BigPEmu vs Virtual Jaguar
BigPEmu
richwhitehouse.comVirtual Jaguar
github.comSide by side
| Figure | BigPEmu | Virtual Jaguar |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Atari Emulators | 8.0 (#7) | 8.2 (#3) |
| Controllers | It supports analog, driving, and rotary controllers, Team Tap, and other input devices recognized by the host system. | Supported inputs include standard pads, Pro Controller, Team Tap, ST and Amiga mice, Tempest rotary, analog and driving controllers, 6D stick and light gun. |
| Jaguar CD | It supports the retail disc library, Memory Track, and VLM, with a virtual disc system and audio loopback option. | Jaguar CD images can boot through an included high-level BIOS or an emulated real BIOS, with audio-CD playback and Virtual Light Machine support. |
| Platforms | The download page lists Windows x64, Windows ARM64, Linux x64, and Linux ARM64 builds; the maker also links to an App Store release and describes iOS-specific features in the manual. | Official release builds cover Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, tvOS, WebAssembly, PlayStation Vita and Nintendo Switch, with additional libretro buildbot targets. |
| Purpose | BigPEmu is an Atari Jaguar emulator that its maker says can run every game in the Jaguar retail library. | Virtual Jaguar libretro is an open-source emulator core for Atari Jaguar cartridges and Jaguar CD, designed to run with RetroArch. |
Plans
Virtual Jaguar
- FreeFree
- Virtual Jaguar Android appFree
- Virtual Jaguar libretro coreFree
In their own words
BigPEmu
BigPEmu is an Atari Jaguar emulator for Windows, Linux, iOS and macOS. Its maker says it can run every game in the Jaguar retail library, and that default settings run the library at full speed on almost any x64-capable processor. Jaguar CD support covers the retail disc library, Memory Track and VLM, with a virtual disc system and audio loopback option. Players can save states and record deterministic movies from controller inputs. Visual options include customizable postprocessing shaders, native HDR and per-game profiles, alongside fast-forward and rewind. Input support covers analog, driving and rotary controllers, Team Tap and other devices recognized by the host system. Network features support JagLink games and synchronized states for two to eight players. Scripting includes tasks such as breakpoints and memory access. The desktop download is a zip archive that runs without installation and has an in-app update option. The maker notes that imperfect timing can make some software run too fast at default settings.
Virtual Jaguar
Virtual Jaguar libretro is a free, open-source emulator core for Atari Jaguar cartridges and Jaguar CD media. It is designed to run through a libretro frontend such as RetroArch, not as a standalone emulator. The core emulates the Jaguar’s 68000, GPU, DSP, Object Processor, and Jaguar CD hardware. It accepts cartridge formats including .j64, .jag, .rom, .abs, .cof, .bin, and .prg, plus Jaguar CD CUE, CDI, and CHD images. Console and Jaguar CD BIOS images are embedded, so external BIOS files are not required. Through its frontend, the core supports save states, cheats, rewind, run-ahead, netplay, shaders, controller remapping, and fast-forward. Optional settings include true-color rendering, 2× internal resolution, overclock controls, and adjustable CD read speed. Link-cable emulation supports TCP transport and a multi-peer hub. The project notes that the blitter is not fully cycle-accurate, GPU/DSP pipeline hazards are not modeled, and some titles can run too fast. Listed platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.