ClownMDEmu

Web · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted

Freedom report

Three barsScore 6.6

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely4 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

ClownMDEmu is ranked #3 of 29 in Sega genesis emulators on Freedom251. It runs on Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Web, Windows. There is a free plan.

ClownMDEmu plans and pricing

All plans

ClownMDEmu Free Free software · AGPLv3 or later github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on Sega genesis emulators

Free plan: Yes
Save states: Yes

Best ClownMDEmu alternatives

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The record

Purpose: ClownMDEmu is an emulator for the Sega Mega Drive, also known as the Sega Genesis.
Core design: The repository contains a self-contained emulation core designed for portability and implemented as a library.
Browser version: The maker links to a web browser version that can be tried online.
Standalone frontend: An official standalone frontend includes debugging menus and is written in C++20 using SDL3 and Dear ImGui.
Libretro integration: An official frontend exposes ClownMDEmu as a libretro core for use with libretro implementations such as RetroArch and clownlibretro.
Build: The core can be built using CMake, and its repository notes that Git submodules must be initialized before compiling.
Portability: The core targets C89, integer-only logic, no dynamic memory, no global state, and code that avoids undefined or implementation-defined behavior.
Save-state design: The core keeps state in a relocatable struct without pointers, which the maker says supports simple fast save states and the possibility of multiple emulator instances.
Audio and video output: The core outputs FM and PSG audio separately at native sample rates and video one scanline at a time in indexed format.
Performance and accuracy: The maker says the emulator balances correctness with performance and may be more high-level than accuracy-focused alternatives.
Incomplete emulation: The maker notes that some standard Mega Drive features remain unemulated; the TODO lists incomplete 68k exceptions and unimplemented reset instruction and VDP rendering features.
License: ClownMDEmu is free software licensed under the AGPLv3 or any later version.
Maintainer: The GitHub maintainer profile describes Clownacy as a programming professional and Mega Drive hobbyist and lists England as the location.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Sega Genesis Emulators in 2026#3 of 29
Best Sega CD Emulators in 2026#5 of 19

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Sources

github.com/Clownacy/clownmdemu-core· checked 2 Oct 2026
github.com/Clownacy/clownmdemu-frontend· checked 2 Oct 2026
github.com/Clownacy/clownmdemu-core/blob/master/TO· checked 2 Oct 2026
github.com/Clownacy· checked 2 Oct 2026