Difference between pages "Mednafen" and "Sega Dreamcast emulators"

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{{Infobox
+
{{Infobox console
|image = Newlogo-1-.png
+
|title = Sega Dreamcast
|first = 0.9.36.2
+
|logo = DreamcastConsole.png
|second = Yes
+
|developer = [[:Sega]]
|third = Multi-platform
+
|type = [[:Category:Home consoles|Home video game console]]
|fourth = Ryphecha, Mednafen Team
+
|generation = [[:Category:Sixth-generation video game consoles|Sixth generation]]
|fifth = [http://mednafen.sourceforge.net SourceForge]
+
|release = 1998
|sixth = [http://sourceforge.net/projects/mednafen/files/latest/download?source=files SourceForge]}}
+
|discontinued = 2001
 +
|predecessor = [[Sega_Saturn_emulators|Sega Saturn]]
 +
|emulated = {{✓}}
 +
}}
  
'''Mednafen''' is a [[Multi-System Emulators|multi-system emulator]], driven from the command-line. Many of its cores are ports of other emulators, but many of them are also original. Its [[PlayStation emulators|PlayStation]] and [[PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16) emulators|PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16)]] original cores are notable for their high quality, compatibility and accuracy.
+
The '''[[wikipedia:Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]''' is a sixth-generation console released by [[wikipedia:Sega|Sega]] on November 27, 1998 in Japan and later on September 9, 1999 in NA. It retailed for {{Inflation|USD|199.99|1999}}. It had a Hitachi SH-4 RISC CPU at 200 MHz with 16 MB of RAM and 8 MB of VRAM. It had a PowerVR2 GPU at 100 MHz, which theoretically was capable of pushing 3 million polygons/second on-screen. There is a 2 MB audio RAM, which complemented a powerful 67 MHz Yamaha AICA sound processor, with a 32-bit ARM7 RISC CPU core. The audio chip could generate 64 voices with PCM or ADPCM codec and provided ten times the performance of the [[Sega Saturn emulators|Saturn's]] sound system.. Sega also released the '''[[Sega NAOMI and variants|Naomi]]''', an arcade system board with similar components to the Dreamcast. Sammy's '''[https://segaretro.org/Atomiswave Atomiswave]''' arcade board was also based on the Dreamcast and Naomi.
  
Mednafen is an acronym for "My Emulator Doesn't Need A Frickin' Excellent Name".<br />
+
Sega collaborated with Microsoft on the Dreamcast's development, and this partnership would continue later with the [[Xbox emulators|Xbox]]. What came out of this was the possibility for games to be developed for an optimized version of '''Windows CE''' (with DirectX) on each disc. However, Windows CE wasn't mandatory to use and most developers opted for Sega's development tools instead out of convenience. Even in major emulators, this aspect isn't implemented (or implemented well).
  
==Downloads==
+
==Emulators==
* [http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/releases/ Mednafen] Official releases.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
 
