Game engine recreations and source ports

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Game engine recreations and source ports can be better than emulation on a game-by-game basis, adding improvements to the original, better performance and ports to less powerful systems were emulation is impractical/slow. This is especially true when a developer only wants to get one game (or a number of games that use the same engine) working. In that case, re-implementing that game alone would save more time than implementing the platform it runs on. These kinds of projects are common when abandonware has large communities; when the original developer has disbanded and can no longer support or update it, an effort is then made to get it running natively on newer versions of-- and/or entirely different-- operating systems and platforms.

  • game engine recreations (AKA game engine re-implementations), when the developer only has a binary to work with (and not the source code), they recreate the engine rather than port it, hence the term. How the developers go about this process depends on their philosophy; they may opt to de-compile the original executable and have their own program rely on the original until all of its functions have been remade, at which point the original binary is no longer needed. Alternatively, they can be remade based on a clean room design, in which the project implements the abstract features without having to disassemble the original, going by how components are expected to be used rather than how the game uses them. Some engines come about simply because they were inspired by the original game, and the programmer felt confident enough that no reverse engineering was necessary to make an engine that does the same thing.
  • source ports, in rare cases, games release the source code by the publishers themselves, allowing developers to perform a port of the source code. This skips the step of figuring out how the game works. The most common example that is often used is id Software's release of Doom in 1997. It led to so many ports being released that the community began to joke about what devices haven't gotten it running yet. (see the Doom Wiki for a list)

Some projects are implemented in ways that the original developer did not intend; for example, for a platform other than which publishers marketed it for. And they're not just limited to game engines either; Webamp is a JavaScript application that re-implements Winamp in the web browser. These projects are almost always open-source, which also allows new programmers to fix bugs that could have been difficult to track down during development (alternatively, the bugs may be emulated to allow old mods to continue to safely exploit them). When most of the effort is on programming, the project will usually require the original game's assets (such as files in the installation directory or ROMs) until those ever get remade. This lets the developers claim they aren't infringing the game's copyrights since the player must obtain the original to use it; if the game is still being sold, this could allow the publisher to even earn revenue from the project. This aspect is debatable however, as some source code recreations did result in cease-and-desist letters and even lawsuits from companies such as in the case of re3 and reVC for the 3D-era Grand Theft Auto games, with Take-Two Interactive alleging that the source ports were made to facilitate piracy and that "the work is not licensed in any way"; some have speculated that the suit among others was to keep fan-made mods from getting in the way of their much-maligned Definitive Edition remasters.

For the sake of brevity, most of these projects often refer to themselves under some variety of fan remakes. The External links section has lists for a number of known and available projects.

On Linux downloading and using game engines is easy with Luxtorpeda - a Steam Play compatibility tool (like Proton) that allows you to run games from Steam using various different game engines and re-implementations. Alternatively some package managers/app stores, such as flatpak and snap include source ports.

For macOS, Mac Source Ports provides many of the games below but built for Apple Silicon (or as a Universal Binary where possible), with the apps signed and notarised. For the majority of the games, you will have to provide your own game data. The data for most of the games can be purchased on GOG or Steam (The game data from Windows versions usually work ok).

For a work-in-progress list of source ports that work on macOS see the Source Ports on macOS page.

If you're looking for a specific game title, use the 'Ctrl+F' shortcut to search within this page.

Multi game engine[edit]

Action-adventure[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
OpenLara[N 1] Windows Linux macOS Android iOS Linux ARM Nintendo 3DS Vita Switch GameBoy Advance Xbox 3DO 32X git, SailfishOS ~ PC: Tomb Raider 1–4
Handhelds: Tomb Raider 1
OpenTomb Windows git ~ Tomb Raider 1–5
Tomb Raider Automated Fix Windows TR1

TR2

~ ~ Tomb Raider 1 & 2 + their expansions
Tomb Raider 1 & 2 Classic Collection Vita git

VitaDB

Tomb Raider 1 & 2 Classic (Android versions)
TR1X/TR1Main Windows Linux macOS git ? Tomb Raider 1.
CroftEngine Windows Linux git ? Tomb Raider 1.
TR2Main Windows git ? Tomb Raider 2

Adventure[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
ScummVM Windows Windows 9x Linux macOS PSP Vita Android Dreamcast Switch Wii Haiku AmigaOS MorphOS RiscOS MiNT Nintendo DS 2.8.1 Adventure games and RPGs (LucasArts, Sierra, Activision, Humongous & more. Over 250 games.)

