Javatari vs z26

Javatari is a free Atari 2600 emulator designed for the Web. Users can load cartridges in a browser, with ROMs opened from local storage, iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox or web links. It runs in browsers tested with Chrome, Firefox and Safari, and can be installed as a WebApp on iOS, Android or desktop for offline play. Savestates can be exported and shared. Playback controls include adjustable speed, pause and frame-by-frame advance; display tools include resizing, fullscreen, screen capture and debug modes. Customizable joysticks, joykeys and touch controllers are available, with haptic feedback on mobile. NetPlay lets multiple users connect to and control one virtual console over the internet, although it does not work on Apple iOS because required WebRTC technologies are unavailable there. Performance depends on network quality. A JavaScript API supports ROM loading and console control, and games can be embedded in webpages or launched with a Javatari page link. The project repository identifies the software as licensed under AGPL-3.0.

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.