Do you prefer a different emulator for each console or one emulator front end?

[Den MDM Den MDM]

I used to run everything separate because retroarch doesn't have the best performance in some cores! I started using retroarch again recently and I would love to use it exclusively since I play pre-PS1 stuff most of the time, but all my saves are on different emulators so I canttttt

 

[LightningmanEXE]

I generally use a designated emulator for each system, but have no particular attachment to what they are, and am always looking to upgrade.

 

[Yousef]

I dunno, i just emulate.

 

[diapered]

I used to run everything separate because retroarch doesn't have the best performance in some cores! I started using retroarch again recently and I would love to use it exclusively since I play pre-PS1 stuff most of the time, but all my saves are on different emulators so I canttttt

Finally, someone that understands what retroarch is... Unless you have a problem with its UI (which I like) or you can't get anything to run at all, the fault is with a particular CORE, don't just blanket blame retroarch... Sorry to be a retroarch apologist, I know it is a source of frustration here >_> I think retroarch is a great piece of software, and it is my go to, but that said....

@Denmdm you are right on some cores, and in my experience it is the sony cores... Beetle (psx) is usually pretty good, but there are some games where it chugs. And don't get me started on the pcsx2 (lrps2 now?) core, idk why but it is a dumpster fire (in my experience), and it looks like it got removed from the arch repository: when installing retroarch with garuda, it didn't even install that core So they must know...

Yea, for ps2, standalone psx2 is the only way to go...

 

[Den MDM Den MDM]

Finally, someone that understands what retroarch is... Unless you have a problem with its UI (which I like) or you can't get anything to run at all, the fault is with a particular CORE, don't just blanket blame retroarch... Sorry to be a retroarch apologist, I know it is a source of frustration here >_> I think retroarch is a great piece of software, and it is my go to, but that said....

@Denmdm you are right on some cores, and in my experience it is the sony cores... Beetle (psx) is usually pretty good, but there are some games where it chugs. And don't get me started on the pcsx2 (lrps2 now?) core, idk why but it is a dumpster fire (in my experience), and it looks like it got removed from the arch repository: when installing retroarch with garuda, it didn't even install that core So they must know...

Yea, for ps2, standalone psx2 is the only way to go...

Exactly my maneeeeeeee! Nothing can be perfect but Retroarch is close, for being an all-in-one frontend for ur needs! And the netplay works flawlessly which is why I've been playing more regularly on it.

 

[HextarVigar]

Exactly my maneeeeeeee! Nothing can be perfect but Retroarch is close, for being an all-in-one frontend for ur needs! And the netplay works flawlessly which is why I've been playing more regularly on it.

Could you change your text style please? Trying to read your posts is quite literally painful. At least use a different color.

 

[Den MDM Den MDM]

Could you change your text style please? Trying to read your posts is quite literally painful. At least use a different color.

Yea I got told that several times, now that the Great Hextar is telling me this I'll do ittt

 

[HextarVigar]

That's better. You just need to use a darker color.

 

[Taukyrie]

I just have a separate one for each console. Originally, I wasn't going to get multiple emulators because I just wanted to play some Japan-only Knight Gundam games and Super Robot Wars BX and UX, but when I started to emulate more games, I just got one for each console I wanted.

I also think it's a good idea now especially since I haven't heard the best things about emulators that can run multiple consoles.

 

[HextarVigar]

I just have a separate one for each console. Originally, I wasn't going to get multiple emulators because I just wanted to play some Japan-only Knight Gundam games and Super Robot Wars BX and UX, but when I started to emulate more games, I just got one for each console I wanted.

I also think it's a good idea now especially since I haven't heard the best things about emulators that can run multiple consoles.

Having multiple emulators usually takes up less space too, since you have multiple small programs that literally do a single thing instead of one huge program that tries to do everything.

 

[Advil Lavs]

1 Emulator for games until SNES/GBA and different emulators for the rest since they usually have more quircks or ways to improve the way they look.

 

[DanCalibur]

Libretro cores on Retrobat just to avoid that crappy RetroArch interface. Standalone emulators also on Retrobat because of the emulators auto download/config/update functionality and because it just works.

 

[Yousef]

Could you change your text style please? Trying to read your posts is quite literally painful. At least use a different color.

