Raine

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What Raine is

Raine is a free arcade emulator for Windows, Linux, and macOS. The site offers version 0.97.5 as 32-bit and 64-bit Windows binaries, Linux Arch packages and AppImage files, and an unofficial Apple Silicon arm64 macOS port. It also describes a 32-bit assembly build and a 64-bit C/C++ build. Arcade support requires a BIOS, and shader and upscaling options are available. Raine does not host almost all ROMs used with it because they are copyrighted, though it provides two free demo ROMs. The Extras section includes data files, patches, graphics, sounds, and artwork, including IPS files and optional high-score, history, and command data. Arch packages are unsigned, and the 32-bit package requires multilib. The maker links to outside documentation because older online material was outdated and sends bug reports to GitHub. Source code is available on GitHub, while the Games section is offline.

Who it suits

Raine suits users seeking a free arcade emulator on Windows, Linux, or macOS who can provide a required BIOS. It also fits users wanting shader, upscaling, and optional data or patch files.

What it does well

Free arcade emulator
Windows, Linux, and macOS downloads
Shader and upscaling options
Source code available on GitHub
Extras include patches and artwork

What to know first

BIOS is required
Most ROMs are not hosted
Arch packages are unsigned
macOS port is unofficial

Verdict

Raine provides free arcade emulation across three desktop operating systems, with multiple build and display options. Users must handle the BIOS requirement and obtain most ROMs elsewhere, while Linux package signing and documentation have stated limitations.

Facts from Raine's own pages

Bug reports: The site directs users to report bugs through the GitHub issue tracker; the maintainer says they will try to follow reports but does not promise to fix everything. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Build options: The site describes a 32-bit pure assembly version and a 64-bit pure C/C++ version. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Documentation: The maker says the old online documentation was too outdated to republish and links to external documentation resources instead. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
EmuDx: The site says EmuDx files can provide improved graphics and sounds for emulation. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Extra files: The Extras page offers data files, patches, graphics, sounds, and artwork for use with Raine. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Game data: Optional data files include high-score, history, and command data files, with instructions for placing them in the Raine directory. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Game list: The site's Games section is offline, according to the maker's homepage. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Game reviews: Zzap!Raine describes itself as a magazine that reviews, tests, and rates Raine-supported games it considers working. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Game ROMs: The site says it does not host almost all ROMs used by Raine because they are copyrighted, and provides two free demo ROMs. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Linux: Linux downloads include Arch packages and AppImage files; the site also describes compiling from source. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Linux package limitation: The site says the Arch packages are not signed and notes that the 32-bit package requires multilib. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Linux packages: The site says its Arch packages are unsigned and advises making pacman signature verification optional if needed. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Linux releases: The downloads page provides Arch packages and AppImage files, and describes running a tar.xz package from a terminal. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
macOS: The download page links to an unofficial Apple Silicon arm64 macOS port. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
macOS port: The page links to an unofficial Apple Silicon arm64 macOS port. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Patches: The extras page offers IPS files and an IPS hack for testing pbobblen with the mouse in versions after 0.96.10. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Price: The site describes Raine as freely hosted and lists downloadable binaries without a price. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Product: Raine is an arcade emulator. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Source code: The site links to the Raine source repository on GitHub. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Windows: Version 0.97.5 is offered as 32-bit and 64-bit Windows binaries. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026
Windows releases: The downloads page lists 32-bit and 64-bit Windows binaries for version 0.97.5. · raine.1emulation.com, 11 Oct 2026

Where Raine stands on Freedom251

Multi-System Emulators#47 of 54