The NVIDIA Shield TV is arguably the best streaming device on the market. The 2019 NVIDIA Shield TV and Shield TV Pro feature a beefy Tegra X1+ processor, up to 3GB of RAM, as high as 16GB of storage space, plus excellent connectivity with microSD card or USB expansion. There’s 4K artificial intelligence (AI) upscaling for improved picture quality. What’s more, the 2019 Shield TV and Shield TV Pro sport 4K HDR and Dolby Vision support. While the NVIDIA Shield is a great device for streaming video, it’s excellent for native Android gaming as well as emulation. Check out the best NVIDIA Shield TV emulators for retro gaming!
NVIDIA Shield TV vs. NVIDIA Shield TV Pro – Which is Better for Gaming and Emulation?
In 2019, the NVIDIA Shield TV saw a major overhaul and the introduction of the vanilla Shield TV in addition to its Shield TV Pro older sibling. Both devices share a number of similarities, although a few key differences posit the Shield TV Pro as the better choice for native Android gaming as well as retro gaming emulation. On the outside, the Shield TV arrives in a small, tubular form factor whereas the Shield TV Pro comes in a larger yet still modestly-sized package. While the Shield TV and its Pro variant rock the same Tegra X1+ processor, it’s mated to 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage on the NVIDIA Shield TV versus 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage on the Shield TV Pro. For game ROM storage, you’ll likely want to add external storage, particularly for emulation of newer systems such as the PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, PlayStation Portable, or Nintendo GameCube. Whereas the Shield TV rocks a microSD card slot but no USB ports, the Shield TV Pro offers dual USB ports and no microSD card slot.
The Shield TV clocks in around $150 USD while the Shield TV Pro slides in at $200. Yet the biggest distinction between the two NVIDIA Shield TV streaming boxes is on the operating system (OS) side. A 32-bit version of Android TV runs on the vanilla Shield, while NVIDIA graces the Shield TV Pro with a 64-bit Android OS. For streaming from apps such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+, you won’t notice a difference. But the 64-bit Android TV operating system on the Shield TV Pro coupled with its 3GB of RAM means you can run some emulators and native Android games that won’t install on the Shield TV non-Pro. Therefore, for emulation and gaming, I’d recommend the Shield TV Pro, which is my streaming box of choice. Outside of gaming, the Shield TV can tackle streaming, runs Kodi, Emby, and Plex, plus the Shield Pro doubles as a Plex media server or Samsung SmartThings hub.
Which is better for native Android gaming and retro gaming emulation: NVIDIA Shield TV Pro
NVIDIA Shield TV Pro 2019 specs:
- Tegra X1+ processor
- 3GB RAM
- 16GB storage
- HDMI out, Ethernet input, 2 x USB ports
- Google routines, Samsung SmartThings compatibility, Plex media server functionality, Amazon Alexa
- HDR10 and Dolby Vision
- 4K AI upscaling
NVIDIA Shield TV 2019 (non-Pro) specs:
- Tegra X1+ processor
- 2GB RAM
- 8GB storage
- HDMI out, Ethernet input, microSD card slot
- Google routines, Amazon Alexa
- HDR10 and Dolby Vision
- 4K AI upscaling
Why Should You Use an NVIDIA Shield TV Over Classic Console Clones or the Raspberry Pi
A wave of nostalgia produced a surge of retro console clones such as the NES Mini Classic, SNES Classic, and the Sega Genesis Mini. Additionally, many single-board computers (SBCs) such as the Raspberry Pi have become incredibly popular for gaming emulation. While mini console clones like the NES Mini and SNES Mini offer a retro flair and come pre-loaded with games, the onboard game library is a fraction of the titles released for each console. Compare that to the emulators that can run any ROMs you load up (note: we here at Tech Up Your Life do not support piracy, so please only use ROMs for games that you legally own copies of and have ripped yourself).
The Shield TV can play hundreds and even thousands of games from a variety of systems. Compare that to mini console clones that are limited to a single game system and a mere handful of titles. And while the Raspberry Pi can emulate a smattering of different systems, even the top-of-the-line Raspberry Pi 4 can’t smoothly emulate N64, PSP, or GameCube games. As such, the NVIDIA Shield TV handily trounces the competition when it comes to high-end system emulation as well as the sheer number of game ROMs you can play. Admittedly, set up isn’t nearly as easy as something like the NES Classic or Sega Genesis Mini which just works out of the box. But if you’re willing to slog through the requisite process of installing emulators and loading ROMs, the NVIDIA Shield TV delivers the best living room retro gaming emulation experience short of a home theatre PC (HTPC).
Best NVIDIA Shield TV Emulator Overall – RetroArch
If you want to emulate retro games on the NVIDIA Shield TV, RetroArch is your best option. Whereas many Android emulators only work with a single game system or a handful, such as the Nintendo 64 or several Sega consoles, RetroArch lets you emulate dozens of consoles ranging from the Atari 2600 all the way up through the PlaySation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Wii. It’s a fantastic all-in-one solution for playing ROMs on the Shield. Set up can be a bit challenging for newcomers, although RetroArch boasts incredible first- and third-party documentation. As an excellent one-stop-shop for retro gaming emulation, RetroArch is hands-down the best NVIDIA Shield TV game emulator.
