Dendy
github.com
What it is
Dendy is a free NES/Famicom emulator written in Go, with desktop versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux and a WebAssembly version for modern browsers. The desktop program has no graphical interface and runs from the command line with a .nes ROM file. Player one can use a keyboard or a detected gamepad, and a mouse can emulate the Zapper light gun. Options include save-state control, rewind, screenshots, CRT effects, and Game Genie codes. Network multiplayer uses rollback networking and peer-to-peer connections. A public relay can help players behind NATs find peers and connect, though it will not work if both players are behind symmetric NATs. Users can also build and run their own relay. The browser version does not currently support netplay. The maker cautions that Dendy may not match established emulators in accuracy or compatibility, so some games may not run. Sound emulation is still in progress and may produce pops and crackles. The project is MIT-licensed.
Spec sheet
- Product
- Dendy is a NES/Famicom emulator written in Go with network multiplayer.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Maker
- The GitHub profile identifies Max Poletaev as the maker and lists Belgrade, Serbia.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Audio
- Sound-chip emulation is described as work in progress and may produce pops and crackles.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Browser version
- A WebAssembly version runs in modern browsers, but it does not currently support netplay.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Command line
- The emulator has no GUI and is run from the command line with a .nes ROM file.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Compatibility limits
- The author says the emulator is not intended to match existing emulators in accuracy or compatibility and may not run some games.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Controls
- The emulator supports keyboard controls, likely detects connected gamepads, and emulates the Zapper with a mouse.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Dependencies
- The project lists Raylib Go bindings for graphics and audio and kcp-go for netplay.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Downloads
- Prebuilt binaries are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, though the maker says they are not guaranteed to work on Windows.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Features
- Command-line options include save-state control, CRT-effect toggle, screenshots, rewind, and Game Genie codes.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Interface
- The desktop emulator has no GUI and is run from the command line with a .nes ROM file.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Limitations
- The maker cautions that Dendy is not intended to match established emulators in accuracy or compatibility, and lists tested games that fail or have issues.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Multiplayer
- Network multiplayer uses rollback networking, and the maker reports that ping up to 150 ms felt playable in testing.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- NAT traversal
- Players behind NATs can use a public relay for hole punching; the approach does not work when both players are behind symmetric NATs.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Relay hosting
- The maker hosts a public relay server and says users can build and run their own dendy-relay binary if it goes down.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Relay option
- The README says the author hosts a public relay and that users can run their own relay binary built from source.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Security and integrations
- The README describes no security or compliance certifications and names Raylib Go for graphics/audio and kcp-go for netplay as dependencies.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Web version
- A WebAssembly version runs in modern browsers and currently does not support netplay.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free, MIT-licensed project.
- Supports rollback netplay on desktop.
- Includes save states and rewind.
- Runs in modern browsers via WebAssembly.
Limits
- Desktop version has no GUI.
- Browser version does not support netplay.
- Some games may not run.
- Sound emulation may produce pops and crackles.
Who it suits
Dendy suits NES/Famicom players comfortable launching a command-line emulator. It may also suit players seeking peer-to-peer multiplayer, provided they account for its compatibility and relay limitations.
Verdict
Dendy offers command-line NES/Famicom emulation with desktop netplay and useful playback options. Its maker explicitly cautions about game compatibility, and browser users do not get netplay.
Where Specifiction places it
- NES Emulators#12 of 267.6
