EMU7800 vs z26

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.

z26 is a free, open-source Atari 2600 emulator for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The maker lists version 4.07 as the current SDL2 and OpenGL release for those systems, with Windows and Macintosh executables plus source code. A separate DOS release is listed as version 1.58. Input support covers PC and USB joysticks, gamepads, mouse, and keyboard. A mouse or PC trackball can operate trackball and paddle games; mouse input is also documented for light-gun games, while keyboard input supports driving-controller games. z26 handles several cartridge bank-switching schemes, including standard 8K and 16K, Atari Super-Chip, CBS Ram Plus, and Pitfall II. Digital sound processing has low and high settings. Developer tools include trace mode, scanline counting, and controls for disabling individual graphics objects. The project is licensed under GNU General Public License Version 2. Its listed plan costs nothing, and the license states the program comes without warranty to the extent permitted by law.