BlastEm
7.6#2 in sega genesis emulatorsFree planFree planWebLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
VisitBlastEm vs ClownMDEmu
ClownMDEmu
7.5#4 in sega genesis emulatorsFree planFree planWebAPILinuxmacOS
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | BlastEm | ClownMDEmu |
|---|---|---|
| Debugger | Its integrated debugger can inspect and modify most emulated state, use conditional breakpoints and run scripts. | The standalone frontend includes debugging menus intended for emulator and homebrew work. |
| Licence | BlastEm is distributed under GNU GPL version 3 or later; bundled GLEW, SDL2 and zlib have separate licences. | ClownMDEmu is free software under the GNU AGPLv3 or any later version. |
| Performance and accuracy | The maker describes it as fast enough for older PCs and accurate enough for demanding demos. | The maker says the emulator balances correctness with performance and may be more high-level than accuracy-focused alternatives. |
| Praise: accuracy | Android Authority praises BlastEm's accurate emulation, active development, multi-platform availability and high compatibility. | A Libretro forum post praises cycle-level timing and faithful 68K, Z80, VDP and audio emulation for developers and preservationists. |
BlastEm plans
- BlastEmFree
ClownMDEmu plans
- ClownMDEmuFree
Pick BlastEm if…
BlastEm suits Sega console players seeking an emulator with debugging tools, as well as developers working on SGDK or other C and C++ projects. It may be less suitable for users focused on Yamaha Copera music or complete compatibility.
Pick ClownMDEmu if…
ClownMDEmu suits Mega Drive or Genesis users who want a browser version, a standalone frontend, or a libretro core. Its library design and CMake build option may also suit developers integrating or building emulator software.