RetroArch

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Revision as of 00:43, 24 June 2013 by 173.206.2.43 (talk) (WIP cores)
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RA Logo.png
Current version: 0.9.9
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.

Downloads

Cores

Emulation

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

Final Burn Alpha

Game Engine

Quake Tryquake
Doom PrBoom
Cave Story nxengine

WIP cores

DOS DOSBox
Nintendo DS DeSmuMe
Sega Saturn Yabause
Nintendo 64

Mupen64Plus

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.
  • 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.

RAP update.png
RetroArch's Updater

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.

RA System Directory.png

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.

NetPlay

RetroArch uses GGPO-like netcode (latency hiding rollback). It should be lag-free if everyone involved emulates at full speed, don't live on opposite sides of the world and has decent internet speeds. It uses peer-to-peer UDP and supports two players. Due to rollback it requires a fair amount of CPU power to run.

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.

How to use RetroArch:

Getting Started
Advanced configuration options

RetroArch Wiki @ Github

Using RGUI

Source code

https://github.com/libretro