+
|-
==Supported systems==
+
! scope="col"|Name
{| class="wikitable"
+
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
 +
! scope="col"|Latest Version
 +
! scope="col"|[[libretro|Libretro Core]]
 +
! scope="col"|Naomi
 +
! scope="col"|Atomiswave
 +
! scope="col"|Windows CE
 +
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
 +
! scope="col"|Active
 +
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="10"|PC / x86
 +
|-
 +
|[[DEmul]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 +
|[http://demul.emulation64.com/downloads/ {{DEmulVer}}]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[redream]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 +
|[https://redream.io/download {{RedreamVer}}]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 +
|-
 +
|[[Flycast|Flycast]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 +
|[https://flyinghead.github.io/flycast-builds/ CI Builds]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
! scope="col"|System
+
|[[reicast]]
! scope="col"|Based on code from:
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 +
|[http://builds.reicast.com/ CI Builds]<small> (Not Working)</small><br/>[https://snapcraft.io/reicast r8.1]<small> (Snap Store)</small>
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Atari Lynx emulators|Atari Lynx]]
+
|[[nullDC]]
|Handy
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 +
|[http://www.emucr.com/2013/03/nulldc-svn-r150.html 1.0.4 r150]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Game Boy Advance emulators|Game Boy Advance]]
+
|[[Makaron]]
|[[VisualBoy Advance|VisualBoyAdvance]]
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 +
|[https://www.zophar.net/dreamcast/makaron.html T12/5]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Neo Geo Pocket emulators|Neo-Geo Pocket/Color]]
+
|[http://washemu.org/ WashingtonDC]
|[http://www.emuxhaven.net/ NeoPop]
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Linux}}
 +
|[https://github.com/washingtondc-emu/washingtondc git]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Nintendo Entertainment System emulators|Famicom (NES)]]
+
|[http://www.lxdream.org Lxdream]
|[http://freecode.com/projects/fceultra FCE Ultra]
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Linux|macOS}}
 +
|[http://www.lxdream.org/download.php 0.9.1]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Super Nintendo emulators|Super Famicom (SNES)]]
+
|[https://segaretro.org/Chankast Chankast]
|[[higan|bsnes]]
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 +
|[http://chanka.emulatronia.com/FrameSetDC_Down.htm 0.25]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Virtual Boy emulators|Nintendo Virtual Boy]]
+
|[[MAME]]
|Original. NEC V810 CPU core based on [http://www.goliathindustries.com/vb/ Reality Boy].
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 +
|[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16) emulators|PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16)]]
+
!colspan="10"|Mobile / ARM
|Original. CD-ROM interface based on [http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-Bay/9975/PC2E/english.html PC2E].
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[PC-FX emulators|PC-FX]]
+
|[[redream]]
|Original. NEC V810 CPU core based on [http://www.goliathindustries.com/vb/ Reality Boy].
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|LinuxARM}}
 +
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.recompiled.redream 1.1.98]<small> (Android)</small><br/>[https://redream.io/download 1.5.0]<small> (Raspberry Pi)</small>
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[PlayStation emulators|PlayStation]]
+
|[[Flycast]]
|Original.
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}
 +
|[https://flyinghead.github.io/flycast-builds CI Builds]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[WonderSwan emulators|WonderSwan/Color]]
+
|[[reicast]]
|Cygne
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|Pyra}}
 +
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.reicast.emulator r20.04]<small> (Android)</small></br>[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/122 Pyra Build]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Sega Genesis emulators|Mega Drive (Sega Genesis)]]
+
!colspan="10"|Console
|[[Genesis Plus GX|Genesis Plus]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Master System emulators|Sega Master System]] and [[Master System emulators|Game Gear]]
+
|[[Flycast]]
|[http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/smsplus.php SMS Plus]
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Switch}}
|}
+
|[https://flyinghead.github.io/flycast-builds CI Builds]
 
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
==Overview==
 
Mednafen only has a command line interface, so its interface might be hard to use to new users.
 
 
 
The best cores in Mednafen are those that are original - which are the PS1, PCE, PC-FX and Virtual Boy cores. The PCE core is one of the best emulators for that system, with a Fast and Accurate version. The PS1 core is native resolution only, and features high degree of accuracy and compatibility. The Virtual Boy core is one of the best for the system, although it does not attempt to reproduce the 3D.
 
 
 
Other cores improve upon emulators that have been long abandoned and rarely updated. These include the Neo-Geo Pocket, WonderSwan Color and Atari Lynx cores.
 
 
 
Other cores are less useful, as there are better options in stand-alone emulators (NES, Genesis, Master System and SNES). These cores might even be based on out-dated versions. For instance, the SNES core is based on an old outdated version of bSNES. This is before the performance/accuracy/balanced cores - 0.50x territory - with a couple of changes by Ryphecha.
 
 
 
It is unknown at this time whether Mednafen's GBA core is better than VBA-M.
 
 
 
[[RetroArch]] uses the PS1, PCE, Neo-Geo Pocket, Virtual Boy, and WonderSwan cores of Mednafen, so it might make sense to use that instead.
 
 
 
==Using Mednafen==
 
Mednafen is pretty easy to get up and running. You can use a frontend like medgui. However, a good text editor like [http://www.notepad-plus-plus.org/ Notepad++] is all you need if you need to change settings.
 
