NES Emulators for Windows | 10 Best Alternatives

Do you want to know which ones are better? NES emulators for Windows? Don’t worry, we have some recommendations for you! Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the ever-popular gaming platform, will never go out of style, especially if you grew up in the 1990s. You will certainly be very happy to be able to play those fascinating games and relive your childhood memories.

Nintendo fans will be familiar with the fact that NES emulators for Windows allow you to play your favourite Nintendo games on your computer. If you are reading this, you are probably interested in learning more about the best range of NES emulators. So, check out our list of the top ten NES emulators for Windows, pick the one you want, and start playing.

10 Best NES Emulators for Windows

As a player, it is understandable that you do not want to lose. There buying NES emulators for Windows 7, 8, 10 and reliving the glory days. But wait a second. If you see the wide variety of NES emulators on offer, you're probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. We've made it easy for you by compiling a list of the best range of NES emulators for Windows.

1.- FCEUX

FCES is one of the most well-known NES emulators for Windows. It also has a wealth of features and customization options, similar to RetroArch. Features include debugging, video recording, ROM hacking, and speedrun development.

It also supports a joystick and allows you to play in full-screen mode, which improves the overall gaming experience. It is much easier to setup and install than RetroArch. FCEUX can read and write a wide range of file formats, including NES files.

You cannot afford to ignore the services of this emulator if you are a NES fan. When it comes to drawbacks, FCEUX has only one. It lacks a perfect color palette, which can make the gaming experience a bit odd. However, there is a provision to solve this problem.

2.- Dolphin

Dolphin It is a game emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii (consoles video games) which is free and open source. You will be surprised to find that the emulator runs better than the gaming console. Dolphin supports quick save and has a native resolution of 1080p, while providing a smooth gaming experience.

Since the emulator is constantly being developed by enthusiasts, it is not bug-free, but the issues are manageable. It helps you play your favorite Nintendo games on your PC with pinpoint accuracy. Players can also use the emulator to connect to the Nintendo Shop Channel servers. Without a doubt, one of the best NES emulators for Windows.

3.- Nestopia EU

Among the NES emulators for Windows, Nestopia EU (Undead Edition) is ideal if you want to escape the installation hassles of RetroArch while getting nearly identical features. It runs admirably under Windows 10. For the uninitiated, this emulator had a precursor in the form of Nestopia, and when that wasn't funded by the developers, Nestopia UE was created.

Nestopia UE is packed with features and customization options. It works with multiple external devices, has in-app recording capabilities, support for multiplayer and an auto-save feature.

Nestopia UE is second among NES emulators for Windows because it doesn’t have as many features, but it still has features that gamers can appreciate. Those who are trying out this emulator will have to deal with the sync option. The problem is that if you disable this option, the screen will tear, and if you leave it on, you will get slow input lag.

4.- RetroArch

RetroArch RetroArch is one of the best NES emulators for Windows. It receives high marks for its extensive feature set and customization options. RetroArch will play NES games as well as Famicom Disk System games, such as ROMs. You can play with a wide range of gamepads. USB and customize the button layout as well.

The emulator is designed to give you a modern experience, with an interface that looks a lot like that of PlayStation 3. Helps you load and save your state regardless of the current state of the game.

You can also rewind the game in real time if you wish. The emulator's ability to change vibrant video settings deserves praise. You can also make a video recording of your entire gaming session. Expect a tough time downloading and setting up RetroArch, though. It comes with no documentation.

As a result, you will have to do a lot of searching to figure out how to use this emulator. Still, it is worth a try because it is the only emulator that can stop the nasty screen and has few lags.

5.- VirtualNES

For all the right reasons, Virtua NES It is the best choice and one of the best NES emulators for Windows. Even though the developers have been discontinuing support for it for many years, it still runs smoothly on PC.

The best part is that you don't need any additional tools to play NES games. VirtuaNES is customizable and comes with a gamepad and external joystick. Full-screen mode and customizable display support are also included for your convenience.

For the lazy, there is some positive news. Code support for Tricks assets are also included in the emulator. You can try adjusting the hexadecimal memory locations to accommodate the new cheats.

Don't miss: 5 Best PS4 Emulators for PC

6.- Nintendolator

nintendulator is another one of the best NES emulators for Windows that keeps the fort afloat thanks to its consistent results. One of the reasons for the emulator’s superior performance is that it is written in C++.

The gameplay is realistic and has a number of useful features. Players can use the built-in Game Genie stand to initiate the auto-play feature. Additionally, USB gamepad support is included.

You will remember that the soft reset and power button hardware of the original Nintendo console were important. These features are included in the emulator, which would certainly make NES fans happy.

7.- Nesbox

Nesbox is one of the newest NES emulators for Windows available. You have a few options with the emulator. The Nesbox website allows you to play NES games directly from your browser.

Another option is to use a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app for Windows 10. This is a huge relief for those who don't want to deal with the hassle of installing emulators. They simply go to the Nesbox website, load their ROMs, and start playing.

It's a very enjoyable experience. You won't have any issues with the results or lag. The online emulator supports a variety of formats including NES, Sega, Super Nintendo, and GameBoy. The UWP software runs smoothly not only on Windows 10, but also on mobile devices that run the same operating system.

8.- jNES

The emulator jNES It's perfect for those who don't want to deal with the complexities of installation. You first need to open a ROM and start playing your chosen game. Yes, it lacks a wide range of features, but it's one of the easiest NES emulators for Windows to use.

However, it does come with a gamepad, the ability to manipulate music, and the ability to change the screen size. It works for NES and NSF ROMs without any issues. jNES is a decent choice for those who don't care about advanced features and just want to enjoy their favorite games.

9.- Mesen

bladder It supports all NES games that have been released so far, totaling 290 titles. Mesen is also widely regarded as the most reliable of the NES emulators for Windows and LinuxYou will appreciate the variety of features it offers in an easy-to-use graphical user interface.

With it, you will still have a smoother and faster gaming experience. Netplay, an equalizer, a cheat finder, video and sound recorders, and much more are among the emulator's main features. When you're in the middle of a new scenario, it's easy to forget to save your progress in the game.

This emulator produces autosave points, which is definitely beneficial. One of the unique features of the emulator is that it remembers the last ROM file you used before you quit the game. The emulator will display a screenshot when you play the game again. It can help you remember the last time you played a file, and you can do this with multiple files.

10.- RockNES

Are you looking for the best among NES emulators for Windows that is reliable and easy to use with lots of cool features? RockNES is the emulator you're looking for. It doesn't have the same fast speed as some of the other emulators on this list, but it won't let you down.

The fact that RockNES supports all NES games is certainly a cause for celebration. The Eagle Mode feature of this emulator allows you to control graphics and sounds while playing games. The ROCKNES.CFG file is automatically created when you run RockNES for the first time. You can now monitor sound, video, game controller, and a variety of other functions.

RockNES is similar to Nintendulator in that it supports Game Genie. It comes with a text file that explains how to use the functionality in detail for the benefit of users.

Final words

If you want to choose the best emulator for your system, in this list we have shown you the best ones. NES emulators for Windows that you can find on the market. The choice will depend on what you want to achieve with the emulator, but we assure you that any one you choose from the list we have provided will be an excellent option.