Nintengo
github.com
What it is
Nintengo is a free NES emulator written in Go. It runs .nes files directly or inside ZIP archives and supports NTSC and PAL regions. Desktop build instructions cover Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows; a WebAssembly build can run in a browser using a local web server, with Go 1.11 or higher required for WebAssembly support. Battery-backed saves use .sav files, while save states use .nst files. Two-player netplay is available through listen and connect options. The emulator can capture JPEG screenshots, record GIF video, and record WAV audio. Its controls include keyboard input, pause and stepping, reset, save and load state, and fast-forward options. Debugging features include CPU instruction decoding, CPU and memory profiling, and an HTTP service address. Listed mapper support includes NROM, MMC1, UNROM, CNROM, MMC3, ANROM, and MMC2. Audio is a work in progress, with all channels working in some capacity. The project is published under the GPL-2.0 license.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Nintengo is an NES emulator written in Go.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Integrations
- The project page does not list third-party integrations.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security
- The project page does not state security or compliance certifications.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository identifies its license as GPL-2.0.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audio
- The README says audio support is a work in progress and that all audio channels work in some capacity.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audio status
- Audio support is a work in progress, with all audio channels working in some capacity.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Debugging
- Command-line options include CPU instruction decoding, CPU profiling, memory profiling, and an HTTP service address.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Desktop build
- The README documents builds for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows using Azul3D and Go.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Desktop platforms
- The build instructions cover Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Interface
- The listed controls include keyboard input, pause and stepping, reset, save and load state, and fast-forward speed options.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Mapper support
- The listed supported mappers are NROM, MMC1, UNROM, CNROM, MMC3, ANROM, and MMC2.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Netplay
- Nintengo includes two-player netplay using listen and connect command-line arguments.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Recording
- The command-line options include GIF and JPEG video recording and WAV audio recording.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Region modes
- The emulator supports NTSC and PAL system regions.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- ROM files
- The emulator accepts a .nes file or a .nes file inside a .zip archive.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- ROM formats
- It runs .nes files and .nes files inside ZIP archives.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Save support
- Battery-backed saves use .sav files, and save states use .nst files.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Web support
- The project supports WebAssembly and can run in a browser using a local web server.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- WebAssembly
- WebAssembly support requires Go 1.11 or higher and runs in a browser after building nintengo.wasm.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Runs .nes files, including files in ZIP archives.
- Supports two-player netplay.
- Offers battery-backed saves and save states.
- Captures JPEG screenshots and records GIF and WAV.
Limits
- Audio support remains a work in progress.
- WebAssembly requires Go 1.11 or higher to build.
- Browser use requires a local web server.
Who it suits
Nintengo suits NES players and developers looking for a free emulator with desktop builds or a browser-based WebAssembly option. Its netplay and debugging options may also suit users who want those specific controls.
Verdict
Nintengo covers core NES emulation, save states, netplay, and recording across desktop builds and WebAssembly. Audio is still in progress, and browser use involves building and serving the WebAssembly version.
Where Specifiction places it
- NES Emulators#21 of 266.9
