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fixNES
What it is
fixNES is a free, open-source NES emulator for Windows and Linux. It runs NTSC and PAL .nes ROMs and creates .sav files for games that support saving. The emulator can also play .fds and .qd titles when a FDS BIOS named disksys.rom is placed in the same folder, along with .nsf music files whose tracks change with the left and right keys. Supported files can be opened by drag and drop, command-line arguments or ZIP archives. The project lists support for a range of NES mappers and VRC6, VRC7, FDS, MMC5, N163 and Sunsoft 5B audio expansions. Controls are keyboard-only; Windows users can use joy2key for controller support. Standalone builds require freeglut and openal-soft, while a supplied Makefile supports use as a RetroArch core. The README says the emulator is not in its most complete or cleanest state. An MIT License covers the repository.
For and against
For
- Supports NTSC and PAL NES ROMs
- Loads files from ZIP archives
- Includes several mapper and audio expansions
- Can run as a RetroArch core
- MIT-licensed open source
Against
- Keyboard-only controls
- FDS games require disksys.rom
- Project is not in its most complete state
- Standalone build needs freeglut and openal-soft
The verdict
fixNES covers NES games, FDS software and NSF music across Windows and Linux. Its documented incompleteness and keyboard-focused controls matter for users seeking a finished or controller-first emulator.
Who it suits
fixNES suits users who want a keyboard-controlled NES emulator on Windows or Linux and are comfortable supplying ROMs and, for FDS titles, the required BIOS file.
Plans and prices
fixNES
No price listed · project described as an NES emulator
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Build requirements
- The standalone version can be compiled with the supplied build scripts and requires freeglut and openal-soft.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The README lists support for a range of NES mappers and the VRC6, VRC7, FDS, MMC5, N163, and Sunsoft 5B audio expansions.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Controls are keyboard-only; the README says Windows users can use joy2key if they want controller support.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Creator
- The repository is published under the GitHub account FIX94, whose profile says the creator is in Germany and develops projects when ideas arise.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The repository README points to a Windows binary in Releases, whose newest listed release is titled “fixNES Alpha v1.3.1 - Windows Build.”github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- FDS support
- It can play .fds and .qd titles when a FDS BIOS named disksys.rom is placed in the same folder.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository includes an MIT License granting permission to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software, subject to its conditions.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Loading files
- Files can be opened by drag and drop or as a command-line argument, and the README also describes loading supported files from ZIP archives.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Music
- It can play .nsf music files, with track changes on the left and right keys.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- fixNES is an NES emulator the author wrote to learn about the NES, and the README says it is not in the most complete or cleanest state.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- RetroArch
- The README says fixNES can also be used as a RetroArch core via the Makefile in the libretro folder.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- ROM support
- It supports NTSC and PAL .nes ROMs and creates .sav files for games that support saving.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026