Tailzo
Paratroopa
I have been enjoying emulating old games a lot lately. I don’t see it discussed much, and I struggled quite a bit in the beginning. Reading about it online, or seeing youtube videos, can be quite daunting for someone who just tries to learn the basics. So in this thread I will aim to help those interested in playing their old games on newer hardware.
Getting the games themselves can be tricky. A few of the easiest ways are:
ROM = what games files stored in carts are often called
ISO = A rip of a disc, in a file. For example; iso file of Sonic R, is a file that is the exact contents of my Sonic R sega Saturn CD rom. There are a few variations on iso that I can talk more about later
Retroarch = a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.
It enables you to run classic games on a wide range of computers and consoles through its slick graphical interface. Settings are also unified so configuration is done once and for all. If you only download Retroarch, you can’t do anything yet. Retroarch uses:
Cores = a single file that is used to emulate a system. But one system can have a lot of different cores. Super Nintendo For example, has so many. Some cores can be better for having great speed on weaker hardware, while others can have built in widescreen hacks and others are very accurate, but require stronger hardware. I’ll try to talk more about this later
Standalone emulator = So if Retroarch is too daunting and complicated, you can download a standalone emulator. This is often easier. But that means configurations like controller shortcuts, widecreen hacks or other must be configured per system / emulator. While using a frontend, like Retroarch, lets you set many settings for many systems in one operation.
Why would I bother emulating an old system?
I don't know about you, but these are my main reasons- Old hardware is broken, but I still have games for the platform
- Fast forward for slow phases in games
- Savestates let’s me save in games with no saves
- Patches (retranslations, balance changes, mods and more)
- Image enhancements:
- True widescreen (even in 2d games)
- Improved resolution (mainly in 3d games)
- Sharper image, since old hardware did not have hdmi
- Preserving older games (CD rot, my children breaking my games and so on)
- Less clutter under the TV
So what can you emulate?
Almost everything. The PSVita is the biggest exception I know of.What do I need to get started?
Right now, I am using emulators on PC and xbox series X. But you can do it on a number of systems. You can use your android phone (I’m going to try that next). You don’t even need a powerful PC or a powerful phone. I’ll try to write a bit about that later too.Getting the games themselves can be tricky. A few of the easiest ways are:
- Get them out of your classic mini console
- Get them from games collection sold on Steam / GOG
- Sofmod a console to be able to rip your games (wii and wiiu for example can do that)
Is it legal?
If you own a game physically, you are likely to emulate or own a ROM of the game. However, there's no legal precedent in the United States to say it's illegal. There is no trial on record of any company going to court over emulators or ROMs and their use. (copied from google).What does [word] mean?
BIOS file = A BIOS file is a copy of the operating system used by the hardware. SOme emulators require this. I cannot link to sites with these files.ROM = what games files stored in carts are often called
ISO = A rip of a disc, in a file. For example; iso file of Sonic R, is a file that is the exact contents of my Sonic R sega Saturn CD rom. There are a few variations on iso that I can talk more about later
Retroarch = a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.
It enables you to run classic games on a wide range of computers and consoles through its slick graphical interface. Settings are also unified so configuration is done once and for all. If you only download Retroarch, you can’t do anything yet. Retroarch uses:
Cores = a single file that is used to emulate a system. But one system can have a lot of different cores. Super Nintendo For example, has so many. Some cores can be better for having great speed on weaker hardware, while others can have built in widescreen hacks and others are very accurate, but require stronger hardware. I’ll try to talk more about this later
Standalone emulator = So if Retroarch is too daunting and complicated, you can download a standalone emulator. This is often easier. But that means configurations like controller shortcuts, widecreen hacks or other must be configured per system / emulator. While using a frontend, like Retroarch, lets you set many settings for many systems in one operation.
Example screen of Dragon Force 2, running on an XBox series X, with fast forward used:
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