OpenEmu, the free Mac OS X multi-platform retro video game emulator, has received a substantial upgrade that expands both the list of supported classic game systems, and automap support for popular game controllers. Released over Christmas, version 2.0.1 now allows Mac users to seamlessly play games from the following classic systems:
- Atari 5200, 7800 and Lynx
- Bandai WonderSwan
- Coleco ColecoVision
- GCE/Milton Bradley Vectrex
- Magnavox Odyssey2/Videopac+
- Mattel Intellivision
- NEC TurboGrafx-CD/PC Engine-CD + PC-FX
- Nintendo Famicom Disk System and Nintendo 64
- Sega SG-1000 and Sega CD
- Sony PlayStation and PSP
The new app also features a redesigned user interface, increased automap button support for controllers such as SteelSeries’ Stratus XL and Nimbus controllers, realtime gameplay rewinding, and more…
In addition to the aforementioned “new” systems, OpenEmu continues to support older systems such as the Atari VCS/2600, Game Boy, NES, Genesis, and Virtual Boy, plus MAME arcade games, Sega’s Saturn, and other platforms. Virtually every major 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit system is now supported, along with many popular handhelds, though there are some exceptions.
OpenEmu’s interface beautifully represents the individual systems it supports, while making playback of supported games as easy as dragging and dropping files atop its library window. Setting up Sony PlayStation Portable button mapping with an unsupported controller such as Hori’s HoriPad Ultimate was as easy as opening a Preferences menu and tapping each HoriPad button as OpenEmu spotlighted its original location on a virtual PSP. Other iOS- and Mac-compatible controllers work just as easily.
Though the emulator’s performance will vary based on your specific Mac’s capabilities, quick test runs with classic titles such as Namco’s Pole Position (Vectrex), Bandai/Namco’s Tekken 6 (PSP), Nintendo’s Star Fox 64 (Nintendo 64) looked and sounded nearly perfect on even several-year-old iMacs. With a pretty good computer, you can expect to see full music, voice samples, and original frame rate 3D graphics for your classic games — assuming you have the legal right to play the ROM files on your Mac.
The legality of emulators — specifically, their use of ROM files that are ripped from original cartridges and optical discs — varies from country to country. To that end, OpenEMU 2 includes access to a collection of 80 homebrew games developed to push the capabilities of classic systems, including Halo for the Atari 2600, Pac Man 4K, and the SNES remake of Donkey Kong, “Classic Kong Complete.” It’s fantastic that the latest version of OpenEMU makes it so easy to access games and platforms that were abandoned long ago.
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I can’t figure out how to map the keyboard controls.
All in all, open emu is a great app.
simply click/doubleclick on the control you want to remap and then just press the desired button ;)
I was reading about emulators and their legality, here in the US, they aren’t illegal, but what people don’t realize is that the actual app, in this case games, might be and that’s another thing one must consider if they are going to install this. Yeah, I’m sure people don’t have to worry about someone knocking at your door with a lawsuit, but some people out there really frown on installing s/w illegally. So, please check the license of the actual s/w that you want to install with emulation s/w.
I’m not an attorney, but I’m just reading about the legality of this stuff. Think of it this way, Apple developed Boot Camp so that one can install Windows on a Mac, and Microsoft sells Windows licenses that can be installed on Boot Camp. However, there is Hackintosh software that can be installed on a PC, but Apple doesn’t permit OS X to be installed on a non-Apple motherboard based computer, so in that case, it’s not legal to run OS X on an emulator.
It’s not the emulation s/w but also the actual s/w you want to run using an emulator.
The rams are not the easiest thing to find, the sites that host them are constantly being shut down. Some of the rams are now public domain now though.Is using a 40 year old rom of an arcade game or 30 plus year old atari 2600 rom stealing?
I wish openemu ran on older Mac’s. I would love to use my old Power Mac G4 and Apple Display as a cocktail table emulator without using MAME and other individual emulator applications.
It is still theft – ownership of rights remains despite age – and the games are always ripe for remastering – final fantasy proves this
That said the general consensus is that it is legal to play the roms if you own the game. Simple solution – don’t bother with the outdated console – just buy your favourite retro games and keep them stored away as collectibles – then in 10-30 years you get a nice payout thanks to it becoming rare and in the meantime you get to play the roms
PSP emulators work with PS4 dualshock controller. I been playing Dexter with it.
Xbox wireless controller also works in this app.
OpenEmu never had Sega Saturn support, nor MAME if I recall correctly.
Doesn’t support dreamcast it seems :(
Not yet at least, though from the site it might be in progress!
The arcade emulator doesn’t work very well yet, but in compensation psone works like a charm.
A separate neo geo emu would be cool and Im still hoping they will had Amiga to this amazing application.
Thank you, but I prefer the traditional GBA4iOS emulator on the iPhone (http://www.cydiageeks.com/download-install-gba4ios-ios-without-jailbreak.html). Way easier to use and play.