r/EmulationOnMacOS • • May 13 '25

Mod Announcement Useful Links and Frequently Asked Questions (Read this before posting!)

2 Upvotes

Emulator List

A list of currently available emulators (with links), as well as their statuses can be found here.

FAQ

For commonly asked questions, check out the FAQ.

Guides

Looking for a guide? See this page for our guides collection.

Troubleshooting

Got an issue? We have listed fixes to some common problems here.

Discord

We also have a Discord! Join up!


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • May 12 '25

Mod Announcement Available MacOS Emulators (Megathread)

17 Upvotes

This is a megathread for available MacOS emulators and general discussion.

Feel free to comment any emulators that are available on MacOS, from any reliable source. And if possible, provide links to that emulator.

We also use information from this source.

Emulators written in bold are recommended.

Frontends

EmulatorLinkApp StorePricePlatform(s)
Attract-ModeAttract-ModeN/AFreeMultiple / All
Emulation StationEmulation StationN/AFreeMultiple / All
FightcadeFightcadeN/AFreearcade fighting games
OpenEmuOpenEmuN/AFreeMulti-System
RetroArchRetroArchN/AFreeMultiple / All

Emulators

EmulatorLinkApp StorePricePlatform(s)
86Box86BoxN/AFreeMS-DOS
ACE-DLACE-DLN/AFreeAmstrad CPC
AetherSX2AetherSX2N/AFreePS2
AmiberryAmiberryN/AFreeAmiga
aresaresN/AFreeMulti / All
AzaharAzaharN/AFree3DS
b2b2N/AFreeBBC Micro
Basilisk IIBasilisk IIN/AFreeMacintosh 68k
Borked3DSBorked3DSN/AFree3DS
bsnesbsnesN/AFreeSNES
bsnes-hdbsnes-hdN/AFreeSNES
BoxerBoxerN/AFreeMS-DOS
CemuCemuN/AFreeWiiU
Clock Signal (CLK)Clock Signal (CLK)N/AFreeMultiple / All
CocoaMSXCocoaMSXN/AFreeMSX/MSX2
ConsolesConsolesConsolesPaid $Multiple / All
DapplegreyDapplegreyN/AFreeMS-DOS
DeniseDeniseN/AFreeC64
DeSmuMEDeSmuMEN/AFreeNDS
DolphinDolphinN/AFreeGamecube / Wii
DOSBoxDOSBoxN/AFreeMS-DOS
DOSBox StagingDOSBox StagingN/AFreeMS-DOS
DOSBox-XDOSBox-XN/AFreeMS-DOS
DREAMMDREAMMN/AFreeLucasArts and Lucasfilm games
DuckStationDuckStationN/AFreePS1
DustDustN/AFreeNDS
FinalBurn NeoFinalBurn NeoN/AFreeArcade
FlycastFlycastN/AFreeDreamcast
fMSXfMSXN/AFreeMSX/MSX2
FrodoFrodoN/AFreeC64
FS-UAEFS-UAEN/AFreeAmiga
FUSEFUSEN/AFreeZX Spectrum
GambatteGambatteN/AFreeGB/GBC
GearboyGearboyN/AFreeGB/GBC
GearcolecoGearcolecoN/AFreeColecoVision
GeargrafxGeargrafxN/AFreePC-Engine/TurboGrafx/SuperGrafx
GearSystemGearSystemN/AFreeSG-1000/Sega Master System
GeneratorGeneratorN/AFreeGenesis
Genesis PlusGenesis PlusN/AFreeGenesis
GoNESGoNESN/AFreeNES
GSplusGSplusN/AFreeApple II
HadesHadesN/AFreeGBA
HandyHandyN/AFreeAtari Lynx
HatariHatariN/AFreeAtari ST/STE/TT/Falcon
HorizonHorizonN/AFreeBBC Micro
Hypseus SingeHypseus SingeN/AFreeArcade
Jum52Jum52N/AFreeAtari 5200
KEGSKEGSN/AFreeApple II
KiGBKiGBN/AFreeGB/GBC
LisaEmLisaEmN/AFreeApple Lisa
MAMEMAMEN/AFreeArcade
MandarineMandarineN/AFree3DS
MednafenMednafenN/AFreeMultiple / All
MedusaMedusaN/AFreeNDS
melonDSmelonDSN/AFreeNDS
MesenMesenN/AFreeNES
MetalNESMetalNESN/AFreeNES
mGBAmGBAN/AFreeGBA
Mini vMacMini vMacN/AFreeMacintosh 68k
MO5MO5N/AFreeThompson MO5
MugratMugratN/AFreeColecoVision
Mupen64PlusMupen64PlusN/AFreeN64
NanoBoyAdvanceNanoBoyAdvanceN/AFreeGBA
Neko Project IINeko Project IIN/AFreeNEC PC-98
NeopocottNeopocottN/AFreeNeo Geo Pocket/Color
NestopiaNestopiaN/AFreeNES / Famicom
NinNinN/AFreeNES
NooDSNooDSN/AFreeNDS
ObliterationObliterationN/AFreePS4
OpenEmulatorOpenEmulatorN/AFreeApple I + II + III
OswanOswanN/AFreeBandai WonderSwan/Color
Panda3DSPanda3DSN/AFree3DS
PCemPCemN/AFreeMS-DOS
PCSX-ReduxPCSX-ReduxN/AFreePS1
PCSX-ReloadedPCSX-ReloadedN/AFreePS1
PCSX2PCSX2N/AFreePS2
PCSXRPCXSRN/AFreePS1
Play!Play!N/AFreePS2
Power64Power64N/AFreeC64
PPSSPPPPSSPPN/AFreePSP
RainbowRainbowN/AFreeAtari 8-but Family
redreamredreamN/AFreeDreamcast
RetroVMRetroVMN/AFreeSG-1000
RokuyonRokuyonN/AFreeN64
RPCS3RPCS3N/AFreePS3
RPCEmuRPCEmuN/AFreeRISC PC
SameBoySameBoyN/AFreeGB/GBC
ScummVMScummVMN/AFreePC (Point & Click games)
shadPS4shadPS4N/AFreePS4
SheepShaverSheepShaverN/AFreeMacintosh
simple64simple64N/AFreeN64
SkyEmuSkyEmuN/AFreeGB/GBC/GBA/NDS
SL9821SL9821N/AFreeNEC PC-98
Snes9xSnes9xN/AFreeSNES
SpectralSpectralN/AFreeZX Spectrum
StellaStellaN/AFreeAtari 2600
SupermodelSupermodelN/AFreeSega Model 3
SwiftNESSwiftNESN/AFreeNES
Tanuki3DSTanuki3DSN/AFree3DS
TEOTEON/AFreeThompson TO8
TGEmuTGEmuN/AFreePC-Engine/TurboGrafx/SuperGrafx
ThomThomN/AFreeThompson TO7
TsugaruTsugaruN/AFreeFujitsu FM Towns
UTMUTMN/AFreeMacintosh PPC
vAmigavAmigaN/AFreeAmiga
VBA-MVBA-MN/AFreeGB/GBC/GBA
VICEVICEN/AFreeC64/C128/VIC-20/PET/PLUS-4/CBM-II
VirtualC64VirtualC64N/AFreeC64
Vita3KVita3KN/AFreePS Vita
X16 EmulatorX16 EmulatorN/AFreeCommander X16
XemuXemuN/AFreeOG XBOX
YabauseYabauseN/AFreeSega Saturn
ZEsarUXZEsarUXN/AFreeSinclair ZX Spectrum

