higan

115 Retro gaming emulator app for Windows

Tina de Pierre

Multi-system emulator that enables users to play classic video games from various platforms like SNES, NES and Game Boy.

Free and open source Nintendo emulation software download, reviewed by Tina de Pierre
Video game emulator that supports Famicom, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance - Screenshot of higan
Portability advantages - Screenshot of higan
Simple interface with a game library - Screenshot of higan
Customize audio, video and other settings - Screenshot of higan
User interface - Screenshot of higan
higan screenshot
higan screenshot
higan screenshot
higan screenshot
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A multi-system emulator which plays ROM files from the NES, SNES, Game Boy and other consoles (formerly called bsnes).

higan is a multi-system gaming emulator which supports many of the classic Nintendo systems like NES, SNES and many of the Game Boy systems.

Since higan is a portable application, installation is certainly not required. You can run it from virtually any mass storage device such as USB memory sticks or external hard drives.

higan features a simple user interface which is easy to use. It includes a game library tool which displays games from any of the systems it supports. You can use it to load GBA, NES, SNES, GBC and other relevant ROM files.

The emulation of Nintendo games can be customized with a number of different video functions like adding filters, adjusting synchronization, aspect ratio, etc. Audio options are also numerous and you can also have higan respond to hotkeys.

Overall, higan is a competent and comprehensive console emulator which can play all of the classic NES and SNES games while also providing the ability to tweak various parameters.

Features of higan

  • Accuracy: High-precision emulation of multiple systems.
  • Audio: Real-time audio capture and recording.
  • Cheats: Cheat code support.
  • Compatibility: Compatibility with multiple game formats.
  • Controllers: Support for multiple controllers.
  • Debugging: Debugger, trace logger and other debugging tools.
  • Expansion: Expansion chips and custom palettes supported.
  • Games: Database of over 1,400 titles.
  • Interface: Customizable user interface.
  • Netplay: Online play with other players.
  • Satellaview: Support for Satellaview BS-X memory packs.
  • Save states: Save states and rewind functionality.
  • TAS: Tool-assisted speedrun support.
  • Video: Real-time video capture and recording.
  • Video filters: Multiple video filters and scaling modes.

Compatibility and License

higan has been released under the open source GPL license on Windows from console emulators. The license provides the options to freely download, install, run and share this program without any restrictions. The source code for higan should be freely available and modifications are certainly permitted as well as the option to inspect the software.

What version of Windows can higan run on?

higan can be used on a computer running Windows 11 or Windows 10. Previous versions of the OS shouldn't be a problem with Windows 8 and Windows 7 having been tested. It runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit systems with no dedicated 64-bit download provided.


Filed under:
  1. higan Download
  2. Free Console Emulators
  3. Open source and GPL software
  4. Portable Software
  5. Nintendo Emulation Software
higan has been picked by our editors as very good.
higan has been tested for viruses and malware.
We have tested higan 115 against malware with several different programs. We certify that this program is clean of viruses, malware and trojans.