The Best SNES Emulator of 2024 | PC, Mac, Linux

Are you trying to figure out which is the best SNES emulator? Maybe you’re want to relive your nostalgia for the classic gaming days of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). For those who share a special fondness for nostalgic titles such as Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, you can now easily experience them again without needing to dig out your original Super Nintendo console.

In this article we’ll help you understand which Super Nintendo emulators you should choose to emulate SNES games on modern devices. We’ll also cover topics related to ROM files legalities and tips on making your current emulation experience even better! So let’s dive right in, full speed ahead!

Short Summary

• Discover the best SNES emulators and even further customize your gaming experience with ROM hacks.
• Understand legal considerations before downloading ROMs, and learn how to use cheat codes to unlock extra playability in games.
• Get an authentic gaming experience without using your original SNES console with 8Bitdo controllers or relive nostalgia with a SNES Classic Edition console!

Enhancing Your SNES Emulation Experience

Controller Setup

For those looking to recreate the classic SNES gaming experience, you need to play using an external controller.

Hands down, two of the best Super Nintendo controllers that you can get these days are the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro and RetroFlag Classic Gaming Controller. They both have that iconic retro Super Nintendo look but come with dual analog sticks, a D-pad, and four face buttons.

The 8Bitdo SN30 Pro even has rechargeable batteries and has Bluetooth connection.

8Bitdo Sn30 Pro Bluetooth Controller

$44.99

The RetroFlag controller connects via USB and looks nearly identical to the classic “dog bone” SNES controller shape.

Retroflag Classic Wired USB Gaming Controller

$16.99

What is The Best SNES Emulator?

If you want to enjoy classic SNES games on your PC, we have created the top list of SNES emulators in 2023. Among these are Snes9X, ZSNES, BizHawk, Higan/BSNES and RetroArch as well as BSNes-classic.

Each one has its unique set of features so that regardless of their setup, everyone can find the best fitting choice according to their needs when playing these old but still amazing titles from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

1. SNES9x: The All-Rounder

• Price: Free
• Platform: PC, macOS, Linux, MS-DOS, MorphOS, Xbox, PSP, PS3, GameCube, Wii, iOS, and Android
• Official website

SNES9X is one of the best emulators for PC, MacOS, and Linux, making it a solid option for playing your favorite SNES titles. It has a user friendly interface which is reminiscent of the Windows operating system and allows you to quickly start up all those cherished games from long ago without too much hassle due to its highly accurate emulation capabilities on assembly CPU cores.

It supports external controllers, be sure to check out our guide on how to use Xbox One controller on Snes9x.

What really makes this emulator stand out though is its Turbo feature which lets players fast forward SNES9x cut scenes or in-game dialogue. SNES9X is a solid emulator with lots of cool features, it has great compatibility with most SNES games, and it runs well on just about every desktop operating system. It’s a go to solution for many retro gamers for the SNES for a reason.

You can even fast forward Snes9x and rewind gameplay. Be sure to check out our article for a complete guide on how to fast forward Snes9x and rewind it.

It even has a Netplay feature that lets you play online with friends. Speaking of which, be sure to check out our Snes9x Netplay tutorial.

2. ZSNES: The Classic Choice

• Price: Free
• Platform: Windows PC, macOS, Linux, DOS, and Xbox
• Official website

For those looking for a more traditional approach, ZSNES is a great SNES emulator for PCs. This emulator was originally released back in 1997 and was one of the most popular SNES emulators between the late 90’s and mid 2000’s era, but these days it is a bit overshadowed by the SNES9x.

It has the ability to play classic SNES games on your computer quite easily. It has features such as save states, loading progress in near real-time, the ability to use turbo buttons, and even allows for connecting external devices like light guns. One notable feature about the ZSNES is the ability to use Netplay for playing online with friends.

Because this emulator is so old, do keep in mind that a fair amount of users have mentioned issues with ZSNES glitching out and losing all their game data. Compatibility wise, ZSNES could do better, and most modern emulators like the SNES9x are much better with emulating games more accurately.

