RetroArch
Current version: | 0.9.9-wip3 |
---|---|
Active: | Yes |
OS: | Multiplatform |
Authors: | Squarepusher, themaister, others |
Official website: | http://www.libretro.org/ |
Source code: | Unknown |
RetroArch is an open source multi-system emulator that supports 13 different platforms. It's notable for it's use of "cores", or emulators ported to the abstract libretro system.
Contents
Downloads
Cores
System | Core | Version |
---|---|---|
SNES | bsnes | 0.92 Performance |
SNES | bsnes | 0.92 Balanced |
SNES | bsnes | 0.92 Accuracy |
SNES | Snes9x | |
SNES | Snes9x-Next | |
WonderSwan | Mednafen | 0928 |
PS1 | Mednafen | 0928 |
PC Engine | Mednafen | 0928 |
Neo-Geo Pocket | Mednafen | |
Virtual Boy | Mednafen | |
Atari 2600 | Stella | |
NES | bNES | |
NES | FCEU | |
NES | QuickNES | |
NES | Nestopia | 1.44 |
Game Boy/Color | Gambatte | |
GBA | VBA-Next | |
GBA | Meteor | 1.4 |
Genesis | Genplus GX | |
Arcade | ||
DOS | DOSBox |
Features
- Consistency across multiple systems.
- A "just works" functionality for the most part, with further configuration options available or soon to come.
- Custom resolution and refresh rate for output.
- Amazing shader support.
- Dynamic rate control for amazing sound even when it's run at a different rate than the video, such as vsync causes sometimes. Especially obvious with GBA.
- Basic fast forward, rewind, savestate, etc for if you're cheating scum and whatnot.
Using RetroArch
After downloading RetroArch, run 'retroarch-phoenix.exe' and then go to 'RetroArch > Update RetroArch' to start downloading emulation cores.
From there, click 'Check Version'. This checks if everything is up-to-date (you have to do this every time you use the updater). Double-click on a core to start downloading it.
Note: Some users experience a glitch where RetroArch update stops at 100% after downloading a core or update. If this happens close RetroArch, find the downloaded .zip file in RetroArch's directory and manually unzip the file.
To launch a game, select the emulator core you'd like to use under 'libretro core path', and the appropriate ROM under 'Normal ROM path'. Make sure that 'retroarch.exe' is selected under 'RetroArch path', and click 'Start RetroArch'.
If you are going to play in a system that needs a BIOS, there's a bit more setup required. First off, download these BIOS files. Now go to 'System > General' and change the 'System directory' to where ever you'd like and place the BIOS files in there.
In addition, systems like the PSX require you to load them through CUE sheets. Most rips come with these, but in case yours didn't, a template is shown:
FILE "GAME NAME [1] US.bin" BINARY TRACK 01 MODE1/2352 INDEX 01 00:00:00
Replace GAME NAME [1] US.bin with whatever your game's file name is, but keep the quotation marks. Load the .cue file in RetroArch under Normal ROM to start the game.
Shaders/Filters
RetroArch can use bsnes' XML .shader, CG pixel .cg, and .cgp for shaders. It can also use bsnes' .filter files for filters.
Guides and Info
How to use Super Game Boy ROMs on RetroArch:
Download these SGB-capable bsnes cores. Then download this, place it in the RetroArch folder, and rename it as "sgb.boot.rom". Now on RetroArch, under File > Special ROM, select a Super Game Boy ROM (they will all basically work) and a Game Boy ROM. Finally, under ROM type, select Super GameBoy, make sure you have the bsnes core you downloaded selected, and play.