- This article is dedicated to operating systems/home computers that have been discontinued.
- See also History of emulation page.
- For software that runs these systems on other hardware see x86 CPUs, Macintosh emulators, Commodore 64 emulators and MSX emulators, Microsoft Phone/Mobile emulators.
- Platforms in this article
- Microsoft products
Microsoft: MS-DOS, MSX-DOS, MSX-BASIC, Windows 9x, Windows 7/8 Phone, Windows 10 Mobile.
- Computers/Desktop operating systems
Commodore: Commodore 64
Apple: Classic Mac OS
Silicon Graphics: IRIX Be Inc: BeOS
- Mobile operating systems
BlackBerry: Blackberry OS Nokia & Intel: MeeGo Palm, Inc: Palm OS
BeOS
BeOS
|
Developer
|
Be Inc.
|
Type
|
Operating systems
|
Release date
|
1995
|
Latest release
|
2000 (R5)
|
Successor
|
Haiku
|
BeOS was a operating system developed by Be Inc., BeOS originally targeted the PowerPC platforms BeBox and Macintosh, and later 32-bit x86 computers.
- BeOS History
BeOS was developed by former Apple employee Jean-Louis Gassée, the first version of BeOS was released with the BeBox. In 1996 the CEO of Apple Inc., Gil Amelio started negotiations to buy Be Inc., the negotiations ended not working due to the Be Inc. CEO Jean-Louis Gassée wanting $300 million ($300000000)[1] with Apple offering $125 million ($125000000), Apple instead purchased NeXT (Including NeXTSTEP) from Steve Jobs.
- Nintendo Entertainment system/Famicom
- Super Nintendo Entertainment system/Super Famicom
- Nintendo 64
- GameBoy/GameBoy Color
- Game Boy Advance
- Sega Genesis/Megadrive
- Commodore 64
- Commodore Amiga
- Commodore 16
- Macintosh
- Apple II
- Atari 5200
- Atari Lynx
- Odyssey2
Name
|
Latest version
|
FLOSS
|
Active
|
Recommended
|
O2EMBeOS
|
?
|
?
|
✗
|
?
|
- x86 CPU
- Neo Geo
- PC Engine/Turbo Grafx 16
- MSX
Name
|
Latest version
|
FLOSS
|
Active
|
Recommended
|
fMSX BeOS
|
?
|
?
|
✗
|
?
|
- Arcade
- ZX Spectrum
- X68000
- BBC Micro
- Source Ports
BlackBerry
Blackberry OS
|
Developer
|
BlackBerry Limited
|
Type
|
Operating systems
|
Release date
|
1999
|
Latest release
|
2000 (3.6)
|
Successor
|
BlackBerry 10
|
BlackBerry OS was an operating system developed by BlackBerry Limited for their devices. BlackBerry OS was later reworked into BlackBerry 10 which has since been discontinued. the latest operating system developed by BlackBerry Limited "BlackBerry Secure OS" is based on Android
- PlayStation Portable
Palm
Palm OS
|
Developer
|
Palm, Inc. ACCESS
|
Type
|
Operating systems
|
Release date
|
1996
|
Latest release
|
2007 (Garnet OS 5.9.4)
|
Palm OS was a mobile operating system developed by Palm Inc. for personal digital assistants (PDAs), and later for smartphones. Palm OS was installed on Palm Inc's PDA devices, as well as many other devices not developed by Palm Inc.
- Apple II
- Commodore 64
- Multi System
- Source Ports
DOS
- For software that emulates DOS on other hardware, see x86 CPUs.
Born from the dawn of the digital age, DOS, reigned supreme through the 80s and early 90s. Though far from sleek, its unassuming might empowered millions to navigate the nascent world of personal computing.
With bare bones efficiency, DOS offered accessible power. Simple commands unlocked a plethora of tasks, from crafting documents to unleashing the magic of text-based adventures. For countless users, DOS wasn't just a tool; it was a canvas for exploration, a gateway to programming adventures and tinkering with the very fabric of digital logic.
