Help Solve my RetroArch Aggravations

[HTBandicoot]

I just found that I can put Retroarch on my old iPhone 5s. So that has been exciting, but boy has it been aggravating. I'll attach a screen shot, but it keeps telling me I need this bin file, even though I have added it to the folders. I have seen others online with the same problem and have done all that was suggested.

Another problem I have is that when I import content to the playlists, it only shows a few of the games on the playlist page under the console playlists. So I don't know why it is like that. I can still open the game another way, but I thought the preferred method was importing everything on the playlist page? The only problem I have playing is the PlayStation game which says I need this specific bin file.

Please help if you are willing. Thanks!

 

[Trainer Red]

I was gonna ask if you were using the swanstation core for that particular iPhone
Interestingly ... I actually do use RetroArch on my *points at username*
Though it's been strictly N related cores since I wanted the Samsung to emulate everything else (has bigger storage too so yeah)
Also I think there's an option in the core settings that lets you pick the preferred BIOS file ... which ... as many have posted ... has to be inside the system folder since that's the default folder RetroArch uses

 

[HTBandicoot]

Warning: This isn't helpful at all. My rule of thumb for emulation is RetroArch for things before 5th generation, anything during or after that (like the PS1) I use dedicated emulators. I don't have much experience with android emulation but isn't DuckStation on Android? I'd use that.

I’m using an iPhone. I may stick to using my laptop because everything works better on it apparently. I was just trying to have something more portable.

Post automatically merged: Jan 30, 2025

I was gonna ask if you were using the swanstation core for that particular iPhone
Interestingly ... I actually do use RetroArch on my *points at username*
Though it's been strictly N related cores since I wanted the Samsung to emulate everything else (has bigger storage too so yeah)
Also I think there's an option in the core settings that lets you pick the preferred BIOS file ... which ... as many have posted ... has to be inside the system folder since that's the default folder RetroArch uses

I actually already got annoyed at issues and deleted it from that iPhone ?. I’m using it on my current one though, just a generation newer..however it’s still my every day phone so it’s decent. We will see if I will keep this one without getting aggravated.

In reality, I think I just like seeing what I can put on it instead of actually playing the games. ?

 

[Skeetos]

I’m using an iPhone. I may stick to using my laptop because everything works better on it apparently. I was just trying to have something more portable.

Post automatically merged: Jan 30, 2025

I actually already got annoyed at issues and deleted it from that iPhone ?. I’m using it on my current one though, just a generation newer..however it’s still my every day phone so it’s decent. We will see if I will keep this one without getting aggravated.

In reality, I think I just like seeing what I can put on it instead of actually playing the games. ?

Oh yeah, I forgot Apple started allowing emulators. That's pretty cool. Sorry I'm not of much help lol. Hopefully you got it working

 

[AnonymousCookieMonster]

Warning: This isn't helpful at all. My rule of thumb for emulation is RetroArch for things before 5th generation, anything during or after that (like the PS1) I use dedicated emulators

Lakka/Batocera seem to work okay, at least regarding PS1/Dreamcast/Saturn.

Main problems i have is setting up the BIOS or API the first time, and then Cheat Engine not working...

 

[Jeanfranc]

Another problem I have is that when I import content to the playlists, it only shows a few of the games on the playlist page under the console playlists. So I don't know why it is like that. I can still open the game another way, but I thought the preferred method was importing everything on the playlist page? The only problem I have playing is the PlayStation game which says I need this specific bin file.

When you import content with "scan directory" it only adds the games listed in the libretro database and creates the playlists accordingly. The games must have the correct name and extension for this to work.
Also the database is missing all romhacks, fan translation, multiple versions of the same game and it only works for single file games (A single disc psx game, which is made of up a .cue and a .bin file will never be added to a playlist).

What you should do now is just forget about all of this and go to playlist<import content<manual scan.
Select the system you want to create a playlist for, then the specify the file extention (for the psx just write "cue") and the content directory where the all the games are, then start the scan.

Post automatically merged: Jan 30, 2025

Retorarch IS the aggravation; more seriously, though, that's a BIOS checksum mismatch more than likely. RA is very, very picky about these.

Ain't that the truth. The biggest reason I never used it for much of anything.

it's not that hard at all, just read the documentation:

Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 - Libretro Docs

This is the official RetroArch documentation for users and developers. Information from sources outside of this website may be dated or incorrect.

docs.libretro.com

Honestly, Retroarch is amazing, I've used it for over 10 years and its the best way to emulate basically everything up to the 6th gen.

 

[HTBandicoot]

When you import content with "scan directory" it only adds the games listed in the libretro database and creates the playlists accordingly. The games must have the correct name and extension for this to work.
Also the database is missing all romhacks, fan translation, multiple versions of the same game and it only works for single file games (A single disc psx game, which is made of up a .cue and a .bin file will never be added to a playlist).

What you should do now is just forget about all of this and go to playlist<import content<manual scan.
Select the system you want to create a playlist for, then the specify the file extention (for the psx just write "cue") and the content directory where the all the games are, then start the scan.View attachment 19364

Post automatically merged: Jan 30, 2025

it's not that hard at all, just read the documentation:

Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 - Libretro Docs

This is the official RetroArch documentation for users and developers. Information from sources outside of this website may be dated or incorrect.

docs.libretro.com

Honestly, Retroarch is amazing, I've used it for over 10 years and its the best way to emulate basically everything up to the 6th gen.

Thanks!! I’m willing to use it a little more, the more I learn. It’s super sensitive in a lot of ways, and if you’re not careful one thing overrides another.

I thought it’s at least cool I was able to figure out how to get it to emulate n64 and PlayStation. I don’t know if that’s necessarily a good idea because of the battery usage and possible phone overheating, but it can be done nonetheless ?. It’s what I can expect from an iPhone 6 id say. Still, just going from my iPhone 5 to 6, the PlayStation games are clearer and have better audio.

It might be best to stick to old Nintendo games though. We will see. I’m in the new stage of exploring everything. I’m not sure what I’ll actually play on it ?.

 

[Jeanfranc]

Thanks!! I’m willing to use it a little more, the more I learn. It’s super sensitive in a lot of ways, and if you’re not careful one thing overrides another.

Retroarch setting apply to all cores and games you launch, you need to use to make heavy use of the "override" feature to make different profiles for each system (or even games in some cases)

Post automatically merged: Jan 31, 2025

Retroarch setting apply to all cores and games you launch, you need to use to make heavy use of the "override" feature to make different profiles for each system (or even games in some cases)

this is especially the case for the latency settings, which should be set up on a game per game basis