ares vs Snes9x
ares
ares-emu.netSnes9x
snes9x.comSide by side
| Figure | ares | Snes9x |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Game Console Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.3 (#9) |
| Spec score · SNES Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.4 (#5) |
| Documentation depth | Developer documentation includes platform-specific build guides with compiler, CMake, dependency and install steps. | The official repository directs users to a wiki, while the libretro documentation covers formats, BIOS files, directories, timing and feature support. |
| Purpose | ares is a cross-platform, open-source multi-system emulator focused on accuracy and preservation. | Snes9x is a portable emulator for playing most games designed for the Super Nintendo and Super Famicom systems. |
| What it does | ares is a cross-platform emulator for multiple game systems, built around accuracy and software preservation. | Snes9x is a portable freeware emulator for most Super Nintendo and Super Famicom games. |
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.
Snes9x
Snes9x is freeware for playing most games made for the Super Nintendo and Super Famicom systems. Desktop builds are listed for Windows, Linux, and macOS, with additional libretro core builds for Android, Emscripten, Wii, Switch, GameCube, and PSP. Running games requires SNES ROM images. Snes9x can save game state to freeze files and game data to SRAM files. Windows documentation describes Game Genie and Pro-Action Replay cheat formats, a cheat search feature, and recording gameplay actions for later playback. Netplay is documented for as many as five players, but the project notes that it has not been maintained or tested in a long time and might be broken. The Unix documentation says the emulator does not reproduce exact sub-cycle timing between major system components, so games with strict timing needs may not run. The project lists the software as free, with a plan price of free. Its listed platforms include Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.