Retro Emulation 2025: Best Emulators, Controllers, CRT Tips

I use a retro game emulator to play old stuff on new gear. NES, SNES, Sega, arcade ROMs. Save states, shaders, Bluetooth pads. It’s been my weekend hobby for years, and yeah, I still grin when I hear the Sonic ring chime.

Why I’m still booting pixel games in 2025

In my experience, so many “modern” games feel like a checklist. Skill trees, battle passes, the usual grind. Meanwhile, an 8-bit platformer? It just smacks you with a level and says, “Jump. Don’t fall.” I love that. When I get the itch for side-scrollers and top-down shooters, I usually browse the retro games collections people put together. It’s like walking into a tiny museum, but you can press Start.

Now, a quick note for friends who ask what emulation even is. An emulator is just software that acts like a game console. It tricks a game into thinking it’s running on the real hardware. If you want the simple version, this page on video game console emulators explains it cleanly without fluff. In short: your PC pretends to be a Super Nintendo, and the game is none the wiser.

What I actually use (and why)

I’ve always found that a single front end keeps me sane. RetroArch is my home base because it wraps a ton of cores in one app. I get save states, shaders, run-ahead to cut input lag, and quick controller mapping. For PlayStation 1 I like DuckStation. For PS2, PCSX2. For GameCube and Wii, Dolphin. For PSP, PPSSPP. And for arcade, MAME—that cranky, brilliant uncle who remembers everything, but only if you ask in exactly the right way.

For fights, I’m picky. Street Fighter II, Darkstalkers, all the classics that chewed my allowance. If you want to fall down the rabbit hole with me, here’s a loving tour of arcade fighting classics. Fair warning: you’ll end up practicing fireballs at 1 a.m. It happens.

Hardware talk without boring you

I plug in a wired USB controller when I can. Least input lag. If I go wireless, I use a Bluetooth pad with low-latency mode. On my couch, the Steam Deck handles 16-bit stuff like a champ. A Raspberry Pi is fine too for 8/16-bit consoles—just keep expectations realistic. And if you want a fun history detour, this walk through the evolution of joystick games is a good time. Remember when the analog stick felt like the future? Still does sometimes.

People ask me about screens. If you use a TV, turn off “smoothing,” “motion flow,” and any weird soap-opera filter. Use Game Mode. If you like the old look, slap a CRT filter on. A light scanline shader helps a lot, but don’t overdo it. I once made Sonic look like he was printed on burlap.

Legal stuff I wish more folks actually read

Look, I’m not your lawyer. I’m just the nerd who cares about doing this right. If you want a friendly map through the minefield, this guide on the legal labyrinth of game emulation is worth ten minutes. It covers what’s usually okay, what’s not, and how to avoid being that person who posts a link dump of random ROMs on main.

Also, if you want to see what the law literally says (and what gets refreshed every three years), the U.S. exemption list is public. Scroll the DMCA section at copyright.gov/1201. I know, thrilling. But it’s helpful if you’re backing up your own discs and wonder where the line is. Short version: buy your games, make your own backups, don’t upload dumps. Be cool.

When I still use the real thing

Yeah, I own original hardware too. My Super Nintendo still smells like plastic and dust. There’s a kind of magic to putting a cartridge in and hearing the click. When I feel like a purist, I go back to the real deal. There’s a piece about the nostalgic charm of old consoles that nails it. The short of it: sometimes the ritual matters as much as the pixels.

The parts nobody tells you until it’s 2 a.m.

BIOS files. Some systems need them. You have to dump them from your own console. Without the right BIOS, the emulator sulks. I learned that the hard way at 2 a.m., staring at a gray screen and wondering if the game was judging me.

ROM sets. For arcade (MAME), the version matters. The game expects a certain set, and if it doesn’t match, you get errors. Planning helps. I keep a tiny spreadsheet noting versions. Yes, I am that person.

Controller mapping. Do it once, save a profile. I map L/R to shoulder buttons, fast-forward on a trigger for grindy bits, quick save on Select. Save states are great for practice, by the way. I’ll do a boss run ten times, learn the pattern, then I play “fair” on a full run. Don’t come for me.