Regarding game crashes, games such as Der Langrisser freezes up completely after playing for only 2 to 3 hours, Super Mario RPG freezes at multiple different points during the game, Star Ocean and lots of other notable popular games have issues with freezing and glitches.

The sound emulation for ZSNES also isn’t the greatest, and again this comes down to the age of this emulator. Newer options have significant advantages over it. Many games end up sounding inaccurate and the audio timer can sound wonky at times, even completely off from the gameplay at times.

3. BizHawk: For TAS Enthusiasts

• Price: Free
• Platform: Windows and macOS
• Official website

BizHawk is a SNES emulator originally developed with a focus for Tool Assisted Speedruns, otherwise known as “TAS”. For anyone familiar with the speedrunning community, Tool Assisted Speedruns are well known. For those not in the know, TAS is a speedrun or playthrough that uses precise inputs recorded with tools like BizHawk with the goal of creating a theoretical perfect playthrough, something that shows players what is possible with perfect precise inputs.

The BizHawk emulator supports Windows 10 and provides users with an array of features:

• Re-recording support
• Lua scripting
• Game format detection
• 10 save slots available
• Infinite named save states
• Speed control including frame stepping & going backwards in time while playing
• Hotkeys and much more

Because BizHawk was created for TAS, it’s ideal for those looking to craft up intricate runs and ultimately see what speedruns are possible with perfect input and timing.

4. Higan/BSNES: The Accurate Option

• Price: Free
• Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD
• Official website

Are Higan and BSNES the same emulator?

Higan was the original name for this emulator which eventually was forked and renamed as BSNES. Higan is a mult-system emulator that focuses on accuracy while BSNES is a Super Nintnendo emulator which includes support for Game Boy games.

Higan is a multi-system emulator, renowned for its high level of accuracy in replicating the visuals and gameplay of any SNES game. In other words, it’s known as an accurate SNES emulator because it is able to play games with a high level of accuracy, similar to what you would expect while playing on an actual SNES console.

Because of the resources that high accuracy emulators require, it takes more powerful hardware than other emulators, yet provides an unparalleled experience when it comes to faithfully reproducing classic titles from Nintendo’s beloved system. This gives gamers seeking a truly authentic experience an SNES emulator that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s the perfect choice for anyone wanting their favorite games to look and feel just like they remember on the original console.

5. RetroArch: The Multi-Platform Powerhouse

• Price: Free
• Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, and tons more
• Official website

The RetroArch emulator usually ends up on just about every one of our best emulator lists and for good reason. RetroArch is an emulation frontend that allows users to download different systems that they want to emulate, known as “cores”. RetroArch has a TON of different Super Nintendo cores to choose from:

• Beetle Supafaust
• BSNES 2014 (Accuracy)
• BSNES (2014 Balanced)
• BSNES (2014 Performance)
• BSNES
• BSNES-HD (beta)
• BSNES-Mercury (Accuracy)
• BSNES-Mercury (Balanced)
• BSNES-Mercury (Performance)
• SNES9X – Current
• SNES9X 2002
• SNES9X 2005 Plus
• SNES9X 2005
• SNES9X 2010
• Mesen-S

Of all the various SNES emulator cores that RetroArch has available, if you’re struggling to decide which to install and use, you can’t go wrong with SNES-9X – Current. If you’d like to install each and see which performs best on your system, by all means go for it! However if the list seems a bit overwhelming and you’re just looking for a basic SNES emulator that plays games well, SNES-9X – Current is the way to go.

Be sure to check out our guide on how to setup the RetroArch SNES core Snes9x.

RetroArch is open-source and compatible across tons and tons of different platforms. Some of the features available are:

• Shaders
• The ability to play online with Netplay
• Rewind games
• Translation of games
• Vision impairment accessibility
• And so much more

Not only does RetroArch play Super Nintendo retro games, but you can also play Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and so many other different emulators are available. It really is the all in one emulator frontend.

Playing SNES Games on Android Devices

Android phones and tablets are great for playing SNES games on the go or for someone looking for a pick up and play experience. With popular apps like Snes9x EX+, users can dive into these games anywhere, whenever they want.

