Difference between revisions of "Frontends"

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{{WIP}}
 
{{WIP}}
  
=Launcher type=
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==Launcher types==
the "Launcher" or "Executor" kind of frontend allow a user to execute an emulator program using a graphical interface. These frontends can be used with almost any emulator of your choosing, as long as they support command-line arguments.
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These "Launchers" or "Executors" use their own graphical interface to start emulators. They're generally very adaptive and can support different arguments between emulators to ease integration. These frontends can be used with almost any emulator of your choosing, as long as they support command-line arguments.
  
 
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==Comparisons==
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===Comparisons===
;[https://www.launchbox-app.com/about LaunchBox]:
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;[https://www.launchbox-app.com/about LaunchBox]
LaunchBox was originally built as an attractive front-end to [[DOSBox]] but has since expanded to support both modern PC games and emulated console platforms. LaunchBox aims to be the one-stop shop for gaming on your computer, for both modern and historical games. Probably the most customizable emulator on here, alongside HyperSpin, if you buy a license. You can customize the interface to however you like and the metadata of each game and comes with a metadata scraper. Has integrated support for launching from Kodi (XBMC). There is one version free, but also has a premium version that gives you access to Big Box which is an HTPC version of Launch Box along with some other features..
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:Was originally built as an attractive front-end for [[DOSBox]] but has since expanded to support both modern PC games and emulated console platforms. It comes with an integrated metadata scraper, and the interface is highly customizable, likely the most customizable alongside HyperSpin, but only with a license for the premium version. Premium also includes Big Box, which is an HTPC version of the frontend. Launchbox can also be launched natively from Kodi.
  
  
  
=Emulators included type=
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==Integrated emulator types==
These "frontends" have a graphical user interface and let you launch included emulators, it's not possible to use non-included emulators. They may or may not contain original emulator cores. If a program has mostly original cores, then it's called a [[Multi-system emulators|multi-system emulator]] and is not included here.
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These "frontends" have a graphical user interface that lets you launch emulators that are included with the system, meaning it's not possible (or very difficult) to incorporate other emulators. They may or may not contain original emulator cores. If a program has mostly original cores, then it's called a [[Multi-system emulators|multi-system emulator]] and is not included here.
  
 
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==Comparisons==
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===Comparisons===
;OpenEmu:
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;OpenEmu:A frontend for various emulators that runs under macOS.
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==Launcher mods==
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These programs aren't launchers themselves, but instead tools for changing other launchers.
  
=Add-ons to other programs=
 
 
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==Comparisons==
 
==Comparisons==
;Steam ROM Manager:
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;Steam ROM Manager:A tool that adds emulator launching capabilities to the Steam client.
  
  
  
=Specific frontends=
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==Project-specific Frontends==
  
 
==Libretro==
 
==Libretro==
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|{{✓}}
 
|{{✓}}
 
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===Comparison===
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;[[RetroArch]]
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:The flagship project for libretro, and the most widely available.
 +
  
 
==MAME==
 
==MAME==
MAME used to be command line only, but as of Feb 2016 they merged the frontend [https://dankan1890.github.io/mewui/ MEWUI] to be used as the default GUI. MEWUI is keyboard driven, if you prefer mouse driven or something else these are the alternatives.
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MAME was originally designed as a command line program. However, when the project relicensed as open source in February 2016, they merged the frontend [https://dankan1890.github.io/mewui/ MEWUI] into the main project as part of the MAME executable. MEWUI uses the ten-foot interface philosophy which accounts for large television displays where the user is expected to use a TV remote-like input device to navigate the menus. However, MAME still supports command line arguments, so many old launchers still work with newer versions.
  
