Help RetroArch Q&A Thread

[Sumea]

Inspired how things are in this thread about RetroArch woes.

I have been personally using and tweaking my RetroArch setup across five devices. I have no qualifications but just general experience, and anyone else willing will also likely give answers.

I am here to not really antagonize some views some people have all of this stuff, I will keep doing it in the other thread so that is out of here.
My only assumption is that people in this thread wish to use RetroArch or have been using RetroArch for while and want to shoot their troubles by bouncing them off from someone.

 

[Raidou Kuzunoha]

I've been using Retroarch for a while now, it definitely takes a bit of setup. Not really too difficult so far, but very tedious.

But despite using it for a while, I've always wondered if I'm somehow using it "wrong" lol.

One thing I've never been able to figure out is themes. I'm aware of frontends like Launchbox, but I've seen set ups akin to the PSP UI, which RA can do natively on its own I assume, but I'm unsure where to even start with this.

 

[Ravl]

One thing I've never been able to figure out is themes. I'm aware of frontends like Launchbox, but I've seen set ups akin to the PSP UI, which RA can do natively on its own I assume, but I'm unsure where to even start with this.

View attachment 30279

Go to settings<drivers<menu

 

[Raidou Kuzunoha]

Go to settings<drivers<menu

Wow, it was literally **that** simple, yet it somehow eluded me ?. Thanks!

 

[fake-kun]

How to scan your games?

 

[Ravl]

How to scan your games?

go to playlist<import content, from there you can either scan a directory/content or scan manually.
Scan directory/content works by finding matching game names in the libretro datatabase, do not use this.

You should always use "manual scan": specify the directory, the system name and, most importantly, the file extension (for a super nintendo game, that would be "sfc"); a playlist will the be created according to the parameters you specified or, if a playlist already exists for that system, the games will be simply be added to that.

You can also go to your Retroarch directory and edit the playlist files manually.

 

[fake-kun]

go to playlist<import content, from there you can either scan a directory/content or scan manually.
Scan directory/content works by finding matching game names in the libretro datatabase, do not use this.

You should always use "manual scan": specify the directory, the system name and, most importantly, the file extension (for a super nintendo game, that would be "sfc"); a playlist will the be created according to the parameters you specified or, if a playlist already exists for that system, the games will be simply be added to that.

You can also go to your Retroarch directory and edit the playlist files manually.

Thanks!

 

[Sumea]

You should always use "manual scan": specify the directory, the system name and, most importantly, the file extension (for a super nintendo game, that would be "sfc"); a playlist will the be created according to the parameters you specified or, if a playlist already exists for that system, the games will be simply be added to that.

I would personally vote against this, heavily. I personally thing one should first update game databases and cursors from online updater. Steam version does not have it but updates these files satisfactorily, some platforms are missing these entirely unless downloaded with updater like most android versions.
I personally always use online updater to update databases and core info (Core info can include newer file type support info if a new compressed format or support for existing one is added) - The process takes longer but ensures all CRC matched roms are named "properly" in playlists making updating thumbnails and other metadata easier, no matter where your ROM files came from and how they are named. AFTER the detection scan is done for your collection, you can additionally make a manual scan afterwards for the rest, if any files were missed by auto scanner so you can get both that easily, as long as proper toggles to ignore existing playlist entries is enabled in manual scan feature.

Lastly, it does compound and with retroarch I recommend ZIP, 7z &/or chd files generally for your roms. Most platforms will read ROM files at least as fast from a zip as a raw file, but after about 100gba roms you are potentially saving 100+MiB of space. Same goes for CHD, and auto scanner works for these files perfectly on about all platforms. PS3 unofficial community edition is not 7z capable, though it thinks it is, so stick to zip on PS3.

Also one general recommendation from me with Fan translated games, not so much with total conversion ROMhacks is to use the clean original ROM file of the game, and get the translation patch file, ips, bps... and add it to same directory with ROM file with same name. For example, "Trials_of_mana.sfc" or "Trials_of_mana.zip" and adding your translation patch as "Trials_of_mana.ips". It should be automatically applied and only very few platforms/cores don't support the feature. Mainly issue on Vita or such. The patch file cannot be in same ZIP file with ROM weirdly/sadly enough, those need to be raw files next to rom/zip/7z files. Also how disc based systems are, those always need patched ISO files. Though, retroarch has surprisingly OK database of even patched ROMs.

Wow, it was literally **that** simple, yet it somehow eluded me ?. Thanks!