Make it feel right

Input lag is the fun killer. Aim for low latency: wired controllers, Game Mode on the TV, vsync set right, and run-ahead in RetroArch if your CPU can handle it. One or two frames of run-ahead can make NES platformers feel crisp again. If it stutters, dial it back.

Shaders and CRT filters can be lovely. My rule: if it looks like a photograph of a TV, it’s too much. I use light scanlines, a touch of glow, and sometimes a simple LCD grid for handhelds. Keep the game readable. Your eyes matter more than the perfect “tube look.”

A quick map for anyone starting fresh

Starter stack that won’t make you cry

• Front end: RetroArch
• 8/16-bit cores: Genesis Plus GX, SNES9x, mGBA
• Handhelds: mGBA (GBA), SameBoy (GB/GBC)
• 3D era: DuckStation (PS1), PCSX2 (PS2), Dolphin (GC/Wii), PPSSPP (PSP)
• Arcade: MAME (learn it slowly)
• Dumping: Back up your own carts/discs with a USB dumper or your console

“Table”-ish cheat sheet: common hiccups and quick fixes

• Black screen on boot: Check BIOS path and file, correct region.
• Audio crackle: Lower latency, enable audio sync, close background apps.
• Bad controls: Remap in core, save game-specific and core-specific profiles.
• Stutter on shaders: Use lighter shader preset; disable extra passes.
• Arcade won’t load: Wrong ROM set version; match it to your MAME build.
• Save states corrupt: Update core carefully; keep a backup save file too.
• Input lag: Wired pad, Game Mode, run-ahead 1–2 frames, no post-processing.

“Table”-ish picks by device

• Low-end laptop: RetroArch + 8/16-bit cores, light shaders only.
• Mid PC: Add Dolphin and PPSSPP with 2x or 3x resolution.
• High PC: Go wild. 4x-8x resolution in Dolphin, HD texture packs if you like.
• Raspberry Pi: Stick to NES/SNES/Genesis/GB/GBA. Keep it simple.
• Steam Deck: Great all-rounder. Use Performance Overlay to watch FPS.

One more nerdy bit and then I’ll stop

When someone says a retro game emulator “isn’t accurate,” I ask what they mean. Audio timing? Sprite limits? Scroll shimmer? Accuracy is a spectrum. Some cores chase cycle-perfect timing; others go “fast and fun.” Both have a place. I like options. On a lazy Sunday, I’ll pick “fast and fun” every time.

For clarity, if you’re curious about the broad idea of emulation beyond games, here’s the general overview of what an emulator is. It’s the tech idea behind the magic trick. You pretend to be another machine. The game doesn’t know. You get your childhood back, on a laptop.

If you want a rabbit hole of curated lists and hot takes on hardware itself, I’ve got a soft spot for this piece on the nostalgic charm of retro consoles. I read it again last night and then dug my SNES out of a box. Dust everywhere. Worth it.

Things I do so I don’t burn out

I pick one game a week. That’s it. I turn off the “infinite library” brain trap, because when you have 3,000 ROMs, you play none. I also keep a tiny note: what core, what shader, what tweaks. Next time I boot, it just works. Future me says thanks, usually.

Oh, and last thing: scrape your library’s box art one time, then back it up. Nothing hurts like losing a nicely scraped set and doing it all again. Ask me how I know. No, actually, don’t.

FAQs I get all the time

• Do I need a crazy PC to emulate? Nope. For NES, SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy, almost any laptop works. 3D consoles need more power, but start small.
• Is using ROMs legal? I back up my own games. Don’t download random stuff you don’t own. Read the rules, and check your country’s laws.
• Why does my game feel “laggy”? Likely your TV and controller. Use Game Mode, go wired if possible, and try run-ahead in RetroArch.
• What’s the best controller? The one you like. I use an 8-button pad with a real D-pad for 2D, and a dual-stick pad for 3D.
• Do shaders matter? Only if you enjoy them. A light CRT look can help. Don’t turn your game into a postcard.

Anyway, that’s where I’m at this week. I’m going to go miss a jump in Mega Man, save-state shame myself, and then pretend it never happened. Classic me.

William Anderson

William Anderson | Your source for Console Reviews, Indie Spotlights, Gaming Gear, Retro Games, and Strategy Guides. Let’s play!