OpenEmu - Mac Apps Directory

User Sentiments

4.5

Top Likes

Clean and user-friendly interface
Supports a wide range of consoles
Easy to set up and use with gamepads
Automatically organizes game library with box art
Free and open source

Top Dislikes

No support for newer consoles like PS2, PS3, Xbox, etc.
Infrequent updates
Some users report occasional performance issues or bugs

Popular Comments

R

Reddit User - Yttocs2018

2020-01-28

5

Totally fine. Don't worry. It's just the latest macOS being extra extra secure.

M

MacRumors Forum User - bobbytomorow

2015-10-20

5

Awesome emulator, perhaps the best out for any platform they did a wonderful job of everything. I've been using it since beta infancy.

R

Reddit User - MacbooksandGym

2024

5

But the ease of Openemu is amazing. If I stop playing or charge my ps4 controller, no need to restart the game. Just reconnect via Bluetooth and instantly works.

R

Reddit User - OverlyOptimisticNerd

2024

4

But even in its outdated, buggy state, OpenEMU is still the best for ease of use and controller support. God, controller support on RetroArch is such a shit show compared to OpenEMU.

P

Product Hunt User - Vladimir

2023

5

Gaming old 8bit games is exciting! Every thing works perfectly! Gaming Tanks with friends:)))

R

Reddit User - dragonpuncher (referring to Alfred but relevant to ease of use)

2024-08-12

4

I used alfred for years. then switched to raycast. and now i am back to alfred again. just prefer it.

Detailed Review

OpenEmu is a remarkable open-source emulator for macOS that stands out for its user-friendly design and broad compatibility with numerous retro gaming systems. It's built around the principle of "it just works," making retro game emulation accessible to everyone, even those unfamiliar with emulators. OpenEmu acts as a frontend, integrating various console emulators (cores) into a single, polished application. This approach allows it to support a wide array of consoles while maintaining a consistent and native macOS user interface.

Standout Features

Unified Game Library: OpenEmu organizes your ROMs in a visually appealing library, similar to iTunes, complete with automatic box art and game info.
Multi-System Support: Emulates a vast range of consoles, including Atari, Game Boy, Nintendo, Sega, and more (see compatibility list for details).
Controller Compatibility: Works seamlessly with most HID-compliant USB and Bluetooth game controllers, including PlayStation DualShock and Xbox controllers, with automatic mapping for many popular models.
Easy Setup and Use: Drag-and-drop ROM import, automatic organization, and intuitive controls make it simple to start playing quickly.
Save States and Screenshots: Offers standard emulator features like save states to preserve game progress and screenshot capture to save memorable moments.
Screen Filters: Includes graphic filters to enhance the display of older, low-resolution games on modern screens.

Conclusion

OpenEmu is an excellent choice for Mac users looking to dive into retro gaming. Its ease of use, wide console support, and polished interface make it a top recommendation. While it may not support the very latest consoles and updates are infrequent, its strengths lie in providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for playing classic games on macOS. It is particularly well-suited for users who appreciate a clean, organized interface and straightforward functionality, without the need for complex configurations.

Consoles Supported (Partial List):

Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx
Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
Game Gear
Neo Geo Pocket, Neo Geo Pocket Color
NES (Famicom), Famicom Disk System
Nintendo DS
Nintendo 64
PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD, SuperGrafx
Sega Master System, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega CD/Mega-CD, Sega Saturn, Sega 32X
Sony PlayStation, PSP
Super Nintendo (SNES)
Virtual Boy
WonderSwan, WonderSwan Color

Alternatives

RetroArch

Libretro