Bullet Hell[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
ReC98: The Touhou PC-98 Restoration Project Multi-platform git (WIP) Touhou 1–5 (PC-98)

FPS[edit]

See also Game engine recreations and source ports/FPS for more in-depth description sorted by engine

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
BuildGDX Windows Linux macOS Website Blood, Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, Powerslave/Exhumed, Redneck Rampage, Redneck Rampage Rides Again, Witchaven, Witchaven II, TekWar, Legend of the Seven Paladins
EDuke32
VoidSW [N 2]
Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD Website EDuke32: Duke Nukem 3D, Ion Fury, NAM, World War II GI
VoidSW: Shadow Warrior
Metaforce Windows Linux macOS Dev builds
git
(WIP) Retro Games
(Metroid Prime 1–3 & Donkey Kong Country Returns)
Nuclide Linux Website
git
(WIP) GoldSrc Games
(Half-Life, Counter-Strike 1.5, Team Fortress etc..)
openDarkEngine Windows Linux git Thief 1-2, System Shock 2
Raze Windows Linux macOS git Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, Redneck Rampage, Shadow Warrior and Exhumed/Powerslave, Nam, WW2 GI
RedNukem Windows Linux git Duke Nukem 3D, Duke Nukem 64, Redneck Rampage, Redneck Rampage Rides Again, NAM, World War II GI
XLEngine Windows Linux git [N 3] Star Wars: Dark Forces, Daggerfall
Later: Outlaws, Blood, Shadow Warrior

Platform[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
RSDKv5 Windows Linux macOS Android Vita PlayStation 3
Switch Nintendo 3DS Wii Wii U
Sonic 1 & 2
Sonic CD
Sonic Mania
Sonic the Hedgehog 1–2, Sonic CD and Sonic Mania.
(Retro Engine v5)
Commander Genius Windows Linux macOS Switch 3.0.0 Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons, Commander Keen in Keen Dreams, Commander Keen in Goodbye Galaxy, Commander Keen in Aliens Ate My Babysitter

Racing[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
OpenNFS Windows Linux macOS git Need for Speed I–III, Need for Speed: High Stakes, Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2

RPG[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
EasyRPG Windows Linux Pandora Vita Android Switch Wii AmigaOS MorphOS Nintendo 3DS 0.8 RPG Maker 2000/2003 games
MKXP Windows Linux macOS 2023 builds RPG Maker XP/VX/VX Ace games
MKXP-Z Windows Linux macOS 2.4.2 RPG Maker XP/VX/VX Ace games
Falltergeist Windows Linux git (WIP) Fallout 1-2
GemRB Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD Android git Infinity Engine
(Baldur's Gate series (1998–2001), Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale series (2000–2002))
JoiPlay Android 1.01.701 RPG Maker XP/VX/VA/MV/MV games/Ren'Py/TyranoBuilder/HTML based games
Neko RPGXP Player Android 2.01 ~ RPG Maker XP/VX/VA/MV games
xoreos Windows Linux macOS 0.0.6 (WIP) BioWare's Aurora engine & derivatives
(BioWare's 7 PC/console RPGs, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, The Witcher)

