ZSNES
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The GUI of ZSNES | |
| Original author(s) | zsKnight, _Demo_, pagefault, and Nach |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | ZSNES Team |
| Initial release | 0.150 / October 14, 1997 |
| Stable release | 1.51 / 24 January 2007 |
| Development status | Unknown |
| Written in | x86 assembly, C, C++, PSR |
| Operating system | Linux, DOS, Windows, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, Xbox |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Video game console emulator |
| License | GNU General Public License Version 2 |
| Website |
zsnes |
ZSNES is a free software SNES emulator written mostly in x86 assembly with official ports for Linux, DOS, Mac OS X, Windows, and an unofficial port for Xbox.
Background
Development of ZSNES began on 3 July 1997 and the first version was released on 14 October 1997, for DOS. Since then, official ports have been made for Windows and Linux. The emulator became free software under the GPL license on 2 April 2001. Despite an announcement by adventure_of_link stating that "ZSNES is NOT dead, it's still in development" made on the ZSNES board after the departure of its original developers zsKnight and _Demo_,[1] development has slowed down dramatically since its last version (1.51 released on 24 January 2007). Much of the development efforts concentrated on increasing the emulator's portability, by rewriting assembly code in C and C++,[2] including a new GUI using Qt.[3]
ZSNES is notable in that it was among the first to emulate most SNES enhancement chips at some level. Until version 1.50, ZSNES featured netplay via TCP/IP or UDP. The way sound is emulated in ZSNES is different compared to other Super Nintendo emulators (e.g. Snes9x), or an actual Super Nintendo.
Due to being written in low-level assembly language for x86 processors, it is not possible to port ZSNES to devices using RISC processors. Other than the first Xbox, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, no mainstream gaming device has ever used an x86 processor.[4]
Reception
British game magazine Retro Gamer called ZSNES "very impressive" and praised the "incredible toaster mode" in 2005.[5]
However, a developer of a competing emulator criticized ZSNES for its relatively poor accuracy.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ badinsults (9 October 2009). "ZSNES is not dead, it is still under active development". Retrieved 23 July 2010.
- ↑ grinvader. "Re: Current Status FAQ". ZSNES board. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- ↑ "ZSNES GUI 3.0 the first screenshot". ZSNES board. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- ↑ Deathlike2 (3 November 2007). "No Port requests". Retrieved 23 July 2010.
- ↑ "Retro Coverdisc". Retro Gamer (15): 108. 2005.
- ↑ byuu. "Accuracy takes power: one man’s 3GHz quest to build a perfect SNES emulator". Ars Technica. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
External links
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