Emulation

The Best Retro Gaming Emulators: 10 Essential Picks (2026 Guide)

19 October 2025 8 min read Mark Baxman
The Best Retro Gaming Emulators for Windows and Mac

Quick Answer

The best retro gaming emulator overall is RetroArch (free, open-source, supports 30+ systems). For beginners, it’s paired with an 8BitDo Pro 2 controller ($50-60). For specific systems: FCEUX (NES/SNES), Dolphin (GameCube/Wii), PCSX2 (PS2), Citra (3DS). Installation takes 30-45 minutes total. You’ll need a USB controller ($15-60), optionally an 8BitDo wireless controller ($45-70), and emulation software (free to $30) depending on your preference.

Top 10 Emulators Ranked by Usefulness

RankEmulatorBest ForCostDownloadSetup TimeController NeededRating
1RetroArchAll systems (multi-emulator)FREERetroArch.com20 minsBuy Controller⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2DolphinGameCube/Wii (best quality)FREEDolphin-Emulator.com15 minsUSB Controller⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3PCSX2PlayStation 2 (near-perfect)FREEPCSX2.net25 minsDualShock 4⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4CitraNintendo 3DS (only option)FREECitra-Emu.org20 mins3DS Controller⭐⭐⭐⭐
5FCEUXNES/SNES (accuracy focus)FREEFCEUX.com10 minsNES Controller⭐⭐⭐⭐
6Snes9XSNES (speed + quality)FREESnes9X.com10 minsSNES Controller⭐⭐⭐⭐
7Mupen64PlusNintendo 64 (best N64)FREEMupen64plus.org20 minsN64 Controller⭐⭐⭐⭐
8PPSSPPPSP (portable Sony)FREEPPSSPP.org15 minsPSP Controller⭐⭐⭐⭐
9DeSmuMENintendo DSFREEDeSmuME.org15 minsMouse + Keyboard⭐⭐⭐
10MAMEArcade (all arcade boards)FREEMAME.net30 minsArcade Stick⭐⭐⭐⭐

#1: RetroArch – The Swiss Army Knife ($0, All Systems)

Why Everyone Recommends This

RetroArch is a “frontend” that runs 30+ different emulators through one interface. Install it once, play everything.

What You Can Emulate:

  • ✅ NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy (perfect)
  • ✅ N64, PlayStation 1, Dreamcast (excellent)
  • ✅ GameCube, Wii, DS (very good)
  • ✅ Arcade games, Atari, older systems (perfect)

Installation & Setup (20 Minutes)

Step 1: Download ($0)

  1. Go to RetroArch.com
  2. Click “Download”
  3. Select your OS (Windows/Mac/Linux)
  4. Install like any program

Step 2: Download Emulator Cores (Free)

  1. Open RetroArch
  2. Go to “Main Menu” → “Online Updater”
  3. Select “Core Updater”
  4. Install cores you want:
    • “Nestopia” (NES)
    • “Snes9X” (SNES)
    • “Genesis Plus GX” (Genesis)
    • “Mupen64Plus” (N64)
    • “Beetle PSX HW” (PlayStation 1)

Takes 10-15 minutes total.

Step 3: Configure Controller ($15-60)

  1. Plug in USB controller or wireless 8BitDo
  2. Go to “Settings” → “Input”
  3. Auto-detects controller (usually works immediately)

Best Controller for RetroArch

Budget Pick: Generic USB Controller ($15-25)

Best Pick: 8BitDo Pro 2 ($50-60)

  • Buy on Amazon
  • Wireless (no cables)
  • Fantastic build quality
  • Button layout feels authentic
  • Works with RetroArch perfectly
  • Lasts 15+ hours per charge
  • Recommended for RetroArch ✅

Premium: 8BitDo Ultimate ($70-80)

  • View on Amazon
  • Hall effect joysticks (never wear out)
  • Wireless + wired mode
  • Works with everything

Complete RetroArch Setup Bundle

Basic Setup ($0-40):

Recommended Setup ($45-65):