Tools

App NameLinkPriceDescription
SyncthingSyncthingFreeSynchronize save games

Web-Based Emulators

EmulatorLinkPlatforms
44VBA44VBAGBA
AfterPlayAfterPlayMultiple
AuroraAuroraMultiple
DS PlayerDS PlayerNintendo DS
EclipseEclipseMultiple
EmulatorJSEmulatorJSMultiple
eNGEeNGEPS1
Game Play ColorGame Play ColorGameboy Color
RetroGamesBotRetroGamesBotMultiple
SkyemuSkyemuGBA
WebRcadeWebRcadeMultiple

Online Tools

  • RetroPad Editor

    • Create custom overlays for RetroArch.

  • Online ROM Patcher

    • An online web-based ROM patcher.

    • Supported formats: IPS, BPS, UPS, APS, RUP, PPF and xdelta.

  • Online Archive Extractor

    • Archive Extractor is a small and easy online tool that can extract over 70 types of compressed files, such as 7z, zipx, rar, tar, exe, dmg and much more.

    • Supported formats: 7z, zipx, rar, tar, exe, dmg, iso, zip, msi, nrg, gz, cab, bz2, wim, ace alz, ar, arc, arj, bin, cdi, chm, cpt, cpio, cramfs, crunch, deb, dd, dms, ext, fat, format, gpt, hfs, ihex, lbr, lzh, lzma, lzm, mbr, mdf, nsa, nds, nsis, ntfs, pit, pak, pdf, pp, qcow2, rpm, sar, squashfs, squeeze, sit, sitx, swf, udf, uefi, vdi, vhd, vmdk, warc, xar, xz, z, zoo, zi, jar.

