PicoDrive: Difference between revisions

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==Review==
==Review==
PicoDrive is designed to run well on toasters like the GP2X, so it sacrifices a lot of accuracy for speed. It can emulate most Genesis and Sega CD games without any serious issues, but SMS emulation is somewhat buggy and Game Gear emulation is completely broken. 32X emulation works but is not as well developed as [[Kega Fusion]] or even [[GENS]] (you can find a list of incompatible games [https://docs.libretro.com/library/compatibility/32x here]), [[ares]] is another alternative for 32x emulation.
PicoDrive is designed to run well on toasters like the GP2X, so it sacrifices a lot of accuracy for speed. It can emulate most Genesis and Sega CD games without any serious issues, but SMS emulation is somewhat buggy and Game Gear emulation is completely broken. 32X emulation works but is not as well developed as [[Kega Fusion]] or even [[GENS]] (you can find a list of incompatible games [https://docs.libretro.com/library/compatibility/32x here]). [[ares]] is currently the best option for 32X emulation.
 
A more recent fork has appeared from irixxxx that has fixed several of the above issues. 32X accuracy has improved, and Game Gear is now fixed. It's also available as compiled Windows binaries without libretro.


It's recommended that you only use PicoDrive if your preferred device is too weak to run anything better, or if you absolutely need a 32X and Pico emulator that isn't Kega or [[MAME]]. However, consider that PicoDrive is the only core that emulates the 32X and Pico when using RetroArch.
It's recommended that you only use PicoDrive if your preferred device is too weak to run anything better, or if you absolutely need a 32X and Pico emulator that isn't Kega or [[MAME]]. However, consider that PicoDrive is the only core that emulates the 32X and Pico when using RetroArch.

Revision as of 18:19, 15 April 2025

PicoDrive
Developer(s) notaz
Latest version 2.05
Active No (main branch)
Yes (libretro core)
Platform(s) UIQ2
GP2X
PSP
Pandora
Gizmondo
Emulates Sega Master System
Game Gear
Genesis/Mega Drive
Sega CD
32X
Pico
Website notaz's Site
License Non-commercial Source-available
Source code GitHub irixxxx's fork

PicoDrive is a source-available Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive, Sega CD/Sega Mega CD, Sega 32X and Sega Pico emulator. It was originally developed for the UIQ2, before moving onto the GP2X, PSP, and other handheld devices.

Download

Main branch
Pandora GP2X PlayStation Portable Gizmondo Official releases
Severely outdated, libretro port recommended instead
Libretro (RetroArch) port
Windows macOS Linux PlayStation Portable PlayStation Vita
PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 Xbox One Xbox Series X/S
Nintendo GameCube Wii Wii U Nintendo 3DS Switch
Downloads page for RetroArch PicoDrive

Versions

The most actively developed version was for the GP2X, as well as being the best port, due to higher levels of optimization.

PicoDrive is also available as a libretro core for RetroArch.

Review

PicoDrive is designed to run well on toasters like the GP2X, so it sacrifices a lot of accuracy for speed. It can emulate most Genesis and Sega CD games without any serious issues, but SMS emulation is somewhat buggy and Game Gear emulation is completely broken. 32X emulation works but is not as well developed as Kega Fusion or even GENS (you can find a list of incompatible games here). ares is currently the best option for 32X emulation.

A more recent fork has appeared from irixxxx that has fixed several of the above issues. 32X accuracy has improved, and Game Gear is now fixed. It's also available as compiled Windows binaries without libretro.

It's recommended that you only use PicoDrive if your preferred device is too weak to run anything better, or if you absolutely need a 32X and Pico emulator that isn't Kega or MAME. However, consider that PicoDrive is the only core that emulates the 32X and Pico when using RetroArch.