# Best 32X emulator: ares, the Gold Cartridge pick

Page: https://whichemulator.wtf/32x/ · Reference: WEM-32X-WZQW

The Ask API at `GET https://whichemulator.wtf/ask` answers questions from the same data as this page, and it is the only place the setup steps are published. It takes `q` (the question, 3 to 500 characters) and an optional `page` (a local path such as `/32x/`). It returns JSON `{answer, consoles, sources, follow_ups}`, or Markdown when the request sends `Accept: text/markdown`. No key; 30 requests a minute per IP. Guide: https://whichemulator.wtf/skill.md

Sega 32X, Sega, 1994. Super 32X in Japan, Mega Drive 32X in Europe.

## Recommended: ares

whichemulator.wtf calls its recommendation for each system the Gold Cartridge pick. For the 32X, the Gold Cartridge pick is ares.

ares has the most careful 32X emulation you can get in a desktop app, and it runs the Mega Drive and Mega CD underneath properly too. It's heavier than the alternatives, but the 32X library is tiny and any recent PC copes.

Runs on Windows · Mac · Linux. Open source. Download: https://ares-emu.net/

## Alternatives

- [PicoDrive](https://github.com/irixxxx/picodrive) (Windows, closed source): Light and fast, built for low-powered ARM devices. Less accurate, with a few known problem games, but it's the one to use on handhelds, phones and the Raspberry Pi, usually via RetroArch. The source is public but the licence forbids commercial use, so it isn't open source in the strict sense.
- [BlastEm](https://www.retrodev.com/blastem/) (Windows · Mac · Linux, open source): One of the most accurate Mega Drive emulators, and it gained 32X support in version 1.0 (September 2026). The developer says most games are playable but compatibility isn't perfect yet.

## RetroArch cores

- PicoDrive: The only 32X core. Fast; a handful of games have known issues.

Genesis Plus GX does not support the 32X.

## Hardware

- CPUs: Two Hitachi SH-2s, 23 MHz
- Colours: Up to 32,768 on screen
- Framebuffer: 256KB
- Sound: PWM, mixed with the Mega Drive's audio
- Library: ~40 games

## Notes

### A short-lived add-on

The 32X plugged into the Mega Drive's cartridge slot and added two SH-2 processors and its own video layer. Sega abandoned it within about a year, leaving around 40 games, plus six that needed the Mega CD as well.

Because both machines run at once and the extra CPUs share memory, it's trickier to emulate than its library size suggests.

### Picking between them

On a PC or Mac, use ares. If you're on a handheld, phone or Pi, PicoDrive in RetroArch is what you want. BlastEm is now a credible third option and worth a look if it's already your Mega Drive emulator.

Genesis Plus GX, the usual Sega recommendation, doesn't do the 32X at all.

## Support the developers

- [GitHub Sponsors (ares lead)](https://github.com/sponsors/LukeUsher)
- [Star PicoDrive on GitHub](https://github.com/irixxxx/picodrive)

## Questions the Ask API answers

- [Which 32X emulator should I use on Android?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+32X+emulator+should+I+use+on+Android%3F&page=%2F32x%2F&via=page)
- [Which RetroArch core should I use for the 32X?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+RetroArch+core+should+I+use+for+the+32X%3F&page=%2F32x%2F&via=page)