BizHawk
BizHawk: A free Windows and Linux emulator for SNES play, TAS recording, and debugging. Ranked #8 of 29 in SNES Emulators by our editors (7.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for tool-assisted SNES gameplay and debugging.
At a glance
- Editor score7.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTool-assisted SNES gameplay and debugging
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported platformsWindows, Linux
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Frame stepping, rewind, speed control, and save states
- Memory tools, Lua and C# scripting, and RAM-based cheats
- RetroAchievements and shader filter support
Where it doesn't
- Current supported releases are limited to Windows and Linux
- Online multiplayer is not included
- Its debugging and TAS tools may exceed casual players' needs
Our verdict on BizHawk
BizHawk is a free, open-source desktop multi-system emulator from TASEmulators. Its EmuHawk frontend supports Super Nintendo alongside other systems, making it suited to players who want more than conventional emulation. The product is especially relevant to tool-assisted speedrunners, developers, and researchers who need frame-level control, input recording, memory inspection, and scripting alongside ordinary gameplay features.
Its strongest distinction is the depth of its toolset. Save states and rewind support repeatable play, while frame stepping and speed control allow precise input timing. Tool-assisted movie recording and playback support structured runs, and the memory viewer can search, edit, and debug game memory. Lua and C# scripting extend that workflow, while cheat codes, RAM-based cheats, screenshots, and audio/video recording cover additional experimentation needs. RetroArch-style shader filters provide visual customization, and RetroAchievements integration adds achievement support where available.
BizHawk runs on Windows and Linux, which makes it a practical choice for users on those platforms. The project also provides experimental support for loading Libretro cores, while current documentation describes macOS support as legacy-only. Online multiplayer is not included, so users seeking netplay should choose a different emulator. Casual players may also find BizHawk's debugging, scripting, and tool-assisted features unnecessary; a simpler SNES-focused option may be a better fit for straightforward play. Choose BizHawk when control, repeatability, and technical inspection matter more than a minimal interface or broader platform coverage.
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BizHawk pricing
BizHawk fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Windows, Linux |
| Online multiplayer | No |
| Rewind | Yes |
| Shader support | Yes |
| Cheat support | Yes |
| RetroAchievements | Yes |
| Emulation format | Both |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to BizHawk
- Snes9xA free, open-source SNES emulator with broad hardware, graphics, save, and cheat support.9.4
- bsnesA feature-rich, open-source SNES emulator for users who value platform coverage.9.2
- bsnes-mercury AccuracyA focused SNES/SFC core with netplay, rewind and cross-platform Libretro support.8.8
See all BizHawk alternatives →
BizHawk vs the competition
- BizHawk vs Snes9x
- BizHawk vs bsnes
- BizHawk vs bsnes-mercury Accuracy
- BizHawk vs RetroArch
- BizHawk vs Snes9x EX+
- BizHawk vs nSide Balanced
Compare BizHawk with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
BizHawk is ranked in 5 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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