: Primarily used by developers, Genymotion provided cloud-based and local virtualization for testing apps across thousands of different Android hardware configurations. Multi-System and Retro Emulators
: 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. list-of-emulator-2021
: Known for its deep customization, Nox remained a favorite for users who needed to run multiple instances of games simultaneously. Android emulators are widely used for gaming and
Android emulators are widely used for gaming and mobile application testing on desktop environments. : A major highlight of 2021 was RPCS3
: The team began a long-awaited transition to a more modern interface (Qt) and continued to improve the "Vulkan" renderer, providing better performance on modern hardware.
The year 2021 was a pivotal period for software emulation, characterized by massive leaps in compatibility for modern consoles and the refinement of established tools for retro gaming and mobile development.
: 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.