Top Alternatives to RetroArch

ZSNES is a classic, high-performance Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) emulator renowned for its speed and feature set during its active development period. Primarily written in x86 assembly for optimal performance on older hardware, it offered a feature-rich experience for emulating SNES games across various platforms.

PlayOnLinux is a compatibility layer for Linux and macOS allowing users to install and run Windows-based games and applications. It simplifies the process of running Windows software without needing a full virtual machine or dual booting.

VisualBoyAdvance (VBA) is a highly regarded open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance handheld consoles. It allows users to play classic Nintendo handheld games on their computer, offering a wide range of features for enhanced gameplay experience.

SteamOS is a specialized, gaming-centric Linux operating system developed by Valve Corporation. Primarily built on Debian, with variants leveraging Arch Linux, it's designed to deliver a streamlined, console-like gaming experience on PC hardware, making the living room a viable gaming space.

Snes9x is a highly compatible and widely popular Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Super Famicom emulator available across numerous platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.

ScummVM is a powerful application designed to allow users to play classic graphic adventure games from a variety of publishers on modern operating systems and hardware. It acts as a virtual machine, replacing the original game executables with its own engine recreations, ensuring compatibility and often enhancing the original experience.

ePSXe is a highly acclaimed and widely used PlayStation 1 emulator for Windows, Linux, and Android platforms, allowing users to play their favorite PSX games with enhanced graphics and features.

Project64 is a highly regarded Nintendo 64 emulator designed for Windows, allowing users to play N64 games on their PC. It is known for its ease of use and compatibility with a wide range of N64 titles.

MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) is a powerful, free, and open-source software designed to accurately emulate the hardware of thousands of classic arcade machines.

CrossOver is a compatibility layer allowing you to run thousands of Windows applications directly on your macOS or Linux operating system without the need for a Windows license or virtual machine. It provides a seamless experience for accessing your favorite Windows programs.

PPSSPP is a powerful, open-source emulator allowing users to play their favorite Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) games on a wide variety of devices. It focuses on providing a high-quality gaming experience with enhanced graphics and performance.

OpenEmu is a free and open-source multi-system game emulator designed for macOS. It provides a polished, native user interface for collecting, browsing, and playing classic video games from a wide variety of platforms. It simplifies the process of retro gaming on your Mac.

Kega Fusion is a highly acclaimed multi-system emulator for Sega consoles, offering comprehensive support for Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega CD/Mega CD, 32X, Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, SC-3000, and even the SF-7000.

Higan is a highly accurate multi-system emulator for various Nintendo consoles, including NES, SNES, Game Boy series, and Nintendo DS, known for its focus on hardware-level emulation accuracy.

NO$GBA is a highly versatile freeware emulator supporting both Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance systems. It's renowned for its performance, compatibility with a wide range of titles, and inclusion of robust debugging tools.

Lutris is an open-source gaming client for Linux, designed to centralize and manage your entire game library from various sources. It supports native Linux games, Windows titles via compatibility layers like Wine and Proton, and games from multiple platforms through integrated emulators, providing a unified gaming experience.

LaunchBox is a portable, box-art-based games database and launcher that elegantly organizes your entire gaming collection. It seamlessly integrates with DOSBox, emulators for various platforms, arcade cabinets, and PC games, providing a unified and visually appealing interface to access your library.

pSX is a discontinued but highly regarded PlayStation 1 emulator, known for its accuracy and ease of use. It allows users to play classic PS1 games on modern PCs without requiring complex configurations.

NESBox is a unique, browser-based emulator that allows users to play classic Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games directly in their web browser. Utilizing Flash technology, it offers a convenient way to revisit nostalgic gaming experiences without requiring downloads or installations.

MESS, the Multi Emulator Super System, is a comprehensive project focused on emulating a vast array of historical computing and gaming systems. It aims to preserve digital history by allowing users to run software from countless legacy platforms on modern hardware.

Kawaks is a highly regarded emulator specifically designed to run classic arcade games from the Neo-Geo, CPS-1, and CPS-2 platforms. It offers excellent compatibility and performance for these iconic systems.