FinalBurn Neo review
A free arcade-focused emulator with Neo Geo CD support and Kaillera netplay.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
FinalBurn Neo is a free emulator focused on arcade games and selected consoles, including Capcom CPS-1, CPS-2, CPS-3, Neo Geo, and Sega System 16. It suits players who want arcade-oriented emulation with support for Neo Geo CD, rather than a single-console emulator or a broad general-purpose multisystem package. Builds and ports cover Windows, macOS, SDL-based Linux systems, and Android through the FBNeo LibRetro core in RetroArch.
Its strongest feature set centers on arcade play and customization. Kaillera provides netplay, while rewind emulation, shader effects, filtering, fullscreen operation, integer scaling, save states, and autosave support add control over how games run. ROM scanning and a game-selection menu help organize supported files. Neo Geo CD support and multi-slot functionality extend its fit beyond standard arcade use, particularly for users interested in that platform. The emulator does not include game ROM images, and users must obtain and use those files legally; BIOS files are also required for systems that need them.
FinalBurn Neo is a good choice for free arcade emulation across desktop platforms, with Android access through RetroArch and a focused feature set for arcade libraries. Its freeware license keeps the software accessible, but it is not open source. It also has a narrower scope than general multisystem emulators, and Android support depends on the LibRetro core rather than a standalone Android build. Choose it for arcade systems, selected consoles, Neo Geo CD, netplay, and practical display and save features; choose a broader alternative if you need wider system coverage or a standalone Android application.
FinalBurn Neo pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports arcade systems, selected consoles, Neo Geo CD, and multi-slot play
- Includes Kaillera netplay, rewind, shaders, scanning, and save states
- Runs across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android through RetroArch
- Where it doesn't
- Requires users to provide game ROM images legally
- Requires BIOS files for systems that need them
- Narrower system coverage than general multisystem emulators
FinalBurn Neo fact sheet, pricing and score →
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