Best Game Console Emulators in 2026
Updated
In short: RetroArch is ranked #1 of 35 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Dolphin and PPSSPP. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Dolphin.
Game console emulators are software for running titles from supported console systems on desktop operating systems. RetroArch, Dolphin, and PPSSPP appear at the start of the ranking, with Azahar and DuckStation among the next entries. Compare supported console systems with the desktop operating systems you use, then consider graphics upscaling and netplay for your setup. Open-source status and license type offer other distinctions, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help frame access and cost. The ordering gives you a starting point for browsing; the listed support and features can guide which options merit a closer look.
35 game console emulators ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 RetroArch iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.8Free Netplay: Yes
- 2 Dolphin Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.2Free Supported console systems: 3Netplay: Yes
- 3 PPSSPP iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.2Free Supported console systems: Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)Desktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 4 Azahar iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.2Free Supported console systems: Nintendo 3DSDesktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 5 DuckStation Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.8Free Supported console systems: Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1/PSX)Desktop operating systems: cross-platform
- 6 Snes9x Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.7Free Supported console systems: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Super FamicomDesktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 7 Vita3K Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.1 Supported console systems: PlayStation VitaDesktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 8 Play! iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.1 Supported console systems: PlayStation 2Desktop operating systems: cross-platform
- 9 ares No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.0Free Supported console systems: 34
- 10 Flycast Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9 Supported console systems: Sega Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, AtomiswaveDesktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 11 OpenEmu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Supported console systems: 31Netplay: No
- 12 Redream Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.6 Supported console systems: Sega DreamcastDesktop operating systems: cross-platform
- 13 Panda3DS Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.6Free Supported console systems: Nintendo 3DSDesktop operating systems: cross-platform
- 14 RPCS3 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4Free Supported console systems: PlayStation 3Desktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 15 Mednafen No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Supported console systems: 17Netplay: Yes
- 16 Mesen No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1 Supported console systems: NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, PC Engine, SMS, Game Gear, WonderSwan, WonderSwan ColorDesktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 17 VisualBoyAdvance-M Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1 Supported console systems: Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy AdvanceDesktop operating systems: cross-platform
- 18 xemu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0Free Supported console systems: Original Microsoft XboxDesktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 19 SameBoy iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Supported console systems: Game Boy (DMG), Game Boy Pocket/Light (MGB), Game Boy Color (CGB), GBC-mode Game Boy Advance/Game Boy Player (AGB), Super Game Boy (SGB), Super Game Boy 2 (SGB2)Desktop operating systems: cross-platform
- 20 melonDS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8Free Supported console systems: Nintendo DS; DSi emulation in progressDesktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: Yes
- 21 BizHawk No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7
- 22 bsnes No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Supported console systems: Super Nintendo, Super Famicom, Super Game Boy, SatellaviewDesktop operating systems: cross-platform
- 23 DeSmuME No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6Free Supported console systems: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS LiteDesktop operating systems: cross-platformNetplay: No
- 24 Nexen No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5 Supported console systems: 8Netplay: Yes
- 25 EKA2L1 Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4 Supported console systems: Symbian OS EKA1/EKA2, Nokia N-Gage, N-Gage 2.0, S60v1-S60v5, S^3, Symbian BelleDesktop operating systems: cross-platform
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which game console emulator is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
RetroArch is ranked #1 of 35 with a score of 9.8. Dolphin is second and PPSSPP third.
How many of these have a free plan?
13 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.