RTS[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
openage Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git ~ Genie Engine
(Age of Empires, AoE II (HD), Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds)
OpenRA Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD Vita git Early Westwood games (Command & Conquer Tiberian Dawn, C&C: Red Alert, Dune 2000).
Soon: 2nd-gen C&C (C&C: Tiberian Sun).
OpenSAGE Windows Linux macOS git (WIP) EA's Command & Conquer games
(C&C: Generals, C&C: Generals - Zero Hour)
Soon: The Battle for Middle-earth series (2004–2006), C&C 3 & expansion.
Stratagus[N 4] Windows Linux macOS Android 3.3.2 [N 5] [N 6] Wargus (v3.3.2): Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness + Beyond the Dark Portal, Aleona's Tale
War1gus (v3.3.2): Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
Stargus (v3.3.0): StarCraft (partially playable as of v2.4.1)
Games natively made on the Stratagus engine: Aleona's Tale (Wargus), Astroseries, Bos Wars, Wyrmsun
Vanilla Conquer Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git Early Westwood games (Command & Conquer, C&C: Red Alert, Dune 2000).
Based on the official source code release by EA, with the goal of serving as a portable drop-in replacement for the original executables as well as a platform for mod developers.

Visual Novel[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
Impacto Windows Linux macOS Android Switch git (WIP) MAGES. Engine (Science Adventure games)
Xsystem35 Windows Linux Android git Alicesoft. System35 Engine (RPG and strategy games)

Various[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
DREAMM* Windows macOS Linux 3.0.2 LucasArts: Maniac Mansion, Zak McKracken, Indiana Jones (Last Crusade & Fate of Atlantis & Infernal Machine & Desktop Adventures), Loom, Monkey Island (1 & 2 & Curse & Escape), Day of the Tentacle, Sam & Max, Full Throttle, The Dig, Grim Fandango, Rebel Assault (1 & 2), X-Wing, Tie-Fighter, Dark Forces, Dark Forces 2 Jedi Knight, Mysteries of the Sith, Shadows of the Empire, Yoda Stories, Mortimer and the Riddles of the Medallion, Outlaws (+13 more in the 3.0 beta)
Jorio's ports of Pangea Software games Windows Linux macOS depending on game Billy Frontier, Bugdom, Bugdom 2, Cro-Mag Rally, Mighty Mike (Power Pete), Nanosaur, Nanosaur II: Hatchling, Otto Matic
OpenGMK Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git GameMaker game engines
M-HT SR / SRW Windows Linux Pandora depending on game Albion (1995), X-Com: UFO Defense (UFO: Enemy Unknown), X-Com: Terror from the Deep, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator, Battle Isle 3: Shadow of the Emperor (Battle Isle 2220: Shadow of the Emperor)
MegaZeux Windows Linux macOS Android FreeBSD Web Nintendo 3DS Wii Wii U PSP VitaDreamcast MS-DOS AmigaOS GP2X Pandora 2.93b MegaZeux games

Single game engine[edit]

Action-adventure[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
Zelda 64: Recompiled Windows Linux git The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64)
2 Ship 2 Harkinian Windows Linux macOS git The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64)
Link's Awakening DX HD Windows git ~* The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Open Ocarina Windows git The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
OpenJK Windows Linux macOS Build
git
~ Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Ship of Harkinian Windows Linux macOS Wii U Switch 8.0.4
Nightly builds
git
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (any PAL version)[N 7]
sm Windows Linux macOS Switch git ~ Super Metroid
Zelda3 Windows Linux macOS Linux ARM Switch git
Android
Xbox One
Vita
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Mystical Ninja Recompilation Windows ??? gbatemp thread ? Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
donut Windows ??? git ? ? The Simpsons: Hit & Run

