Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Nostalgist.js vs OpenEmu

Nostalgist.js

nostalgist.js.org

OpenEmu

openemu.org

Side by side

FigureNostalgist.jsOpenEmu
Price fromFreeFree
Free planYesYes
Free trial——
Open sourceYesYes
WebYes—
macOS—Yes
Plans published21
Spec score · Sega Genesis Emulators8.0 (#10)7.9 (#12)
ShadersShader names can load GLSL shader files from the libretro shader repository through jsDelivr, with custom resolution available.Version 2.1 added a configurable multi-pass shader system using Slang presets.
What it doesNostalgist.js is a JavaScript library for running retro-console emulators such as NES and Sega Genesis inside web browsers.OpenEmu is an open-source macOS application that emulates many classic video-game systems through a single native front end.

Plans

Nostalgist.js

  • Free open-source libraryFree
  • Nostalgist.jsFree

Nostalgist.js pricing →

OpenEmu

  • OpenEmuFree

OpenEmu pricing →

In their own words

Nostalgist.js

Nostalgist.js has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

Visit nostalgist.js.org

OpenEmu

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.

Visit openemu.org