Difference between pages "PlayStation emulators" and "Sega Genesis emulators"

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(Tags: Mobile edit, Mobile web edit)
 
(Further clarify licensing issues)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Infobox console
 
{{Infobox console
−
|title = PlayStation
+
|title = Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
−
|logo = sony-1.png
+
|logo = RS39200_Megadrive.png
−
|developer = [[:Sony]]
+
|image = Sega-Genesis-Mk2-6button.jpg
 +
|image2 = Sega-Nomad-Front.jpg
 +
|imagecaption = '''Top:''' PAL Sega Mega Drive.<br/>'''Middle:''' Sega Genesis Model 2 with 6-button controller.<br/>'''Bottom:''' Sega Genesis Nomad, portable variation.
 +
|developer = [[:Sega]]
 
|type = [[:Category:Home consoles|Home video game console]]
 
|type = [[:Category:Home consoles|Home video game console]]
−
|generation = [[:Category:Fifth-generation_video_game_consoles|Fifth generation]]
+
|generation = [[:Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles|Fourth generation]]
−
|release = 1994
+
|release = 1988
−
|discontinued = 2006
+
|discontinued = 1997
−
|successor = [[PlayStation 2 emulators|PlayStation 2]]
+
|predecessor = [[Master System emulators|Master System]]
 +
|successor = [[Sega Saturn emulators|Saturn]]
 
|emulated = {{✓}}
 
|emulated = {{✓}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
The '''[[gametech:Sega_Genesis|Sega Genesis]]''' is a 16-bit, fourth-generation console released by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega Sega] in Japan on October 29, 1988 and in the US on August 14, 1989. It had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 7.6 MHz and a Zilog Z80 at 3.58 MHz. In other regions, it was known as the '''Mega Drive'''. It had several add-ons, including the Sega CD (a CD add-on, called Mega CD outside America) and the 32X (a 32-bit, cartridge-based add-on). 
  
−
The '''[[wikipedia:PlayStation_(console)|PlayStation]]''' (frequently referred to in shorthand as the '''PS1''') is a fifth generation console released by [[wikipedia:Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment]] on December 3, 1994 in Japan and September 9, 1995 in the US. It was retailed for {{Inflation|USD|299.99|1995}}. It had a R3000 CPU (which was used by NASA for a space craft to take pictures of Mars because of it's reliablity) at 33.8688 MHz with 2MB of RAM and 1MB of VRAM. It used a proprietary MDEC video compression unit, which is integrated into the CPU, allowing for playback of full motion video at a higher quality than other consoles of its generation. It actually had better stereo sound that other stereos at that time.
+
The Sega CD was released on October 15, 1992 and retailed for {{Inflation|USD|299.99|1992}} and had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 12.5 MHz and 64 kbit of RAM. The Sega 32X was released on November 21, 1994 for {{Inflation|USD|159.99|1994}}. It had 2 SH-2 RISC CPUs at 23 MHz with 256KB of RAM and 256KB of VRAM.
  
−
It was a commercial success, partly due to being relatively easy to program for compared to others at the time and because its CD-based media was cheaper than the competition.
+
Genesis emulation is very good, with a high degree of game compatibility (many of them claiming nearly 100% compatibility with commercial games, including Virtua Racing). They are available on many platforms. Many Genesis emulators also feature compatibility with the [[Master System emulators|Sega Master System]] (SMS), and the [[Master System emulators|Game Gear]] (GG) as well as earlier Sega consoles. Genesis-based arcade boards and the [[Sega Pico]] are still sketchy, however.
  
−
__TOC__
 
 
==Emulators==
 
==Emulators==
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
−
|-
 
 
! scope="col"|Name
 
! scope="col"|Name
 
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
 
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
−
! scope="col"|Version
+
! scope="col"|Latest Version
−
! scope="col"|Plugins
+
! scope="col"|CD
−
! scope="col"|[[libretro|Libretro Core]]
+
! scope="col"|32X
−
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Resizable Internal Resolution">RIR</abbr>
+
! scope="col"|[[Sega Pico|Pico]]
−
! scope="col"|[[Emulation Accuracy|Accuracy]]
+
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
 
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
 
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
 
! scope="col"|Active
 
! scope="col"|Active
 
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="10"|PC / x86
+
!colspan="10"|PC
 +
|-
 +
|[[BlastEm]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 +
|[https://www.retrodev.com/blastem/changes.html {{BlastEmVer}}]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[DuckStation]]
+
|[[Exodus]]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|Mac}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
−
|[https://github.com/stenzek/duckstation git]
+
|[http://www.exodusemulator.com/index.php/downloads/current-release {{ExodusVer}}]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|High
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Mednafen]]
+
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
−
|[{{MednafenURL|releases/}} {{MednafenVer}}]
+
|{{GenPlusGXVer}}
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}* ||{{{✗}} <ref group=N name=noncomm>While the source is available, its software license explicitly forbids commercial usage of any kind. Thus, it does not qualiy as Free (see the Free Software Foundation [https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html#selling definition]), nor as Open source (see the Open Source Initiative [https://opensource.org/osd definition]).</ref> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|<abbr title="Exclusive to Libretro, but comes with significant slowdown.">{{✓}}</abbr>
 
−
|High
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[XEBRA]]
+
|[[BizHawk]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
−
|[http://drhell.web.fc2.com/ps1/ {{XebraVer}}]
+
|[http://tasvideos.org/BizHawk/ReleaseHistory.html {{BizHawkVer}}]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|High
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[PCSX-Reloaded|PCSX-R-PGXP]]
 
