Foxol From €3.33/mo · Free plan 9.2 Visit Flycast
github.com
What it is
Flycast is a free emulator for Sega Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave, derived from reicast. It runs on Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows, with releases available as stable tagged versions, master builds, and experimental nightly builds. Android users are directed to Google Play; Linux instructions cover Flatpak and Flathub, while macOS instructions use Homebrew. Windows documentation provides a bootstrap script for building from source. Xbox One and Series users can install a build through Xbox Device Portal. Flycast supports online play, with release notes describing modem-emulation improvements and fixes for online features in several games. Its DCNet service is a free dedicated VPN for Dreamcast games; 30 game servers were available when it was released. Physical Dreamcast controllers work with DreamConn+ and DreamPicoPort adapters. On Android, Google Auto Backup can back up VMU saves and non-volatile memory. The project lists GPL-2.0 as its license and says iOS support has been dropped.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- Flycast emulates Sega Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2 and Atomiswave systems and is derived from reicast.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository identifies GPL-2.0 as its license.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Headquarters
- FranceRead 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Android
- The README directs Android users to install Flycast from Google Play.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Atomiswave support
- Flycast supports Sammy Atomiswave software.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Build from source
- Windows, macOS and Linux bootstrap or CMake build instructions are provided in the repository.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Build requirements
- The Linux build instructions list a C/C++ toolchain, CMake, make, libcurl, libudev, SDL2, and Vulkan or OpenGL.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Community support
- The README invites users to join the project's Discord server for chat.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Company identity
- Google Play identifies the developer as Raphael Jean-Leconte, using the developer name Flyinghead.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Controllers
- The v2.5 release notes list support for physical Dreamcast controllers with DreamConn+ and DreamPicoPort adapters.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- DCNet
- The v2.5 release notes describe DCNet as a free dedicated VPN service for Dreamcast games and say 30 game servers were available at release.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Documentation
- Configuration and supported-feature guidance is delegated to TheArcadeStriker Flycast wiki, with community discussion on Discord.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Downloads
- The project offers master builds, experimental nightly development builds, and stable tagged releases.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Dreamcast support
- The emulator runs most Dreamcast games, including Windows CE titles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Games included
- The Android package contains no games, so users must supply their own legally obtained files or homebrew.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Google Play data safety
- The developer declares no third-party data sharing, no data collection, encryption in transit and that data cannot be deleted.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Graphics backends
- Supported rendering APIs include OpenGL and Vulkan; HandheldWiki also lists DirectX 11.Read 15 Oct 2026 · handheldwiki.com
- High-definition rendering
- The Android app provides high-definition rendering for Dreamcast games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Independent feature praise
- Explaining Android highlights controller types, VMU and rumble expansion support, widescreen patches, texture upscaling, netplay, local multiplayer and custom shaders.Read 15 Oct 2026 · explainingandroid.com
- Independent setup limit
- G&G Arcade says BIOS placement, archive handling, CHD directory naming and region matching are common causes of crashes or failed game loads.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gandgarcade.net
- Independent technical profile
- HandheldWiki describes Flycast as an active standalone emulator and libretro core for Android, Windows, Linux and macOS, initially released in 2018.Read 15 Oct 2026 · handheldwiki.com
- iOS availability
- The maintainers state that iOS support has been dropped.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Latest release
- Release 2.7, published 19 August 2026, added localization, frame-rate detection and pacing, Naomi multiscreen support, improved modem emulation and Android Google Auto Backup for VMU data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Licence
- The repository uses the GNU General Public License version 2.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Limit: frame pacing
- Reddit commenters describe standalone Flycast as historically having noticeable frame-pacing problems, especially in 30-fps games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
- Limit: hardware demands
- The same Reddit discussion warns that inexpensive Android devices struggle with 4K resolution and xBRZ settings, producing slow or stuttering gameplay.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
- Limit: mobile controls
- Some Reddit users find Flycast's on-screen buttons insufficiently customizable or less convenient than competing emulators.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
- Linux
- The README gives Flatpak and Flathub installation instructions for Linux.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Linux build requirements
- Source builds require a C/C++ toolchain, CMake, make, libcurl, libudev, SDL2 and Vulkan or OpenGL development support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- macOS
- The README gives Homebrew commands for master, stable, and nightly development channels on macOS.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Naomi 2 support
- Flycast supports Naomi 2 arcade hardware.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Naomi support
- Flycast supports Sega Naomi arcade games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Network emulation
- Flycast emulates Dreamcast modem and LAN-adapter networking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Notable limitation
- The README says Flycast support for iOS has been dropped.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Online play
- The v2.7 release notes list improved modem emulation and fixes for online features in several games.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Praise: compatibility
- A Reddit user reports Flycast runs roughly 100 titles that another major Dreamcast emulator could not run, while texture-pack users report solving issues through settings changes or developer fixes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
- Praise: value and extensibility
- Users praise Flycast for being open source, free advanced features, a RetroArch core, Naomi and Atomiswave support, and online functionality.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
- Rating on Google Play
- 4.3 out of 5 from 1.79k reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Release channels
- The project publishes master builds, experimental nightly builds and stable tagged releases.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- RetroAchievements
- RetroAchievements integration is listed as an included feature.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Save data
- The v2.7 release notes list Google Auto Backup support on Android for VMU saves and non-volatile memory.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Save states
- The Android version provides ten save-state slots.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Self-hosting
- Because source and build instructions are public, users can compile and run their own Flycast builds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- System SP support
- The Android listing says Flycast also runs System SP arcade games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Texture packs
- Users can load custom high-definition texture packs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Widescreen rendering
- Flycast supports widescreen output for Dreamcast games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Windows
- The README provides a Windows bootstrap script for building Flycast from source.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Xbox
- The README says Xbox One and Series users can install a build through Xbox Device Portal.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Xbox installation
- Xbox One and Series users can install builds through the Xbox Device Portal.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Flycast Free Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave emulation Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Free Free Free; no ads Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, Atomiswave and System SP emulation · games not included Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Covers Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave.
- Available on Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Supports online play and Dreamcast controller adapters.
- Android backup covers VMU saves and non-volatile memory.
Limits
- iOS support has been dropped.
- Linux source builds require several development libraries and tools.
Who it suits
Flycast suits players looking to emulate Dreamcast or supported arcade systems on Android, Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its online features and adapter support may also suit players using Dreamcast multiplayer or physical controllers.
Verdict
Flycast supports four systems across four listed platforms, with online play and several release channels. iOS is not supported, and Linux users building from source need the listed toolchain and libraries.
Where Specifiction places it
- Multi-System Emulators#5 of 548.8
- Dreamcast Emulators#1 of 99.0
