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Tech riderRev. 22 Sept 2026

retroemu

Ch 266.6of 54 Multi-System Emulators
  1. 1Runs onAPI, Linux, Mac, Windows
  2. 2CostsNot stated by the maker
  3. 3Licenseopen-source
  4. 4NetplayYes
  5. 5BIOS requiredYes
  6. 6Shader/upscalingYes
5 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: github.com
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The retroemu homepage

Overview

retroemu is ranked #26 of 54 in multi-system emulators on Specifiction. It runs on API, Linux, macOS, Windows.

Compared on multi-system emulators

Netplay
Yesgithub.com
BIOS required
Yesgithub.com
Shader/upscaling
Yesgithub.com
License
open-sourcegithub.com

Facts

What it does
retroemu runs retro console games in a terminal with Node.js using libretro cores compiled to WebAssembly.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Supported systems
The README describes support for more than 25 systems, including NES, SNES, Game Boy, Genesis, Atari, and others.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Native game formats
It can also run WASM `.wasm`/`.wasc` carts and JavaScript `.jsgame`/`.jsg` games.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Video
Video can be output to the terminal, an SDL window, or both, with truecolor ANSI rendering in the terminal.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Controllers and audio
The README says SDL2 supports more than 2,100 controllers and provides direct audio output.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Saves
SRAM saves are automatically loaded and saved, and libretro save states can be saved and loaded with F5 and F7.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Remote play
Remote play lets a host share a game with a player or spectator; the guest needs no ROM or core, and video, audio, and controller data travel peer to peer over WebRTC.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Remote play signaling
The README says the signaling server brokers the WebRTC handshake and then leaves the loop, seeing about 3 KB of data.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Integrations
The project uses libretro cores and SDL2, and documents WebRTC remote play using node-datachannel and hsync for signaling.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Security
The README says JavaScript games run in a sandboxed realm.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Limits
PC Engine CD and ColecoVision require BIOS dumps supplied by the user; the README says most other listed systems do not require one.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Requirements and installation
The README requires Node.js 22 or later and a truecolor terminal, and gives `npm install -g retroemu` as the installation command.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Programmatic use
The package exposes a programmatic API for loading games and controlling emulation, saves, input, and video.github.com · 5 Oct 2026

Best retroemu alternatives

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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