File Extension Database

Open NES File

File extension NES is used by Nintendo Entertainment System ROM images, which contain the same data as stored on original video game cartridges. This allows gamers to play console titles on the PC or Mac using emulation software.

Emulation software first began to appear around the mid 1990's, when it became possible to mimic the behaviour of various consoles using entirely software-based applications. However, console manufacturers released few technical details of their products, and so emulators were built using reverse engineering of software which ran on platforms such as the Nintendo Entertainment System. These projects were unofficial, and so were typically carried out by amateur software developers, and as such early emulation software was buggy and support was limited.

Things improved significantly with the release of NESticle, a Nintendo emulator developed by Bloodlust software and released in 1997 on both DOS and Windows platforms. NESticle supported almost all NES ROM images, allowing users to play most games originally released on the Nintendo, and coupled with its ease of use, proved to be very popular. NES files became more common as gamers sought to build or acquire ROM dumping devices which could then be used to create game images for use with emulation software.

Developments on some NES file compatible emulators exist, though there has always been a debate over the legality of reverse engineering software to run on different platforms. This has led to many websites which offered large numbers of NES images - often referred to as ROM dumps - for free to be shut down following complaints from console manufacturers.

NES files can be read by Nintendo Entertainment System emulation software, such as VirtuaNES, FakeNES, Nestopia and FCE Ultra on Windows, or RockNES, iNES or Nestopia on the Mac. There are also a number of Nintendo emulators for UNIX-based operating systems, such as iNES, Nestopia and Mednafen.

How Can I Open NES File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open NES file is to find a NES file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a NES file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open NES file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as NES file opener then try to search online for "NES viewer", "application to open NES file" or "open NES file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open NES file

How Can I Open NES File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a NES file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a NES file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with NES file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as NES file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open NES file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open NES file then try to search for "NES viewer", "application to open NES file" or "read NES file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read NES file

How Can I Open NES File on Android

If you downloaded a NES file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded NES file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "NES".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "NES viewer", "NES file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open NES File on iPhone or iPad

To open NES File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the NES file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "NES". This way you can find apps which can open NES files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "NES viewer" or "NES file" online in your favorite search engine.

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