Emulicious vs SMS Plus GX

Emulicious8.8Visit SPSMS Plus GX7.9Visit

Higher score Emulicious #3 in Sega Master System Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Emulicious

vs

SP SMS Plus GX #8 in Sega Master System Emulators 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Libretro

• Emulicious fits best

  Developers and testers needing SMS debugging

• SMS Plus GX fits best

  Android and Linux users wanting practical SMS tools

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Side by side

Feature	Emulicious 8.8/10 Visit ↗	SPSMS Plus GX 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	7.9
Ranking	#3 in Sega Master System Emulators	#8 in Sega Master System Emulators
Best for	Developers and testers needing SMS debugging	Android and Linux users wanting practical SMS tools
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Mobile, Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Android, Linux
Support	Email, Community	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Emulicious 0/5 · SMS Plus GX 2/5
Source available	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Built-in debugger	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Netplay support	Not checked yet	—
Cheat support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
BIOS required	Not checked yet	—
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Android, Linux
Our review
Pros	Debugger, profiler, tracer, disassembler and RAM tools Supports five systems across Windows, macOS and Linux Remote debugging with Visual Studio Code integration	Supports Sega Master System and Game Gear software Includes save states, rewind, cheats, and controller remapping Offers configurable hardware, region, and video filtering options
Cons	Freeware rather than open-source software No AI features Focused on five supported systems rather than broader emulation	Requires a compatible libretro frontend such as RetroArch Netplay is not supported ColecoVision support is experimental and requires a separate BIOS
Our verdict	Emulicious is freeware for emulating Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear and MSX software. It suits players, ROM hackers, homebrew developers, and especially developers or testers working with Master System… Read the review →	SMS Plus GX is an open-source libretro emulator core for Sega Master System and Game Gear software, with experimental ColecoVision support. It suits Android and Linux users who want a free way to run supported retro cartridge image formats… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Emulicious — where it wins

  • Debugger, profiler, tracer, disassembler and RAM tools
  • Supports five systems across Windows, macOS and Linux
  • Remote debugging with Visual Studio Code integration

  Where it doesn't

  • Freeware rather than open-source software
  • No AI features
  • Focused on five supported systems rather than broader emulation

• SMS Plus GX — where it wins

  • Supports Sega Master System and Game Gear software
  • Includes save states, rewind, cheats, and controller remapping
  • Offers configurable hardware, region, and video filtering options

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires a compatible libretro frontend such as RetroArch
  • Netplay is not supported
  • ColecoVision support is experimental and requires a separate BIOS

• Emulicious8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free, developer-focused emulator for Master System work and multi-system testing.

  Visit EmuliciousFull verdict →
• SPSMS Plus GX7.9/10 · Free plan

  A free SMS and Game Gear core with flexible saves, controls, cheats, and video options.

  Visit LibretroFull verdict →