accurate emulation, powerful debugging tools, built-in cheats, and much more. Mesen also has a Netplay feature that lets you play online against other players. If you are looking for an accurate and feature-rich NES emulator for Linux, then Mesen should be your go-to choice.
2. Dolphin
Dolphin is a widely used NES emulator for Linux. It has good compatibility with most NES games and is regularly updated. Dolphin’s various capabilities, including high-resolution visuals, widescreen compatibility, and gamepad support, make it an excellent option for playing NES games on Linux.
3. RetroArch
RetroArch is an open-source emulator that lets you play classic NES games on your Linux computer. The emulator is easy to install and use and offers a wide range of features that make it an excellent choice for NES fans.
4. SameBoy
If you’re looking for an emulator that will let you play old NES games on Linux, look no further than SameBoy. This emulator is incredibly easy to use and free to download. Plus, it has a great selection of features, including support for saving states, cheats, and screenshots.
5. Genesis Plus GX
If you grew up playing NES games, you would be happy to know that plenty of great emulators out there for Linux will let you relive those glory days. One of the best is Genesis Plus GX, an accurate and feature-packed emulator for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive console.
6. Higan
Higan is a freeware, multi-platform emulator for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Higan supports various game cartridges and hardware, making it one of the most versatile emulators. In addition to emulating the NES, higan can simulate the Famicom, Super Famicom, and Game Boy Advance systems.
7. PCSX2
PCSX2 is a Playstation 2 emulator for Linux that lets you play old PS2 games on your computer. The emulator is easy to set up and use and offers excellent performance and compatibility with a wide range of PS2 games. PCSX2 is also one of the most popular Playstation 2 emulators, with a large community of users and active development.
8. MAME
MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. It is a free and open-source emulator that can play arcade games on Linux. MAME supports various arcade games, including classic games from the 1970s and 1980s. You will need to download the emulator from the MAME website to use MAME. Once you have downloaded and extracted the emulator, you will need to obtain ROM files for the games you want to play. These ROM files can be found online or by ripping them from your cartridges. Once you have received the ROM files, you can open them in MAME and start playing!
9. Atari800
There are a few great NES emulators for Linux, but our favorite is Atari800. It’s one of the most accurate emulators and supports many game file formats. That means you can play your old NES games in various ways, including via an emulator on your PC or an emulator on a Raspberry Pi. Atari800 is also open source, which is always a plus in our book. And if you’re looking for extra features, like the ability to record gameplay or take screenshots, Atari800 has you covered there too.
10. Nestopia UE
Nestopia UE is a fork of the popular Nestopia emulator. It is one of the most accurate NES emulators available and runs well on a wide range of hardware. Nestopia UE features excellent compatibility with a wide range of NES games. It also has some unique features worth considering as your primary NES emulator. One such feature is its built-in cheat engine, which allows you to easily apply cheats to games without using an external program. Nestopia UE is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It is open-source software released under the GNU GPLv2 license.
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of the NES, you’ll be happy to know that several Linux-based emulators will let you play your favorite old games. In this article, we’ve listed the ten best NES emulators for Linux so that you can get started reliving those childhood gaming memories.