 
 
===BIOS===
 
Most cores do not require any BIOS except for the PS1, PCE-CD and PC-FX cores. [[Emulator_Files#Multi-System|BIOS files]] need to be placed into a folder called "firmware" in your Mednafen directory. Mednafen is very picky about which BIOS to use. The ones that you might need are:
 
 
 
'''PlayStation'''
 
*SCPH5500.bin - (NTSC-J) Required for Japan-region games.
 
*SCPH5501.bin - (NTSC-U) Required for North America/US-region games.
 
*SCPH5502.bin - (PAL) Required for Europe-region games.
 
 
 
'''PCE-CD'''
 
*syscard3.pce
 
 
 
'''PC-FX'''
 
*pcfx.rom
 
 
 
All of these come with the [[Emulator_Files#Multi-System|RetroArch BIOS pack]], and are correctly named.
 
 
 
===CUE===
 
For most systems, Mednafen only needs the rom file; but to load PS1 games, Mednafen requires CUE sheets to know where the music data is. Ensure that the CUE sheet is properly set up in order for the game to run. See the [[Cue sheet (.cue)]] page for more info.
 
 
 
===Loading a game===
 
To load a game in Mednafen, simply drag and drop your rom or CUE file onto mednafen.exe, or if you prefer, you can use the command line. Mednafen requires no special commands, such as the desired system. For example, in Windows, the command would look like C:/Emulators/Mednafen/mednafen.exe C:/Roms/Nintendo/battletoads.nes
 
 
 
===Dual Analog Controllers with PS1===
 
To enable analog sticks and rumble on DualShock controllers, open the mednafen-09x.cfg file, search for "psx.input.port1" and change gamepad to DualShock. Do this for port2 if you wish to play multiplayer games with the features of DualShock controllers.
 
 
 
===Configuring Controls===
 
Once in-game, to configure your controller at any time, press Alt+Shift+1 and it will guide you through the setup. Press Alt+Shift+2 and so on for each additional controller for multiplayer.
 
 
 
===Graphical Enhancements===
 
====Sprite Limit====
 
This is a feature on older systems, due to hardware limitations, that makes it only display so many sprites could be on screen at the same time. Most systems got around this limitation by alternating which sprites were on screen each refresh, causing the sprite to flicker. Mednafen's default settings are true to the original system limits,  but this can be disabled in the cfg file. Here is the list of options from the cfg file to change from 0 to 1 if you don't wish to have the limit.
 
 
 
*pcfx.rom
 
*nes.no8lim
 
*pce.nospritelimit
 
*pce_fast.nospritelimit
 
*pcfx.nospritelimit
 
 
 
===Cheats===
 
Mednafen supports the usual cheats such as GameShark, Code Breaker, and Action Replay. The cheats menu can be accessed with ALT+C.
 
 
 
===Further Reading===
 
http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/documentation/
 
 
 
==Issues==
 
===Mednafen memory cards===
 
To transfer memory cards, follow this guide. Also, in games with multiple discs with saves that carry over, you have to follow the same procedure.
 
 
 
[[Using RetroArch#Transfer_PS1_Memory_Card_Files]]
 
 
 
 
 
==Frontends==
 
===Medgui===
 
(Windows)
 
http://sourceforge.net/projects/medgui/
 
 
 
===MedGui Reborn===
 
(Windows)
 
[http://forum.fobby.net/index.php?t=msg&th=924&start=0& http://forum.fobby.net/index.php?t=msg&th=924&start=0&]
 
 
 
===Mednaffe===
 
(Multi-platform)
 
https://code.google.com/p/mednaffe/
 
 
 
==NetPlay==
 
Cores that work with NetPlay:
 
*PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16)/PC-CD/SuperGrafx (option for both accuracy and fast cores)
 
*PC-FX
 
*NES
 
*Genesis (experimental but mostly functional; 2 Players only)
 
*Master System
 
*SNES
 
*PlayStation
 
 
 
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable"
 
