RetroArch Starter Guide

RetroArch Starter Guide

Last updated: 28FEB2022 (see Changelog for details)

RetroArch is one of my favorite programs to use for retro game emulation, because it can emulate many systems. But it does have quite a steep learning curve. In this guide I’m going to demystify some of the more peculiar things about this emulation frontend, and show you how I set up RetroArch on my own gaming platforms.

This guide is meant to help you get set up with various RetroArch iterations. The video will primarily be done on Windows PC, but the same method will apply to MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Vita, and Xbox platforms, and more.

RetroArch really shines on retro systems, particularly PlayStation 1 and below games. For more modern consoles, it is often more efficient to rely on standalone emulators, which are generally more optimized than RetroArch. However, if you are using a system that relies primarily on RetroArch for emulation (like Xbox), or you have a beefy PC that can run well regardless of optimizations, you may find success in emulating higher-end systems in RetroArch, too.

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Introducing WebRcade — Play Your Retro Games via the Cloud!

Introducing WebRcade — Play Your Retro Games via the Cloud!

WebRcade is a new browser-based platform that allows you to play your own retro games via cloud storage like DropBox. This will allow you to play your personal library on all sorts of devices — like the iPhone, iPad, Xbox and more. The games all run at full speed and it’s very easy to set up the platform. And it’s 100% open-source and free. In this video I’ll walk you through how it all works!

Find WebRcade here

BackBone One controller (use this link for $10 Apple gift card with purchase)
My 8BitDo Xbox controller video

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Guide: Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One Emulation

Guide: Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One Emulation

Last updated: 03AUG2024 (see Changelog for details)

In my quest to find great emulation at a budget price, the idea of running games on the Xbox series devices recently came on my radar. Considering that the Xbox Series S retails for $300, I decided to pick one up and test its performance against a similarly-priced PC, and the results are fantastic.

In addition to running classic games up to PS2 with higher resolutions, you maintain all of the functionality of the retail Xbox, and the whole endeavor is completely legal and available through Xbox’s Dev Mode process (after a one-time $19 fee). It does take some configuration to get set up, and so this guide will help you through that process and get you well on your way for all the retro gaming your heart could desire. If you would like to see the full suite of apps and emulators you can use on your Xbox in Dev Mode, check out this Xbox Dev Store.

There are other ways of playing retro games on your Xbox (aka “Retail Mode”), but those run the risk of having your account suspended or banned, and most Retail Mode efforts have thankfully shut down. In this guide we will only be performing the approved Dev Mode method. There is no known risk of having your device bricked (or account suspended) by following this Dev Mode guide.

This guide would not be possible without the excellent work done by Ryan over at Archades Games, whose Xbox emulation tutorials are comprehensive and relevant. For further exploration of specific systems, I recommend checking out his channel, and consider contributing to his Patreon page. Additionally, the Xbox Emulation Hub discord is a super helpful resource in case you have any questions.

Note that this guide will work on Xbox One consoles too, but will require a different DevKit Activation app (more info in that section of the guide). All other parts of this guide apply. Performance will be worse than on the Xbox Series consoles; while I haven’t tested it myself, I have been told that the Xbox One is more than capable of playing Dreamcast and below. If you are curious about emulation compatibility, check out this community sheet.

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