If someone does that again, the “ignore style” button will immediately disable their custom font from appearing on your end.

 

[Kamako]

Specific emulators are the best if you want the most customisable experience. However, RetroArch and programs like it do a great job of making all your console libraries readily accessible, and easy to swap between once it has been setup.

I struggled to set up RetroArch for years and assumed it was just junk. Tried it again the other week and the setup was so easy, the UI is customisable and the netplay feature is superb.

Overall, depends what you're after. My fave emu's are still KEGA Fusion, and most recently DuckStation. RetroArch is my new favourite multi-emulator solution (and my only tbf)

 

[HTBandicoot]

I used to use OpenEmu on my laptop, but they stopped updating the frontend years ago. As such, I've gotten used to using individual emulators for everything. Unless you consider EmuDeck to be a frontend, I purely use individual emulators.

I object to Retroarch on a moral level.

Open emu seems to have no problems for me. There was one instance where there was an issue with a n64 game, but that was once. So it has been good for me.

Post automatically merged: Mar 13, 2025

I have Duckstation, Dolphin, Project 64 and PCSX2 on my computer and just use RetroArch for everything else.

Does project 64 have a Mac version?

 

[dejiko]

im the kind of gal who likes something specific for each, nyo! i dont like retroarch very much at all, nyo...

 

[_oBSOLEte_]

Could you change your text style please? Trying to read your posts is quite literally painful. At least use a different color.

There's an option to disable other's post styles.

 

[Yousef]

im the kind of gal who likes something specific for each, nyo! i dont like retroarch very much at all, nyo...

Me too.

 

[Arklem]

For some reason I find front ends a thousand time more confusing than just setting up each emulator on my own, don't like stuff like retroarch too much, so one for each, it's easy to just organize all of them on a huge emulator folder and know exactly where everything is

 

[BunnyLain]

Absolutely one for each, retroarch was such an awful experience. But I mostly use my Mister for retro gaming now, which... I guess is a console with everything on it... but it is really damn simple and I can control it from my phone.

 

[Leon]

Generally i don't care about the multi or single system setup, what i look for is how user friendly the emulator is, try running mednafen from command line for example, this is why i dislike retroarch, it's not designed for mouse and keyboard controls for the interface, and stores a ton of options behind menus that could be handled so much easier with just a titlebar, yes i know retroarch is designed around a controller but i wish it's pc control method worked better.

Mesen is nice though and if ares shaders worked for me i'd like it more than most emulators too.

 

[Gabrinius]

never had luck with those "multiple emulators", so i simply prefer to have the standalones.

some of them can emulate other things, like bizhawk... maybe i can try emulating atari games with it too instead of having to get one emulator for the 2600, one for the 5(i forgot the number) and the 7(i forgot too).

but i thinking about trying to put emulators on smartphone, maybe i'll try a multiple emulator, something like lemuroid which seems to be a recomended one, and install duckstation and psppp standalone on it. maybe try to see if i can use x360 controller on smartphone using an OTG cable. i believe it'll work

 

[DeadVoivod]

Old times I used standalone for everything.

Nowadays, since several years I use frontends, LaunchBox on my main PC, around 150 systems covered with complete sets. That way you can also use single emulators for each system, you chose which one you want, or you just let RetroArch handle a bunch of it.

I use RetroBat on my ROG Ally and ES-DE on my Odin 2 (Android).

 

[SyphonFilter12]

One for all as it's easier to find all the game in one place. Retroacrh is good but sometimes it might give you headache!

 

[robretallen]

Totally get where you're coming from. Sometimes simplicity just wins—if the emulator runs the game well without a bunch of setup, that's a huge plus. I've bounced between front-ends and standalone emulators myself. OpenEmu is super clean, but yeah, stuff like Redream or DuckStation definitely have some edge when it comes to performance or specific features like netplay or texture replacement.


Lately, I’ve been messing around with different builds too—just seeing what works best for each system. If you're into experimenting with emulators, I’ve put together a site for one I’ve been working with recently: https://aethersx2-apk.com It’s focused on AetherSX2 for Android, but might be worth checking out if you’re into PS2 emulation.


Always cool to see how different setups just click with certain systems.