Where to get Delta and what to expect

Delta is a free, open-source emulator that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You download it from GitHub, the code repository where the project is maintained. The process takes about five minutes and requires no account or payment.

Delta emulates older gaming consoles — primarily Nintendo systems like the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and N64. It's a single program you install once, then point toward your own game files. After installation, you launch Delta like any other desktop application.

The download itself is straightforward, but the steps differ slightly by operating system. This guide covers Windows, macOS, and Linux separately so you can follow the exact path for your machine.

Key Takeaways

  • Delta downloads from GitHub as a single installer file; there is no official app store or mirror to use.
  • Windows users run an .exe installer, macOS users drag the app to their Applications folder, and Linux users compile from source or use a package manager.
  • After installation, Delta requires you to point it toward a folder containing your own game ROM files before you can play anything.
  • The program is free and does not phone home or collect data, but you are responsible for owning the games you load into it.

Downloading Delta on Windows

Go to the Delta GitHub releases page at github.com/c0de1f/delta/releases. Look for the latest release — it will be at the top of the page. Under "Assets," find the file ending in .exe (for example, Delta-1.0.0-x64-setup.exe). Click it to download.

Once the .exe file finishes downloading, open your Downloads folder and double-click the installer. Windows may show a security warning; click "Run anyway" or "More info" then "Run anyway" to proceed. The installer will walk you through choosing an installation folder — the default location (usually C:\Program Files) works fine for most users.

After installation completes, you can delete the .exe file. Delta will appear in your Start menu and on your desktop. Launch it by clicking the icon or searching for "Delta" in the Windows search bar.

Downloading Delta on macOS

Visit the same GitHub releases page and look for the file ending in .dmg (for example, Delta-1.0.0-arm64.dmg for Apple Silicon Macs, or Delta-1.0.0-x64.dmg for Intel Macs). Click to download. If you are unsure which one you need, go to the Apple menu, select "About This Mac," and check the "Chip" line — it will say either "Apple" (Silicon) or "Intel".

Once the .dmg file downloads, open it by double-clicking. A window will appear showing the Delta icon and an Applications folder. Drag the Delta icon into the Applications folder. This copies the program to your system.

After dragging, you can eject the .dmg file (right-click it in Finder and select "Eject") and delete it from Downloads. Open Applications, find Delta, and double-click to launch. macOS may ask for permission the first time — click "Open" to confirm.

Downloading Delta on Linux

Linux users have two main routes: download a pre-built binary or compile from source. The binary is faster; compiling gives you the latest development version.

For the pre-built binary, go to the GitHub releases page and look for a file named something like delta-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu (the exact name varies by release). Download it, then open a terminal in your Downloads folder. Run chmod +x delta-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu to make it executable, then ./delta-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu to launch it. You can move this file to a folder in your PATH (like ~/.local/bin) to run it from anywhere.

To compile from source, clone the repository with git clone https://github.com/c0de1f/delta.git, navigate into the folder, and run cargo build --release. This requires Rust to be installed. The compiled binary will be in target/release/delta.

Setting up your game library after installation

Delta will not work until you point it toward your game files. When you first launch the program, it will ask you to select a folder containing ROMs. Create a folder on your computer (for example, My Games or Emulator ROMs) and move your game files into it.

In Delta, go to Settings or Preferences (the exact menu name varies by version) and select "Add ROM Folder" or similar. Navigate to your game folder and confirm. Delta will scan the folder and display any games it recognizes. You can add multiple folders if your games are spread across different locations.

Delta supports common ROM file formats like .nes, .snes, .gb, .gbc, and .z64. If a game does not appear in your library after adding the folder, check that the file name matches what Delta expects — some games require specific naming conventions.

Troubleshooting common download and installation issues

If the installer will not run on Windows, try right-clicking the .exe and selecting "Run as administrator." If you see an error about missing files, your antivirus software may have quarantined part of the installer — temporarily disable it and try again.

On macOS, if you see "Delta cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified," right-click the Delta icon, select "Open," and click "Open" again in the dialog that appears. This bypasses the security check for unsigned applications.

If Delta launches but shows no games, verify that your ROM folder path is correct and that the files are in a format Delta recognizes. You can also check the program's log file (usually in a .config or .local folder) to see what errors it encountered when scanning.

Keeping Delta updated

Delta does not auto-update. To get a newer version, return to the GitHub releases page, download the latest installer for your operating system, and run it. On Windows and macOS, installing over your existing version will replace it. On Linux, download the new binary and replace the old one in your PATH.

Check the releases page occasionally to see if new versions add features or fix bugs. The project is actively maintained, and updates are released several times a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delta safe to download from GitHub?

Yes. GitHub is a legitimate code repository owned by Microsoft. The Delta project is open-source, meaning anyone can review the code. Always download from the official releases page (github.com/c0de1f/delta/releases) and not from third-party sites.

Do I need to create an account to download Delta?

No. GitHub allows free downloads without logging in. You can download Delta as an anonymous user.

What if my antivirus software blocks the download or installation?

Some antivirus programs flag emulators as suspicious because they can be misused. If this happens, check your antivirus quarantine folder, restore the file, and add Delta to your antivirus whitelist. Alternatively, temporarily disable your antivirus during installation.

Can I run Delta on a Chromebook or tablet?

Delta is designed for desktop operating systems only. Chromebooks and tablets cannot run the standard version. Some Android devices have alternative emulators, but they are separate projects.

Where do I get the game files to use with Delta?

That is outside the scope of this guide. You are responsible for obtaining games you own the rights to play. Many retro games are sold legally through online stores or re-releases.