C++ Retro

Open-source C++ projects categorized as Retro

Top 16 C++ Retro Projects

  1. ShaderGlass

    Overlay for running GPU shaders on top of Windows desktop

    Project mention: AV1 @ Scale: Film Grain Synthesis, the Awakening | news.ycombinator.com | 2025-07-03

    Ok, very cool. But I want Netflix to explain it related to Seinfeld, which at 10-12 feet looks fine, but up close looks insane. Blocky MJPEG + grain filter??

    It's not like we're on Pentium II processors anymore -- I can filter just about anything with ShaderGlass [0] on a shitty computer (and some of the CRT shaders like crt-hyllian-curvature are brilliant, especially on old shows like NewsRadio that only exist on DVD) .. and I'm shocked that Netflix doesn't just have this built into their Apple TV app or whatever. I'm shocked PLEX doesn't have it! (that I know of)

    I made a comment on a different post about imagining a world where local AI/LLM/whatever does some favorable processing for you, by you, on your device, of web content, to enhance your experience. I really believe media (streamers all the way down to open source devs) need to begin to incorporate whatever's out there that reduces friction and increases joy. It's all out there already! The heavy lifting has been done! Just make Family Matters look like how it looked when I was locking in on a Friday night for TGIF LOL

    [0] https://github.com/mausimus/ShaderGlass

  2. Stream

    Stream - Scalable APIs for Chat, Feeds, Moderation, & Video. Stream helps developers build engaging apps that scale to millions with performant and flexible Chat, Feeds, Moderation, and Video APIs and SDKs powered by a global edge network and enterprise-grade infrastructure.

    Stream logo
  3. DIYDoom

    An attempt to understand how DOOM engine works

  4. tyra

    Game engine for PlayStation 2™

  5. melonds-ds

    A remake of the libretro melonDS core that prioritizes standalone parity, reliability, and usability.

  6. wwiv

    WWIV BBS Software v5

  7. hypseus-singe

    Hypseus is a SDL2 version of Daphne and Singe. Laserdisc game emulation.

  8. rvx

    Retro VoXel graphics framework

  9. InfluxDB

    InfluxDB – Built for High-Performance Time Series Workloads. InfluxDB 3 OSS is now GA. Transform, enrich, and act on time series data directly in the database. Automate critical tasks and eliminate the need to move data externally. Download now.

    InfluxDB logo
  10. spelunky-psp

    Spelunky remake for Sony PSP.

  11. IBMulator

    The IBM PS/1 emulator.

  12. super-mario-bros

    Original SNES Super mario bros made with C++ / OpenGL

  13. heirloom

    Heirloom apps — Modernized File Manager and Program Manager for Windows

    Project mention: Show HN: Modernized File Manager and Program Manager from Windows 3.x | news.ycombinator.com | 2025-07-06

    Binaries are available, although Windows Defender is not liking the most recent version. The previous one is fine.

    https://github.com/brianluft/heirloom/releases/

  14. minisynth32

    A 3D-printable MIDI synthesiser inspired by the Roland MT-32 and clumsyMIDI, and powered by the mt32-pi MT-32 emulator.

  15. ATtiny-Tetris-Gold

    ATtiny Tetris Multi Button with music, additional sounds and improvements.

  16. REminiCRT

    Flashback with CRT emulation shader

  17. ElitePetite

    A small tribute to the 80's game Elite. An Arduino+LCD shows the iconic tumbling Cobra Mk 3, plus some extras (other ships, clock mode).

  18. skchain

    Solomon's Keychain - Solomon's Key (NES) ROM editor

  19. SaaSHub

    SaaSHub - Software Alternatives and Reviews. SaaSHub helps you find the best software and product alternatives

    SaaSHub logo
NOTE: The open source projects on this list are ordered by number of github stars. The number of mentions indicates repo mentiontions in the last 12 Months or since we started tracking (Dec 2020).

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C++ Retro related posts

  • Show HN: Modernized File Manager and Program Manager from Windows 3.x

    4 projects | news.ycombinator.com | 6 Jul 2025
  • Canyon.mid

    5 projects | news.ycombinator.com | 15 Jun 2025
  • Doomretro – The classic, refined DOOM source port. For Windows PC

    4 projects | news.ycombinator.com | 20 Sep 2024
  • Show HN: Pixeltune, a nicer chiptune and VGM player

    3 projects | news.ycombinator.com | 11 Aug 2024
  • Building a USB to Mac ADB keyboard adapter

    4 projects | news.ycombinator.com | 31 Jan 2024
  • Why there is no good task manager and system monitoring software on linux?

    5 projects | /r/linux | 8 Jul 2023
  • Anyone else encountering this weird libX11 bug?

    4 projects | /r/freebsd | 6 Jul 2023
  • A note from our sponsor - Stream
    getstream.io | 15 Jul 2025
    Stream helps developers build engaging apps that scale to millions with performant and flexible Chat, Feeds, Moderation, and Video APIs and SDKs powered by a global edge network and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Learn more →

Index

What are some of the best open-source Retro projects in C++? This list will help you:

# Project Stars
1 ShaderGlass 2,373
2 DIYDoom 643
3 tyra 606
4 melonds-ds 244
5 wwiv 193
6 hypseus-singe 173
7 rvx 161
8 spelunky-psp 144
9 IBMulator 116
10 super-mario-bros 103
11 heirloom 65
12 minisynth32 37
13 ATtiny-Tetris-Gold 15
14 REminiCRT 4
15 ElitePetite 3
16 skchain 2

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