# Best Super Nintendo emulator: Mesen, the Gold Cartridge pick

Page: https://whichemulator.wtf/snes/ · Reference: WEM-SNES-QE9S

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 `/snes/`). 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

Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo, 1990. Super Famicom in Japan.

## Recommended: Mesen

whichemulator.wtf calls its recommendation for each system the Gold Cartridge pick. For the Super Nintendo, the Gold Cartridge pick is Mesen.

Mesen is about as accurate as SNES emulation gets while still running comfortably on an ordinary laptop, and it has the best debugger going if you ever poke at ROM hacks. It also covers NES, Game Boy, GBA, PC Engine and Master System, so one install handles most of your retro library.

Runs on Windows · Mac · Linux. Open source. Download: https://www.mesen.ca

**Now MesenCE:** In June 2026 Mesen moved to a community-maintained repository called MesenCE. The original author is still involved, and the downloads on mesen.ca now come from there.

**Co-processor games:** A handful of games with extra chips (Super Mario Kart and Pilotwings use the DSP-1, for example) need a small firmware file. Mesen will ask for it; dump it from your own cartridge.

## Alternatives

- [Snes9x](https://www.snes9x.com) (Windows · Mac · Linux, closed source): Lighter and faster than Mesen, so it's the one for very old or low-power machines. The source is public but the licence forbids commercial use, so it isn't open source in the strict sense.
- [bsnes](https://github.com/bsnes-emu/bsnes) (Windows · Mac · Linux, open source): The accuracy reference that most other SNES emulators are measured against. Only nightly builds these days, and fewer creature comforts than Mesen.
- [ares](https://ares-emu.net) (Windows · Mac · Linux, open source): Carries on the bsnes accuracy work inside a multi-system emulator. Worth it if you already use ares for N64 or other consoles.

## RetroArch cores

- Snes9x: Fast, the safe default
- bsnes: Higher accuracy, heavier
- Mesen 2: Libretro port of MesenCE

Snes9x is the core to start with on handhelds and older hardware.

## Hardware

- Colours: 256 on screen / 32,768
- Resolution: 256×224
- Sound: Sony SPC700 + DSP
- Media: Cartridge
- Library: ~1,750 games

## Notes

### Why accuracy matters here

For years SNES emulators got away with shortcuts that were fine for the hits and broke the odd game in subtle ways. Mesen and bsnes model the hardware closely enough that those glitches are gone, and modern computers barely notice the extra work.

If you're playing on a Raspberry Pi or a cheap handheld, Snes9x is still a perfectly good choice. Everyone else can just use Mesen.

## Support the developers

- [Star on GitHub](https://github.com/nesdev-org/MesenCE)
- [GitHub Sponsors (ares maintainer)](https://github.com/sponsors/LukeUsher)

## Questions the Ask API answers

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