 
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==Mednafen==
 
==Mednafen==
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Mednafen is a command line program with no graphical interface whatsoever. These programs generally ease the process of launching games, but doesn't address things like controller configuration which is done by pressing hotkeys in-game.
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==Others==
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===Others===
 
Mupen64
 
Mupen64
 +
 
Model 2
 
Model 2
 +
 
Model 3
 
Model 3
 +
 +
==See also==
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* [[Comparison of Emulator Frontends]]

Revision as of 00:29, 29 January 2020

Launcher types

These "Launchers" or "Executors" use their own graphical interface to start emulators. They're generally very adaptive and can support different arguments between emulators to ease integration. These frontends can be used with almost any emulator of your choosing, as long as they support command-line arguments.

Name Platform(s) Latest Version Active Recommended
PC / x86
LaunchBox Windows 10.0
Attract-Mode Windows Linux macOS 2.6.1 ?
Nostlan Windows Linux macOS 1.6.0 ?
Pegasus Windows Linux macOS Alpha 13 ?
RetroFE Windows Linux macOS 0.9.0 ?
Mobile / ARM
LaunchBox Android 0.33 ($)
Attract-Mode Linux ARM 2.6.1 ?
Pegasus Android Linux ARM Alpha 13 ?

Comparisons

LaunchBox
Was originally built as an attractive front-end for DOSBox but has since expanded to support both modern PC games and emulated console platforms. It comes with an integrated metadata scraper, and the interface is highly customizable, likely the most customizable alongside HyperSpin, but only with a license for the premium version. Premium also includes Big Box, which is an HTPC version of the frontend. Launchbox can also be launched natively from Kodi.


Integrated emulator types

These "frontends" have a graphical user interface that lets you launch emulators that are included with the system, meaning it's not possible (or very difficult) to incorporate other emulators. They may or may not contain original emulator cores. If a program has mostly original cores, then it's called a multi-system emulator and is not included here.

Name Platform(s) Latest Version Active Recommended
PC / x86
OpenEmu macOS 2.4.1
BizHawk Windows 2.9.1 ?
RetroPie Linux 4.5.1 ?
Mobile / ARM
RetroPie Linux ARM 4.5.1

Comparisons

OpenEmu
A frontend for various emulators that runs under macOS.


Launcher mods

These programs aren't launchers themselves, but instead tools for changing other launchers.

Name Platform(s) Latest Version Active Recommended
PC / x86
Steam ROM Manager Windows Linux macOS 2.2.22 ?
Ice Windows 1.0.0

Comparisons

Steam ROM Manager
A tool that adds emulator launching capabilities to the Steam client.


Project-specific Frontends

Libretro

Name Platform(s) Latest Version Active Recommended
PC / x86
RetroArch Windows Linux macOS Web 1.18.0
Ludo Windows Linux macOS 0.10.4 ?
Phoenix Windows Linux macOS 0.0.1 (pre-alpha)
Mobile / ARM
RetroArch Android iOS Linux ARM 1.18.0
Ludo Linux ARM 0.10.4 ?
Consoles
RetroArch Xbox Xbox One AppleTV Vita PSP PlayStation 2 1.18.0

Comparison

RetroArch
The flagship project for libretro, and the most widely available.


MAME

MAME was originally designed as a command line program. However, when the project relicensed as open source in February 2016, they merged the frontend MEWUI into the main project as part of the MAME executable. MEWUI uses the ten-foot interface philosophy which accounts for large television displays where the user is expected to use a TV remote-like input device to navigate the menus. However, MAME still supports command line arguments, so many old launchers still work with newer versions.

Name Platform(s) Latest Version Active Recommended
PC / x86
QMC2 Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.195 ?
MAMEUI64 Windows 0.264 ?
Negatron Windows Linux macOS 0.99.7 ?
Mobile / ARM

Mednafen

Mednafen is a command line program with no graphical interface whatsoever. These programs generally ease the process of launching games, but doesn't address things like controller configuration which is done by pressing hotkeys in-game.

Name Platform(s) Latest Version Active Recommended
PC / x86
Mednaffe Windows Linux 0.8.8
MedGui Reborn Windows 0.110 ?
MedLaunch Windows 0.5.25.3 ?
MedGui Windows 1.99999

Others

Mupen64

Model 2

Model 3

See also