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 
−
|[http://ngemu.com/threads/pcsxr-pgxp.186369/ PGXP build] ([https://github.com/iCatButler/pcsxr git])
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|[[Recommended_PS1_Plugins|Plugin dependent]]
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[PCSX-Reloaded|PCSX-R]]
+
|[[Kega Fusion]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
−
|[http://www.emucr.com/2019/03/pcsx-reloaded-git-20190307.html Windows]<br/>[http://consoleemu.com/emulator/pcsx-reloaded macOS]
+
|[http://www.carpeludum.com/kega-fusion 3.64]
−
|{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|[[Recommended_PS1_Plugins|Plugin dependent]]
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[ePSXe]]
+
|[[PicoDrive]]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
−
|[http://www.epsxe.com/download.php {{EpsxeVer}}]
+
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]
−
|{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref group=N name=PicoDrive>Only recommended for running 32X software as a cross-platform alternative to Kega Fusion.</ref>
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|[[Recommended_PS1_Plugins|Plugin dependent]]
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|-
 
−
|PSXACT
 
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 
−
|[https://gitlab.com/beannaich/psxact git]
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|High
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Rustation]]
+
|[[FinalBurn Neo]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
−
|[http://github.com/simias/rustation git]
+
|[https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo/releases/latest Stable] [https://ci.appveyor.com/project/tmaul/fbneo-kbhgd/branch/master WIP builds]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|High
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Avocado]]
 
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 
−
|[https://github.com/JaCzekanski/Avocado git]
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[pSX]]
 
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 
−
|[http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/psx/psx_em.html 1.13]
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[No$|NO$PSX]]
 
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 
−
|[http://problemkaputt.de/psx.htm 2.0]
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|-
 
−
|[https://sourceforge.net/projects/hpsx64/ hpsx64]
 
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 
−
|[https://sourceforge.net/projects/hpsx64/files/Source/ {{hpsx64Ver}}] ([http://www.emucr.com/search/label/hpsx64?&max-results=16 Alt])
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[MAME]]
 
|[[MAME]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]
 
|[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Connectix VGS
+
|[http://segaretro.org/Gens/GS Gens/GS]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|macOS}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
−
|1.4.1
+
|[http://www.dusers.drexel.edu/gitweb/gitweb.cgi/~korth/gens.git r7]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|?
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Bleem!]]
+
|[http://dgen.sourceforge.net/ DGen]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
−
|1.6b
+
|[http://sourceforge.net/projects/dgen/files/dgen/ 1.33]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✗}}
+
|-
−
|{{✗}}
+
|[[Genecyst]]
−
|Low-Mid
+
|align=left|{{Icon|DOS}}
−
|{{✗}}
+
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070205202050/http://www.zophar.net/genecyst/gcystxxx.zip x.xx]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|SSSPSX
+
|[[GENS]]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|BeOS}}
−
|[http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/psx/ssspsx.html 0.0.34]
+
|[http://gens.me/downloads.shtml 2.14]
−
|{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|[[Recommended_PS1_Plugins|Plugin dependent]]
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Rustation NG
+
|[[higan]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
−
|[https://gitlab.com/flio/rustation-ng git]
+
|[https://github.com/higan-emu/higan/releases {{higanVer}}]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}<small>(bsnes)</small> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|?
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|PCSX-Redux
+
|Megado
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
−
|[https://github.com/grumpycoders/pcsx-redux git]
+
|[https://github.com/merwaaan/megado git]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|?
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="10"|Mobile / ARM
+
|Regen
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 +
|[http://aamirm.hacking-cult.org/www/regen.html 0.972]
 +
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[DuckStation]]
+
|AloneMD
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
−
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.stenzek.duckstation 0.1]
+
|[https://up1.xwikisas.com/#650YS5cXMSc7sGflY1dqeg 1.0.0]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||?
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|High
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Avocado
+
!colspan="10"|Mobile / ARM
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
 
−
|[https://github.com/JaCzekanski/Avocado git]
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Mednafen]]<ref group=N name=libretro>Only available on mobile as a libretro core (e.g. [[RetroArch]]).</ref><ref group=N>Needs a high-end phone/tablet to run at full speed.</ref>
+
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Linux|Pandora}}
−
|[{{MednafenURL|releases/}} {{MednafenVer}}]
+
|{{GenPlusGXVer}}
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|High
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|PCSX-ReARMed<ref group=N name=libretro/>
+
|MD emu
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Lin}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|Pyra}}
−
|[https://docs.libretro.com/library/pcsx_rearmed/#external-links r22]
+
|[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/77 1.5.46.01 Pyra]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[ePSXe]]<ref group=N name=payware>Payware, recommended that you use patched versions.</ref>
+
|[[PicoDrive]]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Linux|Symbian}}
−
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epsxe.ePSXe {{EpsxeAndroidVer}}]
+
{{Icon|Pandora|Gizmondo|GP2X|Wiz}}
−
|{{✓}}
+
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}<ref group=N name=PicoDrive />
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[http://www.fpsece.net/faq.html FPse]<ref group=N name=payware />
+
!colspan="10"|Consoles
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
 
