A Mac emulator that runs natively on Apple silicon

Native on M1 and later

The GameBox download contains two versions of the app: one for Apple silicon (M1 and later) and one for Intel Macs. An Apple silicon Mac runs the native version, so GameBox itself needs no Rosetta. All fifty built-in emulators are built for both.

The Nintendo 64's and PlayStation's enhanced graphics draw through Vulkan, which GameBox runs on Apple's Metal.

Which Macs and which macOS

• Apple silicon Macs (M1 and later) and Intel Macs
• macOS 15.2 (Sequoia) or later, which includes Tahoe and Golden Gate
• A download of about 38 MB, signed and notarised by Apple, so it opens without a security warning

What testing says

Each built-in emulator was measured against a reference emulator, on whole game libraries, on an Apple silicon Mac. For example: 211 of 212 Nintendo 64 games reach their intros or menus; all 41 Capcom CPS-2 games play, with pictures that match MAME's frame for frame; all 753 Amstrad CPC discs start; 140 of 141 Neo Geo sets play. Some games don't work yet. If one of yours doesn't, tell us.

Intel Macs

The Intel version is built from the same code and was checked against the Apple silicon version, run under Rosetta on an Apple silicon Mac: 43 of 49 systems gave the same picture and the same sound over their first 900 frames, hash for hash. The other six vary from one run to the next, or with the host's speed, even on Apple silicon. There was no real Intel Mac to test on, so if you have one and something looks wrong, tell us.

Other emulators on Apple silicon

GameBox also starts standalone emulators for systems it doesn't play itself. Three of them (shadPS4 for the PlayStation 4, XeniOS for the Xbox 360 and Astris for the Nintendo Switch) need Apple silicon. File ▸ Install Emulators fetches several of the others. See all 24 emulators.

New to emulation on a Mac?

The guide to playing retro games on a Mac takes you from download to first game: folders, BIOS files, checkpoints, rewind and controllers.

Questions

Does GameBox need Rosetta?

No. On an Apple silicon Mac GameBox runs as a native app.

Does it work on macOS Tahoe and Golden Gate?

GameBox needs macOS 15.2 or later, which includes Sequoia, Tahoe and Golden Gate.

Will it run on an Intel Mac?

Yes. The same download includes an Intel version.

Are you affiliated or do you use any source code from OpenEmu?

No. GameBox is an independent project by BH Projects. It is not affiliated with OpenEmu and contains none of its source code. GameBox's emulators are its own code or open-source work that the app credits (ares, the OpenBOR engine, MAME's drivers and others; the full list is in the app's Credits). OpenEmu is a separate project, and its name belongs to its owners.

Like OpenEmu, GameBox is a Mac app that brings many systems into one library. GameBox is built for Apple silicon and Intel Macs, and its fifty built-in emulators run natively on both.

Is it free?

Yes. GameBox is free, with no account, no ads and no paid tier.

Updated 19 October 2026 for GameBox 1.75.