While its limitations challenged and its error messages mocked, DOS fostered a generation of resourceful pioneers, adept at navigating command labyrinths and conjuring digital magic from lines of code. This era forged a unique bond between user and machine, where every keystroke held consequence and mastery felt truly earned.
Though DOS may grace museums now, its influence echoes in every modern operating system. Its legacy of simplicity and raw power reminds us that the most transformative innovations often arise from humble beginnings.
Windows 1.0x/2x/3x were graphical user interfaces (GUIs) built on top of MS-DOS. Those were the programs that runs a window manager on top of MS-DOS operating system. Many of the underlying device drivers and protocols had to be loaded in DOS for 3.11 to use them. On the other hand, Windows 9x (95, 98, ME) were standalone operating systems with DOS compatibility mode. Also NT3.x was an operating system as it included its own micro-kernel and device drivers [1].
Consoles
Atari
- Atari 2600
- Atari ST
Nintendo
- NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)
- SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
- Game Boy / Game Boy Color
- Game Boy Advance
- DSiWare
Sega
- Master System / GameGear
- Genesis / Mega Drive
- VMU
Sony
- PocketStation
Magnavox
- Odyssey
- Odyssey²
NEC
- PC-FX
- PC-8800 series
- P88SR
- Only compatible with DOS/V incompatible PC-98 machines running MS-DOS.
Other Consoles
- GCE
Vectrex
- Emerson
- Emerson Arcadia 2001
Computers
Commodore
- Commodore 64
- Amiga line
Sinclair
- ZX81
- ZX Spectrum
Other Computers
- Sharp
- X1
Name
|
Version
|
X1T
|
X1TZ
|
X1Tw
|
FLOSS
|
Active
|
Recommended
|
X1EMU
|
0.5
|
✓
|
✗
|
✗
|
?
|
✗
|
✗
|
- Apple
- Macintosh line
- Microsoft
- MSX series
- Amstrad
- Amstrad CPC
x86 CPUs
Source ports
- Super Mario 64
Commodore 64
- For software that emulates the Commodore 64 on other hardware, see Commodore 64 emulators.
The Commodore 64 (C64) is an 8-bit home computer released in 1982 by Commodore. It is notable for being one of the first widespread home computers, helping it to expand its collection of games as a result.
Apple
- Apple I
Chip-8
MeeGo
MeeGo
|
Developer
|
Nokia, Intel, Linux Foundation
|
Type
|
Operating systems
|
Release date
|
2010
|
Latest release
|
2012
|
- PlayStation Portable
MSX-DOS and MSX-BASIC
- For software that emulates MSX on other hardware, see MSX emulators.
The bustling landscape of 1980s home computing witnessed the emergence of the MSX platform, a standardized architecture for home computers. Beyond its versatile hardware, the MSX's success stemmed from its robust software environment, anchored by two key components: MSX-DOS and MSX-BASIC.
- MSX-DOS - A Tailored Disk Operating System
Derived from its namesake, MS-DOS, yet significantly streamlined for the MSX's limited memory footprint (64kB), MSX-DOS provided essential file management and disk access functionalities. Its compact design allowed efficient operation on early MSX machines, enabling users to store programs and data on floppy disks, expanding the platform's potential beyond mere game consoles. The intuitive command-line interface, akin to MS-DOS, fostered accessibility and a community of enthusiastic programmers comfortable navigating its text-based environment.
- MSX-BASIC - Bridging the Gap to Creativity
Built upon an extended version of Microsoft's Basic, MSX-BASIC served as the primary programming language for the MSX platform. Its accessible syntax and clear commands lowered the barrier to entry for coding, empowering users to unlock the creative potential of their machines. A rich library of built-in graphics and sound commands facilitated the development of games, animations, and even music, transforming MSX computers into versatile tools for artistic expression. The standardized nature of MSX-BASIC across different models encouraged collaboration and software sharing, fostering a vibrant community of users and programmers.
Consoles
Nintendo
- NES
- Game Boy
Sega
- SG-1000
Coleco
- ColecoVision
Computers
Commodore
- PET 2001
Microsoft
- MSX
Sinclair
- ZX Spectrum
Amstrad
- CPC
Chip8
- Chip8
External links
Classic Mac OS
- For emulators that run on macOS (previously Mac OS X), see Emulators on macOS.
