Open Source Linux Emulators
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Emulators for Linux
View 284 business solutionsBrowse free open source Emulators and projects for Linux below. Use the toggles on the left to filter open source Emulators by OS, license, language, programming language, and project status.
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NetherSX2 Classic
Continuation of NetherSX2 based on AetherSX2 3668
NetherSX2-classic is a companion and variant of NetherSX2 that targets a specific older base version of the AetherSX2 emulator (based on the 3668 branch), applying similar custom patches to provide a stable and performant PS2 emulation environment on Android devices. The project stitches in anti-tampering modifications, RetroAchievements notification fixes, and controller and GameDB updates while maintaining the legacy behavior of the classic build for compatibility with titles that might perform better on the older codebase. Because this classic branch starts from a slightly different upstream version than NetherSX2-patch, users often choose it for performance reasons on lower-power devices or for games with known regressions in newer builds. As with the patch variant, the repository includes configuration changes, fixes for widescreen and deinterlacing behavior, and updated game and controller support developed by the community. -
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GNS3
An advanced network simulator to design and configure virtual networks
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VICE
Versatile Commodore Emulator
VICE is an emulator collection which emulates the C64, the C64-DTV, the C128, the VIC20, practically all PET models, the PLUS4 and the CBM-II (aka C610). It runs on Unix, MS-DOS, Win32, OS/2, Acorn RISC OS, BeOS, QNX 6.x, Amiga, GP2X or Mac OS X machines. -
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Citra
A Nintendo 3DS Emulator
Citra is an experimental open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator/debugger written in C++. It is written with portability in mind, with builds actively maintained for Windows, Linux and macOS. Citra emulates a subset of 3DS hardware and therefore is useful for running/debugging homebrew applications, and it is also able to run many commercial games! Some of these do not run at a playable state, but we are working every day to advance the project forward. (Playable here means compatibility of at least "Okay" on our game compatibility list.) Citra is licensed under the GPLv2 (or any later version). Refer to the license.txt file included. Please read the FAQ before getting started with the project. If you want to contribute please take a look at the Contributor's Guide and Developer Information. You should also contact any of the developers in the forum in order to know about the current state of the emulator because the TODO list isn't maintained anymore. -
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DeSmuME
DeSmuME is a Nintendo DS emulator
DeSmuME is the most seasoned open source Nintendo DS emulator. It sports tools designed for hackers, speedrunners, youtubers, and casual gamers. Homebrew programs are supported and can even be debugged through GDB. The Windows and OSX versions are both relatively feature rich, and there is a small universe of forks and mods that add even more features for casual gaming. DeSmuME is the origin of RetroArch and OpenEmu Nintendo DS support and is used by several mobile Nintendo DS emulators, with the notable exception of DraStic. DeSmuME's source code is now hosted at https://github.com/TASVideos/desmume/ win32 autobuilds @ https://ci.appveyor.com/project/zeromus/desmume/build/artifacts -
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The Free Unix Spectrum Emulator (Fuse): an emulator of the 1980s home computer and various clones for Unix, macOS and Windows.
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NetherSX2
Continuation of NetherSX2 based on AetherSX2 4248
NetherSX2-patch is a community-driven continuation and enhancement of the NetherSX2 Android PlayStation 2 emulator, itself a modded fork of the open-source AetherSX2 project originally based on PCSX2. It focuses on providing a more complete and feature-rich experience by applying patches to the upstream emulator build and removing ad-related bloat, fixing notification issues, and exposing many internal settings so users have finer control over performance and compatibility on mobile devices. The project maintains an up-to-date GameDB (game compatibility database), improves controller support, and includes widescreen and no-interlace patches that make many games look and run better on modern screens. Developers also include additional fixes specific to AetherSX2 and NetherSX2 builds, along with tools to resign APKs to avoid Play Protect warnings, which makes installation smoother on Android hardware. -
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Wine
Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris, and Mac OS X
Wine is an Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X and Unix. Wine provides both a development toolkit for porting Windows sources to Unix and a program loader, allowing many unmodified Windows binaries to run on x86-based Unixes. -
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Eden Emulator
Free and opensource (FOSS) Switch 1 emulator
Eden Emulator is an experimental open-source emulator designed to replicate Nintendo Switch hardware with a focus on stability and performance improvements. It builds on modern emulation techniques to deliver smoother gameplay and better compatibility with newer titles. The project emphasizes frequent updates that reduce graphical glitches, improve rendering pipelines, and enhance overall system stability. Eden supports multiple platforms, including desktop and mobile environments, expanding accessibility for users. It also introduces features such as overlay systems and improved user interaction layers that mimic real hardware behavior. The development approach prioritizes incremental improvements, ensuring consistent progress in performance and compatibility. Overall, Eden serves as a next-generation emulator aiming to balance accuracy with usability. -
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Box64
Linux Userspace x86_64 Emulator with a twist, targeted at ARM64 Linux
Box86 lets you run x86 Linux programs (such as games) on non-x86 Linux systems, like ARM (the host system needs to be 32bit little-endian). Because box86 uses the native versions of some “system” libraries, like libc, libm, SDL, and OpenGL, it’s easy to integrate and use with most applications, and performance can be surprisingly high in some cases. Many games already work without much tweaking, for example: WorldOfGoo, Airline Tycoon Deluxe, and FTL. Many of the GameMaker Linux games also run fine. (There’s a long list, among them are Undertale, A Risk of Rain, or Cook Serve Delicious.) Box64 is the 64bits version of Box86. It is used to run x86_64 binaries on ARM64 (i.e. aarch64) Linux. There are some YouTube channels where you can see box86 and box64 in action: MicroLinux, PILabs, and The Byteman at least. -
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Bochs is a portable x86 PC emulation software package that emulates enough of the x86 CPU, related AT hardware, and BIOS to run Windows, Linux, *BSD, Minix, and other OS's, all on your workstation.