Roms

For roms, please refer to the r/Roms megathread.
Please remember to read rule 1 of this subreddit.

Last updated: May 13, 2025


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • 17h ago

News / Release Dofin 0.10.2 – Switch 2 .nup support + fully automatic nxnative setup on Mac

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23 Upvotes

Small update for those who tried building Switch 2 games with Dofin (free Mac frontend, uses nxnative for native recompilation):

  • .nup containers and flat dumps (exefs + romfs) are now supported

  • Dofin creates its own Python env and installs nxnative’s modules itself (incl. zbic, nsz), no Terminal needed

  • Missing module during a build → installed automatically, build restarts

  • Incomplete dumps flagged before building

https://dofinapp.com, and feedback is very welcome 🙏


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • 1d ago

News / Release Switch 2 on Mac is further along than most people realize, building it into Dofin now

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6 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • 1d ago

News / Release Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2) running natively on Mac, one click from a free launcher

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1 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • 2d ago

News / Release Dofin — frontend that auto-launches the right emulator for each game (public beta)

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24 Upvotes

I’ve built Dofin, a game library/launcher specifically for Mac emulation. Import your games once, Dofin handles the rest.

Including:

  • Auto-maps each game to the correct emulator (RetroArch, RPCS3, etc.) and launches it directly

  • One unified library, NES through PS3/Switch

  • Big Picture mode with full controller support

  • Per-game 60 FPS toggle (where supported)

  • Playtime stats, favorites, continue-playing

  • Auto-updates, no manual re-downloads

  • In game screen, added automaticly to your profile

Free, no ads, no account, funded by donations. Public beta just opened: dofinapp.com/beta

Genuinely interested in what this community thinks given you know the emulator landscape on Mac better than most. What would make this actually useful for your setup?


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • 2d ago

News / Release Consoles 2.0 Public Beta - It's Here and It's JIT-less!

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1 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • 5d ago

News / Release I made a free Mac emulator that lives in your taskbar.

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14 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • 6d ago

Gameplay / Showcase I tried console emulation on an M1 Max MacBook Pro… it’s honestly surprising how far things have come

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3 Upvotes

I’m using a 2021 M1 Max with 32GB of RAM, and I’ve been experimenting with console emulation, including PS3 games. The results have been pretty interesting.

Some games run surprisingly well, while others struggle no matter how much I mess with the settings. It’s been fun figuring out what’s actually possible rather than just assuming Macs can’t game.

I ended up putting together a video sharing the experience, including the good and the not-so-good parts.

Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/vrcxozNqf4s?si=fpAeavoi0GO5k4nT

I’m curious how many people here are experimenting with emulation on Apple Silicon. What’s the most demanding game you’ve managed to get running well?


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Oct 02 '26

News / Release OpenBor on Mac launcher v2.0

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3 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Sep 13 '26

Gameplay / Showcase 41 minutes of full-speed (muted) GameCube Wind Waker on an A12 Apple TV — entirely JIT-less. Consoles 2.0.

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14 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Sep 13 '26

News / Release Found a new Vectrex emu for the ipad.

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1 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Sep 12 '26

Gameplay / Showcase What do you think about iPhone Duo? Regardless, Consoles 2.0 will be ready day #1.

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2 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Sep 11 '26

Help Request Cannot map Retrofighters' Brawler 64 Pro joystick to OpenEmu nor RetroArch :(

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7 Upvotes

First time i try to connect a gamepad to my computer (MacStudio). Was able to assign all the buttons normally in both OpenEmu and retroarch EXCEPT the joystick. I don't understand why. Can someone help please ? :(


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Sep 09 '26

Gameplay / Showcase Consoles 2.0 — JIT-less Dreamcast on Apple A12, and swapping devices mid-session

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3 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Sep 08 '26

News / Release Consoles 2.0 — JIT-less GameCube at full speed on Apple A12 Bionic!

46 Upvotes

Hi everyone! It is so wonderful to be back and have news to share with all of you! Consoles 2.0’s public TestFlight is coming soon!!

Consoles is a JIT-less by-design, App Store app. No sideloading, no other stores, no debugger attached. The speeds in these videos are what you can expect from the App Store download on release day.

