BlastEm vs ClownMDEmu
BlastEm
retrodev.comClownMDEmu
github.comSide by side
| Figure | BlastEm | ClownMDEmu |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Sega Genesis Emulators | 9.0 (#2) | 8.9 (#3) |
| Spec score · Sega CD Emulators | 9.0 (#2) | 8.9 (#3) |
| Debugger | Its integrated debugger can inspect and modify most emulated state, use conditional breakpoints and run scripts. | The standalone frontend includes debugging menus intended for emulator and homebrew work. |
| Licence | BlastEm is distributed under GNU GPL version 3 or later; bundled GLEW, SDL2 and zlib have separate licences. | ClownMDEmu is free software under the GNU AGPLv3 or any later version. |
| Performance and accuracy | The maker describes it as fast enough for older PCs and accurate enough for demanding demos. | The maker says the emulator balances correctness with performance and may be more high-level than accuracy-focused alternatives. |
| Praise: accuracy | Android Authority praises BlastEm's accurate emulation, active development, multi-platform availability and high compatibility. | A Libretro forum post praises cycle-level timing and faithful 68K, Z80, VDP and audio emulation for developers and preservationists. |
| What it does | BlastEm emulates Sega 16-bit and 8-bit consoles, with emphasis on speed and hardware accuracy. | ClownMDEmu emulates Sega Mega Drive, also called Sega Genesis, hardware. |
Plans
In their own words
BlastEm
BlastEm is a free, open-source emulator for Sega's 16-bit and 8-bit consoles. It supports Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega CD, 32X, Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, SC-3000, Sega Pico, and Yamaha Copera. Downloads are listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with an experimental web version. Gameplay features include save states, cartridge save RAM and EEPROM support, turbo and slow modes, controller input, and VGM logging. Its integrated debugger can inspect and modify state, set conditional breakpoints, run scripts, and show visual VDP tools. Developers can use the GDB remote debug protocol for source-level debugging of SGDK and other C or C++ projects. The maker describes it as fast enough for older PCs and accurate enough for demanding demos. Most Sega CD and 32X games are playable, but compatibility is not perfect. Yamaha Copera emulation is incomplete: games generally lack music, though Copera-specific ADPCM samples play. The listed macOS download is x86-64 and not notarized; the page directs ARM users to Homebrew.
ClownMDEmu
ClownMDEmu is a free emulator for the Sega Mega Drive, also known as the Sega Genesis. Its self-contained core is provided as a library, with a browser version available to try online. The maker also offers a standalone frontend with debugging menus and a libretro frontend for compatible hosts such as RetroArch and clownlibretro. The core can be built with CMake, but Git submodules must be initialized before compiling. Its design targets C89, integer-only logic, and avoids dynamic memory and global state. Emulator state is stored in a relocatable structure without pointers, supporting save states and the possibility of multiple instances. Audio is output separately for FM and PSG at native sample rates; video is provided one scanline at a time in indexed format. The maker describes a balance between correctness and performance, and notes that some standard Mega Drive features remain unemulated, including areas of 68k exceptions and VDP rendering. ClownMDEmu is free software under AGPLv3 or any later version.