FPS[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
xGreed Windows doomworld In Persuit of Greed
Aleph One Windows Linux macOS 1.6.2 Marathon 1–2, Marathon Infinity
BStone Windows Linux macOS git Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold, Blake Stone: Planet Strike
D2X-XL
DXX-Rebirth
Windows Linux macOS 1.18.76
git
Descent, Descent II
Descent Wii Wii 1.12
git (forked)
Descent
DXX-3DS[N 8] Nintendo 3DS git Descent, Descent II
DXX-Retro[N 8] Windows macOS git Descent, Descent II
DXX-Switch[N 8] Switch git ? Descent, Descent II
EDuke32 Wii Wii Website Duke Nukem 3D
Freespace 2 Wii Wii beta 3 ? Freespace 2
Freespace 2 Source Code Project Windows Linux macOS Knossos installer and mod manager Freespace 2, also includes Freespace 1 and expansion Silent Threat through fanmade ports to the FS2 engine.
NakedAVP Windows Linux macOS 1.1.0 Aliens Vs Predator Gold
NBlood Windows Linux git Blood
OpenMoHAA Windows Linux SourceForge Medal of Honour: Allied Assault
OpenXRay Windows Linux macOS git S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Series
PCExhumed Windows Linux 20230620-13623 Powerslave (PC)
Powerslave EX Windows Linux macOS git Powerslave (console)
Perfect Dark Windows Linux git Perfect Dark
Shockolate Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git System Shock 1
The Force Engine Windows Linux 1.10 Current: Star Wars: Dark Forces
Future: Outlaws
DXU24 Windows Modders channel ~ (WIP) Deus Ex
Xash3D Windows Linux macOS Android 0.99 ~ Half-Life 1 engine games
Xash3DS Nintendo 3DS git Half-Life 1 engine games
Portal64: Still Alive[1] Nintendo 64 v0.14.0 * Portal
Portal: Still Alive Windows ModDB ? Portal: Still Alive
id Tech Engines
dhewm3 Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD AmigaOS Switch git
dhewm3-amigaos4
Doom 3 (Original)
Doom64 EX Windows Linux macOS 2.5 Doom 64 (Original)
ECWolf Windows Linux macOS Android 1.3.3 Wolfenstein 3D, Spear of Destiny, Super 3D Noah’s Ark
Hammer of Thyrion Windows Linux macOS 1.5.9 Hexen II
Heretic Wii[N 9] Wii 0.5 ? Heretic
Hexen Wii
HHexen (Wii)[N 10]
Wii 1.0
0.5
? Hexen
HHeretic[N 9] Linux 0.2.3 ? Heretic
HHexen[N 10] Linux 1.6.3 ? Hexen
ioquake3 Windows Linux macOS AmigaOS 1.36 Quake III: Arena
iortcw Windows Linux macOS git ~ Return to Castle Wolfenstein
realrtcw Windows Linux macOS ModDB page ~ Return to Castle Wolfenstein (based on iortcw)
Linux Hexen[N 10] Linux 0.6.0 Hexen
PrBoom Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git ~[N 11] Doom I–II, Final Doom
PsyDoom Windows Linux macOS Linux ARM git Doom, Final Doom
Quake GameCube/QuakeGX[N 12] GameCube Wii 0.0.5-2 (GX) ? Quake 1
Quake Rev PAK[N 13] Wii release 4 ? Quake 1–2, ThreeWave CTF mod for Quake 2, QuakeWorld
Quakespasm
vkQuake[N 14]
Windows Linux macOS 0.94.2
git
Quake 1
RBDOOM-3-BFG Windows Linux macOS git Doom 3 (BFG Edition)
Rise of the Triad for Linux Windows 7 Linux Dreamcast git Rise of the Triad: Dark War
rottexpr Windows Linux macOS git Rise of the Triad: Dark War
Tyrquake Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git Quake 1
vitaQuake II Windows Linux macOS Vita git, PS Vita Quake 2
WiiDoom
WiiDoom-Fork (music support)
Wii 0.4.5
Fork
Doom I–II, Final Doom, Chex Quest I–II (forked version only but with some conversion issues)
Wii-DOOM
Wii-HERETIC
Wii-HEXEN
Wii-STRIFE
Wii r33 Wii-DOOM: Doom I–II, Final Doom
Wii-HERETIC: Heretic
Wii-HEXEN: Hexen
Wii-STRIFE: Strife: Quest for the Sigil
Wolfenstein 3D Wii Wii 1.31 Wolfenstein 3D, Spear of Destiny
Yamagi Quake II Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 8.00 Quake 2

