higan
What it is
higan is a free, standalone multi-system emulator for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with a stated focus on accuracy, preservation, and configurability. It supports systems including Famicom, Super Famicom, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Mega Drive, PC Engine, MSX, ColecoVision, Neo Geo Pocket, and WonderSwan. Official releases are available through the project’s GitHub releases page. Automated nightly builds are listed for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, and FreeBSD, but those builds are untested. The distribution also includes icarus, a game library importer, alongside the libco, nall, ruby, and hiro components. The project was originally developed by Near and links to a discussion forum and Discord chat. higan is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. Its license states that the software comes without warranty, so users should account for that when deciding whether it meets their needs.
For and against
For
- Supports a range of named game systems.
- Official releases are available through GitHub.
- Includes icarus, a game library importer.
- Free software under GPL version 3 or later.
Against
- Nightly builds are untested.
- The license provides no warranty.
The verdict
higan offers free multi-system emulation across Linux, macOS, and Windows, with official releases and additional nightly builds. Note the lack of warranty and the untested status of nightly versions.
Who it suits
higan may suit people seeking a free desktop emulator for one or more of its supported systems, especially those who value the project’s focus on accuracy, preservation, and configurability. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Plans and prices
Free software
No warranty
Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Community support
- The project links to a discussion forum and a Discord chat.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Core components
- The distribution includes libco, nall, ruby and hiro alongside higan and icarus.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Game library tool
- The distribution includes icarus, described as a game library importer for higan.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- License
- The program is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or any later version.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Nightly builds
- Automated, untested builds are available for each supported operating system.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Official releases
- Official releases are available from the GitHub releases page.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Original developer
- The project was originally developed by Near.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Product type
- higan is a multi-system emulator focused on accuracy and code readability.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Project focus
- The higan-emu organization describes higan as a multi-system emulator focused on accuracy, preservation and configurability.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Supported desktop systems
- Nightly builds are listed for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux and FreeBSD.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- It emulates systems including Famicom, Super Famicom, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Mega Drive, PC Engine, MSX, ColecoVision, Neo Geo Pocket and WonderSwan.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Warranty
- The license states that the software is provided without warranty.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