If you go into RetroArch/Assets folder, you can figure out very easily also how the files of a given theme are laid out, and if you wish to, you can make additions or changes just as easily as editing the PNG files. I do this with my custom collection playlists.
You also should generally swap render driver to vulkan on PC (linux or Windows) if you are rocking anything ~8 years old or newer. This enables Vulkan optimized rendering for 3D systems that benefit from it, does not hurt 2D systems (helps with shaders though) and there is fallback to OGL/DX if a core is not vulkan capable.

 

[Ravl]

I would personally vote against this, heavily. I personally thing one should first update game databases and cursors from online updater. Steam version does not have it but updates these files satisfactorily, some platforms are missing these entirely unless downloaded with updater like most android versions.
I personally always use online updater to update databases and core info (Core info can include newer file type support info if a new compressed format or support for existing one is added) - The process takes longer but ensures all CRC matched roms are named "properly" in playlists making updating thumbnails and other metadata easier, no matter where your ROM files came from and how they are named. AFTER the detection scan is done for your collection, you can additionally make a manual scan afterwards for the rest, if any files were missed by auto scanner so you can get both that easily, as long as proper toggles to ignore existing playlist entries is enabled in manual scan feature.

Lastly, it does compound and with retroarch I recommend ZIP, 7z &/or chd files generally for your roms. Most platforms will read ROM files at least as fast from a zip as a raw file, but after about 100gba roms you are potentially saving 100+MiB of space. Same goes for CHD, and auto scanner works for these files perfectly on about all platforms. PS3 unofficial community edition is not 7z capable, though it thinks it is, so stick to zip on PS3.

Also one general recommendation from me with Fan translated games, not so much with total conversion ROMhacks is to use the clean original ROM file of the game, and get the translation patch file, ips, bps... and add it to same directory with ROM file with same name. For example, "Trials_of_mana.sfc" or "Trials_of_mana.zip" and adding your translation patch as "Trials_of_mana.ips". It should be automatically applied and only very few platforms/cores don't support the feature. Mainly issue on Vita or such. The patch file cannot be in same ZIP file with ROM weirdly/sadly enough, those need to be raw files next to rom/zip/7z files. Also how disc based systems are, those always need patched ISO files. Though, retroarch has surprisingly OK database of even patched ROMs.

Yes, you could also do that, I recommend manual scan because that's what I've always used since the beginning

If you go into RetroArch/Assets folder, you can figure out very easily also how the files of a given theme are laid out, and if you wish to, you can make additions or changes just as easily as editing the PNG files. I do this with my custom collection playlists.

Nice setup you've got there. We couldn't be more different you and I on this aspect: I never cared about graphical customization, I just use RGUI with no thumbnails, icons or anything fancy.
Besides, if you use Switchres you are forced to use that menu.

You also should generally swap render driver to vulkan on PC (linux or Windows) if you are rocking anything ~8 years old or newer. This enables Vulkan optimized rendering for 3D systems that benefit from it, does not hurt 2D systems (helps with shaders though) and there is fallback to OGL/DX if a core is not vulkan capable.

Indeed, the latency on Vulkan may also be better.

 

[Sumea]

Nice setup you've got there. We couldn't be more different you and I on this aspect: I never cared about graphical customization, I just use RGUI with no thumbnails, icons or anything fancy.
Besides, if you use Switchres you are forced to use that menu.

It happened somewhat granually. I felt like having at least cover art helps as much as it does on modern digital fronts, or way back when. I really disliked the cold list of roms presented with pixelated DOS font. I think retroarch has very good balance for that; Only few simple images per game, no need for backgrounds per game 3D rendering game boxes, video file previews of the game in action. Just image of the game's box art, and image of the game itself (either title screen or screenshot, maybe both) - and I personally opt to just have the cover art. History is great too.
I would love to use actual CRT but the one Trinitron TV, and it is a TV not a monitor, I have can be used most easily by consoles. My Wii, PS3, Xbox or Wii U are best systems for that, but overall it is bit too much work given how nicely my switch works as both portable and TV retro center, on my much less laggier TV, with a ton of bluetooth retro controllers like SNES Mini's controller.

 

[HextarVigar]

If you're using PCSX2 or Duckstation, I'd suggest using them separately of Retroarch - they get updated literally daily, PCSX2 especially.

 

[Ravl]

I would love to use actual CRT but the one Trinitron TV, and it is a TV not a monitor, I have can be used most easily by consoles. My Wii, PS3, Xbox or Wii U are best systems for that, but overall it is bit too much work given how nicely my switch works as both portable and TV retro center, on my much less laggier TV, with a ton of bluetooth retro controllers like SNES Mini's controller.