Horror[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
FNaF 1 3DS -old/obsolete-
FNaF 1 3DS -remastered-[N 15]
Nintendo 3DS 0.2.3
0.3.1-pre1
Five Nights at Freddy's
FNaF 1 PSP[N 15] PSP 1.3.1 Fix 1 Five Nights at Freddy's
FNaF 2 3DS[N 15] Nintendo 3DS beta 1.0 Five Nights at Freddy's 2
FNaF 3 3DS[N 15] Nintendo 3DS beta 0.1.3 Five Nights at Freddy's 3
FNaF 4 3DS[N 15] Nintendo 3DS beta 0.3 ~ Five Nights at Freddy's 4

Platform[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
Abe's Amazing Adventure Wii Wii r3 ? Abe's Amazing Adventure
Abuse Wii Wii 0.8.684.2 ? Abuse
Cave Story Engine 2 Windows Linux macOS Nintendo 3DS Wii U Wii Nintendo DS git
archive
Wii, NDS
[N 16] [N 17] Cave Story
doukutsu-rs Windows Linux macOS Android Switch git Cave Story
OpenCrashWOC Windows Linux git ? Crash Bandicoot: Wrath Of Cortex
C1 Windows Linux git ~ Crash Bandicoot
C2C Windows git ~ Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
hodex[2] Xbox binaries
source code
~ Heart of Darkness
Jazz² Resurrection Windows Linux macOS Android git Jazz Jackrabbit 2
Jump 'n Bump Wii 0.3.1 ? Jump 'n Bump
Maze of Galious 3DS Nintendo 3DS 1.0 ? The Maze of Galious remake
MazeOfGaliousWii Wii 0.63.3 ? The Maze of Galious remake
NXEngine
nxengine-evo
Windows Linux macOS 1.0.0.6
git
Cave Story
OpenGOAL Windows Linux macOS git Jak and Daxter[N 18]
OpenHCL PSP Wii Nintendo 3DS Vita git ~ Hydra Castle Labyrinth
OpenJazz Windows Linux macOS Pandora GP32 DreamcastWii git ~ Jazz Jackrabbit 1
R.E.L.I.V.E. Windows Linux macOS git Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus
rawgl Windows Linux macOS git Another World/Out of This World
REminiscence Windows Android 0.4.9 Flashback (Another World's spiritual sequel)
Rigel Engine Windows Linux macOS Linux ARM git Duke Nukem II
SDLPoP Windows Linux macOS git Prince of Persia (1989)
Sonic the Hedgehog Forever Windows Android Switch Wii U 1.4.1 Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Absolute Windows 1.1.1 Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic-2-CE TI84+CE 1.00 Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic 3 A.I.R. (Angel Island Revisited) Windows Linux macOS Android Vita Switch git Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
Sonic Mania 3DS Nintendo 3DS Build ~ Sonic Mania 3DS
smw Windows Linux macOS Linux ARM Switch git
Switch
Super Mario World, Super Mario All-Stars[N 19]
Super Mario 64 Port Multi-platform Depends on port Super Mario 64 (N64)
TheXTech Windows Linux macOS Android Haiku Vita git Super Mario Bros. X[N 20]
xrick Windows Linux GameCube BeOS AmigaOS GP32 #021212 Rick Dangerous

Racing[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
CannonBall Windows Linux macOS Pandora Linux ARM git OutRun
CannonBall (Wii) Wii git OutRun
NFSIISE Windows Linux macOS Android git Need for Speed II: SE
CTRPC[N 21] Windows N/A (WIP) ~[N 22] Crash Team Racing
OpenC1 Windows Linux macOS 1.4
git
Carmageddon
OpenLGR Windows Linux macOS git Lego Racers
OpenMC2 Linux macOS (via Wine) git Midnight Club II
Open1560 Windows git Midtown Madness 1
OpenSWE1R Windows Linux macOS git (WIP) Star Wars Episode 1: Racer
RoadFighterWii Wii 1.0 Road Fighter
RVGL Windows Linux macOS Android Linux ARM Pandora 21.0930a-1 Re-Volt
REDriver2 Windows Linux git Driver 2
stuntcarremake[N 23] Windows 7 Linux Pandora Build 08 Stunt Car Racer (Amiga / AtariST)
Wipeout Rewrite Windows Linux macOS git Wipeout
Wipeout Phantom Edition Windows git Wipeout

