: Not an emulator itself but a frontend for "cores." In 2021, RetroArch launched on Steam, making it more accessible to mainstream users and simplifying the management of dozens of retro systems from a single interface.
: A major highlight of 2021 was RPCS3 reaching a milestone where all PlayStation 3 games were confirmed to at least boot, with zero games remaining in the "Nothing" category.
For enthusiasts looking for an "all-in-one" solution, these platforms continued to dominate the retro scene. list-of-emulator-2021
: Remained the gold standard for stability and performance. In 2021, it saw improved Netplay features and better support for specialized controllers.
: Known for its deep customization, Nox remained a favorite for users who needed to run multiple instances of games simultaneously. : Not an emulator itself but a frontend for "cores
: These two competitors saw rapid development. Yuzu introduced "Hades," a massive shader decompiler rewrite that significantly reduced stuttering, while Ryujinx gained acclaim for its high accuracy and early support for local wireless multiplayer.
Emulation of high-end consoles reached significant milestones in 2021, moving many projects from experimental stages to daily usability. : Remained the gold standard for stability and performance
Android emulators are widely used for gaming and mobile application testing on desktop environments.