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SPECIFICTION
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higan

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.9 #13 of 33 in TurboGrafx-16 Emulators

What it is

higan is a free, standalone multi-system emulator for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux and FreeBSD. It focuses on accuracy, preservation and configurability, and emulates systems including Famicom, Super Famicom, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Mega Drive, PC Engine, MSX, ColecoVision, Neo Geo Pocket and WonderSwan. Official releases are available through the project’s GitHub releases page. Automated nightly builds are also listed for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux and FreeBSD, but those builds are untested. The distribution includes icarus, a game library importer, along with the libco, nall, ruby and hiro components. The project was originally developed by Near. higan is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or a later version. The license states that the software comes without warranty. For community support, the project links to a discussion forum and a Discord chat. Its standalone format is listed as an emulation format, and the supported desktop systems include more than the general Linux, macOS and Windows platform listing.

Spec sheet

License
The program is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or any later version.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Founded
2004Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Community support
The project links to a discussion forum and a Discord chat.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Core components
The distribution includes libco, nall, ruby and hiro alongside higan and icarus.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Game library tool
The distribution includes icarus, described as a game library importer for higan.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Nightly builds
Automated, untested builds are available for each supported operating system.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Official releases
Official releases are available from the GitHub releases page.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Original developer
The project was originally developed by Near.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Product type
higan is a multi-system emulator focused on accuracy and code readability.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Project focus
The higan-emu organization describes higan as a multi-system emulator focused on accuracy, preservation and configurability.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported desktop systems
Nightly builds are listed for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux and FreeBSD.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported systems
It emulates systems including Famicom, Super Famicom, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Mega Drive, PC Engine, MSX, ColecoVision, Neo Geo Pocket and WonderSwan.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Warranty
The license states that the software is provided without warranty.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free software Free No warranty Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every higan plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Emulates a broad range of listed systems.
  • Official releases are available on GitHub.
  • Includes icarus, a game library importer.
  • Links to a discussion forum and Discord.

Limits

  • Nightly builds are untested.
  • The license provides no warranty.

Who it suits

higan suits people looking for a free desktop emulator covering a range of listed systems, particularly those interested in accuracy, preservation or configurability.

Verdict

higan’s listed system support spans handheld and console platforms, and the distribution includes a game library importer. Official releases are available, while nightly builds are explicitly untested and the software has no warranty.

Where Specifiction places it

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