jgenesis vs RetroArch
jgenesis
github.comRetroArch
retroarch.comSide by side
| Figure | jgenesis | RetroArch |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · TurboGrafx-16 Emulators | 7.5 (#18) | 8.4 (#6) |
| Spec score · SNES Emulators | 7.4 (#18) | 8.5 (#4) |
| Spec score · Game Gear Emulators | 7.3 (#23) | 8.3 (#10) |
| Spec score · Sega Genesis Emulators | 7.3 (#22) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Spec score · Multi-System Emulators | 7.3 (#43) | 8.3 (#14) |
| Spec score · Sega CD Emulators | 7.4 (#16) | 8.3 (#8) |
| Controllers | It supports keyboard and DirectInput gamepad controls, including 3-button and 6-button Genesis controllers. | Common game controllers are automatically configured when plugged in, and users can also configure them manually. |
| Graphics | It has a GPU-based renderer with integer prescaling, optional linear interpolation, configurable pixel aspect ratios, and video shaders. | RetroArch supports stackable shaders that can improve game rendering or replicate the look of CRT monitors. |
| License | The repository code is licensed under GPL-3.0 except where a file states otherwise. | RetroArch uses GPL version 3, while the libretro API uses an MIT license. |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, and web via WebAssembly are officially supported; other platforms may work but have not been tested. | The official downloads page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web browsers and various game consoles. |
| Purpose | jgenesis is a cross-platform emulator for 8-bit and 16-bit gaming consoles. | RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players that runs classic games through a graphical interface with unified settings. |
Plans
In their own words
jgenesis
jgenesis is a free, cross-platform emulator for 8-bit and 16-bit consoles. It supports Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega CD, Sega 32X, SG-1000, Master System, Game Gear, NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16. Save states, fast forward, rewind, and optional CPU overclocking are available on some systems. Expansion support includes Master System FM sound, the Genesis SVP chip, common NES mappers, and most SNES coprocessors. Its GPU renderer offers integer prescaling, optional linear interpolation, configurable pixel aspect ratios, blur, and anti-dither shaders. Keyboard and DirectInput gamepads are supported, including three-button and six-button Genesis controllers. Published builds require a 64-bit x86 CPU with SSE4.2 and a GPU supporting Vulkan, or DirectX 12 on Windows 10 and later. The project estimates about 300 MB of RAM for default settings. Releases come through GitHub, while commit builds remain available for 90 days and may be buggy.
RetroArch
RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players, bringing them under a unified settings system. The RetroArch/Libretro project includes more than 200 cores across those categories. Its menu can group scanned games by system and display thumbnails and animated backgrounds. Common game controllers configure automatically when plugged in, and button actions can also be assigned manually.
Stackable shaders can change rendered graphics or imitate the look of CRT monitors. Built-in netplay supports hosting or joining network gaming sessions, including spectator mode. RetroArch can record gameplay to video files and stream games to Twitch or YouTube. Versions are listed for Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS, and web browsers. RetroArch is free and open source under GPL version 3; the libretro API uses an MIT license. Features differ by platform and store version: the browser edition has lower performance and fewer capabilities than the full version, while Steam lacks Core Updater and thumbnail scraping and offers a selected core set.