Nintendo 64 emulator Sixtyforce got a rare update recently. Version 0.9.6 adds code-signing, 64-bit Intel support, bug fixes, updated memory protection, USB controller hot-pluggable support, faster texture conversions, basic Conker’s Bad Fur Day support, and loads more. It also drops PowerPC support. See here for the full release notes. Limtc on the forums has reported less jerky performance and better sound. Grab it here, and be sure to let us know how it performs for you.

Parallels 8 has been released. New features include full Mountain Lion integration—full screen, Mission Control, multi-touch gestures, Launchpad, Notification Center, etc—a presentation wizard, dictation, shared bluetooth, shared trash, drag and drop attachments in Outlook, and some other stuff. You can run Mountain Lion as a guest OS, too (bring on the infinite recursion). It also comes with the usual performance improvements and enhanced security. Check it out here.

There’s heavy competition, though, as VMware Fusion 5 dropped this month. It comes “loaded with more than 70 new features.” There’s Launchpad integration, AirPlay Mirroring, Notification Center support, a new UI, Mountain Lion guest support, Windows 8 “optimization,” USB 3 support, “near-native” performance, improved battery life, faster 3D graphics, one-click snapshots, a new Linux 3D graphics driver, and a new “embedded learning center.” You can peruse the full sales pitch here.

Continue reading for more updates, including new versions of DBGL, VirtualBox, QEMU, Bochs, and others, and an upcoming FS-UAE 2.0 release.

This was obviously the month for x86 virtualization tools. VirtualBox got a major update, too. Version 4.2.0 offers “improved Windows 8 support,” an expert mode, code-signing for Mountain Lion, and a host of bug fixes. See here for the changelog.

Video-game-focused Amiga emulator FS-UAE is nearing version 2.0. Developer Frode Solheim is asking for feedback and wish lists for important functionality needed to make the emulator more newcomer-friendly. Head over to this blog entry to voice your opinion and see the current plans. In the meantime, there’s a new development release. Version 1.3.26 focuses on minor fixes related to the Launcher, while 1.3.25 added PPC/Mac OS 10.5 and 16-bit video support. You can grab development releases here, or go to the Download page for stable builds.

Java-based DOSBox front-end DBGL has been updated to version 0.74. This release adds an “Add Game Wizard,” Home of the Underdogs information querying, and support for 7-zip importing (though not exporting). Head over to the official DBGL web page for a full changelog, more information, and a download link.

Arcade emulator MAME, and its Mac command-line port SDLMAME, has been updated to version 0.146u5. Check out the changes here; there are lots of them, as usual. Head over to the MAMEdev website for more information, or grab a binary from the SDLMAME page.

JPCSP, a Java-based PSP emulator, has new SVN snapshot builds and a compatibility site. Recent changes include improvements in the MPEG module and GE (whatever that is—nothing came to my mind), along with better compatibility and new fileFS. Get it from the JPCSP website.

Nintendo Wii and Gamecube emulator Dolphin has had 766 new builds since the last official release—most of which have been available to download. Keep an eye on the Downloads page if you want to stay up to date.

DOSBox front-end Dapplegrey has been updated to version 3.0.1. This does not add code-signing for Mountain Lion Gatekeeper support. The update fixes mounting issues in the areas “Games Included” and “Dapplegrey Toolbox.” Get it at the Classics for X website.

Open-source machine emulator and virtualizer QEMU version 1.2.0 has been released. There are lots of changes, few of which make sense to me. As always, you can find information, documentation, and download links from the official QEMU website.

Bochs, an open-source IA-32 (x86) PC emulator, has been updated to version 2.6. The change log is long, but highlights include a >10% CPU emulation speedup. Head over to the Bochs website for more details and a download link.

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