What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Yes: run the emulator and game on one capable PC, then stream that session to a TV, laptop, phone, or other supported device. The receiving device shows the host’s video and audio and sends controls back; you do not need to install the emulator and game library on every screen.
How one-host game streaming works
The host PC does the emulation and runs the game. A streaming host application captures the session and sends it across your home network. A client application on another device displays the stream and returns input, such as gamepad controls. The client is a receiver, not a second copy of your emulator setup.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For a flexible setup that includes non-Steam emulators, use Sunshine on the PC and Moonlight on each receiving device. Moonlight describes Sunshine as its recommended open-source host. Sunshine supports hardware video encoding on AMD, Intel, and Nvidia GPUs, as well as software encoding; your actual emulation and streaming capability still depends on the PC and the system being emulated.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Choose the right streaming approach
| What you want to do | Approach | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Stream a non-Steam emulator or the host desktop | Sunshine on the host with Moonlight on clients | Works with a broad desktop and app workflow, but you must configure the host and pair each client. |
| Stream a game or emulator launched through Steam | Steam Remote Play with Steam Link | Integrated with Steam. Remote Play Together is a separate feature for inviting other players, not the same as streaming your own session to another room. |
| Play classic multiplayer across separate emulator instances | RetroArch Netplay | Synchronizes multiple RetroArch instances; it does not stream one running session from a PC to another screen. |
Valve says Steam Remote Play extends Steam to phones, tablets, and TVs through Steam Link. Remote Play Together lets other players connect to a host’s game; only the host needs to own and install that game. For a single player moving between rooms, use ordinary client streaming rather than treating Remote Play Together as the setup.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Supported Operating System】The Game Controller is specifically designed for playing classic old school retro snes games on computer or laptop. Compatible with Windows 98 / ME / Vista / 2000/2003 / XP / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10/11, Mac OS X/ OS X 10.0 and beyond, Raspberry Pi, Raspberry PI 2 model B,Model A, Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 2,Raspberry Pi OS, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi Zero.
- 【Simple USB Plug and Play】If your program or application accepts USB controller input, this classic game controller do not need install drivers or patches. 1.5 meter external cable(approx. 5 ft. Long). Notice: Please download the game emulator first before start the games, and then you must manually set the buttons and directionals within the emulator you're using, and the controller not automatically assigns buttons/directional axes. If on the Steam platform, you need to first enable Steam's "Universal Controller Configuration Support" and then restart Steam. After entering the game, you also need to manually bind key positions in the game
- 【High Sensitivity without Delay】Super sensitive buttons for precision control: 6 fire buttons, a 'Start' button and a 'Select' button, motion control cross. Play your favorite old school games with classic retro feel. Fits perfectly in the hand and also perfect for two player action.Note: Not applicable to Switch/PS games. Not Compatible with TV/ TV Box, third Mini Games Box and Tesla Model 3
- 【Supported Game Emulators】The game controller works with most emulators. Download any emulator you wish to download and use from Google and do the same with ROMS. Notice:Third party controller, not original controller. But it works phenomenal with the Raspberry Pi game emulation and so on
- 【Product Service】If you have any problem during use, send message to us and we will help you to solve the problem soon
Set up Sunshine and Moonlight on your home network
- Choose the host PC. Use a computer that runs your chosen emulator reliably and can stay awake when you want to play. The official setup guidance does not specify a minimum host configuration for every emulator, so match the PC to the console systems and stream resolution you intend to use.
- Connect the host and clients to your home network. Moonlight recommends a good wireless connection for the client, and strongly recommends connecting the PC server to the router by Ethernet. Its guidance recommends a mid- to high-end wireless router and 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for wireless clients. These are project recommendations, not guaranteed performance thresholds.
- Install Sunshine on the PC and Moonlight on receiving devices. Start Sunshine and use its configuration interface. Install Moonlight on the device where you want to play.
- Pair each client. On the same network, Moonlight will normally discover the host. Select it and enter the PIN shown by the pairing flow in Sunshine. If discovery fails, Moonlight supports entering the host’s IP address manually. Sunshine’s setup guide notes that a reboot may be needed after installation for controller emulation.
- Add or launch the emulator. Sunshine includes Steam and Remote Desktop entries. Add another app in Sunshine’s Applications interface, or stream the desktop and open the emulator there. Configure the emulator’s display and controls on the host.