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86Box
Emulator of x86-based machines based on PCem
86Box is a low level x86 emulator that runs older operating systems and software designed for IBM PC systems and compatibles from 1981 through fairly recent system designs based on the PCI bus. Easy to use interface inspired by mainstream hypervisor software. Low level emulation of 8086-based processors up to the Pentium with focus on accuracy. Great range of customizability of virtual machines. Many available systems, such as the very first IBM PC 5150 from 1981, or the more obscure IBM PS/2 line of systems based on the Micro Channel Architecture. Lots of supported peripherals including video adapters, sound cards, network adapters, hard disk controllers, and SCSI adapters. MIDI output to Windows built-in MIDI support, FluidSynth, or emulated Roland synthesizers. Supports running MS-DOS, older Windows versions, OS/2, many Linux distributions, or vintage systems such as BeOS or NEXTSTEP, and applications for these systems. -
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GoldHEN - PS4 Homebrew Enabler
PS4 Homebrew Enabler
GoldHEN is a homebrew enabler and payload designed for PlayStation 4 systems that enables the execution of unsigned code, modifications, and custom applications by leveraging kernel-level access. It functions as an enhancement layer built on top of exploited firmware environments, allowing users to unlock additional capabilities beyond what is normally permitted by the console. The project provides a wide range of system-level features, including debugging tools, cheat engines, and plugin support, making it popular within the console modification community. It integrates closely with the PS4 operating system to provide seamless functionality while maintaining system stability. GoldHEN also supports features such as FTP access and file system browsing, enabling users to manage internal data and install custom content. Its modular design allows developers to extend its capabilities through plugins and updates. -
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RPCS3
PlayStation 3 emulator and debugger
RPCS3 is an open-source PlayStation 3 emulator and debugger, allowing users to run PS3 games and software on Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms. It aims to preserve the legacy of the PlayStation 3 by enabling gameplay and software testing beyond the original hardware's lifespan. The project has made significant progress in compatibility and performance, supporting a wide range of PS3 titles. -
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VirtualBox
Virtualization software for x86_64 hardware
VirtualBox is a powerful open-source full virtualization software that allows a user to run one or more “guest” operating systems simultaneously inside “virtual machines” on a single physical “host” machine. It supports a wide variety of host platforms (Linux, Windows, macOS, Solaris, etc.) and guest OSes, enabling, for example, running Linux on a Windows PC, running Windows Server on a Linux host, or even legacy OSes in a controlled environment. This flexibility makes VirtualBox ideal for developers, testers, sysadmins, or hobbyists who need different OS environments, want to test software across systems, or need isolation for development, sandboxing, or security experiments. VirtualBox offers both a user-friendly GUI as well as a command-line interface and headless mode, making it useful for desktop usage as well as server or automated environments. -
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Xenia Canary
Xbox 360 Emulator Research Project
Xenia Canary is an experimental fork of the Xenia Xbox 360 emulator that moves faster than the mainline project to trial bleeding-edge improvements. It focuses on game compatibility and performance by iterating quickly on GPU and CPU emulation paths, shader translation, and timing correctness. Canary builds are where risky optimizations, new backends, and rewrites land first so they can be tested by a wider community before stabilizing. The project emphasizes pragmatism: make more titles boot and run with fewer glitches, even if it means carrying experiments that later get refined or rolled back. It also prioritizes developer ergonomics with logging options, debug overlays, and issue templates that help narrow down regressions. While aimed at enthusiasts and testers, it remains a valuable way for end users to play otherwise inaccessible 360 titles on PC when the mainline is lagging behind those fixes. -
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Citron Neo
Research software designed to orchestrate virtual environments
Citron Neo is an advanced emulator project focused on replicating complex system environments with high performance and flexibility. It is designed to emulate modern console behavior while integrating improvements in CPU emulation, GPU rendering, and memory management. The project incorporates optimizations such as dynamic recompilation and Vulkan-based rendering to enhance performance across supported platforms. It also includes continuous updates that improve compatibility with games and system firmware, reflecting an active development cycle. Citron aims to provide a refined user experience through UI enhancements, faster loading times, and better resource handling. It supports multiple operating systems, including desktop and mobile environments, making it accessible across different devices. Overall, it represents a modern approach to emulation with a focus on speed, compatibility, and extensibility. -
