ares vs jgenesis
ares
ares-emu.netjgenesis
github.comSide by side
| Figure | ares | jgenesis |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 0 |
| Spec score · TurboGrafx-16 Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 7.5 (#18) |
| Spec score · Game Gear Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 7.3 (#23) |
| Spec score · SNES Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 7.4 (#18) |
| Spec score · Sega Genesis Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 7.3 (#22) |
| Spec score · Multi-System Emulators | 8.9 (#2) | 7.3 (#43) |
| Spec score · Sega CD Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 7.4 (#16) |
| Spec score · Sega Master System Emulators | 9.0 (#2) | 7.3 (#15) |
| License | The source code is distributed under the ISC license. | The repository code is licensed under GPL-3.0 except where a file states otherwise. |
| Purpose | ares is a cross-platform, open-source multi-system emulator focused on accuracy and preservation. | jgenesis is a cross-platform emulator for 8-bit and 16-bit gaming consoles. |
Plans
In their own words
ares
ares is a free, open-source emulator for multiple systems, with a stated focus on accuracy and preservation. It supports systems including Arcade, Atari 2600, WonderSwan, ColecoVision, NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, and PlayStation, though some listed systems are experimental. Playback options include save states, run-ahead, rewind, and fast-forward. Pixel shaders and optional color correction can alter display characteristics, while Virtual Game-Pads let users configure controls for use across emulated systems. The interface framework uses WinAPI on Windows, Cocoa on macOS, and GTK2 or GTK3 on POSIX platforms. Simple debugging features such as trace logging support development of original software for supported systems. Windows builds support Windows 7 or later; AMD64 binaries require at least Intel Nehalem or AMD Jaguar architecture. macOS binaries require Catalina 10.15 and support Intel and Apple Silicon. The project prefers Linux users compile from source and points to third-party packages rather than official Linux binaries. Source code uses the ISC license. Android is not supported, and a BIOS is required.
jgenesis
jgenesis is a free, cross-platform emulator for 8-bit and 16-bit consoles. It supports Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega CD, Sega 32X, SG-1000, Master System, Game Gear, NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16. Save states, fast forward, rewind, and optional CPU overclocking are available on some systems. Expansion support includes Master System FM sound, the Genesis SVP chip, common NES mappers, and most SNES coprocessors. Its GPU renderer offers integer prescaling, optional linear interpolation, configurable pixel aspect ratios, blur, and anti-dither shaders. Keyboard and DirectInput gamepads are supported, including three-button and six-button Genesis controllers. Published builds require a 64-bit x86 CPU with SSE4.2 and a GPU supporting Vulkan, or DirectX 12 on Windows 10 and later. The project estimates about 300 MB of RAM for default settings. Releases come through GitHub, while commit builds remain available for 90 days and may be buggy.