Snes9x EX+: A Popular Mobile Choice

• Price: Free
• Platform: Android
• Official website

When it comes to SNES emulators for android, Snes9x Ex+ is a great choice. It has a ton of features and works well with most SNES ROMs. Snes9x EX+ has over 10 million+ installs on the Google Play Store and has managed to maintain an average user rating of 4.3 stars which says a lot about the quality of the app.

SNES9x is already the number one emulator on our list of SNES emulators and the fact that there is an Android version available as well makes this a no brainer. This Android smartphone version can be used on mobile phones without compromising functionality or performance.

It includes support for wireless controllers and has nearly the same amount of customization options as the PC version. All you need are your Super Nintendo games and you’re ready to play.

SNES ROM Hacks: Customized Gaming

SNES ROM hacks allow gamers to enjoy completely new takes on classic games. These usually consist of new characters, levels or items that were never seen before in the original games.

Reminder: A necessary disclaimer here is to remember that using copyrighted content without permission could have some legal repercussions. Without naming any names, not all companies like seeing their classic games edited.

That being said, you can find most rom-hacks pretty easily with a google search. Most of your favorite classic games have ROM hack versions available for them. You simply need to download them and then you can rum them on any SNES emulator you choose.

What About SNES ROM Files?

When it comes to SNES ROMs, there are certain legal considerations you need to be aware of. Specific types of ROMs can be obtained from various sources online, however do keep in mind that download game ROMs is illegal in many parts of the world. Many games still have copyright protection and it is always recommended that you dump your game files from their original SNES cartridges.

Be sure to look up the rules and regulations for where you live.

Best Sources for SNES ROMs

There are tons of websites that have list of SNES ROMs, but many are sketchy and it’s always recommended that you are cautious when downloading anything from random websites online. Be sure to check out this guide where we went through the top sites and decided on the best site for ROMs.

SNES Classic Edition

We couldn’t write this list of the best SNES emulators without mentioning the SNES Classic Edition! It was a miniature emulation console released by Nintendo, allowing gamers to relive the nostalgia of classic gaming from the comfort of their living room.

This retro gaming emulation console accurately emulates the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and comes pre-loaded with a selection of 21 iconic Nintendo games. Some of the games included are Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past, and Super Metroid.

This miniature system also includes two controllers, save state and rewind functions, and the ability to alter the look and feel of the games to give it a more classic look if you wish. Nintendo delivered a solid retro emulation console here and it’s definitely worth picking up if you can get your hands on one. You can also hack it and add tons of additional games to it as well.

Summary

We’ve gone over the best emulation options for playing these classic games: Snes9x, ZSNES, BizHawk, etc. We’ve also shared some of the best controllers to use when playing these games. You should now be ready to play some classic games!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SNES emulation legal?

SNES emulation is legal in the U.S., but it depends on if the game ROMs that the player is using were obtained legally. Downloading game ROMs from the internet is illegal, however you can legally dump the game ROM files from existing cartridges that you own.

It’s always best to check your local laws and regulations to be sure that you are abiding by the rules set for where you live.

Does SNES classic use emulation?

The SNES Classic uses an emulator known as Canoe. The Canoe emulator is built to accurately play the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System games. It’s this Canoe emulator that reads the different game ROM files and allows them to be played similarly to how users would experience them on original hardware.

Is Higan emulator safe?

While some users of Higan have reported issues using it and it might not be the simplest emulator to use, there doesn’t seem to be any particular reasons that we can find why Higan isn’t safe to use. Overall it is a somewhat reliable emulator and as far as we can find online, there haven’t been any reports that we can see about it having malware or security issues. Any negative feedback we have found has been related to it performance.

Can RetroPie Play SNES Games?

RetroPie can absolutely play Super Nintendo games. You’ll need to have a Raspberry Pi device to run it though! Be sure to check out our RetroPie SNES setup guide.

How to play SNES games on PC?

Playing SNES gaming on PC is a rather simple process. All you need is to:

1. Download an emulator such as SNES9x onto your computer
2. Get the ROMs for the games you want to play ready
3. Open the ROM files in the emulator
4. You’re ready to play

If you’re an Android user, take a look at this list of the best SNES emulator Android apps.

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