−
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emulator.fpse {{FpseAndroidVer}}]
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[XEBRA]]
+
|NeoGenesis
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox}}
−
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dokutajigokusai.xebra {{XebraAndroidVer}}]
+
|[https://digiex.net/threads/neogenesis-v25-download-sega-genesis-megadrive-32x-segacd-megacd-emulator.13698 V25]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|High
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="10"|Console
+
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|GCN|Xbox360|Wii|3DS}}
 +
|[https://bitbucket.org/eke/genesis-plus-gx/downloads {{GenPlusGXVer}}]<br/>[https://digiex.net/threads/retroarch-360-0-9-8-3-download-sega-sens-gameboy-finalburn-emulator-for-xbox-360.12395 RetroArch 360 0.9.8.3]
 +
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Official Sony Emulators]]<br />(POPS)
+
|[[PicoDrive]]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|PS2|PSP}}<br>{{Icon|PS3|PSV}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|PS2|PSP|3DS}}
−
|r13 (PS2)<br />6.60 (PSP)<br />4.82 (PS3)<br />2.60 (PSVita)
+
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]<br/>[https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=99&t=1710 PicoDrive 1.51b]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <ref group=N name=noncomm /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|Mid-High
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|PCSX-ReARMed<ref group=N name=libretro/>
+
|[[Virtual Console]]
−
|align=left|{{Icon|PSV|3DS|Switch}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Wii}}
−
|[https://docs.libretro.com/library/pcsx_rearmed/#external-links r22]
+
|N/A
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|Mid
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
−
|{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Bleem!|Bleemcast]]
+
|Sega Genesis Plus
−
|align=left|{{Icon|DC}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox360}}
−
|?
+
|[https://digiex.net/threads/sega-genesis-plus-libexnon-genesis-megadrive-emulator-for-xbox-360-download.9936 Libxenon]
−
|{{✗}}
+
|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|Low-Mid
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|-
 
−
|[https://code.google.com/p/pcsxgc/downloads/list WiiSX]
 
−
|align=left|{{Icon|Wii|NGC}}
 
−
|2.1 beta
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|Low
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
−
|{{✗}}
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
<references group=N />
 
<references group=N />
 +
 +
<nowiki>* Available exclusively as a libretro core</nowiki>
  
 
===Comparisons===
 
===Comparisons===
−
====PC====
+
;[[Genesis Plus GX]]:A solid emulator for the Sega Genesis / Sega Master System / Sega CD / Game Gear. The only things it lacks are 32X and Pico support, and a native desktop port. The only way to get this emulator on the desktop is to use the libretro core, which allows for all the benefits of RetroArch like shaders, dynamic sync, and other enhancements. The version used in [[BizHawk]] adds features for speedrunners.
−
* [[Mednafen]]'s PlayStation emulation is focused on [[Emulation Accuracy|accuracy]], which makes it very compatible, and it's been known to outperform Sony's official PSone emulator in accuracy tests. <!-- Do note if you find an exception, though. --> However, there are a few small hurdles to using it; it requires a very specific BIOS for each region, and the program itself interfaces from the terminal/command-line only; it has no GUI. You can still drag-and-drop cue files on the executable to load games, and the program logs errors to a text file called <code>stdout</code> whenever a crash happens. There are external GUI launchers available like Mednaffe. Both [[RetroArch]] and [[BizHawk]] have cores based on this emulator, and they're easier to use because they have frontends.
+
:;[https://github.com/libretro/Genesis-Plus-GX-Wide Genesis Plus GX Wide]: Custom fork of Genesis Plus GX available as a libretro core, it includes experimental widescreen options. Sega CD/Mega CD games are currently unsupported.
−
** Beetle PSX is the name of the RetroArch fork of Mednafen's PS1 emulation. It has several experimental modifications and enhancements that aren't present in the standalone version, including a widescreen hack, CPU overclocking for smoother framerates, and increasing the internal resolution up to 8x. Increasing the resolution carries a ''heavy'' performance cost, however, since graphics are rendered in software; an alternative core exists for hardware rendering. In [https://www.libretro.com/index.php/beetle-psx-dynarec-accurate-playstation1-emulation-is-about-to-get-a-lot-faster/ late 2019, a dynarec was in development], which makes PS1 games run much faster, & therefore better on systems such as mid range mobile phones, game consoles, older PCs, etc. This also raises the potential for CPU overclocking and runahead latency reduction, both of which use a lot of CPU resources.
+
;[[Kega Fusion]]:The project of an employee with previous experience at Sega. Kega Fusion has high compatibility, is easy to use and has plugin-based filter support but it has some issues on newer versions of Windows which can be solved with compatibility settings.
−
::- [https://www.maketecheasier.com/retroarch-ps1-emulation/ How to Set Up RetroArch PS1 Emulation to Play PlayStation Games] (Nov 26, 2018. Makes use of Beetle PSX HW.)
+
;[[PicoDrive]]:Strongly prioritizes performance over accuracy. Compatibility and accuracy isn't as good as Genesis Plus GX but it's useful on very underpowered systems like the Raspberry Pi Zero. Currently the first and only cross-platform option for 32X and Pico games.
−
 
