Stella vs Virtual Jaguar
Stella
stella-emu.github.ioVirtual Jaguar
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Stella | Virtual Jaguar |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Atari Emulators | 7.3 (#14) | 8.2 (#3) |
| Controllers | Stella emulates Atari and other controllers using a computer keyboard, joystick, or mouse, and supports real Atari controllers through Stelladaptor and 2600-daptor devices. | Supported inputs include standard pads, Pro Controller, Team Tap, ST and Amiga mice, Tempest rotary, analog and driving controllers, 6D stick and light gun. |
| Emulation | Features include cycle-exact TIA video and sound emulation, stereo sound support, and dynamic sound resampling. | The core emulates the Jaguar’s 68000, GPU, DSP, Object Processor, and Jaguar CD hardware. |
| License | Stella is released under the GNU General Public License and is described as open-source and free software. | The project is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0. |
| Purpose | Stella is software that emulates the Atari 2600 VCS so users can play its games on a computer. | Virtual Jaguar libretro is an open-source emulator core for Atari Jaguar cartridges and Jaguar CD, designed to run with RetroArch. |
| Save features | Stella supports saving and loading system states, automatic timeline recording, and high-score saving. | Save states, rewind, run-ahead, SRAM and RetroAchievements are supported; old save-state formats remain readable, subject to disc matching for CD states. |
Plans
Virtual Jaguar
- FreeFree
- Virtual Jaguar Android appFree
- Virtual Jaguar libretro coreFree
In their own words
Stella
Stella is free, open-source software for playing Atari 2600 VCS games on a computer. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux under the GNU General Public License. It supports A26, BIN, and ROM images, including files in ZIP archives, as well as Supercharger games. Atari and other controllers can be emulated with a keyboard, joystick, or mouse; real Atari controllers can be used through Stelladaptor and 2600-daptor devices. Emulation features include cycle-exact TIA video and sound, stereo support, and dynamic sound resampling. Stella provides save and load for system states, automatic timeline recording, and high-score saving. Display support covers NTSC, PAL, and SECAM, with customizable CRT-style filters and bezels. A debugger offers static analysis using the Distella disassembler and runtime analysis of code, graphics, and data. The project names homebrew developers among its intended users. General requirements include SDL 2.0.14 or later and 256 MB of RAM for emulation; stable downloads include Windows binaries, a macOS disk image, an Ubuntu 22.04 DEB package, and source code for all systems.
Virtual Jaguar
Virtual Jaguar libretro is a free, open-source emulator core for Atari Jaguar cartridges and Jaguar CD media. It is designed to run through a libretro frontend such as RetroArch, not as a standalone emulator. The core emulates the Jaguar’s 68000, GPU, DSP, Object Processor, and Jaguar CD hardware. It accepts cartridge formats including .j64, .jag, .rom, .abs, .cof, .bin, and .prg, plus Jaguar CD CUE, CDI, and CHD images. Console and Jaguar CD BIOS images are embedded, so external BIOS files are not required. Through its frontend, the core supports save states, cheats, rewind, run-ahead, netplay, shaders, controller remapping, and fast-forward. Optional settings include true-color rendering, 2× internal resolution, overclock controls, and adjustable CD read speed. Link-cable emulation supports TCP transport and a multi-peer hub. The project notes that the blitter is not fully cycle-accurate, GPU/DSP pipeline hazards are not modeled, and some titles can run too fast. Listed platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.