Nexen
Nexen: A desktop emulator built for TAS creators, netplay, debugging, and recording. Ranked #15 of 53 in Multi-System Emulators by our editors (7.2/10); pricing: Open source; best for TAS creators and emulator power users.
At a glance
- Editor score7.2 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forTAS creators and emulator power users
- Paid fromFree
- Supported systems8
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports eight retro systems across Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Adds rollback netplay, unlimited visual save states, and TAS tools
- Includes debugging, recording, shaders, filters, and scaling controls
Where it doesn't
- Platform coverage is limited to desktop operating systems
- Sega Genesis, Atari 2600, and Fairchild Channel F are still in progress
- Its extensive tooling may be more than casual players need
Our verdict on Nexen
Nexen is an open-source multi-system emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It fully supports NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Sega Master System/Game Gear, PC Engine, WonderSwan, and Atari Lynx. The product is aimed at players and creators who want more than basic game playback, particularly TAS creators, emulator power users, and people who need recording, debugging, or multiplayer tools in the same desktop application.
Its strongest area is the depth of its timing and creation features. Rollback netplay supports multiplayer, while unlimited timestamped save states can be browsed visually. The frame-by-frame TAS editor includes undo/redo and greenzone support, and movie recording and playback handle multiple format imports and exports. A debugger adds disassembly, memory viewing, breakpoints, tracing, and profiling. These features make Nexen a focused choice for precise play, tool-assisted work, and technical analysis rather than a minimal emulator interface.
Visual and capture options round out the package. Shader, filter, integer-scaling, and aspect-ratio controls provide flexibility for displaying retro systems, while audio and video recording support content creation. Nexen is distributed through downloadable desktop binaries and source code through GitHub, with additional systems under development. Choose it if your priority is broad retro-system coverage paired with TAS, netplay, debugging, and recording capabilities. Casual players seeking only straightforward emulation may find its specialized toolkit unnecessary, and users looking for mobile or web platform coverage should choose an alternative.
Your product? Our editors can test Nexen in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Nexen pricing
Nexen fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported systems | 8 |
| Android support | Not verified |
| Arcade support | Not verified |
| Netplay | Yes |
| BIOS required | Not verified |
| Shader/upscaling | Yes |
| License | Open-source |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Nexen
- RetroArchA broad, free emulator hub with one interface for collections, cores, controls, and play.9.4
- FoxolFoxol combines multi-system emulation, cloud saves, and multiplayer across web, desktop, and mobile.9.1
- aresA broad, free desktop emulator with preservation-focused tools and system-specific BIOS requirements.8.8
Also Ranked In
Nexen is ranked in 5 of our directories.
Used Nexen? 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 Nexen 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
Nexen is listed in our Multi-System Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/nexen/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/nexen.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