Best SNES Emulators: Top Picks for Retro Gaming

Do you enjoy playing classic Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games but no longer own the original console?

That's where a Super Nintendo emulator comes into play.

We'll make sure you're well informed about what an SNES emulator is and which one works best for your particular situation.

What Is A SNES Emulator?

Before we get into our top seven selections, let's define a SNES emulator. An emulator is a genius program that let's you to play games from another platform or console on your computer or even a mobile device.

We loved being able to play Super Mario World on our PC and had a blast turning up all the graphics. Something you wouldn't expect while displaying it on that CRT of yours through RF.

Is Zsnes still the best SNES emulator?

While ZSNES was once widely considered one of the best SNES emulators available, we simply cannot recommend it anymore given a ton of issues with it that have came up over time.

One of ZSNES' major flaws is its lack of support for contemporary operating systems. Considering it was last updated all the way back in 2007, you'll most likely have trouble with running it on a newer OS.

This can lead to compatibility and performance concerns, making effective use of the emulator difficult.

Is SNES9x the Best Emulator?

Personal preference and opinion determine whether SNES9x is the best emulator for SNES games. SNES9x, on the other hand, is widely recognized as one of the greatest SNES emulators available due to its high compatibility, rapid performance, and extensive feature set.

SNES9x has been active for more than two decades and has seen various updates and improvements. You can throw it on almost any operating system like Windows, Linux, and macOS, as well as mobile devices such as Android and iOS. It's a versatile alternative for gamers that use a variety of devices and operating systems.

Is SNES9x better than bsnes?

This will come down to personal preference in our eyes. While SNES9x has a high compatibility with the various ROMs you can play on it, it's not going to be as accurate as BSNES is in terms of being close to played on actual hardware.

The dedication to accuracy, however, comes at the expense of performance, as bsnes demands more processing power than other SNES emulators.

It also has a steeper learning curve for users because it necessitates more technical knowledge to properly configure and utilize.

Is SNES9x accurate?

SNES9x is regarded as a remarkably accurate SNES emulator. It strives to emulate the hardware and functionality of the original SNES console as accurately as possible, which means that games should behave and play exactly like they would on the original hardware.

Is higan the best SNES emulator?

higan is well-known for being one of the most accurate SNES emulators available, with the goal of precisely replicating the hardware and functionality of the original platform.

This means that games should behave and play just like they would on original hardware. This level of accuracy, however, may come at the expense of performance, as higan consumes more system resources than other SNES emulators.

Best SNES Emulators

So, without further ado here are our choices for the top emulators you can find that let you play SNES ROMs.

7. ZSNES

ZSNES is a fantastic option for those running Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Linux, and DOS.

So it's got you covered in terms of compatibility. It's an older emulator that hasn't been updated in a while, so don't expect it to play nice with newer operating systems like Windows 10.

While ZSNES is highly compatible with the vast majority of SNES games, it does come with it's set of flaws.

Some of the more complex or newer games may have audio, graphics, or gameplay issues. Furthermore, ZSNES may be incompatible with some ROM files, causing the emulator to crash or freeze.

ZSNES is a high-performance SNES emulator ideal for retro gaming fans. Its high compatibility with SNES games and speedy performance make it an excellent alternative for gamers operating on a variety of platforms.

6. SNES9x

Another extremely popular choice among SNES emulation is SNES9x. Some of the most popular features include:

• SNES9x has a high level of compatibility with SNES games, which means it can run a broad variety of titles without trouble.
• SNES9x is noted for its rapid performance, which allows gamers to enjoy their favourite SNES games without lag or slowdowns.
• SNES9x provides a plethora of features, including cheat code support, save states, and customisable controls.
• SNES9x is extremely adjustable, allowing players to fine-tune parameters to improve their gaming experience.

You can run SNES9x on almost anything possible, even your grandmothers old hunker can play your favorite Zelda game of choice.

