HalfNES
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Linux, Mac, Windows
Summary
HalfNES is a free emulator for NES and Famicom games, available for Windows, Linux, macOS, and other Java-compatible platforms. Its README says almost all US-released games will start, though some can have graphics corruption or freeze. The emulator includes an accurate sound core, an NSF player, full-screen mode, and an NTSC filter. Controls can be remapped in Preferences, and joysticks are supported through DirectInput and xInput. HalfNES supports battery saves but has no savestates. Downloads are available through GitHub releases as a Windows executable or a JAR for other platforms; both require Java 8 or newer. Linux users must set execute permissions on the JAR. A gamepad needs to be connected before a game loads to be detected, and its buttons cannot currently be configured. PAL games are supported, but may have more issues; PAL must be selected in Preferences. The README says full-speed play across all games requires a 2 GHz Athlon 64 or better, and the NTSC filter needs much more processing power.
Who it is for
HalfNES suits players seeking a free NES or Famicom emulator for desktop systems who can meet its Java requirement. It may also suit users who need battery saves, remappable controls, or an NSF player.
What is good
- Free for use.
- Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- Includes an NSF player and sound core.
- Controls can be remapped in Preferences.
- Supports battery saves.
What to know first
- No savestates are available.
- Java 8 or newer is required.
- Gamepad buttons cannot be configured.
- Some games may show graphics corruption or freeze.
Verdict
HalfNES offers NES and Famicom emulation with remappable controls, battery saves, and audio and display options. Check the Java requirement and lack of savestates, and note that gamepad detection requires connecting the controller before loading a game.
HalfNES plans and pricing
All plansCompared on NES emulators
- Free plan
- Yesgithub.com
- Supported platforms
- Windows; Linux; other Java-compatible platformsgithub.com
- Save states
- Nogithub.com
- Shader support
- Yesgithub.com
- Cheat support
- Yesgithub.com
Facts
- Purpose
- HalfNES is an accurate NES/Famicom emulator.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Controller support
- It supports joysticks through DirectInput and xInput.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Game compatibility
- It supports the mapper numbers listed in the README and says almost all US released games will start, though some still have graphics corruption or freezing.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Audio
- The listed features include an accurate sound core and an NSF player.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Controls are remappable through the Preferences dialog.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Display
- The README lists full screen mode and an NTSC filter.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Save support
- It supports battery saves but explicitly says it has no savestates.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The README directs users to GitHub releases, which include a Windows executable and a JAR for other platforms.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Runtime requirement
- Java 8 or newer is required to run either package.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Linux setup
- Linux users need to set execute permissions on the JAR.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Gamepad limitation
- Gamepad buttons are currently not configurable, and the controller must be plugged in before a game is loaded to be detected.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- PAL support
- PAL games are supported but may have more issues, and users should select PAL in Preferences to run them.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The README says a 2 GHz Athlon 64 or better is required to run all games at full speed, and the NTSC filter requires much more processing power.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
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Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi
- Best NES Emulators in 2026#2 of 26
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Sources
- github.com/andrew-hoffman/halfnes· checked 4 Oct 2026