Replaying Pokémon games on PC is a dream come true for many nostalgic fans. Whether you want to relive the adventures of Pokémon Emerald, FireRed, or Pokémon Black 2, emulators now allow you to transform your computer into a high-performance retro console .
But you still need to know which one to choose. In this article, we present the best emulators for playing Pokémon on PC in 2025 , depending on the type of console emulated, your technical level, and your desire for simplicity.
Why play Pokémon on PC?
Using a PC emulator for Pokémon offers many advantages:
- Higher resolution than the original console
- Instant backups anytime
- Using USB or Bluetooth controllers
- Free access to games that have become rare or unobtainable
- Ability to use codes or mods
But be careful: between corrupted files, missing ROMs, and technical bugs, the experience can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don't choose the right tools.
Best Pokémon Emulators for PC in 2025
DeSmuME – The most reliable for Nintendo DS
If you want to play titles like Pokémon Platinum, Heart of Gold, or Black 2, DeSmuME is the recommended choice . It's free, compatible with most configurations, and allows you to save at any time. It handles DS games very well, including 3D scenes.
Its only weakness: its slightly dated interface, but this is largely compensated for by its stability.
mGBA – The reference for GBA games
Want to play Pokémon Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, or FireRed again? mGBA is lightweight, fast, reliable , and works on almost any PC. It's very easy to use, even if you've never touched an emulator.
There are many customization options: cheats, quick saves, graphic filters... without sacrificing performance.
VBA-M – The still strong ancestor
Based on the older VisualBoyAdvance, VBA-M remains widely used. It offers more settings than mGBA but with a slightly cruder interface. If you want maximum compatibility with older GBA ROMs, this is a good choice.
RetroArch – The most complete, but not for everyone
RetroArch isn't just an emulator: it's a multi-console platform. It can emulate GBA, DS, N64, GBC, and even PSP, while unifying the settings.
But be warned: the setup is complex . It's not recommended if you just want to start a Pokémon game with a few clicks. For experienced users, it's a gem. For others... a gas factory.
What if you don't want to worry?
Even with a good emulator, you need to:
- Have a good antivirus
- Find a compatible ROM (often on dubious sites)
- Test it to make sure it works
- Adjust display, controls, backups
- Fix bugs or crashes as needed
That's why we created an alternative solution with Retroxmania.
The Retroxmania solution: a ready-to-play Pokémon PC pack
Want to just launch your favorite game without spending hours setting everything up? Our Pokémon PC bundle is designed for just that.
What you get:
- The best Pokémon ROMs (DS + GBA), tested and ready to use
- The included pre-configured emulator
- A clear installation guide to help you step by step
- Compatibility with Windows and macOS
- No ads, no suspicious files
- And customer support if you get stuck somewhere
👉 Discover the Pokémon PC Pack here
Optimize your Pokémon experience on PC with Retroxmania accessories
Using a good emulator is important. But to fully enjoy the Pokémon universe on your PC, the right accessories make all the difference . Here are our recommendations for playing in the best conditions.
1. A fast microSD card to store everything
Between Nintendo DS and 3DS ROMs, shaders, multiple saves, and mods, disk space can quickly become saturated, especially if you're playing on a laptop or a dedicated retro-gaming machine.
That's why we recommend our Xiaomi Pro Plus micro SD card :
- Up to 512GB to easily store dozens of games
- High read/write speed to avoid lags
- Comes with SD adapter for universal compatibility
👉 Discover the micro SD card here
2. A wireless controller to play like on a console
Some Pokémon games on DS or 3DS are fine to play with a keyboard... but many of them really come into their own with an ergonomic controller , especially in combat or exploration.
Our wireless controllers are:
- Compatible with PC, Mac, Android, Raspberry Pi…
- USB rechargeable
- Easy to connect and very responsive
- Inspired by the design of retro controllers, with a modern grip