+
;[[Exodus]]:Think [[bsnes]], but for the Genesis. Even though higan is also getting into the Genesis game, Exodus has already achieved cycle-accuracy at the familiar cost of high system requirements. It is the newest Genesis emulator and is far from complete.
−
* [[DuckStation]] is focusing on playability, speed, and long-term maintainability. The goal is to be as accurate as possible while maintaining performance suitable for low-end devices. "Hack" options are discouraged, the default configuration should support all playable games with only some of the enhancements having compatibility issues. GUI is similar to that of the Dolphin emulator. Support .CHD file format. Has a Libretro core which is also Retroachievements compatible. An Android version has been started, but is not yet feature complete. Hardware (D3D11, OpenGL, Vulkan) and software rendering. Upscaling, texture filtering, and true colour (24-bit) in hardware renderers. PGXP for geometry precision and texture correction. And much more.  
+
;[http://aamirm.hacking-cult.org/www/regen.html Regen]:A focus on accuracy has earned it high compatibility with games, but it does not emulate the Sega CD and 32X. It also allows [[overclocking]].
−
 
+
;[[BlastEm]]:Aims for cycle-accuracy but unlike Exodus, aims for lower system requirements. It has substantially higher compatibility than Exodus, but it should be noted that the last and current official release has inaccurate color emulation.
−
* [[PCSX-Reloaded|PCSX-R]] is an open-source [[Recommended_PS1_Plugins|plugin]]-based emulator. The main reason to use this over Mednafen is that its internal resolution can be raised with little to no performance hits.
+
;[[GENS]]:Close to Kega Fusion in features and compatibility, but has largely been surpassed by better emulators. There are many different forks and iterations of Gens, so your experience will differ quite a lot depending on which version you use.
−
** '''PGXP''' is a fork of PCSX-R that adds texture correction, polygon wobble reduction, and polygon culling reduction. It also adds CPU overclocking and allows a hack that was originally disabled in PCSX-R.
+
;[[higan]]:Also developing cycle-accurate Genesis emulation, akin to its very own [[Super Nintendo emulators|SNES emulator]] bsnes. It's promising but incomplete. However, it can be used in the latest builds.
−
** PCSX-ReARMed is an ARM port of PCSX-R, sharing a similar core, but optimized for portable handheld devices. The biggest draw is its NEON software renderer, which is both fast and accurate and has the ability to render at higher resolutions without resorting to HLE plugins.
+
;[[MAME]]:Has the parent drivers <code style="color:green">genesis</code>, <code style="color:green">sms</code>, <code style="color:green">gamegear</code>, <code style="color:darkred">segacd</code>, and <code style="color:darkred">32x</code>. Green drivers are reported as OK, where red ones are reported as not working as of version 0.200.
−
 
 
−
* [[ePSXe]] is a fairly standard [[Recommended_PS1_Plugins|plugin]]-based emulator like PCSX-R, and as such the accuracy is typically about the same between the two. Its closed-source nature has had it constantly lagging behind in features, which is why it's not recommended. <small>A developer had also edited the [[PS1 Tests]] page in preparation for version 2.0.0, representing a conflict of interest.</small> Since version 1.8.0, ePSXe has also been commercially available on Android, but it's also not recommended.
 
−
 
 
−
* [[XEBRA]] is an emulator made in Japan that has high compatibility.  The UI is in English, however, since it's not the developer's first language some of the naming conventions may seem weird compared to other emulators (for example the BIOS are instead referred to as OSROM). Luckily there is a [https://www.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/9a4mwk/xebra_guide_ps1_emulator/ guide] that helps explains how each option works. Games that require subchannel data are not supported, but most other games run flawlessly.
 
−
 
 
−
* [[No$|NO$PSX]] has two versions, but standard users will want to use the cut-down gaming version. Made in the same style as [[No$|NO$GBA]], where it handles the PocketStation, it offers decent compatibility with very low spec requirements – the programmer's philosophy is to deliver a working application out of the box.
 
−
 
 
−
* [[PSX]]fin is a simpler emulator with a lot of compatibility issues,<ref name="psXcompat">http://psx.silvanthalas.com/psx.html</ref> especially when using different BIOS'. Development has been halted and it remains closed-source. It's really only useful for very old toasters.
 
−
 
 
−
* [[Avocado]] is one of the few open-source PS1 emulators that does not require a plugin-based system and is still being actively developed.
 
−
 
 
−
* [[MAME]] is a very broad emulator known to support thousands of systems. It has a focus for accuracy, much like Mednafen, but when it comes to the "Sony PlayStation" driver (<code>psj</code>), the developers still call it "preliminary", and have marked it as "Not Working". It can boot to the BIOS and launch games, but much like they say, you can expect bugs, especially between hardware revisions. The MAME project as a whole remains active, but don't expect it to work any time soon.
 
−
 
 
−
* [[PCSX2]] is a PlayStation 2 emulator, but emulation of a hardware feature has been merged into the main project that allows the same backward compatibility with PS1 games. However, one thing to note is that backward compatibility in the original PS2 hardware didn't cover all games in the PS1 library, and these limitations still extend to PCSX2's emulation.
 
−
 
 
−
====Consoles====
 
−
* POPS (short for PlayStation On PSP System) is Sony's official PSone Classics emulator for their PlayStation Store releases. It utilizes [[PSP Eboots|EBOOTs]], a form of binary file for PSP, instead of bin/cue disc dumps, which can be made using a converter if desired. Compatibility is very high due to similar hardware design; although the GPU is emulated, the CPU is close to the PS1 and would naturally speed up performance on its own. It includes support for multi-disc games (within the one EBOOT). Only the native PS1 resolution is supported, with games being stretched to fit the screen as the user wishes.
 
