SNES games are not easy to come by due to a variety of reasons, but if you’re looking for a dose of SNES nostalgia on the go, check out any one of these SNES emulators for Android.

Best for NES and SNES: John NESS

John NESS is a combination NES and SNES emulator from the well-known emulation company John Emulators. If you’ve ever tried emulation before, you might be familiar with some of their previous software options: John NES and John SNES. If so, you’ll be pleased to know the same level of quality is present even with this two-for-one app.

  • Two-for-one emulation.

  • There is a free version of the emulator.

  • You can only get rid of ads by paying a fee.

John NESS includes advanced features like cloud saves, custom digital buttons, cheat codes, and even fast forward and slow down buttons. Alongside RetroArch, John NESS is one of the most acclaimed emulation options on Android.

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Best Feature-Packed SNES Emulator: SuperRetro16

SuperRetro16 is free to download, but has in-app purchases (including the ability to pay for an ad-free version.) As far as features go, it’s one of the most packed options on the Google Play Store, with graphical enhancements that make games run more smoothly, and cloud saves providing a reliable way to back up your data.

  • More features than there are coins in Mario.

  • Cloud saves to backup data.

  • The emulator has been unreliable in the past and has been removed from the Play Store.

Best All-Around & Cross-Platform Emulator: RetroArch

RetroArch is one of the biggest names in emulation, and for good reason. The platform is open source, which means dozens of enthusiasts and coders have worked to make its emulation as accurate as possible. It also has cross-platform support, so you can start playing a game at one place, stop and save, then pick up elsewhere.

  • Cross-platform support.

  • Open-source.

  • Built-in streaming capabilities.

  • The emulator can be tough to learn due to its many options.

There’s built-in controller support, plus RetroArch has the ability to record and stream gameplay to services like Twitch and YouTube.

Best Emulator With a Classic Feel: Snes9X EX+

Snes9x EX+ has been around since the early days of emulation. Like RetroArch, it’s open source and free to use. There are also no in-app purchases, so you don’t have to worry about limited play time or any weird microtransactions. It supports game pads, most major emulation file types, and has decent on-screen controls.

  • No in-app purchases.

  • Supports most emulation file types.

  • The on-screen game pad leaves something to be desired.

That said, if you can connect a game pad to it, do so—the on-screen pad can take some getting used to. Snes9x EX+ also has a somewhat old school look, so if you want something with a classic feel, this emulator is a great option.

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