Real-time[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s) Genre
Dune Dynasty Windows Linux 1.5 Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty Real-time strategy
Dune II: The Maker Windows 0.7.0 Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty
Dune Legacy Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 27.12.2022 Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty
KeeperFX Windows 1.0.0 ? Dungeon Keeper
OpenDUNE Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty
TA3D Windows Linux macOS git Total Annihilation
Project Alice Windows Linux 1.0.9 Victoria 2
FreeSynd Windows Linux macOS 0.7.5 Syndicate (1993) Real-time tactics
Syndicate Wars Port Windows Linux macOS 0.3 Syndicate Wars

RPG[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
Arx Libertatis Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git Arx Fatalis
Ambermoon.net Windows Linux macOS git Ambermoon
Paper Mario Windows Linux macOS git Paper Mario
Daggerfall Unity Windows Linux macOS git The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
DevilutionX Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD Haiku Switch git Diablo
Fallout CE Windows Linux Android iOS macOS git Fallout 1
Fallout 2 CE Windows Linux Android iOS macOS git Fallout 2
OpenGothic Windows Linux macOS git Gothic II
OpenVIII Windows Linux git Final Fantasy VIII
OpenDiablo2 Windows Linux macOS git Diablo II
OpenMW Windows Linux macOS 0.47.0 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
OpenTESArena Windows Linux macOS git (WIP) The Elder Scrolls I: Arena
NorseWorld: Ragnarok Windows git Ragnarok / Valhalla
REGoth Windows Linux git Gothic, Gothic II
reone Windows Linux git (WIP) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1-2
Riiablo Windows Linux macOS Android git ? Diablo II
Undertale Mobile Mod for iOS and Android Android iOS ModDB page Undertale

Sandbox[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
Minecraft PSP PSP 3.3.0 Minecraft
IsleDecomp Windows Linux git (WIP) Lego Island
PSP Minecraft PSP 3.0.0 Minecraft
OpenRW Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git ~ ~ Grand Theft Auto III
re3
reVC
Windows Linux macOS Switch Nintendo 3DS Wii U git (re3)
git (reVC)
re3 (3DS)
re3 (Switch)
reVC (Switch)
ReVC (Vita)
re3 (Wii U)
reVC (Wii U)
[N 24] Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
San Andreas Unity Windows Linux macOS Android git ~ Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Wiicraft (2020) Wii git ? ? Minecraft v1.2.5
WoxelCraft Wii git ? 3D Voxel Engine (Minecraft)

Sim[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s) Genre
CaesarIA Windows Linux macOS Android Haiku 0.5 (2016) Caesar III City-building
Julius
Augustus (Gameplay changes)
Windows Linux macOS Vita Switch 1.7
3.0.1
Caesar III
CorsixTH Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git Theme Hospital Construction/Management
OpenLoco Windows Linux macOS git Chris Sawyer's Locomotion
OpenRCT2 Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD OpenBSD Android git RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 (with RCT1 and expansions from both games being importable) or RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic (as of v0.4.2)
OpenTTD Windows Linux macOS git Transport Tycoon Deluxe
OpenTTD (Wii) Wii 1.3.2 ? Transport Tycoon Deluxe
RCT Classic Vita Vita git ? ~ RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic (Android)
terminal-recall Windows Linux macOS git
Nightly Builds
Terminal Velocity, Fury3 Flight Combat
LainTSX Web git Lain PSX Interactive fiction
Lain Bootleg Remake Windows Linux macOS git Lain Bootleg
FreeSO Windows git The Sims Online Life Sim