Best Multi-console NVIDIA Shield Emulator – ClassicBoy
ClassicBoy is a powerful RetroArch alternative. Because of its multi-console support, ClassicBoy is a wonderful comprehensive NVIDIA Shield emulator option. You can play tons of ROMs from systems such as the PS1, N64, GBA, GBC, NES, Sega Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Gear, Master System, Sega Saturn, NeoGeo, Atari 2600, and more. In addition to controller support, ClassicBoy allows for gesture control so it’s perfect for emulation on Android phones and tablets as well. Since ClassicBoy comes in two variants, a 64-bit and 32-bit version, you can run it on both the 32-bit Shield TV and the 64-bit Shield TV Pro.
Best GameCube and Wii Shield TV Game Emulator – Dolphin
Because of its strong processor, the Shield TV can handle high-end emulation such as Nintendo GameCube and Wii titles. Dolphin NVIDIA Shield performance is absolutely stunning. That’s because the Nintendo Switch and NVIDIA Shield TV run the same Tegra X1+ processor. As such, performance on the Shield in native Android games and emulated ROMs is top-notch. You’ll be able to play a bevy of GameCube titles flawlessly on the Shield TV. Some Wii games won’t run as well and others require a Nunchuck controller. But for Wii ROMs that don’t require a Nunchuck controller and are game pad compatible, Dolphin runs perfectly.
Best PSP Shield TV Emulator – PPSSPP
As a newer console, the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) can present a challenge to even many powerful single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi. However, the NVIDIA Shield TV can tackle even the most demanding of PSP ROMs such as God of War Chains of Olympus. PPSSPP is the best PSP emulator on the NVIDIA Shield TV. You can run most of the PSP library with ease and enjoy your PlayStation Portable games on the big screen.
Best Nintendo 3DS NVIDIA Shield Emulator – Citra
Citra for Android is a fantastic Nintendo 3DS emulator that runs incredibly well on the Shield TV. Citra is on the Google Play Store, so it’s a breeze to install on the Shield as well as Android phones and tablets. Since the Citra Android emulator does require a 64-bit version of Android, it won’t run on the NVIDIA Shield TV, just the the Shield TV Pro. Performance is good, and you can play tons of N3DS titles on the NVIDIA Shield.
Best PlayStation 1 Retro Gaming Emulator for the NVIDIA Shield – ePSXe
Sony’s PlayStation 1 (PS1) console ushered in a new era of disc-based 3D video games. You can revisit your PS1 game collection on the NVIDIA Shield TV with ePSXe. There’s wide-ranging compatibility with PSX titles with fast, playable speeds and accurate sound reproduction. Multiplayer support lets you cunnect up to four controllers, and there’s even two-player split screen. You’ll find loads of enhancements such as high definition rendering, savestates, cheat codes, and more.
A Solid PS1 NVIDIA Shield TV Emulator – FPSe
FPSe64 is a wonderful PSOne emulator for the NVIDIA Shield TV. It utilizes OpenGL 2.0 for emulation as close to playing on the original hardware as possible. Game and hardware compatibility is great. On the controller side, FPSe even sports gun emulation with guncon for using your finger to shoot with emulated A and B buttons. With an array of different onscreen controls as well as gamepad options, FPSe works well on gaming phones too.
Best N64 Shield TV Game Emulator – Mupen64Plus FZ
With hits like GoldenEye 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Mario Kart 64, it’s no wonder the Nintendo 64 remains such a popular console even today. Mupen64Plus FZ is a powerful N64 emulator for the NVIDIA Shield TV and other Android devices. The GLideN64 plugin comes standard for solid N64 ROM compatibility, transfer pak support is included, plus you’ll find 64DD support. There’s a free version or a paid Mupen64Plus FZ Pro option which adds SD card as well as Google Drive cloud backup functionality.
An Awesome Nintendo 64 NVIDIA Shield TV Game Emulator – Mupen64AE
Mupen64AE works like a champ on the Shield TV for Nintendo 64 emulation. While there’s a free version of Mupen64+AE, a paid $0.99 tier lets you make an affordable donation to support the developer team. Both options are completely ad-free and game compatibility is really good. You can seamlessly transfer game ROMs between your internal storage and USB drives or SD cards. File support includes .n64, .z64, .v64, and ZIP files.
Best SNES Emulator for the NVIDIA Shield TV – SNES9x EX+
Take a romp back through your beloved Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) favorites with Snes9x EX+. It’s completely free and runs .smc or .sfc files while supporting compressed ZIP, 7Z, or RAR files. A bevy of different features such as cheats, save states, and screenshot options allow you to easily customize gameplay. Since the SNES is an older system, pretty much any game you throw at the Shield TV should run just fine.