Premium Setup ($75-95):

#2: Dolphin – GameCube/Wii Perfection ($0)

Why This Dominates GameCube Emulation

Dolphin is THE standard for:

  • GameCube (Super Smash Bros Melee, Zelda: Wind Waker, etc.)
  • Wii (same library, better graphics)
  • 95% game compatibility
  • Can run at 1080p/4K (beyond original hardware)

Installation (15 Minutes)

  1. Download Dolphin (Free)
  2. Install like normal program
  3. Plug in controller
  4. Point to GameCube ISOs
  5. Play

Note: Requires actual GameCube game files (ISOs)

Controller Options for Dolphin

Native GameCube Controller ($50-70)

Alternative: 8BitDo Pro 2 ($50-60)

  • Get on Amazon
  • Works perfectly with Dolphin
  • No adapter needed
  • Great for all GameCube games

Complete Dolphin Setup:

#3: PCSX2 – PlayStation 2 (The Best PS2 Emulator)

Why PCSX2 is Essential

PlayStation 2 had the biggest game library. PCSX2 emulates it near-perfectly.

Games That Run Perfectly:

  • Grand Theft Auto (III, Vice City, San Andreas)
  • Final Fantasy X/XII
  • Metal Gear Solid 2/3
  • Devil May Cry series
  • Kingdom Hearts

90% of PS2 library works excellently.

Installation & Setup (25 Minutes)

  1. Download PCSX2 (Free)
  2. Install emulator
  3. Install graphics plugin (bundled)
  4. Point to PS2 game files (ISOs)
  5. Configure DualShock 4 controller
  6. Play

Recommended Controller

DualShock 4 ($30-50)

  • Buy on Amazon
  • Original PS2-style layout
  • Perfect for PS2 games
  • Works with Dolphin, RetroArch too

Alternative: 8BitDo Pro 2 ($50-60)

  • Get Here
  • Works with PCSX2
  • More versatile (works with everything)

Complete PCSX2 Setup

Budget Setup ($30-50):

Recommended Setup ($40-60):

#4-10: Quick Reference for Other Emulators

#4: Citra – Nintendo 3DS ($0)

Best For: Portable Nintendo games on your PC

Setup: 15 minutes, straightforward

Controller: Any USB controller

Cost: FREE emulator + Optional Controller $15-60

Download: Citra-Emu.org

#5: FCEUX – NES (Gold Standard) ($0)

Best For: Purists who want 100% accurate NES emulation

Setup: 10 minutes

Why: Cycle-accurate emulation (matches original hardware pixel-by-pixel)

Controller: Any USB controller or NES Controller Replica $20

Cost: FREE

Download: FCEUX.com

#6: Snes9X – SNES (Speed Champion) ($0)

Best For: SNES games (faster than FCEUX for SNES)

Setup: 10 minutes

Performance: Excellent on even old PCs

Controller: SNES Controller Replica $20-30 or 8BitDo SN30 Pro $45-55

Cost: FREE emulator + Optional Controller $15-55

Download: Snes9X.com

#7: Mupen64Plus – Nintendo 64 ($0)

Best For: Nintendo 64 games (Super Smash Bros, Zelda Ocarina of Time)

Setup: 20 minutes (slightly more complex)

Performance: 95% of games run perfectly

Controller: N64 Controller Replica $25-40 + USB adapter $15

Cost: FREE + Controller $25-55

Download: Mupen64plus.org

#8: PPSSPP – PlayStation Portable ($0)

Best For: Portable PS1-era games on PC

Setup: 15 minutes

Performance: Excellent (can upscale to 4K)

Controller: PSP Controller Replica $30-50 or 8BitDo

Cost: FREE + Optional Controller $20-50

Download: PPSSPP.org

#9: DeSmuME – Nintendo DS ($0)

Best For: Nintendo DS games (Dragon Quest IX, Pokemon, etc.)

Setup: 15 minutes

Note: Requires mouse for touch screen games (clunky)

Controller: Keyboard or USB controller

Cost: FREE

Download: DeSmuME.org

#10: MAME – Arcade Games ($0)

Best For: Arcade classics (Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Metal Slug, etc.)

