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Head-to-head · SNES Emulators

Snes9x EX+ vs nSide Balanced

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Snes9x EX+ #5 in SNES Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Snes9x EX+
nSide Balanced #6 in SNES Emulators 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Libretro

Snes9x EX+ leads on 1 check, nSide Balanced on 1, and 4 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 scoreSnes9x EX+ · 8.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSnes9x EX+ · 3 of 5

Snes9x EX+ scores higher on our rubric for snes emulators: 8.2 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

nSide Balanced offers online multiplayer; Snes9x EX+ doesn't. Snes9x EX+ offers cheat support; nSide Balanced doesn't. On emulation format, nSide Balanced gives you Libretro where Snes9x EX+ offers Standalone.

Snes9x EX+ is the better fit for free Android and Linux SNES emulation. nSide Balanced is the better fit for libretro users wanting simple SNES netplay.

  • Snes9x EX+ fits best

    Free Android and Linux SNES emulation

  • nSide Balanced fits best

    Libretro users wanting simple SNES netplay

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Side by side

Feature Snes9x EX+ 8.2/10 Visit ↗ nSide Balanced 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 8.1
Ranking #5 in SNES Emulators #6 in SNES Emulators
Best for Free Android and Linux SNES emulation Libretro users wanting simple SNES netplay
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Support Email, Community Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Snes9x EX+ 3/5 · nSide Balanced 2/5
Online multiplayer — ✓ (best)
Rewind ✓ ✓
Shader support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cheat support ✓ (best) —
RetroAchievements — —
Specs
Supported platforms Android, Linux Libretro frontend; RetroArch
Emulation format Standalone Libretro
Our review
Pros
  • Supports .smc, .sfc, ZIP, RAR, and 7Z game files
  • Includes saves, save states, rewind, cheats, and HQ2X shaders
  • Works with Bluetooth and USB controllers or keyboards
  • Supports SNES/SFC, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color content
  • Includes save states, rewind, netplay, and controller remapping
  • Offers softpatching, resolution controls, color, blur, and multitap support
Cons
  • Limited to Android and Linux platforms
  • Does not provide online multiplayer
  • Users must supply their own ROM files
  • Requires a Libretro frontend such as RetroArch
  • Does not support cheats
  • Does not include RetroAchievements support
Our verdict

Snes9x EX+ is a free, open-source emulator for Super Nintendo and Super Famicom games. It is aimed at people who want direct SNES emulation on Android devices or Linux desktops, with support for .smc and .sfc ROM formats. Compressed ZIP,…

Read the review →

nSide Balanced is an open-source Libretro emulation core based on higan’s Balanced profile. It targets SNES and Super Famicom content, while also supporting Game Boy and Game Boy Color content. Its feature set suits players who want a…

Read the review →
  1. Snes9x EX+SNES Emulators 8.2Free plan
  2. nSide BalancedSNES Emulators 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Snes9x EX+ — where it wins

    • Supports .smc, .sfc, ZIP, RAR, and 7Z game files
    • Includes saves, save states, rewind, cheats, and HQ2X shaders
    • Works with Bluetooth and USB controllers or keyboards

    Where it doesn't

    • Limited to Android and Linux platforms
    • Does not provide online multiplayer
    • Users must supply their own ROM files

  • nSide Balanced — where it wins

    • Supports SNES/SFC, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color content
    • Includes save states, rewind, netplay, and controller remapping
    • Offers softpatching, resolution controls, color, blur, and multitap support

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a Libretro frontend such as RetroArch
    • Does not support cheats
    • Does not include RetroAchievements support

More comparisons

All SNES emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update