It’s possible to play classic Nintendo games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda on your phone or tablet thanks to the dozens of NES emulators for Android. You can even play games that use the NES zapper gun such as Duck Hunt.

These NES emulators are available for Android phones and tablets. Check the system requirements for individual apps to determine if they are compatible with your device.

Best Multi-platform Emulator: RetroArch

RetroArch is a program that allows you to use emulators for almost any system from the NES to the Nintendo DS. You must download individual emulators separately, but fortunately this can be done from within the app. You can quickly switch between different NES emulators, so if a game isn’t running properly in one program, you can try another one.

  • Use multiple NES emulators in one app.

  • Play games for almost any platform.

  • Free with no ads.

  • Available for Android and PC.

  • Setup requires some time and effort.

  • Menus could be easier to navigate.

Most Authentic NES Emulator: EmuBox

Similar to Retroarch, EmuBox is capable of emulating numerous consoles and portable systems. While you can only use the built-in NES emulator, it’s the first emulator created with Google’s Material Design language, which means EmuBox was made for optimal performance on Android. If you don’t like the touch screen controls, you can connect an external controller via Bluetooth.

  • Flawless graphics and sound emulation.

  • Switch between portrait and landscape mode.

  • Built-in Game Genie cheats.

  • Activating too many cheats can cause performance problems.

  • Ads can’t be removed.

  • Minimal setup required.

Best NES/SNES Emulator: John NESS

John NESS is a combination of two emulators originally released for PC: John NES and John SNES. Its developers have perfected the Android versions with new features. For example, you can sync your game data with Dropbox using the John DataSync plugin app, which allows you to access your save files from multiple devices.

  • Play original Nintendo and Super Nintendo games.

  • Free to download.

  • Fast-forward and slow-motion options.

  • Save game data to the cloud.

  • Must pay to remove ads.

  • You must pay for it again if you’ve already purchased the PC version.

Best Nintendo Famicom Emulator: NES.emu

This premium app emulates the Nintendo Entertainment System and its Japanese counterpart, the Nintendo Famicom. That means it can play the original Japanese versions of classic Nintendo games as well as titles that were never released in the US. On top of the usual extras like save states and cheats, NES.emu supports numerous controllers including the Nintendo Wii remote via Bluetooth.

  • Play games released only in Japan.

  • Excellent controller support.

  • No multiplayer capabilities.

  • No free version available.

Best NES Emulator for Multiplayer Games: Nestopia

This open source NES emulator has been around for more than a decade, yet it still remains in use thanks to its unrivaled support for multiplayer games. Although it has been removed from the Play Store, you can still download Nestopia for Android through the Retroarch app, or you can sideload the APK file.

  • Play multiplayer games on your phone or tablet.

  • Supports Game Genie cheats.

  • Music occasionally cuts out.

  • Can’t be downloaded from the Google Store.

Best Premium NES Emulator: Nostalgia.NES

One feature sets Nostalgia.NES apart from the competition: the rewind button. Thanks to this tool, you no longer have to worry about save states. If you misjudge a jump in Super Mario Bros., just hit rewind and try again. Nostalgia.NES also supports multiplayer, but other players must use their own Android devices as controllers.

  • Handy rewind button.

  • Free version gives you access to all features.

  • Modern interface optimized for Android devices.

  • Complicated multiplayer setup.

  • Must pay to remove ads.

  • Free version requires an internet connection to use.

NES Emulator With the Most Features: Retro8

From the makers of the SuperRetro16 SNES emulator comes Retro8, a reliable NES emulator for Android. The touchscreen controls aren’t the best, you can use almost any Bluetooth controller for a more authentic experience. The developers are frequently making improvements and adding new features, so this premium app will only get better with time.

  • In-game walkthrough integration.

  • Enhanced graphics.

  • Cloud syncing across multiple devices.

  • Cramped touch screen controls.

  • Some bugs are still being worked out.

  • No free trial.

Best Android-Exclusive Emulator: Super8Pro

Super8Pro takes full advantage of the Android architecture to optimize the NES for mobile devices. For example, you can quick-save or quick-load games by double tapping on certain areas of the screen. You can also play NES games on a big screen if you have an Android TV. Although there’s a free version available, it’s worth the few extra dollars to remove the ads.

  • Optimized for Android 9.0.

  • Adjust the size of the on-screen buttons.

  • Play games on your Android TV.

  • Incessantly asks users to rate the app.

  • Must scan for new ROMs each time you add games to your device.

How NES Emulators for Android Work

A video game emulator is a program that simulates, or emulates, the hardware of a game system. Emulators for the Nintendo Entertainment System became popular on PCs in the late 1990s with the rise of the web, so it’s no surprise that they eventually made their way to mobile phones.

In addition to an emulator, you will need ROMs for the games you want to play. Video game ROMs can be downloaded from torrent websites, but the laws regarding the distribution of ROMs differ from region to region.

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