bsnes
bsnes: A free, feature-rich desktop emulator for accuracy-focused SNES and Super Famicom players. Ranked #14 of 35 in Game Console Emulators by our editors (7.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for accuracy-focused SNES emulation.
At a glance
- Editor score7.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forAccuracy-focused SNES emulation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported console systemsSuper Nintendo, Super Famicom, Super Game Boy, Satellaview
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports SNES, Super Famicom, Super Game Boy, and Satellaview
- Includes coprocessor emulation, HD Mode 7, shaders, rewind, and run-ahead
- Free, open-source software with Windows, macOS, and Linux builds
Where it doesn't
- Its scope is specialized around Nintendo's SNES-era systems
- Desktop support excludes mobile platforms
- Advanced graphics and emulation options may require configuration
Our verdict on bsnes
bsnes is a free, open-source emulator for Super Nintendo and Super Famicom software, with additional support for Super Game Boy and Satellaview. It is aimed at desktop users on Windows, macOS, or Linux who want configurable and accuracy-focused emulation rather than a broad multi-console frontend. The feature set also covers SNES coprocessors, save states, cheats, shaders, rewind, run-ahead, movie recording, and playback.
The published project details show a single open-source offering rather than a tiered product structure. Users get the full feature set without a paid plan, including low-level emulation of SNES coprocessors, save states with undo and redo, a built-in cheat code database and cheat search, and OpenGL multi-pass pixel shaders with software filters. HD Mode 7 graphics with optional supersampling adds a dedicated graphics enhancement, while Satellaview and BS Memory emulation extend coverage beyond standard cartridge support. Nightly builds are published for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the project is distributed under the GNU GPL.
bsnes is strongest when the requirement is focused SNES and Super Famicom emulation with detailed configuration and specialized system support. Rewind, run-ahead, movie support, shaders, and cheat tools give it a broad feature set within that narrow console focus. It is less suitable for someone seeking one emulator across many console generations, or for users who need a mobile platform. Choose bsnes for desktop-based Nintendo 16-bit emulation and its related systems; choose another product when platform breadth beyond these supported systems is the priority.
Your product? Our editors can test bsnes in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
bsnes pricing
bsnes fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported console systems | Super Nintendo, Super Famicom, Super Game Boy, Satellaview |
| Desktop operating systems | Cross-platform |
| Netplay | Not verified |
| Graphics upscaling | Yes |
| Open source | Yes |
| License type | Open-source |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to bsnes
- RetroArchA broad, free emulation frontend with one interface across six platforms.9.4
- aresA capable desktop emulator for accuracy-focused users covering 34 classic systems.9.0
- MesenA capable desktop emulator for ten classic systems, with multiplayer and deep tools.8.9
Also Ranked In
bsnes is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used bsnes? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used bsnes for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
bsnes is listed in our Game Console Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/bsnes/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/bsnes.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update