Head-to-head · Game Console Emulators
Mednafen vs Dolphin
Mednafen leads on 0 checks, Dolphin on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreMednafen · 8.6/10
- Free planboth
Mednafen scores higher on our rubric for game console emulators: 8.6 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.
Mednafen is the better fit for desktop multi-system emulation. Dolphin is the better fit for gameCube and Wii emulation.
- Mednafen fits best
Desktop multi-system emulation
- Dolphin fits best
GameCube and Wii emulation
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Side by side
| Feature | Mednafen 8.6/10 Visit ↗ | Dolphin 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.6 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #6 in Game Console Emulators | #7 in Game Console Emulators |
| Best for | Desktop multi-system emulation | GameCube and Wii emulation |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop, Self-hosted | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Support | Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo |
| Features Mednafen 2/3 · Dolphin 2/3 | ||
| Netplay | ✓ | ✓ |
| Graphics upscaling | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Open source | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported console systems | 17 | 3 |
| Desktop operating systems | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| License type | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Mednafen is a free, open-source, portable multi-system emulator for Windows and Linux desktops. It supports 17 listed console and computer systems, including Apple II, Atari Lynx, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, PC Engine, Sega… Read the review → |
Dolphin is a free, open-source emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii games, with support for Sega, Namco, and Nintendo’s Triforce arcade platform. It runs on 64-bit Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Its audience includes players who… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Mednafen — where it wins
- Supports emulation for 17 listed console and computer systems
- Includes save states, rewind, recording, shaders, and scaling filters
- Offers compressed-file loading and server-based network play
Where it doesn't
- Limited to Windows and Linux
- Requires BIOS or firmware images for supported systems
- Uses a command-line interface
Dolphin — where it wins
- Supports GameCube, Wii, and Triforce arcade emulation
- HD rendering, shader options, and game-specific profiles
- Free, open-source, and available on desktop and Android
Where it doesn't
- Some advanced features require BIOS files
- Triforce arcade support has limited features
- Online netplay is available on desktop systems
- Mednafen8.6/10 · Free plan
Free, open-source desktop emulation across 17 listed systems with advanced playback tools.
Visit MednafenFull verdict → - Dolphin8.5/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source choice for GameCube and Wii emulation across desktop and Android.
Visit DolphinFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update