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SPECIFICTION
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BizHawk

github.com

Free plan WindowsLinux
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Spec score 7.9 #5 of 25 in Sega Master System Emulators

What it is

BizHawk is a free multi-system emulator for Windows and Linux, built around the EmuHawk interface. It is aimed at Tool-Assisted Speedrunners and combines playback with recording and debugging. The project lists systems including 3DO, Apple II, arcade machines, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, Sega, and PlayStation consoles. EmuHawk provides 10 hotkey-operated save slots as well as unlimited named savestates, along with speed adjustment, frame stepping, and rewind. Users can record input as TAS movies and save screenshots, audio, and video. Debugging tools let users inspect, search, and edit memory across emulated hardware, while Lua or C#.NET can control the core and frontend programmatically. Keyboard, mouse, and gamepad hotkeys can be rebound, and an input mapper covers emulated gamepads and peripherals. The Linux build targets x86_64 and omits Mupen64Plus for N64. Current releases are unavailable on Android and iOS; macOS use is limited to older releases or technical workarounds.

Spec sheet

What it does
EmuHawk is a multi-system emulator written in C# with recording, playback, and debugging tools aimed at Tool-Assisted Speedrunners.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Controls
EmuHawk supports rebindable keyboard, mouse, and gamepad hotkeys and an input mapper for emulated gamepads and peripherals.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Debugging
The emulator provides memory viewing, searching, and editing across emulated hardware components.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
License and copyrighted files
EmuHawk and DiscoHawk are under the permissive MIT License, but the project says not all files included with releases may be freely shared.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Linux limitation
The Linux version supports most features and cores but omits Mupen64Plus for N64, and the project targets x86_64 CPUs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Playback controls
EmuHawk includes speed control with frame stepping and rewinding.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Recording and media
Users can record input as TAS movies and capture screenshots, audio, and video to files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Save states
EmuHawk offers 10 save slots with hotkeys and unlimited named savestates.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Scripting
The core and frontend can be controlled programmatically with Lua or C#.NET.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Security policy
The security policy lists versions 2.11 and 2.10 as supported, warns users to update where possible, and accepts vulnerability reports through GitHub.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support and stability
The project recommends stable releases for work requiring stability and suggests development builds only when a specific change is needed.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Supported systems
The project lists support for systems including 3DO, Apple II, arcade machines, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, Sega, and PlayStation consoles.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Unavailable platforms
The project says current BizHawk is unavailable on Android and iOS, and macOS support is limited to older releases or technical workarounds.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

BizHawk Free MIT-licensed emulator; Windows and Unix releases Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Every BizHawk plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan, with free.
  • 10 hotkey-accessible save slots and unlimited named savestates.
  • Records TAS movies and captures screenshots, audio, and video.
  • Lua or C#.NET can control the core and frontend.
  • Supports rewind, cheats, shaders, and RetroAchievements.

Limits

  • Linux version omits Mupen64Plus for N64.
  • Targets x86_64 CPUs.
  • Unavailable on Android and iOS.
  • Current macOS support is limited to older releases or workarounds.

Who it suits

BizHawk suits Tool-Assisted Speedrunners and other users who want multi-system emulation with recording, playback, and debugging tools. Its listed systems and programmable controls may also suit users who need to automate or inspect emulated hardware.

Verdict

BizHawk brings playback, recording, and debugging into one free emulator, with controls for both speedrunning and programmatic use. Check its platform and Linux-core limits before choosing it, particularly if you need current macOS or N64 support through Mupen64Plus.

Where Specifiction places it

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