RetroArch is an amazing game console emulator that can also be used as a standalone game file browser. It works on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Android, iOS, and Nintendo game consoles like the Wii. RetroArch's versatility allows you to play any old school game on your devices. However, many new users face a challenge when getting started. This article will help you learn about the features of RetroArch and get you started in playing retro games on your device.
What is RetroArch?
RetroArch is a game emulator open source and cross-platform. It was originally built for the purpose of playing retro video games. However, it has evolved over time with major updates, allowing you to play modern games as well. The versatility of the emulator allows you to play any old school game on your devices. The best thing is that RetroArch is a modular emulator that can run games made for multiple systems: it can emulate systems like SNES, NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, TurboGrafx 16, Commodore 64 and many more.
Supported platforms
The cross-platform nature of RetroArch makes it easy to access games on multiple devices. RetroArch emulators are available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS and Nintendo consoles like the Wii. Let's take a look at the list of devices that can run RetroArch:
| Supported Systems | |
|---|---|
| 3DO | |
| Amstrad CPC | |
| Arcade | |
| Atari 2600 | |
| Atari 5200 | |
| Atari 7800 | |
| Atari falcon | |
| Atari Jaguar | |
| Atari Lynx | |
| Atari ST / STE / TT / Falcon | |
| bandai wonder swan | |
| ColecoVision | |
| Commodore 64 | |
| Commodore 128 | |
| Amiga Commodore | |
| Commodore CBM-II | |
| PET Commodore | |
| Commodore Plus/4 | |
| Commodore VIC-20 | |
| DOS | |
| Electronika – BK-0010/BK-0011 | |
| Fairchild Channel F | |
| GCE – Vectrex | |
| Handheld Electronics | |
| MacII | |
| Magnavox Odyssey | |
| Mattel Intellivision | |
| Mega Duck | |
| microsoft msx | |
| NEC PC Engine/CD | |
| NEC TurboGrafx-16/SuperGrafx | |
| NEC PC-8000/PC-8800 | |
| NEC PC-98 | |
| NEC PC-FX | |
| NEC TurboGrafx-CD | |
| Nintendo 3DS | |
| Nintendo 64 | |
| Nintendo DS | |
| Nintendo Entertainment System | |
| Nintendo Famicom Disk System | |
| Nintendo Game Boy / Color | |
| Nintendo Gameboy Advance | |
| Nintendo GameCube | |
| nintendo pokemon mini | |
| Nintendo Super Nintendo Entertainment System | |
| Nintendo Virtual Boy | |
| Nintendo Wii | |
| Palm os | |
| Philips CD-i | |
| SEGA 32X | |
| Sega Dreamcast | |
| Sega Game Gear | |
| Sega Master System | |
| Sega Mega CD/Sega CD | |
| Sega Mega Drive/Genesis | |
| Sega Saturn | |
| Sega ST-V | |
| Sega V.M.U. | |
| SG-1000 | |
| SharpX1 | |
| SharpX68000 | |
| Sinclair ZX81 | |
| Sinclair ZX Spectrum | |
| Sony PlayStation | |
| Sony PlayStation 2 | |
| sony playstation portable | |
| SNK Neo Geo Pocket / Color | |
| Super nes | |
| Spectravideo (SVI) | |
| The 3DO Company 3DO | |
| thomson computers | |
| uzebox | |
| Vectrex | |
| Watara Supervision |
Source: Wikipedia table
How to install RetrArch on Android
To be able to install RetroArch on your Android mobile device you will only have to follow these simple steps:
- Enter the Google Play Store.
- Search for RetroArch. You will see that two options appear, Retro Arch and Retro Arch Plus. You can choose the one you prefer, you just have to know that the Plus is somewhat more powerful than the normal edition.
- Click on RetroArch in the list that appears.
- Hit the Install button on Google Play.
- Wait for the app to download and install.
- You are now ready to get started with setup and use.
The best games to play with RetroArch
Since RetroArch can emulate many retro games, it is difficult to make a list of the best games that can be played with the emulator. But here are some games you can play with RetroArch:
- Super Metroid: This game is an alternative to the Metroid Prime series. The game was originally released for the SNES and can be played with RetroArch on that console.
- Pokemon: There are several ways to play Pokémon games with RetroArch. The Game Boy Advance, Game Boy and Nintendo versions of the game can be played with RetroArch.
- Final Fantasy XNUMX: This is the first game in the Final Fantasy series that was originally released for PS1.