- Test the actual room setup. Launch one game, check full-screen behavior, and test the controller on the client device you plan to use. Emulator, operating-system, and controller interactions can differ, so verify your combination before configuring the whole library.
Keep the stream responsive
Network quality and the client’s ability to decode video affect how the stream feels. Moonlight recommends a wired connection from the host PC to the router and a strong connection between the router and the client. If you notice stutter or delay, check the host’s wired link, the client’s Wi-Fi signal, and whether the client is using hardware video decoding.
Moonlight lists official clients for Android, iOS, Apple TV, PC and Mac, Chromebook, and Raspberry Pi 4, among other platforms. Some console and TV options on its supported-device page are community or homebrew ports, so support is not equally official across every device. Its guidance says PC clients need hardware-accelerated H.264 decoding for best results; older PCs may struggle to stream at 60 frames per second without lag. Android performance also depends on hardware video decoding.
Rank #2
- Hall Effect Joystick Update.
- Compatible with Switch/Switch 2, Windows, Apple, Android, Steam Deck, and Raspberry Pi.
- Compatible with iPhone, iPad, macOS and Apple TV now. (Officially Supported)
- Full-featured retro controller- clickable joysticks, rumble vibration, motion controls, wireless Bluetooth, rechargeable battery, home and screenshot Buttons and a USB-C connector
- Perfect classic d-pad.
Know what to expect from controllers
Sunshine documents emulation for common gamepad families, including DualShock/DS4, DualSense/DS5, Nintendo Switch Pro, Xbox 360, and Xbox One controllers. Moonlight’s FAQ describes gamepad input forwarding through virtual Xbox 360 controllers. Specialty devices such as flight sticks and steering wheels do not pass through directly according to that FAQ, so check the client and controller combination before relying on it.
Move a running session between rooms
Moonlight’s FAQ says disconnecting or closing the client stream can leave the application running on the host. That allows you to connect from another paired device and resume the session. To actually end the application, choose Quit App in the client; save first, because quitting can terminate the host app.
Rank #3
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
For play from outside your home, additional network configuration is required. Moonlight’s setup guide gives a 5 Mbps upload requirement for the legacy GeForce Experience route only; that figure is not a universal requirement for Sunshine or for streaming over your home network. Moonlight says Nvidia is discontinuing GeForce Experience/GameStream host software and recommends Sunshine for new setups.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When RetroArch Netplay is the right tool
RetroArch Netplay is for synchronizing multiple RetroArch instances so people can play classic local multiplayer over a network. It is a different arrangement from sending one host’s running game to a TV or handheld. Libretro’s FAQ says participants need the same RetroArch version, core version, and exact content. The host must accept incoming TCP connections on port 55435, which commonly involves router port forwarding. The FAQ says the current netplay model is unsuitable for PSX, N64, Dreamcast, GameCube, Wii, and 3DS netplay.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Wide Compatibility – Compatible with Nintendo Switch (Switch 1 only), Windows PC, Mac OS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, RetroPie, Recalbox and more. Perfect for retro gaming, emulators, and classic game systems. Not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.
- Advanced 2.4GHz Wireless Connection Stable 2.4GHz RF wireless technology provides a fast and responsive gaming experience with up to 10 meters (32 ft) of range. No lag, no drops — just smooth gameplay.
- Simple Plug & Play Setup: No drivers or software required. Just plug the USB receiver into your device and start playing instantly. Compatible with most programs and emulator platforms that support standard USB game controllers.
- Classic Retro Design with Precision Controls Features a familiar SNES-style layout with super-sensitive buttons for accurate, responsive control. Ideal for NES, SNES, Genesis, GBA, RetroArch, BSNES, OpenEmu, and more.
- Rechargeable Battery with Long Life Built-in 240mAh rechargeable battery provides up to 3 hours of continuous gameplay. Fully charges in about 1 hour. Includes battery level indicator for convenient monitoring.
Quick troubleshooting checks
- The host does not appear: Confirm the PC and client are on the same home network, then try entering the host IP address manually.
- The picture stutters or controls feel delayed: Check the host’s Ethernet connection, improve the client’s Wi-Fi signal, and confirm hardware video decoding is available.
- The controller does not work as expected: Reboot after Sunshine installation if needed for controller emulation, then test the specific controller and client pairing; specialty input devices may not pass through.
- The emulator is missing from Sunshine’s app list: Add it through Sunshine’s Applications interface or stream the desktop and launch it there.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
