← NES ports

Guide

Every NES game you can play natively on PC

4 NES games run as native PC programs, with no emulator. Fans rebuilt them in 5 recomps and 2 rebuilt engines, and 2 of these ports are playable now. This list is built from the PlayPorted catalog, so it changes as projects ship.

7 ports · Updated

Playable now 2

Their projects call them playable.

GameProjectMethodSystemsLast release
Super Mario Bros.Super Mario Bros. RemasteredRebuildWindows, Linux1.1-stable
2025
The Legend of ZeldaZQuest ClassicRebuildWindows, macOS, LinuxJan 2026

In beta 4

They run, with missing pieces or known problems.

GameProjectMethodSystemsLast release
FaxanaduFaxanaduRecompRecompWindowsv2.3.0
MetroidMetroidNESRecompRecompWindowsv0.2.0
Oct 2026
Super Mario Bros.SuperMarioBrosNESRecompRecompWindowsv1.12.0
The Legend of ZeldaLegendOfZeldaNESRecompRecompWindowsv1.9.1

In progress 1

Still in development.

GameProjectMethodSystemsLast release
Super Mario Bros.SuperMarioBros-CRecompNot confirmedNo release yet

How to play them

  1. Get the game files from a copy of the game you own. Check each project's page for the version it needs.
  2. Download the port from its project page. Every row above links to the port's page on PlayPorted, which links to the project.
  3. Point the port at your game files the way its project page describes.

Some ports take a long time to reach a release, and how they are made explains why.Decomp vs recomp covers the difference.

Questions

Is this emulation?

No. Each port is the game rebuilt as a native program, so it runs without an emulator.

Do they work on Steam Deck and Linux?

2 of these ports ship for Linux, which is what Steam Deck runs. Check each port's page for its systems.

What about Mac?

1 ship for macOS. Check each port's page for its systems.

Can I download the games here?

No. PlayPorted links to the projects and never hosts game files. Every port needs game files from a copy you own.