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fixNES

github.com

Free plan WindowsLinux
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Spec score 7.8 #9 of 26 in NES Emulators

What it is

fixNES is a free, open-source NES emulator for Windows and Linux. It runs NTSC and PAL .nes ROMs and creates .sav files for games that support saving. FDS and QD titles can run when a FDS BIOS named disksys.rom is placed in the same folder, and NSF music files are supported with track changes on the left and right keys. Files can be opened by drag and drop, command-line argument or from ZIP archives. The project lists support for NES mappers and VRC6, VRC7, FDS, MMC5, N163 and Sunsoft 5B audio expansions. Controls are keyboard-only; Windows users can use joy2key for controller input. The standalone build uses supplied scripts and requires freeglut and openal-soft, while a Makefile supports RetroArch core use. The README says the project is not in its most complete or cleanest state. It is licensed under MIT.

Spec sheet

Purpose
fixNES is an NES emulator the author wrote to learn about the NES, and the README says it is not in the most complete or cleanest state.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository includes an MIT License granting permission to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software, subject to its conditions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build requirements
The standalone version can be compiled with the supplied build scripts and requires freeglut and openal-soft.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Compatibility
The README lists support for a range of NES mappers and the VRC6, VRC7, FDS, MMC5, N163, and Sunsoft 5B audio expansions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Controls
Controls are keyboard-only; the README says Windows users can use joy2key if they want controller support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Creator
The repository is published under the GitHub account FIX94, whose profile says the creator is in Germany and develops projects when ideas arise.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Downloads
The repository README points to a Windows binary in Releases, whose newest listed release is titled “fixNES Alpha v1.3.1 - Windows Build.”Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
FDS support
It can play .fds and .qd titles when a FDS BIOS named disksys.rom is placed in the same folder.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Loading files
Files can be opened by drag and drop or as a command-line argument, and the README also describes loading supported files from ZIP archives.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Music
It can play .nsf music files, with track changes on the left and right keys.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
RetroArch
The README says fixNES can also be used as a RetroArch core via the Makefile in the libretro folder.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
ROM support
It supports NTSC and PAL .nes ROMs and creates .sav files for games that support saving.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

fixNES Free No price listed · project described as an NES emulator Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every fixNES plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports NTSC and PAL .nes ROMs
  • Loads files by drag and drop
  • FDS, QD and NSF support
  • Lists multiple mapper and audio expansions
  • MIT-licensed open source

Limits

  • README notes an incomplete, unclean state
  • Keyboard-only controls
  • FDS titles require disksys.rom
  • Standalone build requires freeglut and openal-soft

Who it suits

It suits users who want a no-cost NES emulator on Windows or Linux and are comfortable with keyboard controls and stated build requirements. RetroArch users can also use it as a core.

Verdict

fixNES covers common NES ROM use, additional FDS and NSF formats, and several hardware expansions at no cost. Its own documentation flags unfinished quality, and controller use requires a separate Windows tool.

Where Specifiction places it

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