Elite II: 3 Open Source Clones Compared
GLFrontier reimplements the Atari ST version of Frontier from reverse-engineered code, but building it requires supplying your own disassembly of the original binary for copyright reasons, and its experimental OpenGL renderer isn't functional yet — only the original software renderer works; development has since halted. Pioneer is a separate, actively developed game that needs no original game data at all, since it ships its own assets as a standalone space-exploration game rather than a direct reimplementation of Frontier's code or content.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 1d ago
- Stars
- 1,910
- Contributors
- 189
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoPioneer is an original space exploration game with its own assets; no original game data is required.
Availability
- Status
- Semi-playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 10y ago
- Stars
- 88
- Contributors
- 2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires the original Frontier game disassembly file (fe2.s), which is not provided due to copyright restrictions.
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- PSP
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
| Title | Pioneer | GLFrontier | Frontier 1337 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Semi-playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, Linux | PSP |
| Play in browser | No | No | No |
| Mobile | No | No | No |
| Project health | |||
| Development status | Active | Halted | Not tracked |
| Last updated | 1d ago | 10y ago | Not tracked |
| Stars | 1,910 | 88 | Not tracked |
| Contributors | 189 | 2 | Not tracked |
| Compatibility | |||
| Requires original assets | NoPioneer is an original space exploration game with its own assets; no original game data is required. | YesRequires the original Frontier game disassembly file (fe2.s), which is not provided due to copyright restrictions. | — |
| Preview | | | |
Known limitations
- graphics: The experimental OpenGL renderer has most primitives not yet rendered and is not playable.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Elite II clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
Do I need to own the original Elite II to play these clones?
Pioneer runs standalone, no original files needed; GLFrontier requires original game assets to play.
Which Elite II clone is the most actively maintained?
Pioneer is currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Elite II.