! colspan=2 width="250"|Review
 
 
|-
 
|-
| '''PROS''' ||
+
|[[nullDC PSP]]
*You can make and load savestates
+
|align=left|{{Icon|PSP}}
*Netcode allows for people to join a game that's already in session
+
|[https://github.com/PSP-Archive/nulldce-psp git] [https://archive.org/details/nullDC-PSP 1.2.1]
*In-game chat
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
*Playing it fullscreen works (sometimes)
 
 
|-
 
|-
| '''CONS''' ||
+
|nulldc-360
*Command-line only (you can use a frontend, though)
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox360}}
*Weird, convoluted settings (or lack thereof)
+
|[https://github.com/gligli/nulldc-360 git]
*SNES emulation will be slow to you if you're on a low-end computer (uses bsnes core)
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}}
*PlayStation is inexplicably slow (haven't checked to see what core it uses, but probably has one that's focused on accuracy)
 
*Only supports 2 Players on Genesis.
 
*Frontend doesn't always save settings correctly.
 
*Frontend defaults to detecting compressed ROM archives instead of the actual ROMs (you can still load uncompressed ROMs by selecting "All files *.*" from the dropdown menu).
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable"
+
===Comparisons===
! colspan=1 |How to
+
;[[DEmul]]: Has the highest compatibility and accuracy, but it' Windows-only and closed-source. It supports Windows CE games, but in general, they run worse than standard Dreamcast titles. It's also more resource-intensive than other emulators.
|-
+
;[[redream]]: Multi-platform and easy to use, but it's closed-source. Compatible with [https://redream.io/compatibility 90+% of the Dreamcast library] (Windows CE now supported), has a good user interface, is easy to set up, and can run without a BIOS. Runs on [https://youtu.be/rywLHa1i9yk?t=529 low-end machines] provided that they support OpenGL 3.1. There's a payware premium version that provides high-definition rendering.
|
 
It's recommended that you [http://sourceforge.net/projects/medgui/ download a frontend]
 
#Run MedGui.exe
 
#You'll get a small window. On your left, you'll see two arrow buttons with a console/handheld icon in between. Choose your desired platform.
 
#Click the button with the blue lightning icon and look for the folder that contains your game(s). The emulator looks for compressed archives by default, but you can still load uncompressed files by clicking on the drop down menu.
 
#Pick your game.
 
#Click the button with a checkered red ball and joystick to start the game.
 
#You'll then (very likely) get a message an update prompt. Click Yes, and wait.
 
#Start the game. If it asks you to update again, ignore it and restart the emulator.
 
#While the game is loaded, press ALT + SHIFT + 1 to map your controller. You'll get several options per button (for example, UP 1, UP 2, UP 3, etc.). Just map the first one to your controller, and the rest to a key you'll never press. You will have to repeat this step for every emulator core.
 
#Close the emulator.
 
#Click the arrow button on the right side of the window. It should expand it.
 
#Click Advanced Mode.
 
#Click the tab called Media/Network/Utility.
 
 
 
  
 +
;[[nullDC]]:  Can run a lot of games at great speed on mid-end PC and it's open-source, however, it's no longer developed and the more recent forks have improved upon it.
 +
:;[[reicast]]: Eventually, nullDC's author forked his own project into reicast, with the main objective to widen platform availability to smartphones and tablets. While wider availability is generally a good thing, this resulted in cutting accuracy corners from the nullDC codebase to achieve the speed goals necessary to run on these platforms. Advancements in mobile hardware should have led to the removal of such "hacks"; however lack of developer resources and interest led to long delays in Reicast development, and the codebase remained virtually untouched for years before the RetroArch team began working with it as part of a "Reicast core", later named Flycast.
 +
:;[[reicast#Libretro_core|Flycast]]: Fork of reicast available as a standalone emulator and as a [[libretro]] core. Libretro collaborators, primarily [https://github.com/flyinghead/reicast-emulator flyinghead], dramatically improved Reicast in areas such as graphics, input, system clock, and Dreamcast VMU. Atomiswave and NAOMI SH-4-based arcade systems have also been added to great fanfare<ref name="flycastnaomi">https://github.com/libretro/flycast/issues/136</ref>, along with support for MAME's popular CHD format. Even full MMU support, which is needed to run WinCE-based games such as "Armada", "Half-Life" and "SEGA Rally Championship 2", has recently been tackled through an experimental branch (anyone following Dreamcast emulation over the years understands what a tough nut this is to crack). Aside from some audio stuttering issues in games such as "Looney Toons Space Race" and "Resident Evil: Code Veronica", this is a highly compatible and accurate emulator.
  
