Difference between revisions of "Recommended emulators"

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== What are recommended emulators? ==
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:<font size="3"><b>What are recommended emulators?</b></font><br>
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Well most importantly they're emulators that are recommended by /emugen/. They usually either fall under 1 of 2 categories: '''general use''', or '''accuracy'''. Recommended general use emulators tend to:
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They are emulators that are recommended by wiki authors/contributors, The list of recommended emulators is available on each emulation page. Check the Wiki page and look at the "'''Recommended'''" column.
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*have high compatibility (though maybe not as high as others),
 
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*are user-friendly, offer useful features,
 
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*are improving regularly, in other words; active,
 
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*can be run on various devices,
 
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*run fast even on lower end hardware,
 
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*can generally be used day-to-day by even the not-so-tech-savvy users,
 
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*and, preferably, is open-source (not closed source) as that ensures any active programmer can keep the software in shipshape condition and able to run on modern operating systems.
 
  
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Accurate emulators are recommended as they're as close to the original hardware as you can get, and as such are recommended for users who want to recreate the original experience or just want to ensure they'll be able to play most games with the least amount of glitches.
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:<font size="3"><b>Recommendation levels</b></font><br>
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
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! scope="col"|Recommendations
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! scope="col"|Recommendation level
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! scope="col"|Description
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|-
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|Recommended
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|{{✓}}
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|Recommended.
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|-
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|Semi-recommended
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|{{~}}
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|Semi-recommended.
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|-
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|Unknown recommendation
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|{{?}}
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|Untested.
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|-
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|Not recommended
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|{{✗}}
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|Not recommended.
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|}
  
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The list of recommended emulators is available on each Console page. Check the console page in [[:Category:Consoles]] and look at "Recommended" column.
 
  
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== What aren't recommended emulators? ==
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==Recommending emulators==
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Emulators that aren't the best in those categories. They still may be good emulators, and offer many great features, but are not the best option for general users or falls short compared to other emulators.
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Please consider these while recommending an emulator:
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*Have high compatibility (and mappers support for systems like [[Nintendo_Entertainment_System_emulators|NES]], [[Game_Boy/Game_Boy_Color_emulators|GB/GBC]], [[Master_System_emulators|SMS/GG]])
  
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*Various [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php?title=Special:Search&limit=500&offset=0&profile=default&search=%22%7Chardware+features%22 hardware features] like connectivity, peripherals and special hardware support etc.;
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*Offering useful [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php?search=%22%23Enhancements%7CEnhancements%22&title=Special%3ASearch&limit=500&profile=default&fulltext=1 enhancement features];
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*Be capable of running on various modern devices/operating systems and run full speed on [https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/ modern affordable hardware] - ''something like: [https://registry.khronos.org/vulkan/specs/1.3-extensions/man/html/ Vulkan 1.3]/[[Wikipedia:Direct3D#Direct3D_12_levels|D3D12 (12_1)]] GPU with drivers still up-to-date and AVX2 supported CPU'';
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*Generally, be usable day-to-day by even the not-so-tech-savvy users;
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*Be improved regularly--in other words, be active and, preferably, be open-source (not closed-source), as that ensures that any active programmer can keep the software in shipshape condition and able to run on latest operating systems.
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*[[Emulation_Accuracy|Accuracy]]-focused emulators are '''only recommended''' when they're have reasonable amount of compatibility compared to general-use emulators. This one should only be considered for [[Homebrew_and_hack_Roms|Homebrew]], [[Game_engine_recreations_and_source_ports|Game engine recreations and source ports]] and development/developer communities or users that just want to ensure they'll be able to play most games with the least amount of unexpected/unreported glitches or timing issues etc. (Do NOT use "preserve the hardware's inner workings for posterity" mindset for recommendation on emugen wiki)
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==What aren't recommended emulators?==
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;Semi recommended (~)
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* There are [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Category:Very_early_emulation very early] or limited options for specific systems (like [[Xbox_360_emulators|Xbox 360]]), if that is the case, contributors should use "~" (semi-recommended) for that emulator '''if it has some level of compatibility'''.
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;Not recommended (✗)
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* If the emulator(s) for that system can not run any commercial software or game.
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** [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Category:Not_yet_emulated un-emulated systems], [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Category:Very_early_emulation very early] emulated systems with little or no compatibility, [[MAME]]'s "MACHINE_SKELETON" state.
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* Emulators that aren't the best in those categories. They still may be good emulators, and offer many great features, but are not the best option for general users or falls short compared to other emulators.
 
[[Category:Recommendations]]
 
[[Category:Recommendations]]

Latest revision as of 21:04, 5 May 2024

What are recommended emulators?

They are emulators that are recommended by wiki authors/contributors, The list of recommended emulators is available on each emulation page. Check the Wiki page and look at the "Recommended" column.

Recommendation levels
Recommendations Recommendation level Description
Recommended ✓ Recommended.
Semi-recommended ~ Semi-recommended.
Unknown recommendation ? Untested.
Not recommended ✗ Not recommended.


Recommending emulators[edit]

Please consider these while recommending an emulator:

  • Have high compatibility (and mappers support for systems like NES, GB/GBC, SMS/GG)
  • Various hardware features like connectivity, peripherals and special hardware support etc.;
  • Generally, be usable day-to-day by even the not-so-tech-savvy users;
  • Be improved regularly--in other words, be active and, preferably, be open-source (not closed-source), as that ensures that any active programmer can keep the software in shipshape condition and able to run on latest operating systems.
  • Accuracy-focused emulators are only recommended when they're have reasonable amount of compatibility compared to general-use emulators. This one should only be considered for Homebrew, Game engine recreations and source ports and development/developer communities or users that just want to ensure they'll be able to play most games with the least amount of unexpected/unreported glitches or timing issues etc. (Do NOT use "preserve the hardware's inner workings for posterity" mindset for recommendation on emugen wiki)

What aren't recommended emulators?[edit]

Semi recommended (~)
  • There are very early or limited options for specific systems (like Xbox 360), if that is the case, contributors should use "~" (semi-recommended) for that emulator if it has some level of compatibility.
Not recommended (✗)
  • If the emulator(s) for that system can not run any commercial software or game.
  • Emulators that aren't the best in those categories. They still may be good emulators, and offer many great features, but are not the best option for general users or falls short compared to other emulators.
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