Well, my switchres setup also uses a "tv", well it's a PVM but it's still 15hz so functionally it works just like a consumer set.
It is kind of pain to set up but all you need is a cheap radeon card (like 20 bucks or so) and enough patience, so I would definitely recommend it

 

[Sumea]

If you're using PCSX2 or Duckstation, I'd suggest using them separately of Retroarch - they get updated literally daily, PCSX2 especially.

Why would you come to RetroArch use help thread and say "Protip: don't use RetroArch", we already have that thread if not three. Also proper named versions of these cores do not exist as is for RetroArch. There are forks of these two projects, SwanStation, That has been lacking updates for a long time, and LRPS2 which has had unique and major updates as of recently.
Not to mention best and quite accurate emulation of PS1 has been available in RetroArch through Beetle PSX cores, and been around for longer than DuckStation.

Still, extremely confusing post. If you were to emulate PS1 in RetroArch, Beetle PSX HW should be the best option still, and PCSX ReARMed should be OK for lower end systems (Switch, Phones).

 

[HextarVigar]

Why would you come to RetroArch use help thread and say "Protip: don't use RetroArch", we already have that thread if not three. Also proper named versions of these cores do not exist as is for RetroArch. There are forks of these two projects, SwanStation, That has been lacking updates for a long time, and LRPS2 which has had unique and major updates as of recently.
Not to mention best and quite accurate emulation of PS1 has been available in RetroArch through Beetle PSX cores, and been around for longer than DuckStation.

Still, extremely confusing post. If you were to emulate PS1 in RetroArch, Beetle PSX HW should be the best option still, and PCSX ReARMed should be OK for lower end systems (Switch, Phones).

I thought I was trying to help. If you feel the urge to be a prick about it, keep it in your pants instead.

 

[Sumea]

I thought I was trying to help. If you feel the urge to be a prick about it, keep it in your pants instead.

To me it read as "If you're using RetroArch; don't" in thread about using and learning RetroArch. Sorry I read it as you wrote it.
It is like going to Linux troubleshooting thread and telling installing Windows makes their troubles go away. Possibly correct, but wrong advice in wrong place.

 

[Raidou Kuzunoha]

A bit of a specific question, one which I'm not sure has a singular definite answer; what are the recommended formats for games? I know the thumbnail/cover art detection can be a bit finicky, but does the format of the content impact it in any way? (i.e. bin/cue or chd for dreamcast and such).

And another less technical question, and more of general advice: do you download full romsets, or just pick and choose favorites? Mainly asking due to file storage limitations; a full NES romset is one thing, but anything 6th gen and up is just not doable for me ?

 

[Sumea]

A bit of a specific question, one which I'm not sure has a singular definite answer; what are the recommended formats for games? I know the thumbnail/cover art detection can be a bit finicky, but does the format of the content impact it in any way? (i.e. bin/cue or chd for dreamcast and such).

And another less technical question, and more of general advice: do you download full romsets, or just pick and choose favorites? Mainly asking due to file storage limitations; a full NES romset is one thing, but anything 6th gen and up is just not doable for me ?

For format, and thumbnail detection it is not format but the name of the game, but format can determine how likely RetroArch is to database match your games which result in "correct" names that will match retroarch's thumbnail databases for automatic downloading, and I can assure you can manually add thumbnails but you do not want to unless you have to. CHD is pretty much ideal for all disc based games. Retroarch can detect the relevant data from them and match the database mostly fine, I have not put Playstation 2 titles to my RA library so most I can say it worked fine on PCEngine/TGX16 CD's, Sega CD titles, playstation titles etc. Multi-disc games do not have automatic menu options yet, unless something has been recently changed, and should be consolidated into a .m3u playlist file and I usually manually edit the playlist to include just one entry, usually remove even (Disc 1) and just point that to the M3U file. M3U can point to CHD's and it works fine, this lets you swap discs from menu easier, kinda like in PSP/PS3 PS1 emu. GameCube and Wii titles, if used only for emulation, can be packaged into RVZ files with Dolphin standalone, and if you want files that work also on console, NKIT ISO conversion for GC and WBFS for Wii, both if I remember right still work on Dolphin, RA or standalone. All basic roms up to even N64 and DS I would recommend packaging into zip or 7zip formats, as RA supports on-the-fly extraction of these formats for ROM access, and it can read and detect ROM files from archives so you can just scan your folder of 7z packaged ROM files and database detection works fine.

TL;DR:
Most Disc Based systems: CHD (M3U and manual edits for Multi-Disc)
GameCube/Wii: RVZ for Emulator Only, nkit.iso and wbfs for files that work also on console.
Just about all ROM files from Atari to DS: zip or 7zip package them, maybe with maximum rather than ultra option to make processing easier for weaker hardware if you want to mirror the collection onto Rasperry Pi or such.


