OpenEmu for MAC
Free, open-source retro game emulator for Mac: play NES, SNES, Game Boy, Genesis, PlayStation and 25+ more systems in one app.
OpenEmu Overview
OpenEmu is a free, open-source video game emulator made for the Mac. Instead of a separate emulator for every console, it brings dozens of systems together in one app with a clean, native Mac interface. Drag a game file onto OpenEmu and it identifies the game, sorts it into the right system and adds it to a library that looks like your music or photo collection. Plug in a gamepad, pick it from the list and press start. Under the hood, OpenEmu uses well-known emulation engines, which it calls cores, such as Nestopia, Snes9x, mGBA, Genesis Plus GX, Mupen64Plus and Mednafen.
OpenEmu is made by the OpenEmu Team and released under a BSD licence. It does not include any games: you add backups of games you own. The current version, 2.4.1, needs macOS 10.14.4 or later; its official build is for Intel Macs and runs on Apple Silicon Macs through Rosetta 2. An Experimental build with extra cores, including arcade support, is offered alongside the standard version.
Key Features
OpenEmu makes retro gaming on the Mac simple and organised.
- 30+ systems: from the Atari 2600 and NES to the Nintendo 64, PlayStation and Sega Saturn.
- Game library: drag and drop games and OpenEmu sorts them by system with box art.
- Gamepads: works with PlayStation, Xbox, Switch Pro, Wii and many other controllers.
- Save states: save and load your progress at any moment.
- Screenshots: capture the screen while you play.
- Shaders: choose display filters, such as CRT effects, for each system.
- Native Mac app: a clean, Mac-like interface instead of many separate emulators.
- Experimental build: optional extra cores, including arcade games.
What’s New in Version 2.4.1
OpenEmu 2.4.1, released at the end of 2023, is still the latest version.
- Follow-up release to OpenEmu 2.4
- Official binaries are built for Intel Macs; Apple Silicon Macs run them through Rosetta 2
OpenEmu FAQ
Is OpenEmu free?
Yes. OpenEmu is free and open source, released under a BSD licence. The team accepts donations.
Which systems can OpenEmu emulate?
More than 30, including the Atari 2600, NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, PSP, TurboGrafx-16 and WonderSwan.
Does OpenEmu come with games?
No. OpenEmu does not include any games. You add backup copies (ROMs) of games you own.
Which macOS version does OpenEmu need?
OpenEmu 2.4.1 needs macOS 10.14.4 or later.
Does OpenEmu run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. The official build is for Intel Macs, and Apple Silicon Macs run it through Rosetta 2, which macOS offers to install the first time.
Which controllers work with OpenEmu?
Many, including the PlayStation DualShock 3 and 4, Xbox One S, Nintendo Switch Pro, Wii Remote and Wii U Pro, SteelSeries Nimbus and Logitech gamepads. You can also play with the keyboard.
What is the Experimental build?
It is a separate download with extra cores that are still in development, including arcade support. The standard build is the stable choice.
Can I save my game in OpenEmu?
Yes. Besides each game's own saves, OpenEmu lets you create save states and load them at any time.
Can I install OpenEmu with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install --cask openemu.
Where does the OpenEmu download on openemu.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official OpenEmu website at https://openemu.org/. openemu.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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