Android emulators are widely used for gaming and mobile application testing on desktop environments.
: Continued its mission of digital preservation, supporting thousands of arcade systems and vintage computers. list-of-emulator-2021
: 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. Android emulators are widely used for gaming and
: These two competitors saw rapid development. Yuzu introduced "Hades," a massive shader decompiler rewrite that significantly reduced stuttering, while Ryujinx gained acclaim for its high accuracy and early support for local wireless multiplayer. : These two competitors saw rapid development
For enthusiasts looking for an "all-in-one" solution, these platforms continued to dominate the retro scene.
: 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.
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.