−
 
 
−
* PCSX-ReARMed is only available on mobile as a libretro core (e.g. RetroArch). It is available to run on various handheld consoles with fairly strong specs like the Sony PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch. This emulator in the libretro build initially used the P.E.Op.S. graphics plugin (reasonably accurate, but slow) in mid-2010's to 2019; now it uses a port of PCSX4ALL's Unai renderer, which is less accurate, but much faster (eg. 10-20fps faster). The CHD compression format, that shrinks disc images into more manageable sizes, has been enabled on this emulator on 3DS, and these images will load and run much faster than '.bin/.cue' files - greatly reducing framerate dips, i.e. in FMVs & loading zones.
 
−
 
 
−
* PS2PSXe is an unofficial PS1 emulator for the PS2. However, compatibility is very low. Double disc swapping (using the same method as a real PS1) is required for PS2s with model numbers SCPH-100xx - SCPH-390xx.
 
−
 
 
−
* The PlayStation 3 has a built-in software emulator with very high compatibility, which is used for PSone Classics releases on the PlayStation Store as well as for handling PlayStation discs.
 
−
 
 
−
* WiiSX is a port of PCSX to the Wii. Compatibility is fairly low due to the weak power of the Wii and the differing hardware designs that make PowerPC requirements a little stronger. It's generally not worth using since it doesn't get updated.
 
−
 
 
−
==Emulation issues==
 
−
===Rendering Quirks===
 
−
[[File:Cheryl_compared.png|thumb|left|300px|'''Left''': Native resolution and unblended dithering.<br/>'''Right''': Higher internal resolution and no dithering.]]
 
−
[[File:Ps1_jitter.gif|thumb|Jittering in games can stick out more when using higher internal resolutions. <small>This full-color GIF may require you to view its page to see the animation.</small>]]
 
−
The PlayStation takes shortcuts when rendering as a result of making most of the hardware available, and this can cause some quirks that become even more noticeable when the internal resolution increases.
 
−
 
 
−
Polygons may jitter as a result of low-precision fixed-point (to the native resolution) math, but this is mostly unnoticeable at native resolutions. Emulators that have the ability to increase the internal resolution have attempted to fix this.
 
  
−
There is no [[wikipedia:Z-buffering|z-buffer]] in the hardware. This can cause things like polygons to pop over others; the limbs on Tekken characters are a good example of this. It is theoretically possible to implement this, but it wouldn't be accurate to the hardware.<ref name="forum.emu-russia">{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&u=http://forum.emu-russia.net/viewtopic.php?p=17237|title=Plugin info, news. / Information about the plugin, news. (gpuBladeSoft discussion) |publisher=forum.emu-russia|accessdate=2018-04-03|date=2011-09-16}}</ref>
+
==Lock-On Emulation==
 +
Lock-On Technology is a unique feature found on Sonic & Knuckles cartridges for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that allowed a player to connect an older game to the cartridge's pass-through port for extended or altered gameplay.
  
−
When perspective correction isn't applied to textures, certain viewing angles can make them distorted, more so when an object is near the edge of the camera up close. ''Tenchu: Stealth Assassins'' is particularly infamous for texture distortion, most noticeably in the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oBeO-cui_c training level] where floor textures appear wavy at oblique angles; developers typically mitigate this by adding polygons to walls, floors, and other scenery, though at the cost of filling the PlayStation's geometry rate. This has been solved in at least one emulator.
+
* With Sonic 3: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 3 with more levels.
 +
* With Sonic 2: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 2 with playable Knuckles.
 +
* With Sonic 1: Unlocks the Blue Sphere minigame with a level select to all possible levels.
  
−
Many PlayStation games dither to varying degrees due to having a low color depth. On most TVs, this dithering would blend in order to make new colors and smooth gradients. Plugin-based emulators usually have graphical plugins that use a 32-bit color depth, which removes dithering, while software-rendered plugins and emulators tend to retain it. While higher color depth can be considered an enhancement, since it results in less noise and smooth gradients, some think of dithering as seen on real hardware as added shading and texture, especially on untextured polygons. The emulators that use software rendering and can increase the internal resolution are capable of retaining dithering for the shading and texturing aspect, and it's made more subtle by shrinking the artifacts.
+
The Sonic & Knuckles cartridge can lock on to other cartridges:
  
−
===Less-notable games using special peripherals===
+
* Smaller than 2MB: Will play a single random level from the Blue Sphere minigame generated from data in the header.
−
ZXE-D: Legend of Plasmalite requires the use of a special peripheral to play the game. It is a robot that has connectable parts and plugs into the memory card slot, which is then replicated in the game. No emulator has ever focused on it, probably due to a number of reasons:
+
* Bigger than 2MB: Will boot to Sonic & Knuckles.
 +
* Has Battery Pack: All save data will be wiped out.
  
−
*It's not a common game.
+
Most emulators don't support Lock-On save for Genesis Plus GX, but there are pre-combined ROMs for the Sonic trilogy available online that can be played as a regular Megadrive ROM on any emulator and still work. The Sonic 3 Complete romhack also achieves the same purpose.
−
*No third-party controller and memory card connector has gotten support by emulators the same way that Nintendo's official GameCube controller adapter has.
 
−
*To emulate this purely in software means it has to be reverse engineered, which can take a bit of time.
 
