Mesen-S | Download, System Requirements & Installation Guide
Are you a retro gamer looking for an emulator that can run your favorite classic games? Look no further than Mesen-S, a powerful emulator that can run games from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the Famicom Disk System (FDS). In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Mesen-S, from its history to its system requirements, and from how to download and install it to how to configure it for optimal performance. We’ll also cover how to run ROMs, assign plugins, use cheat codes, and troubleshoot common issues. Let’s dive in!
1. What is Mesen-S?
Mesen-S is a free and open-source emulator that allows you to play classic NES and FDS games on your computer. It was developed by SourMesen, a team of developers who are passionate about preserving and enhancing the classic gaming experience. Mesen-S is known for its accuracy, speed, and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice among retro gamers.
2. History of Mesen-S
Mesen-S was first released in 2018 as a fork of the original Mesen emulator. Since then, it has undergone several updates and improvements, including support for more mappers, better audio and video emulation, and new features like netplay and rewind. The latest version of Mesen-S is 0.9.9, which was released in August 2021.
3. Versions of Mesen-S
Below are the versions of Mesen-S:
- 0.9.0
- 0.9.1
- 0.9.2
- 0.9.3
- 0.9.4
- 0.9.5
- 0.9.6
- 0.9.7
- 0.9.8
- 0.9.9
4. How to use Mesen-S
Using Mesen-S is easy. Simply download and install the emulator, download your favorite NES or FDS ROMs, and open them in Mesen-S. You can use your keyboard or a gamepad to play the games, and you can customize the controls to your liking. Mesen-S also has a variety of settings and options that allow you to tweak the emulation to your preferences.
5. System requirements
The system requirements for Mesen-S are relatively modest. You’ll need a computer running Windows 7 or later, with at least 2GB of RAM and a graphics card that supports OpenGL 3.3 or later. Mesen-S also requires the Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable, which is included in the installer.
6. Mesen-S download
You can download Mesen-S from the official website, which is https://www.mesen.ca. Simply click on the “Download” button, select the version you want, and follow the instructions to download the installer. The installer is relatively small, so it should only take a few minutes to download.
7. How to install Mesen-S
Installing Mesen-S is straightforward. Simply run the installer, select the components you want to install, and choose the installation directory. You can also choose whether to create shortcuts and associate ROM files with Mesen-S. Once the installation is complete, you can launch Mesen-S from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
8. How to uninstall Mesen-S
If you want to uninstall Mesen-S, simply go to the Control Panel, select “Programs and Features,” and find Mesen-S in the list of installed programs. Click on “Uninstall,” and follow the instructions to remove Mesen-S from your computer.
9. ROMs
Mesen-S supports a wide variety of NES and FDS ROMs, including both licensed and unlicensed games. You can find ROMs online from various sources, but be sure to only download ROMs for games that you own. It’s also important to note that downloading ROMs for games that are still under copyright is illegal in many countries.
10. How to run a ROM on Mesen-S
To run a ROM on Mesen-S, simply open the emulator and click on “File” > “Open ROM.” Navigate to the directory where your ROMs are stored, select the ROM you want to play, and click “Open.” The game should start automatically, and you can begin playing.
11. How to configure Mesen-S
To configure Mesen-S, click on “Options” > “Settings.” Here, you can customize a variety of settings, including video and audio options, input settings, and emulation settings. You can also configure hotkeys, save states, and cheat codes from this menu.
12. How to assign plugins to Mesen-S
To assign plugins to Mesen-S, click on “Options” > “Plugins.” Here, you can select which plugins you want to use, including audio and video plugins, input plugins, and netplay plugins. You can also configure the settings for each plugin from this menu.
13. List with plugins
Below are plugins you can use for Mesen-S:
- Audio plugins
- PulseAudio
- ALSA
- PortAudio
- Video plugins
- OpenGL
- Direct3D
- Software rendering
- Input plugins
- Keyboard
- Gamepad
- Mouse
- Netplay plugins
- FakeLan
- Parsec
- Slippi
14. Input devices
To configure input devices in Mesen-S, click on “Options” > “Input.” Here, you can select which input devices you want to use, including keyboard, gamepad, and mouse. You can also customize the controls for each device from this menu.
15. How to use cheat codes
To use cheat codes in Mesen-S, click on “Tools” > “Cheats.” Here, you can enter the cheat codes for the game you’re playing, or you can import cheat codes from a file. You can also enable or disable cheats from this menu.
16. List with cheat codes
Below are some cheat codes for Mesen-S:
- Infinite lives: AENKKAZA
- Infinite health: SZVXASVK
- Infinite ammo: SXIOPO
- Level select: VYUOZU
- Debug mode: OYXRGVNE
17. Popular games
Some of the most popular games that can be played using Mesen-S include Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania, Mega Man, and Contra. However, Mesen-S supports thousands of games, so you’re sure to find something that suits your tastes.
18. How to save in Mesen-S
To save your progress in Mesen-S, click on “File” > “Save State.” You can save up to 10 different save states for each game. To load a save state, click on “File” > “Load State” and select the save state you want to load.
19. Troubleshoot
If you encounter any issues while using Mesen-S, there are several things you can try. First, make sure you have the latest version of Mesen-S installed. You can also try disabling any plugins or settings that may be causing the issue. If all else fails, you can try asking for help on the Mesen-S forums or Discord server.
