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Forums - Retro - Emulation - Running Thread

Disclaimer that will be repeated more than once, this thread is not to discuss roms.  No discussions on where to get roms, how to rip roms, etc.  

Intent of this thread is to be similar to the PC thread, just an once place shop for emulation discussions.  The mods have given approval for an emulation thread, with no rom discussions.  We can discuss various emulators, setup, settings and texture packs.  I also think we can share news and updates.  I do find it hard to stay up on news of new emulations, Firebush is how I learned about Dusk and Paper Mario 64 Recomp.  So, I think news sharing should be key.    

My views would as follows:

1) Retroarch is the easiest and simpliest way to emulate old games.  Works great for Arcade, NES, SNES, N64, GC, Genesis, Sega CD, Saturn and Dreamcast.  Sega CD and Saturn are a bit harder because they require boot bios (easy-ish to find online), while the others do not require bios.  Retroarch also supports texture packs, which are fantastic, my go to is Henriko, limited selection but high quality.  Arcade is not always easy, given it requires various cores (downloaded within Retro, Final Burn Neo seems to work the best in my experience).    

2) For playstation 2 I use PCSX2, works really well.  Has built in upscaler and also supports texture packs.  Texture packs are found on PCSX2 forums.  For some reason retroarch doesn't work well with playstation games.  

3) N64 Recomp launcher works insanely well but very limited game selection but adds more as time goes on.  Why use N64 Recomp instead of Retro.  My basic understanding is Retro emulates the old N64 hardware.  Recomp moves the game code to PC language.  Meaning games run better on Recomp.  Banjo is the example I have experience with, it runs at 120 fps, not locked at 30 fps when using Retro.  Also has easy QoL, like music notes not needing to be recollected after leaving an area.  N64 also supports texture packs. 

4) Dusk is specific to GC and Wii Twilight Princess.  Similar to N64 Recomp, runs TP in PC code.  So supports 4k, 120 fps, texture packs, cheats (like normal iron boots, unlimited arrows, etc).  I am about 20 hours in, runs flawlessly. 

Online, people swear by Dolphin, I can't stand it.  I just can't get it to play well, never figured that out. 

Anyway, just a start.  If people are interested and willing, this can be our running emulation thread.    



rtx 4090, 32 gb ram, i7-13700k

Switch 2

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Awesome! I’ll definitely be taking advantage of this thread— thank you for setting this up, Chrkeller. :) I would’ve done it myself but TBH I’m spread a little thin on this site at the moment… I can only manage so many threads at once, y’know?



firebush03 said:

Awesome! I’ll definitely be taking advantage of this thread— thank you for setting this up, Chrkeller. :) I would’ve done it myself but TBH I’m spread a little thin on this site at the moment… I can only manage so many threads at once, y’know?

No worries, happy to have a thread.  I am so happy you pointed out the Dusk situation.  TP is my favorite Zelda game, I have been loving it.  



rtx 4090, 32 gb ram, i7-13700k

Switch 2

FPGA offers the best emulation and the Superstation One is an FPGA device that will play physical PS1/Saturn/PCE/Turbo/SegaCD disks. It also plays pretty much any pre-2000 game with the exception of Dreamcast games. It has both HDMI and multiple Retro outputs including VGA so you can hook it up to a PC CRT easily. It's amazing value and something I recommend over any recycled phone device like the Abernic stuff, or other cheap handheld emultors. It's $210 without the CD player and $255 with the CD player. If you order the CD player attachment your pre-order will be delayed unless you ask them to ship the CD Player seperately.

We are on the cusp of FPGA PS2, GC, DC, and Wii clones next. I predicted the SuperStation One over a decade ago in another emulation thread. :)

Also RetroRGB on youtube has a weekly news roundup, where he covers new romhacks and devices. Definitely something OP should sub to!

Last edited by Cerebralbore101 - 21 hours ago

I did a decent bit of emulation as a kid but since then have barely done it but would like to try it some more. I did emulate the two Miles Edgeworth games a couple years ago though funnily enough a collection of those two came out later that same year.



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I'm mostly stuck with whatever emulators I've picked along decades: Nebula, Fusion, ePSXe, Meka... (I've had bit of bad luck picking any good ones for Nintendo)

Latest additions have been PCSX2, DeSmuME and PPSSPP.



Finished twilight via Dusk. For those interested, zero issues. Run perfect.



rtx 4090, 32 gb ram, i7-13700k

Switch 2

To repeat what Chrkeller posted in the OP, VGC has a strict rule in its Forum Guidelines that states "Copyrighted Content (ex. copies of games/ROMs) is prohibited." That rule will be enforced. Any links to ROMs or emulators or instructing someone how to procure those will result in a ban. If you want to figure that stuff out, you do so elsewhere, not on VGC.

Last edited by Shadow1980 - 1 hour ago

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