  
−
===CD format===
+
Genesis Plus GX's [[RetroArch]] core includes true Lock-On emulation. From the Core Options menu, you can enable the Lock-On feature for either Sonic & Knuckles, Game Genie, or the Action Replay (Pro) -- the latter two using a different technology but with similar effects. Setting this option to anything other than "Off" will enable Lock-on to the cartridge you're currently playing as. After resetting, the game will boot in Lock-On mode.
−
PS1 games use the CD-ROM XA (eXtended Architecture) format which is based on CDi and allows developers to use both CD-ROM and CD-DA (audio) tracks on the same disc.<ref name="PSX_CD-DA_CDs">[https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_games_with_CD_audio_tracks.html List of PlayStation games with CD-DA] (From deprecated Wikipedia article - dated 11/27/2016)</ref>
 
  
−
Certain image formats and CD dumping methods don't support this format correctly and end up with the CD-DA tracks missing or corrupted, hence no audio. The ISO format in particular only stores the content of a CD-ROM filesystem and cannot store CD-DA tracks at all so it's generally a very bad idea to use ISO for PS1 games (even though it should work for games which are single track). Even running an ISO file based on a PS1 game (i.e. ''Ridge Racer, Tomb Raider 1-2'') with CD-DA audio may often cause an emulator such as '''ePSXe''' and other peers to freeze and/or hang up, especially during loading of a saved data or in-game levels and transactions.
+
The following files need to be under the directory for BIOS files (usually "system"):
−
* However, a mounted image (Using '''Daemon Tools'''), running from a CD-ROM or using the '''Mooby2''' plugin can solve these CD-DA problems. The mds/mdf format is good for backing up the CD-DA audio-equipped PS1 games, although the best Image format for any PS1 game is the cue/bin format, the reason being that almost all of the burning programs can read it and the relevant patching programs (i.e. '''PPF-O-Matic''') are designed for that format. '''Clone CD''' images in img/ccd format provide another ideal option as it has virtually the same structure as cue/bin format (The img file is the same data as a bin file at the hex level), although the available burning programs are largely not able to read Clone CD's format. '''ISObuster''' and '''ImgBurn''' are good tools for some of the aforementioned notes.<ref name="ECM-APE_Guide">{{cite web|url=https://www.epforums.org/showthread.php?57757-ECM-And-APE-Guide|title=ECM And APE Guide |publisher=www.epforums.org|accessdate=2018-Oct-05|date=2011-Feb-16; Last edited: 2017-Jan-15}}</ref>
+
* sk.bin (Sonic & Knuckles (2 MiB) ROM)
 +
* sk2chip.bin (Sonic & Knuckles UPMEM (256 KiB) ROM): If you can't find it online, extract it with a hex editor from a pre-combined Sonic 2 & Knuckles ROM from offset 00300000 to the end of the ROM.
  
−
* The European regional versions of many PS1 games tended to have a copy protection embedded, so they could cause problems with backing up images in that these game backups could cause hangs or show a black screen infinitely in a typical emulator. A basic way to avoid that problem is to try the US regional versions. Another way is to patch it using a .sbi file which contains the protection information needed to run the game.
+
For GG/AR, the files needed are areplay.bin and ggenie.bin, but most emulators support cheat codes from these natively.
−
::The perfect solution possible, at least for the '''ePSXe''' emulator (and perhaps other similar plugins-based emulators) would be (No virtual drive mounting needed):
 
−
::1. Use '''Mooby2 2.8''' cdrom plugin, uncheck 'subchannel reading' in the settings of that plugin.
 
−
::(Just in case: also make sure 'repeat all cdda' is checked, and 'cdda volume' is set to something like 50 or 60. Or else you won't hear anything.)
 
−
::2. Launch the game with File -> Run CDrom (browse, find and select your cd image as the window pops up.)
 
−
::Recommended to use '''Eternal 1.41''' sound plugin with default settings along with this. '''SaPu''' CDRom Plugin v.1.0/1.3 is good if running official CDs (Especially works well with '''Daemon Tools Lite''' or '''Alcohol 120%''' when mounting an image).
 
  
−
* If running '''ePSXe''' or a similar emulator on an old '''Windows''' OS (Eg. 9x, ME, 2000, XP), use [http://radified.com/ASPI/forceaspi.htm ForceASPI] to initialize the ASPI layer (For your disc drive) and a plugin like '''P.E.Op.S.''' CDR Version 1.4 plugin or similar. Then set the plugin to "W2K/XP IOCTL scsi commands" before running your PS1 CD's.
+
==Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus==
  
−
<!-- Much of these notes on the troubleshooting and issues for CD images were based off collections of information at www.epforums.org and www.ngemu.com's threads -->
+
The Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus (sometimes abbreviated as MD+) is a special mode for certain Genesis games that use enhanced CDDA tracks with a Sega CD. This was not used in any official games, however, the mode itself was first used in the first batch of Pier Solar releases. This feature was been [https://downloads.terraonion.com/public/MegaSD_DEV_Manual.pdf documented] to be used on Terraonion's Mega SD flash cartridge, to give similar effects for Genesis games in a way how MSU-1 does in patched SNES games.
  
−
==Accessories==
+
Currently, no Genesis + Sega CD emulators feature this function, although there is [https://github.com/ekeeke/Genesis-Plus-GX/issues/297 plans to be added] in Genesis Plus GX.
−
===''Densha De Go!'' Controller===
 
−
Also available for the [[Nintendo 64 emulators|Nintendo 64]], ''Densha De Go!'' is a Japan-only train simulator released by [[Wikipedia:Taito|Taito]] that is compatible with an optional special controller.<ref name="Youtube">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuxf5QhdWIo|title=Densha de Go! gameplay with controller - Playstation PS1|publisher=Youtube|accessdate=2018-04-03|date=2017-05-05}}</ref> No emulator is known to support it.
 