I personally Pick and choose my games in RetroArch library. Sure, it is now already ballooned to few thousand titles big, but I still manually chosen all games that interest me. I do not have unlimited space on my hard drive and especially on memory cards of my portable systems like Switch or Vita. I personally see zero reason to keep games I am never going to play around. It also keeps the lists less silly sized and keeps navigation without search doable. This personal preference is why I also love The Repo formerly known as something romance as it was just very nice site to find interesting retro titles. I feel personally full romsets are data hoarding excess to anyone who is not specifically meaning to host a mirror or maybe making a publically presented self built arcade of sorts, witch search most hopefully, so anyone can walk to the machine and think of their retro favorite and find it, but realistically even these would be better if you curate a game library of your own volition.

One practice I did when I went on to "addition spree" every now and then browsing The Repo or something like that would making subfolders after date. So, I would have folder 20230510 inside my NES ROM folder where all the games I added on tenth of may reside, making scanning just the new games easier and faster, and playlists hide the quirk away.

 

[ParmShellwood]

I'm glad this thread exists because I have a question about RetroArch, and I didn't want to open a new thread just for this XD.

Here's the issue: I have a PDP Xbox One controller [which is the one I regularly use with RetroArch]. I've used other controllers before, but ever since I used my first PDP [they've worn out over time, and now I have three—two "K.O." and the third one, which is the one I'm currently using], I've encountered the following problem when using the controller with RetroArch:

The Start button seems to be configured to exit the Front-End. I've reconfigured it several times to change its function, but it ALWAYS ends up resetting to that behavior. [I've saved my custom key configuration, reinstalled RetroArch multiple times, and even cleared the registry], and the Circle button [B in this case] acts as a "fast-forward" button, which is extremely annoying for games that use that button for confirmation.

This happens with ALL systems and consistently.

What could be causing this? Is there a way to change the functions of these two buttons and have them stay as I configure them? Could it be an issue with the controller?. Thanks in[Gameboy] advance

 

[Sumea]

What could be causing this? Is there a way to change the functions of these two buttons and have them stay as I configure them? Could it be an issue with the controller?. Thanks in[Gameboy] advance

I can at least say a normal xbone controller (well, xbone sereis in my case) does not do this, so it might be just something unique PDP's pad causes. What I can with quick search find is that there are at least customization app for their xbox controllers that could dig out some sillier features enabled by default. If controller has additional buttons, RetroArch may automatically bind stuff to the buttons beyond normal 13 buttons most controllers have. It is pretty "Works for me" but retroarch has not done this behaviour to me no matter if PS4 pad, third party PS3 controller, saturn pads by retrobit and so on. Still, I would take that tool and see if there is something weird enabled by default that could cause it. Only feature that retroarch has almost hard wired is ESC as quit button.

You can try check hotkeys and use Square/X/Y (Xbox X) or Spacebar on keyboard to clear out binds in hotkeys you think are affecting you and then go to first tab of most retroarch menus, configuration file and solidify that setting like it is the 11th commandment by saving current configuration.


Still, my not as heroic spidey sense says PDP pads might have some features under the hood RetroArch could deem unnatural. If you want, you can also test Steam Version if you use Standalone or vice versa to see how they differ, as input is handled differently in steam version, namely being fully steam-input enabled. Also if it is the Steam version, check the controller steam input settings for anything weird. It should not have anything weird but resetting that to "basic game controller" configuration or whatnot would not hurt.

 

[ParmShellwood]

Thank you so much for replying so quickly! Yeah, it seems like one of the "special features" of PDP controllers , because as I mentioned before, this only happens with this brand. I'll try what you suggested and also test with the Steam version, [since I've only been having issues with the desktop version [I hadn't thought about trying the Steam one].

By the way, the tool you mentioned, is it the PDP Hub? Because I’ve used it [and actually, I tend to use it] to recalibrate the controllers [and they even send an error notification by themselves when they break ]. But basically, it only serves to update the controller drivers [when an update is available] and to recalibrate.

Anyway, I'll try recalibrating the controllers and setting the configuration you suggested to see if I can finally get the controller to stop giving me issues. If it turns out to be the controller, I guess I'll have to switch to another brand.

 

[Sumea]

Thank you so much for replying so quickly! Yeah, it seems like one of the "special features" of PDP controllers , because as I mentioned before, this only happens with this brand. I'll try what you suggested and also test with the Steam version, [since I've only been having issues with the desktop version [I hadn't thought about trying the Steam one].

