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FCEUX
What it is
FCEUX is a free, open-source emulator for NES, Famicom, Famicom Disk System and Dendy systems. It supports NTSC, PAL and NTSC-PAL Hybrid video modes. The project describes it as an all-in-one emulator for casual play and advanced work, with tools for debugging, ROM hacking, map making, tool-assisted movies and Lua scripting. FCEUX maintains Win32 and Qt/SDL ports; the Qt/SDL port is cross-platform for Windows and UNIX-like systems, including Linux, Solaris, BSD and OSX. That port includes debug tools, Lua scripting, movie recording and a TAS Editor, plus a sprite viewer, NES Palette Editor, AVI RIFF Tree viewer and frame timing tool. Network play in both Win32 and SDL ports is not functional, and the project says it has no plans to fix it. Building the Qt/SDL port requires Qt5, SDL2, minizip, zlib and OpenGL, with CMake needed for a source build. The site lists version 2.6.6, released on 26 August 2023, as the latest release.
For and against
For
- Free and open-source
- Emulates four listed systems
- Supports NTSC and PAL video modes
- Includes debugging and Lua scripting tools
- Qt/SDL port includes a TAS Editor
Against
- Network play is not functional
- Project has no plans to fix network play
- Qt/SDL source builds require several dependencies
The verdict
FCEUX offers a broad set of emulation and development tools across Win32 and Qt/SDL ports. Network play is unavailable, so it is not a choice for that use.
Who it suits
FCEUX suits people who want to emulate the listed Nintendo and Dendy systems, whether for casual play or advanced tools such as debugging and tool-assisted movies. Its Qt/SDL port also suits users looking for cross-platform desktop support.
Plans and prices
FCEUX
NES, Famicom, Famicom Disk System and Dendy emulation · Win32 and Qt/SDL ports
Read 7 Oct 2026 · fceux.com
On the record
- Advanced tools
- FCEUX offers tools for debugging, ROM hacking, map making, tool-assisted movies and Lua scripting.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Affiliation
- The site states that FCEUX is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo or Nintendo of America.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- Building the Qt/SDL port requires Qt5, SDL2, minizip, zlib and OpenGL; CMake is required to build from source.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Community contact
- The project lists an IRC channel, #fceu on irc.libera.chat, as the best way to contact someone.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Emulation
- The project describes FCEUX as an all-in-one emulator offering accurate emulation for casual play and advanced uses.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Latest listed release
- The home page lists FCEUX 2.6.6, released on 26 August 2023, as the latest release.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Network play
- Network play in both Win32 and SDL ports is not presently functional, and the site says there are no plans to fix it.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Optional video dependencies
- FFmpeg libraries are optional dependencies for AVI recording features, and libx264 is optional for H.264 AVI encoding.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Ports
- The team maintains Qt/SDL and Win32 ports; the Qt/SDL port is described as cross-platform for Windows and UNIX-like systems including Linux, Solaris, BSD and OSX.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- FCEUX emulates NES, Famicom, Famicom Disk System and Dendy systems.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Qt/SDL features
- The Qt/SDL port includes debug tools, Lua scripting, movie recording and TAS Editor, plus a sprite viewer, NES Palette Editor, AVI RIFF Tree viewer and frame timing tool.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users with unresolved questions to TASVideos forums and bug reports or feature requests to GitHub Issues.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Video modes
- It supports NTSC, PAL and NTSC-PAL Hybrid modes.fceux.com · read 7 Oct 2026