Virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is a field of technology surrounding direct interactivity with virtual 3D environments. This is often achieved with a head-mounted display and some form of input tracking. Some new emulators and forks of established emulators have support for VR headsets. There are a lot of different ways the emulators use the features of VR headsets. A lot of them allow you to play the game on a big screen inside your headset. Some of them have a virtual game room where you can play on a CRT TV or arcade cabinet. Some of them allow you to play games in 3D, either by emulating the original experience of a native 3D system like Virtual Boy or by giving a new way to play a traditional 2D system like NES or GameCube in 3D.
Emulators with VR support
Name | Emulates | Operating System(s) | Latest version | Type | Headset(s) | Active | Recommended |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PC | |||||||
3DNes VR | Nintendo Entertainment System | Windows, macOS, Linux | 2.1 | Rotatable 3D-view | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, WindowsMR | ✓ | ✓ |
Dolphin VR | Nintendo GameCube, Wii & N64 VC | Windows | 5.0-250 | 360, SBS, cinema screen | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift | ✗ | ✓ |
VBjin-OVR | Nintendo Virtual Boy | Windows | 3.0 | Oculus Rift | ✗ | ✓ | |
PPSSPP VR | Sony PSP | Windows | 1.1.1 | 360 inside game | Oculus Rift | ✗ | ? |
RetroArch | Multi-system | Multi-platform | 1.19.1 | SBS ‡ | ? | ✓ | ? |
Mobile | |||||||
ePSXe | Sony PlayStation | Android | 2.0.10 ($) | Google Cardboard | ✓ | ? | |
FPse | Sony PlayStation | Android | 0.11.198 ($) | Oculus, GearVR, Google Cardboard, Homido, etc. | ✓ | ? | |
PPSSPP | Sony PSP | Android | 1.17.1 | Cinema screen | Google Cardboard | ✓ | ? |
RetroArch | Multi-system | Multi-platform | 1.19.1 | SBS ‡ | ? | ✓ | ? |
VR MAME | Arcade | Android | 1.0.1 | Cinema screen | Google Cardboard | ✗ | ? |
VR VICE | Commodore 64 | Android | 1.0.3 | Cinema screen | Google Cardboard | ✗ | ? |
Comparison
- 3D NES
- Play NES games with an unique 3D experience.
- Dolphin VR
- 3D Games can be played in Virtual Reality with accurate life-size scale, full FOV, a 3D HUD, independent aiming, and the ability to look around. 2D Games can be played on a life-size virtual screen at the correct angle, sometimes even in 3D.
VR game room simulations
A VR game room simulation provides a simulated game room; within that room is one or more classic consoles connected to ordinary 2d screens that the user can interact with as they would a real-life TV.
Name | Emulates | Operating System(s) | Latest version | Type | Headset(s) | Active | Recommended |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EmuVR | Multi-system | Windows | Beta | 90's game room | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, WMR | ✓ | ✓ |
New Retro Arcade: Neon | Multi-system | Windows | Steam ($) | 80's arcade | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift | ✓ | ✓ |
SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis Classics | Sega Genesis | Windows, macOS, Linux | Steam ($) | 90's game room | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift | ✓ | ✓ |
Comparison
- EmuVR
- Let's you play around in a virtual 90's gamers bedroom. Pick up games, connect cables and play them on your CRT TV. Uses RetroArch to run the games.
- New Retro Arcade Neon
- Virtual 80's/early 90's arcade. You can walk around, play arcade machines and other games. Uses libretro.
- SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis Classics
- Segas official emulator for Genesis games. Has a virtual 90's gamers bedroom. Look at game covers and play them on your CRT. Has mod support, it's possible to play your own ROMs and to play the official ROMs in other emulators.