- For software that emulates Classic Mac OS on other hardware, see Macintosh line.
From 1984 to 2001, Classic Mac OS, with its revolutionary graphical user interface and iconic single-button mouse, sparked a digital revolution. It empowered users with intuitive interaction and laid the foundation for modern computing interfaces.
Classic Mac OS
|
Developer
|
Apple
|
Type
|
Operating systems
|
Release date
|
1984
|
Discontinued
|
2001
|
Latest release
|
Mac OS 9
|
Nintendo
- NES/Famicom
- Super Nintendo
- Game Boy/Color
Sony
- PlayStation
Name
|
Latest Version
|
68k
|
PPC
|
FLOSS
|
Active
|
Recommended
|
Connectix VGS
|
1.4.1
|
✗
|
✓
|
✗
|
✗
|
✓
|
Commodore
- Vic 20
- C64
Sinclair
- ZX Spectrum
Amstrad
- Amstrad CPC
Tandy
- TRS-80
Apple
- Apple III
Palm
- Palm OS
Windows 9x
Windows 9x
|
Developer
|
Microsoft
|
Type
|
Operating systems
|
Release date
|
1995
|
Discontinued
|
July 11, 2006
|
Latest release
|
Windows Me
|
Successor
|
Windows NT
|
- For software that emulates Windows 9x on other hardware, see Windows 95/98/ME emulators.
From 1995 to 2000, Windows 9x based operating systems painted the nascent digital landscape with vibrant hues and infectious possibilities. Though often temperamental, its intuitiveness and accessibility ushered in a new era of personal computing.
The iconic desktop metaphor and pre-installed games beckoned exploration, while dial-up connections hummed the soundtrack to global connectivity. Floppy disks, the currency of shareware treasures, fostered vibrant communities, united by troubleshooting forums and a shared language of shortcuts and error messages.
Windows 9x was a democratizing force, empowering users to create, connect, and play. Paint and Game Maker unleashed creativity, while Glide-based games ushered in a new era of 3D graphics for computers. Its limitations fostered ingenuity, and every mastered tweak felt like a personal conquest.
Though now as a legacy OS, Windows 9x's influence on interface design, user interaction, and accessibility remains. It was a learning platform, a social hub, and a canvas for digital dreams. A colorful pixelated playground that forever changed the trajectory of personal computing.
- Some emulators for MS-DOS are able to be used on a windows 9x system, only emulators for/with a version for windows 9x are listed below.
Consoles
- Nintendo
- NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)
- SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
- Nintendo 64
Arcade
- Multi-Arcade
Source Ports
- ScummVM
Windows Phone and Mobile
- This section is about emulation on Windows Phone / Windows 10 Mobile. For the inverse, see the Microsoft section of Cellphone emulators.
Windows Phone 7/8 and Windows 10 Mobile
|
Developer
|
Microsoft Corporation
|
Release date
|
2010
|
Discontinued
|
2019
|
Emulated
|
✓
|
|
|
Consoles
Nintendo
- Nintendo Entertainment System
- Super Nintendo
- Game Boy Advance
libretro frontends
IRIX
IRIX
|
Developer
|
Silicon Graphics
|
Type
|
Operating systems
|
Release date
|
1988
|
Discontinued
|
2013
|
Latest release
|
6.5.30
|
Consoles
- Game Boy Advance
Computers
- Atari ST
- x86 CPUs
- Macintosh
- ScummVM
References
- ↑ As calculated by Carlo Delhez's clkfreq, originally distributed with his XTender emulator. The ZX81 has relatively complicated timing mechanics, depending on signalling of WAIT during NMI; relative speed is a measurement of how closely an emulator matches a real machine in terms of clock cycles spent processing within a frame. 100.0% denotes the same execution speed as a real machine.
- ↑ After turning off the simulated hardware improvements that were not standard in the original computer.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Shareware. Requires license to unlock full version.
- ↑ recommended if you have a 3dfx card