  
−
==Resources==
+
==External links==
−
* [http://ns348841.ip-91-121-109.eu/psxdata/sitenews.html PlayStation DataCenter] - Tons of PS1 related things. Emulator files like plugins, game manuals, game configurations, and many tutorials are just some of the things you'll find here.
+
* [http://wiki.megadrive.org/index.php?title=Main_Page MegaDrive Development Wiki] - A Wiki about every technical aspect of the SEGA MegaDrive hardware and software. Its aim is to provide the most detailed, accurate and up to date information, to help homebrew development and repairs.
−
* [https://archive.org/details/psx_redump_usa_20141221 ReDump PS1] USA set.
+
* [http://segaretro.org/Category:Mega_Drive_emulators Mega Drive emulators] on Sega Retro
−
* [http://www.racketboy.com/journal/ps1-strength-and-weaknesses-vs-n64-sega-saturn PS1 Strengths and Weaknesses vs N64 and Sega Saturn] (Journal feature at www.Racketboy.com. October 17th, 2017.)
+
* [https://archive.org/details/sega_genesis_library ARCHIVE.ORG Console Library: Sega Genesis]
−
* [https://segaretro.org/Sega_Saturn/Hardware_comparison#Graphics_comparison_table Graphics comparison table] (for Saturn as opposed to PS1, N64, Sega Model 2 arcade hardware and 1995-era PC)
 
  
−
==References==
+
{{Sega}}
−
{{Reflist}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Consoles]]
 
[[Category:Consoles]]
 
[[Category:Home consoles]]
 
[[Category:Home consoles]]
−
[[Category:Sony consoles]]
+
[[Category:Sega consoles]]
−
[[Category:Fifth-generation_video_game_consoles]]
+
[[Category:Sega Genesis emulators|*]]
−
[[Category:PlayStation emulators‎|*]]
+
[[Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles]]

Revision as of 07:10, 3 September 2021

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
RS39200 Megadrive.png
Sega-Genesis-Mk2-6button.jpg
Sega-Nomad-Front.jpg
Top: PAL Sega Mega Drive.
Middle: Sega Genesis Model 2 with 6-button controller.
Bottom: Sega Genesis Nomad, portable variation.
Developer Sega
Type Home video game console
Generation Fourth generation
Release date 1988
Discontinued 1997
Predecessor Master System
Successor Saturn
Emulated ✓

The Sega Genesis is a 16-bit, fourth-generation console released by Sega in Japan on October 29, 1988 and in the US on August 14, 1989. It had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 7.6 MHz and a Zilog Z80 at 3.58 MHz. In other regions, it was known as the Mega Drive. It had several add-ons, including the Sega CD (a CD add-on, called Mega CD outside America) and the 32X (a 32-bit, cartridge-based add-on).

The Sega CD was released on October 15, 1992 and retailed for $299.99 and had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 12.5 MHz and 64 kbit of RAM. The Sega 32X was released on November 21, 1994 for $159.99. It had 2 SH-2 RISC CPUs at 23 MHz with 256KB of RAM and 256KB of VRAM.

Genesis emulation is very good, with a high degree of game compatibility (many of them claiming nearly 100% compatibility with commercial games, including Virtua Racing). They are available on many platforms. Many Genesis emulators also feature compatibility with the Sega Master System (SMS), and the Game Gear (GG) as well as earlier Sega consoles. Genesis-based arcade boards and the Sega Pico are still sketchy, however.

Emulators

Name Platform(s) Latest Version CD 32X Pico Libretro Core FLOSS Active Recommended
PC
BlastEm Windows Linux macOS 0.6.2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Exodus Windows 2.1 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✓
Genesis Plus GX Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 1.7.5 RC1 ✓ ✗ ✗ ✓* ✗ [N 1] ✓ ✓
BizHawk Windows 2.9.1 ✓ ✓ ✗ ✓ ? ✓ ✓
Kega Fusion Windows Linux macOS 3.64 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓
PicoDrive Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 1.93 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ [N 1] ✓ ✗[N 2]
FinalBurn Neo Windows Linux macOS Stable WIP builds ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ [N 1] ✓ ✗
MAME Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.264 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
Gens/GS Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD r7 ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
DGen Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 1.33 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
Genecyst MS-DOS x.xx ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
GENS Windows Linux BeOS 2.14 ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
higan Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD v110 ~ ✗ ✗ ✓(bsnes) ✓ ✓ ✗
Megado Windows Linux git ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ? ✗ ✗
Regen Windows Linux 0.972 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ? ✗ ✗
AloneMD Windows 1.0.0 ✓ ✗ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✓ ?
Mobile / ARM
Genesis Plus GX Android iOS Linux Pandora 1.7.5 RC1 ✓ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ [N 1] ✓ ✓
MD emu Android Dragonbox Pyra 1.5.46.01 Pyra ✓ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓
PicoDrive Android iOS Linux Symbian

Pandora Gizmondo GP2X GP2X Wiz

1.93 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ [N 1] ✓ ✓[N 2]
Consoles
NeoGenesis Xbox V25 ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ? ✗ ✓
Genesis Plus GX GameCube Xbox 360 Wii Nintendo 3DS 1.7.5 RC1
RetroArch 360 0.9.8.3 		✓ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ [N 1] ✓ ✓
PicoDrive PlayStation 2 PSP Nintendo 3DS 1.93
PicoDrive 1.51b 		✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ [N 1] ✓ ✓
Virtual Console Wii N/A ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓
Sega Genesis Plus Xbox 360 Libxenon ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ? ✗ ✗
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 While the source is available, its software license explicitly forbids commercial usage of any kind. Thus, it does not qualiy as Free (see the Free Software Foundation definition), nor as Open source (see the Open Source Initiative definition).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Only recommended for running 32X software as a cross-platform alternative to Kega Fusion.