By the way, the tool you mentioned, is it the PDP Hub? Because I’ve used it [and actually, I tend to use it] to recalibrate the controllers [and they even send an error notification by themselves when they break ]. But basically, it only serves to update the controller drivers [when an update is available] and to recalibrate.

Anyway, I'll try recalibrating the controllers and setting the configuration you suggested to see if I can finally get the controller to stop giving me issues. If it turns out to be the controller, I guess I'll have to switch to another brand.

Yeah. For me Steam version fixes dual shock 4 compatibility (Specifically wireless mode with bluetooth dualshock 4). It might also help in this case. While steam version does not have ALL the features desktop version has, it has just all that matter, and you can actually remap directories to use cores, core info etc. from your standalone retroarch installation so you can still play all the same cores etc. You should in this case keep the standalon version around so you can use it's online updater or desktop menu if you manage your game lists with it.

 

[_oBSOLEte_]

Yeah. For me Steam version fixes dual shock 4 compatibility (Specifically wireless mode with bluetooth dualshock 4). It might also help in this case. While steam version does not have ALL the features desktop version has, it has just all that matter, and you can actually remap directories to use cores, core info etc. from your standalone retroarch installation so you can still play all the same cores etc. You should in this case keep the standalon version around so you can use it's online updater or desktop menu if you manage your game lists with it.

You could take a look at freeware DS4Windows which transform DS4 to a XBox controller. I use it for Epic games not recognizing the gamepad and also tweak stick response.

When a controller's not working you could also check in Settings>Drivers>Input and change to xinput or sdl2. Keep your keyboard and mouse handy tho, if you use the controller to do that.

 

[Sumea]

You could take a look at freeware DS4Windows which transform DS4 to a XBox controller. I use it for Epic games not recognizing the gamepad and also tweak stick response.

When a controller's not working you could also check in Settings>Drivers>Input and change to xinput or sdl2. Keep your keyboard and mouse handy tho, if you use the controller to do that.

No, I prefer steam input majorly for things it can add into usage of DualShock 4, Steam Input when enabled and working correct for DualShock 4 does anything DS4Windows would do and then fifteen kilos more. Motion control implementation customized by community or you yourself, Touchpad, and more. Only Dualshock 4 speaker is not supported on PC unless DS4 specifically coded games do.
And Steam these days should also let games that want to implement DualShock 4 support in the game itself play fine too by a situational toggle.
And if it goes down to that, I have a 8bitdo dongle that can hardware translate DS4 into Xinput/Switch Input that has it's uses (Using DS4 with motion controls on unmodified Switch)

DS4windows is OK but in my books I would use it only if SteamInput sharted itself for some reason. And that is why "Steam version fixes that" because standalone desktop version is coded in way that rejects steam input.

 

[_oBSOLEte_]

No, I prefer steam input majorly for things it can add into usage of DualShock 4, Steam Input when enabled and working correct for DualShock 4 does anything DS4Windows would do and then fifteen kilos more. Motion control implementation customized by community or you yourself, Touchpad, and more. Only Dualshock 4 speaker is not supported on PC unless DS4 specifically coded games do.
And Steam these days should also let games that want to implement DualShock 4 support in the game itself play fine too by a situational toggle.
And if it goes down to that, I have a 8bitdo dongle that can hardware translate DS4 into Xinput/Switch Input that has it's uses (Using DS4 with motion controls on unmodified Switch)

DS4windows is OK but in my books I would use it only if SteamInput sharted itself for some reason. And that is why "Steam version fixes that" because standalone desktop version is coded in way that rejects steam input.

Well I don't like Steam for many, many reasons, but I like Retroarch. And I like it up to date. I think SDL2 works for me with DS4 and bluetooth but you do you.

 

[ParmShellwood]

@ Sumea
Well, good news: I installed the Steam version, and besides immediately recognizing my controller as an "Xbox One Wireless Gamepad" [despite it actually being wired], the Start button and the circle work as they should. So for now… problem solved.

It never would have occurred to me that I could use the Steam version instead of the Desktop one [since I’m more used to the former, especially], but now I’ll have to start customizing it to my liking. For now, though, thanks a lot for your response—you’ve saved me a lot of headaches!

Granted, I’ve only tested it with a couple of systems [Mega Drive, PSX, and PSP], but for now, I just need to add the BIOS files. The only drawback I see is the hassle of having to go to "Manage Local Files" every time I want to add ROMs to the Steam version, but oh well, a minor issue.

I deleted the Windows version because I have the feeling that the issue I mentioned originated when my first PDP controller broke, and since all later installations of RetroArch were done without clearing the Registry data [unlike this time], it’s likely that the program "saved" that error and kept repeating it over and over again…

Anyway, thanks again!