SNES Emulators

welcome to the SNES Emulators recap page
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or SNES, is a 16-bit home console developed by Nintendo that is the immediate successor to the popular NES.
The SNES emulation community is well-developed and established, with numerous active emulators available online for a wide range of systems.
As always, I’m only including active projects that can achieve high compatibility while still providing good performance and functionality; also, free and open-source emulators will be prioritized over paid ones.
SOME LORE (click to expand)
Quick story of the NES
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, later known as the Super Famicom in Japan, was a 16-bit home video game console developed by Nintendo to compete with its two major rivals of the time: the PC Engine and Sega Genesis.
The development of the Super Famicom was announced in 1987 by then-Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi. Ken Kutaragi, a Sony engineer, created the sound chip for the console.
The Super Famicom was first made available in 1990 in Japan. It quickly took off with a huge first supply sellout. It came to North America as the SNES in 1991 and in Europe in 1992.
The console was designed by Masayuki Uemura, who also created the original Famicom. The SNES provided better graphics and sound capabilities, as well as the option to include enhancement chips in game cartridges (6). Lance Barr7 created the console’s controller.
The SNES became the best-selling console of the 16-bit era, with 49.1 million units sold worldwide26. The SNES had a significant rivalry with Sega’s Genesis console, known as the “console wars,” but Donkey Kong Country is said to have helped establish the SNES’s market prominence in the latter years of the 16-bit generation. A redesigned model of the Super NES was released in 1997.
Quick data
Name: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Producer: Nintendo
Release date: 21 November 1990 (JAP)
Generation: Fourth
Status: Discontinued
Dismission date: 30 November 1999 (JAP)
Unit sold: 49.10 mil.
Price at launch: 199$
CPU: Ricoh 5A22 5.38Mhz
GPU: Ricoh 5C77/5C78
RAM: 128 Kb
Resolution: Up to 512 x 478 px
Predecessor: Nintendo Entertainment System
Successor: Nintendo 64
SNES Emulators list
click on the emulator's logo to access more details on the official page
best SNES emulators for Windows, linux, SteamDeck and MAC
ARES
Ares is a free multi-emulator successor to Bsnes and Higan that has made significant strides recently, rapidly becoming one of the most powerful emulators on the web.
The SNES core of Ares is derived from the actively developed Bsnes, making it the most accurate option available for emulating classic SNES titles.
Supported Platform:
Mesen
This fantastic emulator, in addition to perfectly emulating the NES, can also launch SNES games without indecision, delivering remarkable accuracy, excellent features, and stable performance.
Also available through Retroarch in a core named “Mesen-S,” this version is based on Mesen v1 but equally valid.
Supported Platform:
other reliable emulator
This are all great emulator, SNES emulation available basically everywhere and also as Retroarch core. They could be a great choice for Retroarch and low-end device.
Bsnes HD
This enhanced version of Bsnes introduces some graphical features, including widescreen support and HD Mode 7, making it a fantastic choice for retro gaming enthusiasts. Although it is no longer receiving updates, this fork of Bsnes is definitely worth exploring.
Snes9x
Snes9x is a legendary name in the SNES emulation scene since his first release in 1998.
Through the years, Snes9x has been successfully ported to nearly every existing operating system, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even web browsers, making it available basically everywhere.
best SNES emulators for Android Smartphone and Android handled console
Retroarch
Snes9x, Bsnes or Mesen-S core
The SNES emulation is rock solid on Retroarch thanks to many great cores.
Mesen-S, Bsnes, or Snes9x are all great cores, solid, fast, and with great accuracy and compatibility without ADS and all the added security of the Libretro platform!
Supported Platform:
Lemuroid
Looking for a lightweight alternative to RetroArch for your smartphone? Try Lemuroid! This free app features a simple interface and utilizes the same Libretro core as RetroArch. Easily emulate SNES and other consoles using the Snes9x core. Fast, light, and ad-free, What are you waiting for?
Supported Platform:
other reliable SNES Android emulator
Searching for a standalone emulator? try the following
best SNES emulators for IOS and Ipad
All the emulators listed here are present on the app store and work without the need of any type of jailbreak; also, free apps will be favored over the paid ones.
Some apps can be unavailable in some regions but can be installed anyway via sideload (much easier if you are an EU user).
I’m listing here only the safe and valid emulators, with great features and compatibility, avoiding all the junky apps full of trackers and ads or fake apps pointing to web-based emulators with no respect for the original owner.
Retroarch
Snes9x, Bsnes or Mesen-S core
Even on iOS, the SNES emulation is rock solid on Retroarch thanks to many great cores.
Mesen-S, Bsnes, or Snes9x are all here, providing great accuracy and compatibility without ADS and all the added security of the Libretro platform!
Supported Platform:
delta
Delta Emulator is a multi-emulator for iOS and iPadOS that lets you play your favorite SNES games using the Snes9x core. It’s free, ad-free, and emulates the NES, N64, GBA, and NDS, as well as having controller support, quick save, and cheat management!