# Best Atari 2600 emulator: Stella, the Gold Cartridge pick

Page: https://whichemulator.wtf/atari2600/ · Reference: WEM-ATARI2600-5XXA

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 `/atari2600/`). 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

Atari Video Computer System, Atari, 1977. Atari VCS.

## Recommended: Stella

whichemulator.wtf calls its recommendation for each system the Gold Cartridge pick. For the Atari 2600, the Gold Cartridge pick is Stella.

Stella has been the answer for the 2600 for over twenty years, and it is still maintained. It is cycle-exact, handles every odd bankswitching scheme and controller, and has a debugger homebrew developers rely on. Nothing else comes close for everyday play.

Runs on Windows · Mac · Linux. Open source. Download: https://stella-emu.github.io

## Alternatives

- [Gopher2600](https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600/releases) (Windows · Mac · Linux, open source): A very accurate emulator written in Go, with strong support for modern ARM-based homebrew carts. Mostly for developers and the curious; Stella is easier for just playing.

## RetroArch cores

- Stella: Tracks current Stella. Use this one.
- Stella 2014: Older, lighter core for weak hardware.

No BIOS needed.

## Hardware

- Colours: 128 (NTSC)
- Resolution: 160×192
- Graphics & sound: TIA
- Media: Cartridge
- Launch: 9 games, 1977

## Notes

### Why Stella

The 2600 has no frame buffer, so games draw the picture line by line while the beam moves. That makes timing everything, and Stella gets it right. It also knows about paddles, keypads, driving controllers and the Supercharger, so the strange corners of the library work too.

It is still the emulator the homebrew scene tests against, which is why new 2600 games tend to work in it first.

## Support the developers

- [Donate (PayPal)](https://stella-emu.github.io/donations.html)
- [Star on GitHub](https://github.com/stella-emu/stella)

## Questions the Ask API answers

- [How do I set up Stella for the Atari 2600?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=How+do+I+set+up+Stella+for+the+Atari+2600%3F&page=%2Fatari2600%2F&via=page)
- [Which Atari 2600 emulator should I use on Android?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+Atari+2600+emulator+should+I+use+on+Android%3F&page=%2Fatari2600%2F&via=page)
- [Which RetroArch core should I use for the Atari 2600?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+RetroArch+core+should+I+use+for+the+Atari+2600%3F&page=%2Fatari2600%2F&via=page)