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Tech riderRev. 3 Oct 2026

Stella

Ch 077.2of 21 Atari Emulators
  1. 1Runs onLinux, Mac, Windows
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3Atari systemsAtari 2600 VCS
  4. 4Supported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux
  5. 5Save statesYes
  6. 6Controller remappingYes
6 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: stella-emu.github.io
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The Stella homepage

Overview

Stella is ranked #7 of 21 in Atari emulators on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. There is a free plan.

Stella plans and pricing

All plans
Stella Free Atari 2600 VCS emulation · donations are voluntary stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on Atari emulators

Free plan
Yesstella-emu.github.io
Atari systems
Atari 2600 VCSstella-emu.github.io
Supported platforms
Windows, macOS, Linuxstella-emu.github.io
Save states
Yesstella-emu.github.io
Controller remapping
Yesstella-emu.github.io

Facts

Purpose
Stella is software that emulates the Atari 2600 VCS so users can play its games on a computer.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
License
Stella is released under the GNU General Public License and is described as open-source and free software.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Emulation
Features include cycle-exact TIA video and sound emulation, stereo sound support, and dynamic sound resampling.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Controllers
Stella emulates Atari and other controllers using a computer keyboard, joystick, or mouse, and supports real Atari controllers through Stelladaptor and 2600-daptor devices.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Game formats
Stella supports A26, BIN, and ROM images, including images stored in ZIP files, and supports Supercharger games.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Save features
Stella supports saving and loading system states, automatic timeline recording, and high-score saving.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Debugger
Stella includes a debugger with static analysis using the Distella disassembler and runtime analysis of code, graphics, and data sections.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Display
Stella supports NTSC, PAL, and SECAM television standards, plus customizable CRT-style filtering and bezels.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Download platforms
The listed stable downloads include Windows binaries, a macOS disk image, an Ubuntu 22.04 DEB package, and source code for all systems.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Requirements
The guide lists SDL 2.0.14 or later and 256 MB of RAM for emulation among its general requirements.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Intended users
The project says one of its main goals is to help Atari 2600 homebrew developers, and describes playing a game as plug and play.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Maintenance
Stephen Anthony is the current maintainer, and the listed team also includes Christian Speckner and Thomas Jentzsch.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026
Donations
Donations are voluntary; the project says monetary contributions go toward purchasing hardware and cartridges for testing.stella-emu.github.io · 3 Oct 2026

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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Sources