n64js vs OpenEmu

n64js is a free N64 emulator written mostly in pure ES6 JavaScript, with a hosted version on GitHub Pages. It uses WebGL and provides keyboard controls plus a controller-configuration interface. Many ROMs run close to full speed, but graphical problems remain and imprecise cycle counting affects compatibility. Save data can persist through localStorage, with save import and export listed as implemented features. Saving and loading require native Uint8Array base64 methods supported in Chrome or Edge 140+, Firefox 133+, or Safari 18.2+, including iOS. The live site reports Chrome, Firefox, and Safari tested on macOS 13.5; Edge is untested. Low-level audio emulation is implemented, while high-level audio remains in progress. Savestates are listed as a TODO. Debug options include Off, Simple, and Mattias CRT display effects. The MIT-licensed repository also documents Bun scripts for headless emulation and programmatic controller input.

OpenEmu is free, open-source video game emulation software for macOS. It organizes game backups into a unified library, adds box art and supports collections spanning consoles. Users drag and drop backups for scanning and organization. Modular cores from open-source projects emulate systems including Atari, Game Boy, Nintendo, Sega, Sony PlayStation and Super Nintendo; the project lists 31 supported systems. Generic HID-compliant USB or Bluetooth controllers can work immediately, with automatic mapping for recognized devices. OpenEmu is intended for games users already own, and BIOS files are required. The wiki describes an experimental arcade core plugin that is strictly unsupported. The latest release page identifies OpenEmu 2.4.1 binaries as Intel-only. The official site offers a macOS (OS X) application, but the version requirement was not rendered. The project lists save states, CD audio and cheat support, while online netplay is not available.