Dendy review
A feature-rich, open-source NES emulator for desktop, browser, and multiplayer play.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Dendy pros and cons
- 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
Dendy fact sheet, pricing and score →
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