Dendy
Dendy: A feature-rich, open-source NES emulator for desktop, browser, and multiplayer play. Ranked #2 of 26 in NES Emulators by our editors (9.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free cross-platform play with multiplayer.
At a glance
- Editor score9.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree cross-platform play with multiplayer
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, and modern web browsers via WebAssembly
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Dendy
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 platforms or in a browser, particularly those interested in peer-to-peer multiplayer and classic console features. It supports keyboard and gamepad input, along with mouse-based Zapper light-gun emulation.
Platform coverage and multiplayer are Dendy's clearest strengths. The emulator provides peer-to-peer network multiplayer alongside NES/Famicom ROM emulation, giving it a broader feature set than a basic single-player emulator. Save and load game state on exit, a five-second rewind hotkey, Game Genie cheat codes, screenshot capture, and a CRT display effect add practical and visual options. The same core product is available through pre-built binaries or from source, with Windows, macOS, Linux, and WebAssembly targets.
Dendy's main trade-off is its command-line design: it operates without a graphical launcher, so it is better suited to users comfortable starting an emulator from the command line than to those seeking a menu-driven interface. The published note about Windows binaries also says they are not guaranteed to work because the maintainer does not have a Windows machine for testing. Choose Dendy for open-source NES/Famicom emulation with multiplayer, rewind, cheats, and browser access. Choose another emulator if a graphical launcher or more assured Windows binary support is essential.
Your product? Our editors can test Dendy in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Dendy pricing
Dendy fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, and modern web browsers via WebAssembly |
| Save states | Yes |
| Rewind | Yes |
| Netplay | Yes |
| Shader support | Yes |
| Cheat support | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Dendy
- KuroganeNESA feature-rich, open-source NES emulator delivered as a self-contained HTML file.9.4
- puNESA feature-rich, free NES emulator for Windows and Linux desktops.9.1
- NESERA polished multi-system emulator with strong NES tools across four platforms.9.0
Dendy vs the competition
- Dendy vs KuroganeNES
- Dendy vs puNES
- Dendy vs NESER
- Dendy vs FCEUX
- Dendy vs Nestopia Undead Edition
- Dendy vs Nintengo
Compare Dendy with any tool side by side →
Used Dendy? 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 Dendy 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
Dendy is listed in our NES Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/dendy/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/dendy.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