Head-to-head · NES Emulators
KuroganeNES vs Dendy
KuroganeNES leads on 0 checks, Dendy on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreKuroganeNES · 9.4/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresDendy · 5 of 5
KuroganeNES scores higher on our rubric for nes emulators: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.
KuroganeNES is the better fit for complete browser-based NES emulation. Dendy is the better fit for free cross-platform play with multiplayer.
- KuroganeNES fits best
Complete browser-based NES emulation
- Dendy fits best
Free cross-platform play with multiplayer
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Side by side
| Feature | KuroganeNES 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Dendy 9.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 9.2 |
| Ranking | #1 in NES Emulators | #2 in NES Emulators |
| Best for | Complete browser-based NES emulation | Free cross-platform play with multiplayer |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Browser extension | Cloud, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features KuroganeNES 4/5 · Dendy 5/5 | ||
| Save states | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rewind | ✓ | ✓ |
| Netplay | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shader support | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Cheat support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Modern web browsers | Windows, macOS, Linux, and modern web browsers via WebAssembly |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | KuroganeNES is an open-source emulator for NES, Famicom, and Famicom Disk System games in modern web browsers. It is delivered as a self-contained HTML file, so single-player use requires no installer, server, or build step. The project… Read the review → |
Dendy is an open-source NES/Famicom emulator written in Go. It runs NES ROM files on Windows, macOS, and Linux, while a WebAssembly version supports modern web browsers. Its audience is players who want free emulation across desktop… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
KuroganeNES — where it wins
- Cycle-accurate NES, Famicom, and FDS emulation
- Save states, rewind, cheats, patching, and multiplayer
- Extensive CPU, PPU, memory, and audio debugging tools
Where it doesn't
- Online multiplayer requires a Node.js WebSocket relay
- HTTPS setup is required for online multiplayer
- Limited to modern web browsers
Dendy — where it wins
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and modern web browsers
- Includes peer-to-peer network multiplayer and save states
- Adds rewind, Game Genie codes, Zapper emulation, and CRT effects
Where it doesn't
- Uses command-line operation rather than a graphical launcher
- Windows binaries are not guaranteed to work
- Browser support is provided through WebAssembly for modern browsers
- KuroganeNES9.4/10 · Free plan
A feature-rich, open-source NES emulator delivered as a self-contained HTML file.
Visit KuroganeNESFull verdict → - Dendy9.2/10 · Free plan
A feature-rich, open-source NES emulator for desktop, browser, and multiplayer play.
Visit DendyFull verdict →
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All NES emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update