 +
;[[Makaron]]: One of the only two closed-source Dreamcast emulators that can properly play Windows CE games.
  
 +
==Emulation issues==
 +
For the emulators that are either mature or maturing, a very large percentage of games work well, but some games still have problems and glitches.
  
 +
==VMU emulators==
 +
While some Dreamcast emulators can leverage the screen of the VMU while the game is running, none of them allow you to play the minigames developed for it. See the main page on VMU emulation [[Sega VMU emulators|here]].
  
 +
==Downloads==
 +
* [[Emulator_Files#Dreamcast|BIOS]]
  
'''For Hosting:'''
+
==References==
#In the Netplay-Server section, you have the following options:
+
<references />
#*"Max Clients", as in, the number of people that can connect to your server (not necessarily players; theoretically you can use this as a makeshift stream)
 
#*"Conn. Timeout" which is the number of seconds you'll allow for your clients to attempt establishing a connection
 
#*"Port" where you'll choose one an open TCP/UDP one
 
#*"Password" which you can establish or leave blank
 
#When you're done fiddling with your settings, click Create standard.conf
 
#Click Create Server. A cmd window will appear.
 
#Click My IP to obtain your external IP address, and share it along with your port to your friend(s).
 
#Launch the game.
 
#Press T, and type /server localhost.
 
#Wait for other people to connect.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
'''If you're Connecting:'''
 
#In the Netplay-Client section, you have the following options:
 
#*"Host", which is the server's IP you'll connect to
 
#*"Port, which is the one used by the server (which you should also have open on your end).
 
#*"Password", blank if there is none.
 
#*"Nickname" where you type whatever you want.
 
#*"Localplayer" is the number of players that will also be playing from one computer.
 
#*"Small font" which makes the chat font smaller.
 
#When you're done fiddling with your settings, launch the game.
 
#Press T, and type /server IP_goes_here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You can chat in-game by pressing T. Also, remember that you can drop in and out of the game at any time, so you don't need to reset the game if someone accidentally disconnects.
 
There are way too many settings, commands and features to list, so take a look at the emulator's documentation.
 
|}
 
  
==External links==
+
{{Sega}}
[http://fantasyanime.com/emuhelp/emuhelp_mednafen.htm Mednafen Tutorial]
 
  
[[Category:Emulators]]
+
[[Category:Consoles]]
[[Category:Multi-emulators]]
+
[[Category:Home consoles]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System emulators]]
+
[[Category:Sega consoles]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16 emulators]]
+
[[Category:Sega Dreamcast emulators|*]]
[[Category:Game Boy emulators]]
+
[[Category:Sixth-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance emulators]]
 
[[Category:NetPlay]]
 
[[Category:Windows emulation software]]
 
[[Category:Linux emulation software]]
 
[[Category:OS X emulation software]]
 

Revision as of 16:56, 21 September 2021

Sega Dreamcast
DreamcastConsole.png
Developer Sega
Type Home video game console
Generation Sixth generation
Release date 1998
Discontinued 2001
Predecessor Sega Saturn
Emulated

The Dreamcast is a sixth-generation console released by Sega on November 27, 1998 in Japan and later on September 9, 1999 in NA. It retailed for $199.99. It had a Hitachi SH-4 RISC CPU at 200 MHz with 16 MB of RAM and 8 MB of VRAM. It had a PowerVR2 GPU at 100 MHz, which theoretically was capable of pushing 3 million polygons/second on-screen. There is a 2 MB audio RAM, which complemented a powerful 67 MHz Yamaha AICA sound processor, with a 32-bit ARM7 RISC CPU core. The audio chip could generate 64 voices with PCM or ADPCM codec and provided ten times the performance of the Saturn's sound system.. Sega also released the Naomi, an arcade system board with similar components to the Dreamcast. Sammy's Atomiswave arcade board was also based on the Dreamcast and Naomi.

