fixNES
fixNES is a free NES emulator for Windows and Linux.
What fixNES is
fixNES is a free NES emulator for Windows and Linux. It plays NTSC and PAL .nes ROMs and can create save files for games that support saving. It also handles .fds and .qd titles when a FDS BIOS named disksys.rom is placed in the same folder, and can play .nsf music files. Supported files can be opened by dragging and dropping them, passing them as command-line arguments or loading them from ZIP archives. The project lists support for a range of NES mappers and several audio expansions, including VRC6, VRC7, FDS, MMC5, N163 and Sunsoft 5B. Controls are keyboard-only; the README suggests Windows users can use joy2key for controller support. The standalone build requires freeglut and openal-soft, while the Makefile in the libretro folder can build it as a RetroArch core. The README cautions that the emulator is not in its most complete or cleanest state. It is open source under the MIT License.
Good
- Supports NTSC and PAL NES ROMs.
- Can save games that support saving.
- Opens supported files from ZIP archives.
- Can be used as a RetroArch core.
Watch out
- The project is not in its most complete state.
- Controls are keyboard-only.
- Standalone builds require freeglut and openal-soft.
Who it suits
fixNES may suit Windows or Linux users looking for a free emulator that can open NES ROMs, FDS titles and NSF music. It is also an option for people comfortable with keyboard-only controls and a project the author describes as incomplete.
Verdict
fixNES covers NES games, FDS titles and NSF music, with multiple ways to load files. Its own README notes that it is not in its most complete or cleanest state, and controls are keyboard-only.
Plans and prices
From fixNES's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| fixNES | Free | No price listed · project described as an NES emulator |
The facts
Each one read from fixNES's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build requirements
- The standalone version can be compiled with the supplied build scripts and requires freeglut and openal-soft.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The README lists support for a range of NES mappers and the VRC6, VRC7, FDS, MMC5, N163, and Sunsoft 5B audio expansions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Controls are keyboard-only; the README says Windows users can use joy2key if they want controller support.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Creator
- The repository is published under the GitHub account FIX94, whose profile says the creator is in Germany and develops projects when ideas arise.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The repository README points to a Windows binary in Releases, whose newest listed release is titled “fixNES Alpha v1.3.1 - Windows Build.”checked 4 Oct 2026
- FDS support
- It can play .fds and .qd titles when a FDS BIOS named disksys.rom is placed in the same folder.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository includes an MIT License granting permission to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software, subject to its conditions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Loading files
- Files can be opened by drag and drop or as a command-line argument, and the README also describes loading supported files from ZIP archives.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Music
- It can play .nsf music files, with track changes on the left and right keys.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- fixNES is an NES emulator the author wrote to learn about the NES, and the README says it is not in the most complete or cleanest state.checked 4 Oct 2026
- RetroArch
- The README says fixNES can also be used as a RetroArch core via the Makefile in the libretro folder.checked 4 Oct 2026
- ROM support
- It supports NTSC and PAL .nes ROMs and creates .sav files for games that support saving.checked 4 Oct 2026