Tag: emulation

Retrobat : One Click Retro Emulation on Windows – Even Works on USB Drives!

After hearing from viewers about Retrobat, I decided to explore this one-click installer for retro game emulators. Retrobat supports a vast array of systems and offers a simple installation process, making it easy to organize and manage games with just a game controller. You can see it in action in my latest video.

One appealing feature is its portability; by installing it on an external hard drive, I can carry my configurations, save games, and save states between different computers seamlessly.

I started by downloading Retrobat from its website and proceeded with the installation, opting to place it on an external drive for portability. The installation was straightforward, involving a typical Windows setup process. Once installed, the software created essential folders like BIOS and ROMs on my drive. I began by adding some Sega Genesis games, as they do not require BIOS files to run. After copying the ROM files to the appropriate folder, I launched Retrobat.

The initial boot of Retrobat was smooth, and my games appeared in the menu without any additional configuration. The interface even applied a CRT-like curvature to the display, which can be customized or disabled based on preference. Using the scraper feature, I quickly matched metadata and box art to my games. Game manuals were also added to the interface thanks to the Screenscraper database.

For systems requiring BIOS files, like the 3DO, Retrobat provided clear instructions on obtaining and placing these files in the correct directory. Once the BIOS was added, games from that system ran without issue.

Retrobat also manages controller profiles so no up-front configuration is required in almost every instance. Even hot keys like save states tend to work the same no matter which emulator Retrobat summons to play a game.

The best part is that when I moved my USB SSD to another computer everything picked up right where I left off. All of the meta data, interface preferences and even save states carried over seamlessly.

Retrobat simplifies the emulation experience on Windows PCs, offering an easy-to-use interface and extensive customization options. Its portability makes it an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy retro gaming across multiple devices without repeatedly configuring settings.

EmuDeck Comes to Windows – One Click Install of Retro Game Emulators

I’ve been using a Steam Deck for over a year and a half. While I bought it for taking PC games on the road, I find myself using it now primarily for emulating older games. A standout tool for this purpose is EmuDeck, which simplifies the installation of major emulators on SteamOS.

EmuDeck is now available on Windows which is the subject of my latest video.

Like the Steam Deck version it offers a one click install and simple maintenance of just about every popular game emulator out there. It also automatically maps controls across all of the major emulators requiring practically zero configuration of settings to get going. Because it relies on Steam for the controller mapping you’ll need to make sure you have Steam installed on your system first.

For this video, I used a low-cost Intel N100-based mini PC from GMKtec I reviewed recently. The installation begins with downloading a simple command line script from EmuDeck’s website. Because this process involves running a batch file that installs necessary software, users should be cautious about installing it on mission-critical systems due to the level of control it is granted.

Once EmuDeck is set up, users must manually copy ROMs and BIOS files into designated folders that the script sets up. EmuDeck simplifies this by providing a BIOS checker tool that verifies the necessary files are correctly named and placed. After setting up the games and BIOS files, launching them is straightforward through interfaces like EmulationStation or Pegasus, which EmuDeck will install and integrate with Steam.

Testing different emulators, such as those for Sega CD and PlayStation 2, demonstrated EmuDeck’s capability to handle various systems effectively. Performance adjustments, like changing resolution settings, can be done through the EmuDeck interface on a per-console basis. In the video you’ll see me doing a single click resolution adjustment to optimize PS2 performance on the N100 Mini PC.

EmuDeck will also managing version updates for the installed emulators and also offers custom configurations for a variety of Windows handhelds to optimize visuals and perofrmance. While some advanced features like save game syncing require a Patreon subscription, the free version offers most of the functionality of their platform.

EmuDeck on Windows provides a powerful and user-friendly platform for retro gaming, bringing the convenience and capabilities previously enjoyed on the Steam Deck to a wider range of devices.

A number of viewers wrote in to tell me about Retrobat, which offers a similar experience and adds the ability to make the entire installation “portable” so it can be brought to multiple PCs via an external hard drive. I’ll take a look at that one next!

Retroarch & Emulators on Retail Xbox Consoles Including Series S & Series X

Xbox consoles, even some of the older ones, make great emulation devices. In the past getting emulators onto a game console would require circumventing DRM controls but lately things have become a bit easier.

My project this weekend was getting Retroarch installed on my Xbox Series X. The good news is that the process was so easy I spent more time playing than configuring!

This process initially required setting the console into developer mode but this new method allows any retail console to work without modification or mode switching. I found this guide at MakeTechEasier.com to be pretty helpful. If you’re somebody who needs a little more of a visual step-by-step ETA Prime has a great tutorial that you can find here.

The Xbox Series consoles have pretty powerful CPUs that can handle emulation of nearly every supported core that Retroarch offers. That includes even more complex consoles like the Playstation 2 and Gamecube/Wii. You can even load the games up on a USB flash drive which is detailed in the tutorials linked above.

The MiSTer is still my go-to retro device but for certain things like more recent game consoles and Sega Super Scaler arcade titles Retroarch on the Xbox is a great combination. It was awesome playing Afterburner 2 on my 65″ OLED with its awesome soundtrack pumping through my home theater audio. And although I will probably re-map some of the controls the general experience I found to be excellent insofar as compatibility, gameplay and performance are concerned.

If you’re curious about Retroarch and why it’s so popular, check out this interview I did with a member of the Retroarch team a few years back. They do some amazing work making emulation less complex for the masses!