TBS[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
civctp2 Windows Linux Pandora Dragonbox Pyra git
(ctp2 for Linux/Pandora/Pyra)
~ Call to Power II
CivOne Windows Linux macOS git (WIP) Sid Meier's Civilization
DopeWars Windows Wii [N 25] 1.1 ? DopeWars (Palm OS)
fheroes2 Windows Linux macOS Switch Vita git Heroes of Might and Magic II
OpenEnroth Windows Linux macOS git Might and Magic VII
OpenXcom Windows Linux macOS git UFO: Enemy Unknown (X-Com: UFO Defense), X-COM: Terror From the Deep
OpenXcom CE Windows Linux macOS iOS Android 7.13 UFO: Enemy Unknown (X-Com: UFO Defense), X-COM: Terror From the Deep
VCMI Windows Linux macOS Android git Heroes of Might and Magic III

Visual Novel[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s)
DDLC-LOVE PSP PlayStation 3 Nintendo 3DS Vita Switch 1.2.3 (PSP, Vita)
1.1.9 (PS3, 3DS, Switch)
[N 26] Doki Doki Literature Club!
Doki-Doki-Literature-Club-Vita Vita git ~ Doki Doki Literature Club!
NitroSharp Windows Linux git ~ (WIP) [N 27] ChäoS;HEAd NoAH

Miscellaneous[edit]

Name Platform(s) Latest Version libretro Active Recommended Supported game(s) Genre
PyTouhou Windows Linux macOS Haiku Pandora Website (WIP) Touhou 6 Bullet Hell
Th06 Windows Linux macOS git (WIP) Touhou 6
uth05win Windows git Touhou 5
Ikemen GO Windows Linux macOS git Remake of the Ikemen engine that supports Mugen resources. Fighting
SpaceCadetPinball Windows Linux macOS Android Vita Wii Wii U Nintendo 3DS Switch AmigaOS MorphOS Web git 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet Pinball
Jewels Wii 1.01 ? gljewel Puzzle
Lemmini Windows macOS git Lemmings
LSD: Revamped Windows macOS Linux 0.2.0 LSD: Dream Emulator Exploration
OpenTyrian Windows Linux Android git Tyrian Shoot 'em up
OpenTyrianWii Wii 1.7 ? Tyrian
max vita Vita git Max Payne Third-person shooter

Notes[edit]