* Available exclusively as a libretro core

Comparisons

Genesis Plus GX
A solid emulator for the Sega Genesis / Sega Master System / Sega CD / Game Gear. The only things it lacks are 32X and Pico support, and a native desktop port. The only way to get this emulator on the desktop is to use the libretro core, which allows for all the benefits of RetroArch like shaders, dynamic sync, and other enhancements. The version used in BizHawk adds features for speedrunners.
Genesis Plus GX Wide
Custom fork of Genesis Plus GX available as a libretro core, it includes experimental widescreen options. Sega CD/Mega CD games are currently unsupported.
Kega Fusion
The project of an employee with previous experience at Sega. Kega Fusion has high compatibility, is easy to use and has plugin-based filter support but it has some issues on newer versions of Windows which can be solved with compatibility settings.
PicoDrive
Strongly prioritizes performance over accuracy. Compatibility and accuracy isn't as good as Genesis Plus GX but it's useful on very underpowered systems like the Raspberry Pi Zero. Currently the first and only cross-platform option for 32X and Pico games.
Exodus
Think bsnes, but for the Genesis. Even though higan is also getting into the Genesis game, Exodus has already achieved cycle-accuracy at the familiar cost of high system requirements. It is the newest Genesis emulator and is far from complete.
Regen
A focus on accuracy has earned it high compatibility with games, but it does not emulate the Sega CD and 32X. It also allows overclocking.
BlastEm
Aims for cycle-accuracy but unlike Exodus, aims for lower system requirements. It has substantially higher compatibility than Exodus, but it should be noted that the last and current official release has inaccurate color emulation.
GENS
Close to Kega Fusion in features and compatibility, but has largely been surpassed by better emulators. There are many different forks and iterations of Gens, so your experience will differ quite a lot depending on which version you use.
higan
Also developing cycle-accurate Genesis emulation, akin to its very own SNES emulator bsnes. It's promising but incomplete. However, it can be used in the latest builds.
MAME
Has the parent drivers genesis, sms, gamegear, segacd, and 32x. Green drivers are reported as OK, where red ones are reported as not working as of version 0.200.

Lock-On Emulation

Lock-On Technology is a unique feature found on Sonic & Knuckles cartridges for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that allowed a player to connect an older game to the cartridge's pass-through port for extended or altered gameplay.

  • With Sonic 3: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 3 with more levels.
  • With Sonic 2: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 2 with playable Knuckles.
  • With Sonic 1: Unlocks the Blue Sphere minigame with a level select to all possible levels.

The Sonic & Knuckles cartridge can lock on to other cartridges:

  • Smaller than 2MB: Will play a single random level from the Blue Sphere minigame generated from data in the header.
  • Bigger than 2MB: Will boot to Sonic & Knuckles.
  • Has Battery Pack: All save data will be wiped out.

Most emulators don't support Lock-On save for Genesis Plus GX, but there are pre-combined ROMs for the Sonic trilogy available online that can be played as a regular Megadrive ROM on any emulator and still work. The Sonic 3 Complete romhack also achieves the same purpose.

Genesis Plus GX's RetroArch core includes true Lock-On emulation. From the Core Options menu, you can enable the Lock-On feature for either Sonic & Knuckles, Game Genie, or the Action Replay (Pro) -- the latter two using a different technology but with similar effects. Setting this option to anything other than "Off" will enable Lock-on to the cartridge you're currently playing as. After resetting, the game will boot in Lock-On mode.

The following files need to be under the directory for BIOS files (usually "system"):

  • sk.bin (Sonic & Knuckles (2 MiB) ROM)
  • sk2chip.bin (Sonic & Knuckles UPMEM (256 KiB) ROM): If you can't find it online, extract it with a hex editor from a pre-combined Sonic 2 & Knuckles ROM from offset 00300000 to the end of the ROM.

For GG/AR, the files needed are areplay.bin and ggenie.bin, but most emulators support cheat codes from these natively.

Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus

The Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus (sometimes abbreviated as MD+) is a special mode for certain Genesis games that use enhanced CDDA tracks with a Sega CD. This was not used in any official games, however, the mode itself was first used in the first batch of Pier Solar releases. This feature was been documented to be used on Terraonion's Mega SD flash cartridge, to give similar effects for Genesis games in a way how MSU-1 does in patched SNES games.

Currently, no Genesis + Sega CD emulators feature this function, although there is plans to be added in Genesis Plus GX.

External links

Dreamcast logo.png
 Consoles: SG-1000 • Master System • Genesis / Mega Drive • CD • 32X • Pico • Saturn • Dreamcast
Handhelds: Game Gear • VMU / VMS
Arcade: System series • Model 1 • Model 2 • Model 3 • NAOMI
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