A Great Super Nintendo Emulator for the Shield TV – SuperRetro16
The aptly-named SuperRetro16 is an awesome SNES emulator for the NVIDIA Shield TV. There’s Chromecast streaming and native Android TV support. While it’s best to use a retro gaming frontend such as ARC, DIG, or RetroX, the SuperRetro16 SNES Android emulator boasts excellent box art scraping. What’s more, SuperRetro16 offers a slew of different shaders for effects such as CRT television simulation, high-quality enhancements, and even cloud synching across all of your Android devices.
Best NES Emulator on the Shield TV – NES.emu
NES.emu is the best NES emulator available for the NVIDIA Shield TV. Advanced featuers such as save state support, compatibility with ROM files and compressed formats like ZIP, RAR, and 7Z, as well as an array of controller options make NES.emu a great NES Android emulator. You can use USB keyboards and gamepads, touchscreen controls, or zapper guns. Although NES.emu is a paid app, it’s totally worth the affordable $3.99 USD.
A Solid NES Emulator for the NVIDIA Shield TV – Retro8
While SuperRetro16 provides SNES Android emulation for Super Nintendo titles, Retro8 handles Nintendo Entertainment System playback. The Retro8 emulator runs like a champ on the Shield TV and sports a slew of noteworthy features. Easy cheat codes, cloud synching across multiple Android devices, and a slick user interface (UI) make Retro8 a compelling NES emulator for the NVIDIA Shield TV. It’s a paid app only, but at $1.99, Retro8 is cheap enough to warrant the low price tag.
Best Free NES Emulator for NVIDIA Shield TV – Nostalgia.NES
The Nostalgia.NES NES emulator for Android is an awesome free Nintendo Entertainment System emulator that’s perfect for the NVIDIA Shield TV. It’s available at no cost but doesn’t skimp on features. You’ll find PAL and NTSC video modes, keyboard, touchscreen, and game controller support, NES and ZIP file compatibility, a Wi-Fi controller support, and a bunch of other amenities. Unfortunately, Nostalgia.NES lite is ad-supported. However, there is a paid Pro variant which does away with ads. Notably, Nostalgia Emulators also offers GameBoy Advance, GameBoy Color, and Sega Game Gear emulators.
Best NVIDIA Shield TV Emulator for Sega Consoles – MD.emu
MD.emu touts multi-system Sega console emulation. With one app, you can play Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Master System,, and Mark III titles. What’s more, Sega CD emulation is in beta. You can easily transfer games between your internal storage and external USB or SD cards. A variety of input devices ranging from touch screens to wireless and wired gamepads or keyboards means you can use pretty much any game controller you like. MD.emu plays compressed or uncompressed ROM files. Its ability to run games from several Sega consoles makes MD.emu a good multi-system Android emulator for the Shield TV.
Best Sega Dreamcast Emulator – Redream
Redream is a popular Sega Dreamcast emulator that runs like a champ on the NVIDIA Shield. Although Dreamcast emulation can challenge many devices, the beefy Shield TV tackles even the most demanding of Dreamcast ROMS with ease. Redream enables high-definition Sega Dreamcast emulation alongside a smorgasbord of features including a gorgeous US, native Android TV app, and automatic game pad mapping. It’s intuitive and lets you get your dose of Dreamcast nostalgia. Alternatively, Reicast is an excellent Sega Dreamcast emulator for the Shield TV that, while not quite as user-friendly, benefits from regular updates.
Best PS2 Emulator for the NVIDIA Shield TV – DamonPS2
Although the Shield TV’s processor is more than up to the challenge of running PlayStation 2 titles, getting the emulator to work on Android is a major development hurdle. However, the DamonPS2 emulator is a fantastic option that allows for fairly smooth PS2 emulation. Performance is definitely a mixed bag and you’re better off emulating PlayStation 2 games on a PC. Still, if you want to run PlayStation 2 games on the NVIDIA Shield, DamonPS2 is your best bet. While there’s a free version, I’d recommend paying for the paid iteration to support the dev team.
Best Free PlayStation 2 NVIDIA Shield TV Emulator – Play!
For a free alternative to DamonPS2, Play! is a pretty decent PlayStation 2 emulator for the Shield TV. Since it’s under active development, performance isn’t spectacular across the board. However, there’s a helpful Play! Android PS2 emulator compatibility list which lets you browse working PlayStation 2 game performance.
Best NVIDIA Shield TV Emulators – Top Emulators for the NVIDIA Shield TV
Overall, the NVIDIA Shield TV is an absolutely outstanding multimedia device. Whereas streaming boxes such as Rokus and the Apple TV should suffice for the average user looking to stream movies and TV shows, the Shield TV boasts an unrivaled slate of home theatre capabilities including living room game streaming, native Android gaming, and emulation of even high-end consoles. For NVIDIA Shield TV emulators, RetroArch is the a fantastic comprehensive set of emulators. ClassicBoy also touts multi-system support, although it’s not quite as robust as RetroArch. Then, you’ll also find a slew of different standalone emulators for running ROMs from a variety of retro gaming systems.
Your turn: Which NVIDIA Shield TV emulators do you recommend, and what are you playing on your Shield TV?
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