  1. OpenLara was inspired by OpenTomb
  2. VoidSW is included with EDuke32
  3. XL Engine has ceased development, and has been superseded by The Force Engine from the same developer
  4. Stratagus is an open-source real-time strategy game engine. Some standalone games like Aleona's Tale (included in Wargus's installation), Astroseries, Bos Wars, and Wyrmsun were built on the Stratagus game engine. Source ports for Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (War1gus), Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness + Beyond the Dark Portal (Wargus), and StarCraft (Stargus) were also built on the Stratagus engine.
  5. Stargus is in pre-alpha but development has been halted. Stratagus, Wargus, and War1gus are being updated regularly.
  6. StarCraft is only partially playable in Stargus as of v2.4.1. Warcraft games for Wargus & War1gus work well if installed correctly.
  7. As of v8.0.0, Ship of Harkinian supports any PAL ROM of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo 64 or GameCube (SoH Compatibility Checker to check if your ROM is supported). Launch the PC version and locate the ROM to generate an oot.otr file. Additionally and optionally, you can load the PAL version of the Master Quest version in the PC version to create an oot-mq.otr to add another game mode.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 DXX-Retro, also known as DXX-Rebirth-Retro, requires files from DXX-Rebirth version 0.58.1 to be able to use. DXX-Switch is a port of DXX-Retro for Nintendo Switch and DXX-3DS is a Nintendo 3DS port of DXX-Switch, but they have technical issues that make them less playable.
  9. 9.0 9.1 HHeretic is an open source game engine of Heretic for Linux. Heretic Wii is a Wii port is based on HHeretic 0.2.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 HHexen, also known as Hacked Hexen, is a Hexen source port was created by Dan Olson and maintained by the Hammer of Thyrion (Hexen II). It is a more advanced and portable version of the Linux Hexen source port and effectively replaced it. Hexen Wii and HHexen (Wii) are both Wii ports of Hexen based on HHexen 1.6.1.
  11. PrBoom-plus is still active
  12. QuakeGX is a Wii port of Peter Mackay's GameCube Quake port. Both are available on the same website. A forked version of QuakeGX called Quake Wii was later merged with QuakeGX.
  13. Quake Rev PAK (or QRevPack for short) is a collection of game engines of the Quake series that merges Q1Rev (Quake 1), Q2Rev (Quake 2), Q2CTFRev (ThreeWave Capture the Flag mod for Quake II), and QWRev (QuakeWorld) in one. All by the same developer Izhido.
  14. vkQuake is based on Quakespasm, but uses Vulkan instead of OpenGL for rendering
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Five Nights at Freddy's 1 3DS -remastered- is an updated version of Five Nights at Freddy 1's 3DS by the same developer FreDev, also known as BumboDEV and BaseDEV. The developer also attempted Nintendo 3DS ports of Five Nights at Freddy's 2, 3, and 4 but development stopped after the developer [lost the source code for Five Nights at Freddy's 2 and would have to reverse engineer it again. Those ports were only in a state of demonstration and were not fully playable, having incomplete A.I., gameplay, and missing screens. Download links to the latest version of these 3DS ports and the PS Vita port can be found on the old Discord server.
  16. Cave Story Engine 2'slicence
  17. Cave Story Engine 2, or CSE2 for short, received a DMCA cease and desist notice from Nicalis, the current IP owner of Cave Story, despite the original Cave Story being a freeware developed by Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya.
  18. The project de-compiled the game into GOAL code. The project also developed a general-purpose GOAL compiler. Ports of Jak 2 & 3 may be viable because they were made in GOAL too.
  19. In smw only the Super Mario All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels are able to be ran currently.
  20. The Super Mario Bros. X fan game project was written in VB6 originally and being a closed source for a long time. It was founded in 2009 and supported up to 2011, later abandoned by its author. For a long time, various people hacked it and attempted to reverse-engine and make clones. After 11 years, the source code was finally open. Later, by an independent developer, it was ported from VB6 into C++ with the SDL2 library and released as "TheXTech". The TheXTech, unlike the original game engine, is cross-platform and lightweight. It's able to work on a variety of operating systems and processor architectures.
  21. Executable title in video is "CTRPC" the video titles however are titled "Crash Team Racing - PC Port"
  22. According to the description of the Progress Update #2 video it will be many months (or years) away from a finished PC port
  23. Based on Stunt Car Racer Remake for Windows
  24. re3 and reVC have been taken down by Take-Two again. This also includes GaryOderNichts's Wii U ports, Graber's Switch ports, and the PS Vita ports of re3 and reVC.
  25. DopeWars PC port's download link is currently not working.
  26. DDLC-LOVE is a DDLC! port programmed in Lua. Even in its final release, there may be issues DDLC-LOVE may not have been able to fix but it's still playable. The developer recommends PS Vita users to use Doki-Doki-Literature-Club-Vita for the full DDLC! desktop experience including mod support.
  27. No longer needed as the game has been released on PC.

See also[edit]

Game engine recreations and source ports specifically for: Current computers/phones:

Consoles:

Nintendo
Sony

Legacy systems:

External links[edit]

Curated Lists:

Specific gaming systems

News:

  • GamingOnLinux.com (For the latest news on releases and updates of game recreations and source ports that work on Linux)
  • Reddit feed (Aggregation quality is a little bit spotty. You have to wade through the news posts a bit for the relevant software.)
  • List of Open Source Games on Reddit (Thread by u/AMD_CEO. Wed Jul 1, 2020. Had added recommendations to links also seen above.)

Videos: