A work-in-progress Sega Saturn emulator.

Join the Discord community.

• Load games from MAME CHD, BIN+CUE, IMG+CCD, MDF+MDS or ISO files
• Automatic IPL (BIOS) ROM detection
• Automatic region switching
• Up to two players with standard Control Pads or 3D Control Pads on both ports (more to come)
• Fully customizable keybindings
• Backup RAM, DRAM and ROM cartridges (more to come)
• Integrated backup memory manager to import and export saves, and transfer between internal and cartridge RAM
• Save states
• Rewinding (up to one minute at 60 fps), turbo speed, frame step (forwards and backwards)
• Full screen mode with VRR support and low input lag
• Optional deinterlaced/progressive rendering of high resolution modes
• A work-in-progress feature-rich debugger

Grab the latest release here. Check the Releases page for previous versions.

Ymir does not require installation. Simply download it to any directory and run the executable. On Windows you might also need to install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package (x86_64 installer).

The program accepts command-line arguments. Invoke ymir-sdl3 --help to list the options:

Ymir - Sega Saturn emulator
Usage:
  Ymir [OPTION...] positional parameters

  -p, --profile arg  Path to profile directory
  -h, --help         Display help text
  -f, --fullscreen   Start in fullscreen mode

Use -p <profile-path> to point to a separate set of configuration and state files, useful if you wish to have different user profiles (hence the name).

Note that the Win32 variant of Ymir does not output anything to the console, but it does honor the command line parameters.

Ymir requires an IPL (BIOS) ROM to work. You can place the ROMs under the roms directory created alongside the executable on the first run. The emulator will scan and automatically select the IPL ROM matching the loaded disc. If no disc is loaded, it will use a ROM matching the first preferred region. Failing that, it will pick whatever is available. You can override the selection on Settings > IPL.

Ymir can load game disc images from MAME CHD, BIN+CUE, IMG+CCD, MDF+MDS or ISO files. It does not support injecting .elf files directly at the moment.

See COMPILING.md.

If you enjoy my projects and want to help me keep developing them, consider supporting me:

• Patreon for ongoing support
• PIX for one-time donations in Brazil: ask me on Discord.

Your support is completely optional but genuinely appreciated. It helps me dedicate more time and energy to these passion projects while keeping everything open-source and free for everyone. Thank you!