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bsnes
What it is
bsnes is a free, open-source emulator for Super Nintendo and Super Famicom games, with support for Super Game Boy and Satellaview. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Graphics options include HD Mode 7 with optional supersampling, a multi-threaded PPU renderer, and OpenGL multi-pass pixel shaders. It also provides low-level emulation for SNES coprocessors such as DSP-n, ST-01n, and Cx4. The emulator accepts standard ROM files, optional higan game folders, and 7-zip decompression, along with BPS and IPS soft patches. Its games database has thousands of entries, while its cheat database covers hundreds of popular games. Save states can show screenshot previews and names, and support undo and redo. Other tools include rewind, frame advance, cheat search, movie recording and playback, and screenshots. Playback speed settings are 50%, 75%, 100%, 150%, and 200%, with smooth audio output retained. Nightly builds are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD.
For and against
For
- Free and open-source
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Includes rewind and frame advance
- Save states support previews, naming, undo, and redo
- Offers HD Mode 7 and multi-pass shaders
Against
- Listed nightly builds are not provided for every listed system
- Requires compatible game files or folders
The verdict
bsnes pairs broad Super Nintendo-family emulation support with graphics, playback, and save-state tools. It is free and open source, with desktop builds listed for multiple operating systems.
Who it suits
bsnes suits players who want to run Super Nintendo, Super Famicom, Super Game Boy, or Satellaview software on a desktop computer. Its playback, graphics, and save-state options may also interest users who want more control over emulation.
Plans and prices
Free
GNU GPLv3 software; no price stated
Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Community
- The repository links to an official Discord server.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Coprocessors
- It offers low-level emulation of SNES coprocessors including DSP-n, ST-01n, and Cx4.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The repository lists nightly builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Emulation features
- It supports Satellaview emulation, MSU1, rewind, frame advance, movie recording and playback, and screenshots.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Game management
- It includes a games database with thousands of entries and a cheat code database for hundreds of popular games.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Game support
- It supports standard game ROM files, optional higan game folders, and 7-zip decompression.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- It supports HD mode 7 graphics with optional supersampling and a multi-threaded PPU graphics renderer.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README names SameBoy as the core used for Super Game Boy emulation and credits contributors for some features.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The program is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or any later version, with no warranty stated in the license.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Patches and shaders
- It supports BPS and IPS soft patches and OpenGL multi-pass pixel shaders.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Performance controls
- Speed modes are listed at 50%, 75%, 100%, 150%, and 200%, with smooth audio output retained.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Playback tools
- Features include rewind, frame advance, cheat code search, and movie recording and playback.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- bsnes is a multi-platform Super Nintendo (Super Famicom) emulator focused on performance, features, and ease of use.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- ROM and patches
- It supports standard game ROM files, optional higan game folders, and BPS and IPS soft patches.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Save states
- Its save state manager includes screenshot previews and naming, with undo and redo support.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Super Game Boy
- It supports Super Game Boy emulation using the SameBoy core.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
