RetroArch runs programs converted into dynamic libraries called libretro cores, using several user interfaces such as command-line interface, a few graphical user interfaces (GUI) optimized for gamepads (the most famous one being called XMB, a clone of Sony's XMB), several input, audio and video drivers, plus other sophisticated features like dynamic rate control, audio filters, multi-pass shaders, netplay, gameplay rewinding, cheats, etc.
It is the reference implementation of the libretro API, designed to be fast, lightweight, portable and without dependencies. RetroArch (pronounced / ˌ r ɛ t r oʊ ˈ ɑː r tʃ/) is a free and open-source, cross-platform frontend for emulators, game engines, video games, media players and other applications. IA-32 (x86), x86-64 (圆4), ARMv7, AArch64, PowerPC, MIPS, CellĮnglish, Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese, Turkish, Arabic, Greek, Persian, Hebrew, Asturian PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Classic, tvOS It takes a few seconds to start and load the game but all went pretty smoothly for me on Ubuntu Budgie.Unix-like, Linux, Android, iOS, FreeBSD, macOS, Windows 95 and later, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U , If all goes well select your 4DO core then select your ROM. Go back to RetroArch and add the path under settings, Directories, System/BIOS. Copy the BIOS files you downloaded into the system folder. Navigate to ~/.config/retroarch and create a folder named system. You can also change input settings in the Input section of the Settings menu if needed. The online updater can be found in the main menu. I also updated the cores and assets at that time.
* Once you verify the controller works in jstest you can load up updates to configs in RetroArch and hopefully your controller just works as mine did, but you may need to do a manual setup. To get 3DO setup you need to do more than load the core, but go ahead and grab the core 4DO in the RetoArch settings tab (the one with gears).
Not like the old days, they made life to easy, those pesky open source developers! I am not sure what controllers are supported on Linux but I am sure it’s more than just Logitech so install jstest-gtk like so: sudo apt-get install jstest-gtk I have an old Logitech F310 controller that I had running in no time on Ubuntu based Linux using jstest to verify it was found. In the RetroArch menu you just download and select the Sega core and load a ROM and you’re playing. Setting up Sega Genesis was really simple. Flatpak may change the path referenced here.
I chose to avoid Flatpak and went with the apt install. You can find install instructions under downloads by selecting your OS. I also wanted to setup RetroArch and check it out, I’m glad I did. I haven’t played any retro console games in a few years beyond old PC games from GOG to be honest but I had some time and was wanting to play Slayer, my favorite game on 3DO back in the day. Awhile ago I posted a 3DO emulator that only runs on Windows.