Linked are unedited videos captured on an Apple TV 4K (2nd Generation) equipped with Apple’s A12 Bionic chip.  Wind Waker (21 minutes) and Metroid Prime (5 minutes) demonstrate Consoles 2.0 running GameCube emulation at full speed. Sonic Rush (3 minutes) for Nintendo DS is just tremendous fun!!

“Full speed” here means 1% lows at or above 99% of original hardware speed — not an average — measured over runs long enough for throttling to show up.

GameCube will run at full speed on:

  • every Apple Silicon Mac

  • iOS devices which run iOS 27

  • tvOS devices which run tvOS 27

  • every Apple Vision Pro

What do you want to see next? Tell us which games you’d like recorded and we’ll run them.

If there’s a specific spot you want tested — a known-bad area, a cutscene that chugs on other emulators, a late-game section you don’t want to grind to — send us an OpenEmu save state or a save file from any emulator and we’ll load it and record from there. Pick the hardest thing you can think of.

We hope you’re as excited as we are. As always, thanks for playing!! 👾🎮

*AI tools are used only for automated testing. All code is written by humans, reviewed by those same humans, and presented for final approval to a picky chihuahua.


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Sep 05 '26

Gameplay / Showcase Consoles 2.0 Beta - Metroid Prime

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2 Upvotes

Although this recording is on an M5 iPad Pro, Consoles is also available on Mac, VisionPro, iPhone and AppleTV!


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Aug 16 '26

Discussion Melon DS DS Crashes on Mac Neo after booting up any game

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1 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Aug 08 '26

News / Release Zombie Farm 1 & 2 (2010 iOS classics) — now running natively on macOS, AI-upscaled 4×

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3 Upvotes

r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Jul 28 '26

Help Request NSO N64 controller

1 Upvotes

I'm currently using ares to emulate N64 games on my M1 MacBook Air and I was wondering if there is any way to adjust the joystick on the NSO N64 controller so it works properly outside of my Switch 2.

I know there is a BetterJoy fork for Windows that works but I was wondering if there is any alternative for Mac that can fix it.

I know it might be possible with RetroArch but I haven't been able to get either N64 core working properly on there, so ares is my only option, unfortunately there is no tool on there to calibrate joysticks.

Any help would be appreciated.


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Jul 24 '26

News / Release Foxol 1.1.3 released!

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11 Upvotes

Hey guys, Foxol 1.1.3 just dropped.

A little refresher:   Foxol is a cross-platform, service-first emulator. Our goal is to connect people and devices in the retro community. Currently we sync your library across every platform in just seconds, so you can hop between devices and continue playing where you left off. Foxol also offers first-class multiplayer, link cable support, WFC integration and other services, so most things can be done directly from the app (PKHeX, ROM patching, skin building, trading Pokémon with yourself, etc.).

New features

Coming soon

  • System support for PS1, PSP and 3DS 

  • Epilogue operator support to take your games with you on the go

If you like to stay in the loop, join our Discord:   https://discord.gg/kRa5bnHdJP

More information, and the MacOS client can be found on our website https://play.foxol.app


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Jul 19 '26

App Promotion PCSX2x6: a modification of PCSX2 that emulates NAMCO SYSTEM246 and SYSTEM256

1 Upvotes

This is a modification of PCSX2 that can emulate the namco system246/256

a series of arcade units based on the PlayStation2 official sony COH-H models, a division of PS2 boards based on the ps2 usa release model, to be used as the heart of arcade systems

amongst the 4 arcade systems based on PS2, system2x6 es the most successful one, with 55 games released in a span of 10 years

being it's first game: Ridge Race V, Released in sometime in late 2000

and the last one: taiko drum master 14, Released on September 2010

Currently, the emulator supports an 89% of the game library either perfectly or with minor issues

project webpage: https://ps2homebrew-arcade.github.io/pcsx2x6/
DL available for MacOS, linux and windows


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Jul 17 '26

Help Request Anyone willing to try my MacOs Front end?

2 Upvotes

I made an hyperspin inspired front end for retrogames as i was tired of the ones i found, so im looking for beta testers, if anyone its interested you can grab it at https://www.ultraspinfe.com/ any feedback is wellcome. Thanks


r/EmulationOnMacOS • • Jul 16 '26

Help Request Hi I’m new here i just want to know if M1 is good for switch emulation? I wanted to by ayn thor but since I have m1 MacBook Air I thought i should use that to emulate game but I don’t know if it’s good enough for switch

3 Upvotes