Setup: 30 minutes (more complex)

Performance: Perfect for all arcade games

Best Controller: Arcade Stick $50-150 (highly recommended for authentic feel)

Cost: FREE + Optional Arcade Stick $50-150

Download: MAME.net

How to Choose the Right Emulator

By Gaming Era

8-Bit Era (1980s-1990):

16-Bit Era (1990s):

32-Bit Era (Late 1990s):

  • Best Option: Dolphin (GameCube) or PCSX2 (PS2)
  • Setup Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Controller: DualShock 4 $40-50

64-Bit Era (Early 2000s):

  • Best Options: PCSX2 (PS2), Dolphin (GameCube/Wii)
  • Setup Time: 25-35 minutes
  • Controller: 8BitDo $50-80

Arcade:

Complete Emulation PC Setup (Budget to Premium)

Budget Emulation Setup ($50-80)

Equipment:

Software: All FREE (RetroArch, Dolphin, PCSX2)

What You Can Play:

  • ✅ All NES/SNES/Genesis games perfectly
  • ✅ N64 excellently
  • ✅ PlayStation 1/2 very well
  • ✅ GameCube games great

Setup Time: 1-2 hours total

👉 Buy Complete Bundle

Recommended Setup ($100-130)

Equipment:

Software: All FREE

What You Get:

  • ✅ Perfect wireless controller (no cables)
  • ✅ Works with ALL emulators
  • ✅ 15+ hour battery life
  • ✅ Premium build quality

Setup Time: 1-2 hours

👉 Get 8BitDo Pro 2

Premium Arcade Setup ($200-300)

Equipment:

Software: All FREE (MAME, RetroArch for arcade cores)

Why: Authentic arcade experience with period-correct controllers

👉 Browse Arcade Sticks

Essential Accessories for Any Emulation Setup

Controller Options (Choose One)

Budget ($15-30):

Recommended ($50-70):

Premium ($70-100):

  • 8BitDo Ultimate
  • Hall effect joysticks (never wear out)
  • Wireless + wired option
  • Professional quality
  • Best overall controller

Essential Cables & Adapters

USB Extension Cable ($10-15):

USB Hub (Optional, $15-25):

  • Powered USB Hub
  • If plugging in multiple controllers/devices
  • Prevents power issues

Storage & Organization

External SSD for Game Files ($60-100):

Game Controller Storage ($15-30):

Optional Upgrades

Mechanical Keyboard for Retro Games ($50-150):

CRT Monitor (If You Want Authentic Look) ($100-300):

  • CRT Monitor (Used)
  • Displays scanlines like original hardware
  • Adds nostalgic authenticity
  • Optional but highly appreciated by collectors

Quick Decision Tree

Q1: Do you want to emulate ONE system or MULTIPLE systems?

→ One system (e.g., just PS2): Use PCSX2 (Free) + DualShock 4 Controller ($40-50)

→ Multiple systems: Use RetroArch (Free) + 8BitDo Pro 2 ($50-60)

Q2: What’s your budget for a controller?

→ Under £30: Generic USB Controller ($20-30)

→ £30-60: 8BitDo Pro 2 ($50-60) ⭐ BEST VALUE

→ £60+: 8BitDo Ultimate ($70-80) or Arcade Stick ($80-150)

Q3: Which era of games interests you most?

→ 8-bit/16-bit (NES/SNES/Genesis): RetroArch + Replica Controller $20-30

→ GameCube/Wii: Dolphin (Free) + GameCube Controller or 8BitDo

→ PlayStation 2: PCSX2 (Free) + DualShock 4 ($40-50)

→ Arcade Games: MAME (Free) + Arcade Stick ($80-150)

Summary: What to Buy Today

The $50 Starter Kit

The $100 Best Setup

The Complete $200 Setup

Related Guides

Last Updated: February 2026 | All prices from Amazon UK | Emulators are free & legal to download