EMU7800 vs Lynx.emu

EMU7800 is a free emulator for the Atari 7800 ProSystem and the backward-compatible Atari 2600 Video Computer System. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS and supports saved game states. The maker says it runs on Windows 11, and its Windows installer does not need administrator permission. Windows users can connect Stelladaptor, 2600-daptor, 2600-daptor II, and Xbox 360 controllers. Saved game state is kept in the user profile at %USERPROFILE%\.emu7800savedgames. The project lists Linux ARM and ARM64 targets using SDL3; Linux systems may need SDL3, SDL3 image, and SDL3 TTF installed. Its macOS x64 and ARM64 targets are described as experimental and untested. Building from source requires the .NET 10.0 SDK and Git. The project was originally completed in 2003 as a .NET programming exercise, is licensed under GPL-2.0, and is maintained as a non-commercial endeavor. The current release listed is v5.7.0.0, released December 31, 2025.

Lynx.emu is an open-source Atari Lynx emulator based on Mednafen/Handy, with a minimalist interface aimed at low audio and video latency. It supports.lnx files, optionally compressed in ZIP, RAR, or 7Z archives, and offers configurable on-screen controls. Bluetooth and USB gamepads and keyboards are supported when the operating system recognizes them as HID devices; Xbox and PS4 controllers are listed examples. On Android, it can open files from internal storage, SD cards, and USB drives. The app does not include ROMs, so users supply their own. The EmuEX project targets Android, iOS, and Linux, though the listed Lynx.emu platforms are Android and Linux. Android versions require Android OS 2.3 or later; Linux builds require OpenGL 3.3 support on a desktop or a Pandora handheld. The Android app costs $2.99, paid once. The project is GPLv3 licensed, and the Google Play listing reports no data collected or shared with third parties.