HalfNES vs Nesbit
HalfNES
github.comNesbit
nesbit.appSide by side
| Figure | HalfNES | Nesbit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · NES Emulators | 8.0 (#6) | 6.9 (#20) |
| Audio | The listed features include an accurate sound core and an NSF player. | Nesbit plays sounds from all four synthesized channels. |
| Controls | Controls are remappable through the Preferences dialog. | It provides an on-screen virtual controller on iOS and iPadOS and supports hardware keyboards and gamepads on all platforms. |
| Downloads | The README directs users to GitHub releases, which include a Windows executable and a JAR for other platforms. | The maker links to a TestFlight build for iOS and iPadOS and a macOS download. |
| Performance | The README says a 2 GHz Athlon 64 or better is required to run all games at full speed, and the NTSC filter requires much more processing power. | The maker reports 60 FPS on M1 Macs and newer, and iPhone 14 Pro and newer. |
Plans
In their own words
HalfNES
HalfNES is a free NES and Famicom emulator for Linux, macOS, Windows, and other Java-compatible platforms. It supports the mapper numbers listed in its README, and says nearly all US releases will start, though some can show corrupted graphics or freeze. Its audio features include a sound core and an NSF player; display options include full screen and an NTSC filter. Controls can be remapped in Preferences, and joysticks work through DirectInput and xInput. HalfNES supports battery saves, but not savestates. GitHub releases provide a Windows executable and a JAR for other platforms, and both require Java 8 or newer. Linux users need to set execute permission on the JAR. Gamepads must be connected before a game loads to be detected, and their buttons cannot be configured. PAL games are supported but may have more issues; users need to select PAL in Preferences. The README gives a 2 GHz Athlon 64 or better as the requirement for full-speed play across all games, and notes that the NTSC filter needs substantially more processing power.