Sega collaborated with Microsoft on the Dreamcast's development, and this partnership would continue later with the Xbox. What came out of this was the possibility for games to be developed for an optimized version of Windows CE (with DirectX) on each disc. However, Windows CE wasn't mandatory to use and most developers opted for Sega's development tools instead out of convenience. Even in major emulators, this aspect isn't implemented (or implemented well).

Emulators

Name Platform(s) Latest Version Libretro Core Naomi Atomiswave Windows CE FLOSS Active Recommended
PC / x86
DEmul Windows 0.7 Build 280418
redream Windows Linux macOS 1.5.0 (Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi)
1.2.07 (Android)
Flycast Windows Linux macOS CI Builds
reicast Windows Linux CI Builds (Not Working)
r8.1 (Snap Store)
~
nullDC Windows 1.0.4 r150 ~
Makaron Windows T12/5 ~
WashingtonDC Linux git
Lxdream Linux macOS 0.9.1
Chankast Windows 0.25
MAME Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.264 ~ ~
Mobile / ARM
redream Android Linux ARM 1.1.98 (Android)
1.5.0 (Raspberry Pi)
Flycast Android iOS CI Builds ~ ~
reicast Android Dragonbox Pyra r20.04 (Android)
Pyra Build
~
Console
Flycast Switch CI Builds
nullDC PSP PSP git 1.2.1 ~
nulldc-360 Xbox 360 git ~

Comparisons

DEmul
Has the highest compatibility and accuracy, but it' Windows-only and closed-source. It supports Windows CE games, but in general, they run worse than standard Dreamcast titles. It's also more resource-intensive than other emulators.
redream
Multi-platform and easy to use, but it's closed-source. Compatible with 90+% of the Dreamcast library (Windows CE now supported), has a good user interface, is easy to set up, and can run without a BIOS. Runs on low-end machines provided that they support OpenGL 3.1. There's a payware premium version that provides high-definition rendering.
nullDC
Can run a lot of games at great speed on mid-end PC and it's open-source, however, it's no longer developed and the more recent forks have improved upon it.
reicast
Eventually, nullDC's author forked his own project into reicast, with the main objective to widen platform availability to smartphones and tablets. While wider availability is generally a good thing, this resulted in cutting accuracy corners from the nullDC codebase to achieve the speed goals necessary to run on these platforms. Advancements in mobile hardware should have led to the removal of such "hacks"; however lack of developer resources and interest led to long delays in Reicast development, and the codebase remained virtually untouched for years before the RetroArch team began working with it as part of a "Reicast core", later named Flycast.
Flycast
Fork of reicast available as a standalone emulator and as a libretro core. Libretro collaborators, primarily flyinghead, dramatically improved Reicast in areas such as graphics, input, system clock, and Dreamcast VMU. Atomiswave and NAOMI SH-4-based arcade systems have also been added to great fanfare[1], along with support for MAME's popular CHD format. Even full MMU support, which is needed to run WinCE-based games such as "Armada", "Half-Life" and "SEGA Rally Championship 2", has recently been tackled through an experimental branch (anyone following Dreamcast emulation over the years understands what a tough nut this is to crack). Aside from some audio stuttering issues in games such as "Looney Toons Space Race" and "Resident Evil: Code Veronica", this is a highly compatible and accurate emulator.
Makaron
One of the only two closed-source Dreamcast emulators that can properly play Windows CE games.

Emulation issues

For the emulators that are either mature or maturing, a very large percentage of games work well, but some games still have problems and glitches.

VMU emulators

While some Dreamcast emulators can leverage the screen of the VMU while the game is running, none of them allow you to play the minigames developed for it. See the main page on VMU emulation here.

Downloads

References

Dreamcast logo.png
Consoles: SG-1000Master SystemGenesis / Mega DriveCD32XPicoSaturnDreamcast
Handhelds: Game GearVMU / VMS
Arcade: System seriesModel 1Model 2Model 3NAOMI