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HalfNES
What it is
HalfNES is a free NES and Famicom emulator for Windows, Linux, macOS, and other Java-compatible platforms. Its README says almost all US-released games will start, though some may show graphics corruption or freeze. Features include an accurate sound core, an NSF player, full-screen mode, and an NTSC filter. Controls can be remapped in Preferences, and joysticks are supported through DirectInput and xInput. HalfNES supports battery saves but has no savestates. GitHub releases provide a Windows executable and a JAR for other platforms; both packages require Java 8 or newer. Linux users need to set execute permissions on the JAR. A gamepad must be connected before a game loads to be detected, and its buttons cannot currently be configured. PAL games are supported but may have more issues, and PAL must be selected in Preferences. The README says all games require a 2 GHz Athlon 64 or better to run at full speed; the NTSC filter needs considerably more processing power.
For and against
For
- Free to use.
- Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- Includes an NSF player and sound core.
- Controls can be remapped in Preferences.
- Battery saves are supported.
Against
- Savestates are not supported.
- Java 8 or newer is required.
- Gamepad buttons cannot currently be configured.
- Some games may show graphics corruption or freeze.
The verdict
HalfNES offers NES and Famicom emulation with sound, display, and control options across several desktop platforms. It lacks savestates, and some game and gamepad limitations are noted.
Who it suits
HalfNES suits players looking for a free NES or Famicom emulator on Windows, Linux, macOS, or another Java-compatible platform. It may also suit users who want remappable controls and battery saves rather than savestates.
Plans and prices
HalfNES
No savestates · Requires Java 8 or newer
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Audio
- The listed features include an accurate sound core and an NSF player.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Controller support
- It supports joysticks through DirectInput and xInput.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Controls are remappable through the Preferences dialog.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Display
- The README lists full screen mode and an NTSC filter.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The README directs users to GitHub releases, which include a Windows executable and a JAR for other platforms.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Game compatibility
- It supports the mapper numbers listed in the README and says almost all US released games will start, though some still have graphics corruption or freezing.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Gamepad limitation
- Gamepad buttons are currently not configurable, and the controller must be plugged in before a game is loaded to be detected.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Linux setup
- Linux users need to set execute permissions on the JAR.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- PAL support
- PAL games are supported but may have more issues, and users should select PAL in Preferences to run them.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The README says a 2 GHz Athlon 64 or better is required to run all games at full speed, and the NTSC filter requires much more processing power.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- HalfNES is an accurate NES/Famicom emulator.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Runtime requirement
- Java 8 or newer is required to run either package.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Save support
- It supports battery saves but explicitly says it has no savestates.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026