SNES9x is a dependable and versatile SNES emulator with a plethora of features and fast performance. While it may not be as accurate as other emulators, it is highly compatible with the majority of SNES games and is available on a variety of platforms.

5. Bsnes

If you're wondering what the most accurate SNES emulator is, look no further than Bsnes. But with the emphasis on accuracy and hardware emulation, Bsnes requires a beast of a machine to run.

A 1.2 GHz processor, 256 MB of RAM, and a graphics card that supports OpenGL 3.3 or higher are the minimum system requirements. Considering how fast PCs have gotten, it's not a massive deal anymore.

Bsnes is a fantastic SNES emulator that provides a very accurate and authentic gaming experience.

While it may require a powerful computer to run, it is highly compatible with the majority of SNES games and has a variety of features that make it an excellent choice for retro gamers.

4. Higan

We absolutely love open source hardware and Higan is no exception. With the ability to not only play SNES but also Sega Genesis, TurboGrafx-16 and many others in this multi console emulator.

There are a ton of features that Higan has to offer. Some of them include:

• Higan is one of the most authentic SNES emulators available, focusing on mimicking the behaviour of the actual SNES hardware. As a result, it's a terrific alternative for gamers looking for an authentic SNES gaming experience.
• Higan is highly compatible with SNES games and can run the majority of them without trouble.
• Higan supports a number of retro gaming consoles, including the NES, Game Boy, and Sega Genesis.
• Higan contains a variety of features, such as save states, cheat codes, and customised controls.
• Higan includes a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to navigate and customise settings.

It may take a bit longer than you're used to in order to set this up. But once you're up and running, it'll feel great to have only one application to play all of your favorite Sega Genesis ROM hacks.

3. RetroArch

We love our frontend emulation machines and RetroArch is number one in our eyes in this department. Considering the popularity of this application, it belongs on our list of the best SNES emulators.

RetroArch does require a ton of setup to get started. Whether that's downloading a core for your favorite system, a supported BIOS file for CD based emulation or mapping your favorite controller.

But once you do all of these things, loading up your favorite ROMs was a breeze. The games appear in order and give you a nice icon of the controller for you to select your console of choice.

If we had to pick our favorite emulator with an all in one frontend, RetroArch would easily fit the bill.

2. BizHawk

BizHawk is compatible with a wide range of PCs, from low-end to high-end gaming systems. While BizHawk supports a wide range of classic gaming consoles, some games or ROMs may be incompatible. The emphasis on advanced tools and features in BizHawk may cause compatibility issues with specific systems or games.

BizHawk is a strong emulator with a variety of advanced tools and features for retro gaming fans. While it has a learning curve and may have performance issues on some systems, it is an excellent choice for gamers who want to modify games or perform speedruns.

1. Mesen-S

Mesen-S is a well-known SNES emulator created by SourMesen. Among the important aspects are:

• Mesen-S is noted for its great level of accuracy while reproducing SNES games. It correctly emulates the console's CPU, PPU, and SPC700 sound chip, among other things.
• The emulator includes a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily modify settings and customise their gaming experience.
• Mesen-S is compatible with a large number of SNES games, including several popular titles. It also allows cheat codes and save states, making it simple for players to advance through their games.
• Mesen-S is available on a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.

We found that Mesen-S was the defacto option right now for being able to play the SNES on a PC. If you can get around the fact that it's only able to do the same console, (and no Super GameBoy games do not count) you'll have yourself quite the emulator that's as close to real hardware as possible.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the greatest SNES emulator is determined by your particular preferences and the specifications of your computer. Each emulator has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before making a choice.

For those who value precision, bsnes and higan are excellent choices, however they require a more powerful machine to run. Because of their ease of use and compatibility with most systems, SNES9x and ZSNES are both popular solutions, while RetroArch provides a wide range of customising options.

If you want anything with more advanced features, BizHawk and Mesen-S are two options to explore. Finally, it is up to you to determine which emulator best meets your needs.