Which Emulator Should You Use?
Pick a console — get the best emulator to use in 2026, how tricky it is to set up, and whether you’ll need a BIOS.
The best emulator for every console, in plain English
Emulation forums love to argue, but for almost every classic system there’s one clear, well-maintained answer. This tool gives it to you — the emulator most people should use in 2026, how much setup it takes, and whether you need to supply a BIOS. Then the fun part: Bezel can do all of this for you. It installs the right emulator or core per system, hands each game the BIOS it needs, matches everything to box art, and turns your files into one gorgeous shelf across 25+ systems — free and offline-first.
What is the best PS2 emulator?
PCSX2. It’s very mature, runs almost the entire library, and can upscale games well beyond original resolution. It needs a PS2 BIOS that you supply from your own console.
What emulator should I use for GameCube and Wii?
Dolphin, for both. It’s excellent and well-maintained, runs on mid-range PCs and the Steam Deck, and can render in up to 4K. No game BIOS required.
What is the best PS1 emulator?
DuckStation — accurate, fast, easy to set up, with PGXP to fix PS1’s wobbly 3D. It needs a PS1 BIOS. SwanStation is the same engine as a RetroArch core.
Do I need a BIOS?
For disc systems, yes: PlayStation, PS2, Sega CD, Saturn, Neo Geo CD and 3DO all need a console BIOS you supply. Most cartridge systems — NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, GBA — and PSP need none.
What happened to the Switch emulators (Yuzu, Ryujinx)?
Both were discontinued in 2024 after Nintendo’s legal action, and the surviving community forks are unstable and frequently taken down. The Switch scene is fragmented and legally contested, so Bezel focuses on the classic consoles it can do brilliantly.