Best Sega Genesis Emulators in 2026
Updated
In short: MAME is ranked #1 of 29 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of RetroArch and Lemuroid. The best-ranked option with a free plan is RetroArch.
If you want to play Sega Genesis games through an emulator, start by checking which platforms it supports and what systems it covers. These entries are ranked, with comparisons that include save states, cheat support, shader support and netplay. Those features can help distinguish options for continuing games, adjusting their presentation or playing with others. License, free-plan availability and paid-from pricing are also listed. RetroArch, emmd and Lemuroid appear among the first entries, followed by Genesis Plus GX and PicoDrive. Compare supported platforms with your setup, then weigh the listed play features and system scope that matter to you.
29 Sega genesis 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 MAME Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free
- 2 RetroArch iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free
- 3 Lemuroid Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Supported platforms: Android, Android TVSystem scope: multi_consoleSave states: Yes
- 4 emmd iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Supported platforms: windows, macos, linux, iosSystem scope: genesis_onlySave states: Yes
- 5 Manic EMU iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
- 6 Lynx.emu iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1 Supported platforms: Android, iOS, LinuxSystem scope: sega_familySave states: Yes
- 7 Zeta iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Supported platforms: iOS (iPhone)System scope: multi_consoleSave states: Yes
- 8 ClassicBoy Pro Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6
- 9 Delta iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6
- 10 EmulatorJS iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4
- 11 Genesis Plus GX No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Supported platforms: Windows; GameCube; Wii; RetroArch-based platformsSystem scope: sega_familySave states: Yes
- 12 Lakka No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Supported platforms: PC; Raspberry Pi; Cubieboard; Banana Pi; Cubox-i; Hummingboard; UDOO; Odroid; WeTek PlaySystem scope: multi_consoleSave states: Yes
- 13 ares No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free
- 14 BizHawk No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Supported platforms: Windows, Linux
- 15 BlastEm No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free
- 16 ClownMDEmu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Supported platforms: web browser; standalone desktop frontend; libretro-compatible hostsSystem scope: genesis_onlySave states: Yes
- 17 higan No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSD
- 18 OpenEmu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free
- 19 PicoDrive No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Supported platforms: windows, linuxSystem scope: multi_consoleSave states: Yes
- 20 Mednafen No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8
- 21 Cavaliercoder Genesis No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 System scope: genesis_onlySave states: No
- 22 Cool Retro Term No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Supported platforms: Android, Android TVSystem scope: multi_consoleSave states: Yes
- 23 Nostalgist.js No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3Free Supported platforms: web browsersSystem scope: multi_consoleSave states: Yes
- 24 Exodus No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Supported platforms: windowsSystem scope: genesis_onlySave states: Yes
- 25 Moa No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 System scope: multi_console
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 Sega genesis emulator is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
MAME is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 7.9. RetroArch is second and Lemuroid 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.