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PPSSPP
A cross-platform PSP emulator
PPSSPP is an open source, cross-platform PSP emulator which allows you to play your PSP games on Android, Windows, Mac or Linux. With PPSSPP you can play your PSP games on your PC in full HD resolution, or play on your tablet for a big-screen mobile gaming experience. PPSSPP enhances the gaming experience in more ways than one. It even upscales some textures that would otherwise be too blurry due to the fact that they were originally made for the small screen. Even on modern Android phones and tablets you can enjoy double the original resolution. Get a whole new and better PSP gaming experience with PPSSPP now! -
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MAME
A multi-purpose emulation framework
On December 24th, 1996, Nicola Salmoria began working on his single hardware emulators, which he merged into one program during January 1997. He named the accomplishment by the name of Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, or MAME for short. -
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RetroBIOS
Complete BIOS & firmware packs for RetroArch, Batocera, Recalbox, etc.
RetroBIOS is an open-source project that provides complete BIOS and firmware packs for a wide range of emulators and retro gaming platforms. It includes thousands of verified system files required to run consoles and arcade systems accurately across tools like RetroArch, Batocera, RetroPie, and EmuDeck. Each BIOS file is validated against emulator source code to ensure correctness, compatibility, and proper functionality. The project simplifies setup by offering automated install scripts that detect your platform and download only the required missing files. It also includes detailed documentation, cross-platform mappings, and verification tools to help users manage and audit their BIOS collections. Overall, RetroBIOS serves as a reliable, structured solution for retro gaming enthusiasts who want accurate and hassle-free emulator setups. -
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Simple64
Accurate N64 Emulator
simple64 is a Nintendo 64 emulator designed to provide accurate and performant emulation of classic N64 games. It aims to replicate original hardware behavior closely while maintaining compatibility across different systems. The emulator includes support for modern graphics plugins and enhancements, improving visual fidelity beyond original hardware limitations. It also provides features such as netplay for multiplayer experiences over the internet. Although development has been archived, it remains a functional tool for retro gaming enthusiasts. The project focuses on accuracy, stability, and usability for players seeking authentic gameplay. Overall, it is a reliable emulator for experiencing N64 titles on modern systems. -
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This is Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) CLDC/MIDP Emulator. Allows demonstrate MIDlet based applications in web browser applet, also can be run as standalone java application.
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SkyEmu
Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and DS Emulator
SkyEmu is a modern, multi-system handheld emulator that supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and experimental Nintendo DS emulation, with a strong focus on balancing accuracy, performance, and usability. It is designed as a low-level emulator that accurately reproduces hardware behavior while still offering a smooth and accessible user experience across a wide range of platforms. The emulator is highly portable, supporting desktop operating systems, mobile devices, and even web browsers through WebAssembly builds. SkyEmu includes advanced visual enhancements such as upscaling shaders, color correction, and screen effects that mimic original hardware displays. It also features extensive debugging tools, making it useful not only for players but also for developers working on homebrew or reverse engineering. With features like save states, rewind, fast-forward, and controller support, it offers a full-featured modern emulation experience. -
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Windows 95 in Electron
Windows 95 in Electron. Runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows
windows95 in Electron is a quirky, nostalgia-driven project that ports a complete emulation of Microsoft Windows 95 into a desktop application that runs on modern operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. It essentially wraps an emulator — preconfigured to boot Windows 95 — inside a user-friendly app built with web technologies so developers and hobbyists can explore the look and feel of that classic OS without needing legacy hardware or complicated setup. Users can interact with familiar UI elements like the Start menu, File Explorer, and retro applications in a sandboxed environment that evokes early personal computing. Beyond being a playful trip down memory lane, the project demonstrates how emulation can be packaged using modern frameworks & how legacy operating systems can be encapsulated as distributable desktop experiences. It’s become an example of how software preservation and creative programming can intersect, inspiring others to bring historic systems to life. -
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Denise
C64/Amiga emulator with shader and runAhead
Denise is a cycle accurate C64 / Amiga 1000/500/600 emulator. It runs on Window 7 and higher, macOS (Intel and ARM), Linux, BSD.
