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Dendy
What it is
Dendy is a free NES/Famicom emulator written in Go, available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and modern browsers. Its desktop version has no graphical interface: users start it from the command line with a .nes ROM file. Player one can use a keyboard or detected gamepad, and a mouse can stand in for the Zapper light gun. Options include save-state control, rewind, screenshots, CRT effects, and Game Genie codes. Dendy supports network multiplayer with rollback networking and peer-to-peer connections. A public relay can assist players behind NATs with peer discovery and UDP hole punching, though that method does not work when both players are behind symmetric NATs. Users can also build and run a relay themselves. The WebAssembly browser version does not support netplay. The maker cautions that Dendy is not designed to match established emulators in accuracy or compatibility, so some games may not run. Sound emulation remains in progress and may produce pops and crackles. Installation with Go and building from source are documented, and the project uses an MIT license.
For and against
For
- Free, with Windows, macOS, Linux, and browser versions
- Network multiplayer uses rollback and peer-to-peer connections
- Includes save states, rewind, screenshots, and cheat codes
- Keyboard, gamepad, and Zapper mouse controls are supported
Against
- Desktop version has no graphical interface
- Browser version does not support netplay
- Some games may not run or have compatibility issues
- Sound emulation may produce pops and crackles
The verdict
Dendy offers NES/Famicom emulation with netplay and several command-line options, but its interface and compatibility caveats matter. The browser build omits netplay, and sound emulation is still in progress.
Who it suits
Dendy suits players who want a free NES/Famicom emulator and are comfortable launching desktop software from a command line. Its netplay may suit players seeking network multiplayer, while browser users should note that the web version lacks it.
On the record
- Audio
- Sound-chip emulation is described as work in progress and may produce pops and crackles.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Browser version
- A WebAssembly version runs in modern browsers, but it does not currently support netplay.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Command line
- The emulator has no GUI and is run from the command line with a .nes ROM file.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Compatibility limits
- The author says the emulator is not intended to match existing emulators in accuracy or compatibility and may not run some games.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Controls
- The emulator supports keyboard controls, likely detects connected gamepads, and emulates the Zapper with a mouse.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Dependencies
- The project lists Raylib Go bindings for graphics and audio and kcp-go for netplay.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Downloads
- Prebuilt binaries are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, though the maker says they are not guaranteed to work on Windows.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Features
- Command-line options include save-state control, CRT-effect toggle, screenshots, rewind, and Game Genie codes.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Interface
- The desktop emulator has no GUI and is run from the command line with a .nes ROM file.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Limitations
- The maker cautions that Dendy is not intended to match established emulators in accuracy or compatibility, and lists tested games that fail or have issues.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The GitHub profile identifies Max Poletaev as the maker and lists Belgrade, Serbia.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Multiplayer
- Network multiplayer uses rollback networking, and the maker reports that ping up to 150 ms felt playable in testing.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- NAT traversal
- Players behind NATs can use a public relay for hole punching; the approach does not work when both players are behind symmetric NATs.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Product
- Dendy is a NES/Famicom emulator written in Go with network multiplayer.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Relay hosting
- The maker hosts a public relay server and says users can build and run their own dendy-relay binary if it goes down.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Relay option
- The README says the author hosts a public relay and that users can run their own relay binary built from source.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Security and integrations
- The README describes no security or compliance certifications and names Raylib Go for graphics/audio and kcp-go for netplay as dependencies.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026