OpenEmu (formerly called OpenNestopia) is a free and open-source multiple systems universal game console emulator only for Mac OS. Its appearance means that the 'It just works' concept has extended to the video game simulation field on Mac operating system for the first time ever. And its purpose is to bring macOS game emulation into the realm of first class citizenship.

OpenEmu has a simple, beautiful and intuitive UI, supports drag & drop operation, game libraries, screenshot feature, real-time game rewinding function, allows user to easily add, browse, organize supported game ROM files, and can connect to compatible gamepads. It enables us to play GB, GBA, NDS, PSP, NES, SNES, PlayStation, SEGA and other classic TV/handheld console games on Mac OS now.

OpenEmu utilizes a modular architecture that supports game engine plug-ins (i.e.: loads various game engines as plugins), which means it can support a large number of different console emulation engines, and simulate the hardware of different TV/handheld game consoles. It not only supports 8-bit systems, such as: Altari, Famicom (NES), Game Gear, NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color; a variety of 16-bit systems, including Mega Drive, NeoGeo Pocket, PC Engine, Sega Genesis, SNES (SFC); as well as 32-bit systems, including Game Boy Advance, Nitendo DS, PlayStation, PlayStation Portable (PSP), Sega Saturn; but also supports the 64-bit systems such as Nintendo 64.

To this day I am still obsessed with console games rather than PC games, web games, mobile games, or any type of online games. Anyway, in this age of online games and large 3D games, I do believe the console gaming is still a fun-filled memory for most nostalgic old players. If you're using a Mac OS and love video games much, then OpenEmu should not be missed.

Key Features

  • High-quality OpenGL scaling, multithreaded playback, and other optimizations
  • Real-time 3D effects and image processing
  • Graphic filters to enhance display
  • Full-screen support
  • Ability to play multiple ROMs at once
  • Ability to scan attached disks for ROMs
  • Automatic downloading of game info and cover art
  • A fully featured library, supporting multiple views, collections (categories), and game ratings
  • Optional automatic organization of ROM files within the library folder
  • Full save state support, including automatic save states
  • Enhanced gamepad support

Fan Made Demo Video

Supported Game Systems

System Cores
Atari 2600 Stella
Atari 5200 Atari800
Atari 7800 ProSystem
Atari Lynx Mednafen
ColecoVision CrabEmu
Famicom Disk System Nestopia
Game Boy / Game Boy Color Gambatte
Game Boy Advance mGBA
Game Gear Genesis Plus GX
Intellivision Bliss
NeoGeo Pocket Mednafen
Nintendo (NES) / Famicom FCEUX, Nestopia
Nintendo DS DeSmuME
Nintendo 64 Mupen64Plus
Odyssey²/Videopac+ O2EM
PC-FX Mednafen
SG-1000 Genesis Plus GX
Sega 32X picodrive
Sega CD / Mega CD Genesis Plus GX
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Genesis Plus GX
Sega Master System Genesis Plus GX
Sega Saturn Mednafen
Sony PlayStation Mednafen
Sony PSP PPSSPP
Super Nintendo (SNES) Higan, Snes9x
TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine/SuperGrafx Mednafen
TurboGrafx-CD/PC Engine CD Mednafen
Virtual Boy Mednafen
Vectrex VecXGL
WonderSwan Mednafen

Supported Game Controllers

Controllers Requiring Extra Effort:
  • Xbox One (driver required)
  • 8Bitdo devices (get the latest firmware and use Mode 1/Joystick Mode by holding the START button to power on)
  • Steam Controller
* If your Logitech controller has a switch on the back, it must be set to DirectInput (D).

System Requirements

  • macOS (OS X) 10.14+

Prompts

  • Logitech F710
  • Xbox 360 / Xbox One Controller Driver: If you're using a wireless controller you will also need an XBox Wireless Receiver (for Windows)
  • If using a Wiimote or Wii U Pro controller, please go to the Controller preferences, select "Add a Wiimote" from the Input box and follow the pairing directions
  • You can use Joypad Connect to connect your iPhone as a controller

Download URLs

License Version Download Size
Freeware Latest n/a
(Homepage | GitHub)