Homebrew Official Retroarch WiiU (wip.)

[azy77]

I very proud of the PS1 Core, from where we started a couple years ago to now is a massive improvement
I'm not sure why Puae Core is playing too fast? but I'm sure there's a setting in the options somewhere to address that?
Though its nice to see an issue where things are running too fast on WiiU RA, nice change of pace lol

Lol.
I think it must be a core issue or a whdload issue as I've gone through almost every setting but it still plays too fast. The only thing I've got left to test is an adf which I will do at some point tomorrow.

But yeh the ps1 core is a great accomplishment and whats more amazing is that it loads the fastest despite having the biggest sized games.

Edit: Adf files on P-UAE also seem to be speeded up.

 

[september796]

Hi guys, Sorry for lack of updates, tbh there hasn't been alot of movement recently But that doesn't mean there hasn't been any changes

• More cores have been added, we should be pretty close if not the same as Tiramisu in terms of core compatibility. Thanks to Vague Rant, Maschell, QuarkTheAwesome
• PS1 Core should have another perf bump too, with extra threading additions to the ingame options menu. Thanks to vrda
• We now have the ability to open the WiiU Menu and close Retroarch with the Home button. Just like an official app Thanks to Maschell
• Added ability to use Threaded Video.. Option added to Video/Output Setting. Thanks to vrda
• Other misc changes I cant remember right now

This should be the best build for Aroma RA until the PR gets merged to Libretro

https://www.mediafire.com/file/e9ia88jqc0yb5in/WiiU_Aroma_Current_Build.7z/file

I don’t know what it is, but it didn’t work for me out of the box. It hung at boot every time. I ended up clearing all the config files and the unnecessary files that came with the package and eventually it worked — but it’s inconsistent. After changing some basic options, it happened again. I’ve had to repeat this process multiple times trying to figure out what the issue could be. It would help if the package came as clean as possible to avoid this (just keep those cfg that are a must to have, like snes and pcsx), but then again, I think something happens that breaks subsequent launches in my case sometimes idk why...

Also, I’ve noticed that some cores are missing — for example, mGBA. Is it okay to use the RPX file from the previous build?

Other than that, there are some really nice improvements. One thing that’s not mentioned is that SD reading/writing seems a lot faster — faster game loading, faster state saving. I couldn’t figure out how to close RA with the Home button though, or how to open the Wii U menu. What does that mean?
Edit: I got it. The Home Menu feature works only when no game is currently running.

 

[ploggy]

I don’t know what it is, but it didn’t work for me out of the box. It hung at boot every time. I ended up clearing all the config files and the unnecessary files that came with the package and eventually it worked — but it’s inconsistent. After changing some basic options, it happened again. I’ve had to repeat this process multiple times trying to figure out what the issue could be. It would help if the package came as clean as possible to avoid this (just keep those cfg that are a must to have, like snes and pcsx), but then again, I think something happens that breaks subsequent launches in my case sometimes idk why...

Also, I’ve noticed that some cores are missing — for example, mGBA. Is it okay to use the RPX file from the previous build?

Other than that, there are some really nice improvements. One thing that’s not mentioned is that SD reading/writing seems a lot faster — faster game loading, faster state saving. I couldn’t figure out how to close RA with the Home button though, or how to open the Wii U menu. What does that mean?

Hmm, I'm not sure why it's doing that. I've never had issues like you describe but I will repackage the build with the configs wiped, I should've done that originally anyway.

The WiiU Home Menu can be opened when no rom is loaded by pressing the Home Button, but when there's a rom loaded pressing home button will open the RA Menu like usual.. Tho I too am getting stuck trying to close RA from the Home Menu.. I'm sure that used to work best to just ignore that for now.

I've quickly built the mGBA Core: (though I think the older wip mGBA release should play nice with this build too)

As for the loading speed increase.. You reminded me of another new feature..
RA's Assets (which was the cause of the slow loading) is now built into the Retroarch wuhb, so it doesn't have to read it each time you switch Core/load rom, that helps loading speeds massively!

EDIT: mGBA has now been added to the latest build link

 

[Willicious]

I'm getting a very strange issue where basically, whenever I try to run a game, I see the "Wii U" title screen for a few seconds, and then Retroarch reloads but with a low-res version of the main menu. Whatever I do from there results in a blank screen and I have to restart the console (by powering off and on ).

Anyone else seeing this? Anyone know of a fix?

Is Retroarch basically not compatible with Aroma?

 

[ploggy]

I'm getting a very strange issue where basically, whenever I try to run a game, I see the "Wii U" title screen for a few seconds, and then Retroarch reloads but with a low-res version of the main menu. Whatever I do from there results in a blank screen and I have to restart the console (by powering off and on ).

Anyone else seeing this? Anyone know of a fix?

Is Retroarch basically not compatible with Aroma?

This new build is specifically for Aroma.. Try deleting any cfg files you have in the Retroarch folder.

Post automatically merged: May 5, 2025

Lol.
I think it must be a core issue or a whdload issue as I've gone through almost every setting but it still plays too fast. The only thing I've got left to test is an adf which I will do at some point tomorrow.

But yeh the ps1 core is a great accomplishment and whats more amazing is that it loads the fastest despite having the biggest sized games.

Edit: Adf files on P-UAE also seem to be speeded up.

what game are you using to test the speed?
Also what Audio Driver are you using AX or AXPro? If its too fast its likely the Sample Rate needs to be adjusted.. but to what? I'm not sure

 

[Willicious]

This new build is specifically for Aroma.. Try deleting any cfg files you have in the Retroarch folder.

Sorry, I should've said: I'm using the Aroma build.

EDIT: Is this still the latest "RA for Aroma" build?

EDIT 2: Hmm, checking again, the links on that post appear to be broken. Where can I get the latest "RA for Aroma" build/cores/etc? I've now uninstalled the copy that was causing problems, the plan is to re-install it and see if the issue fixes itself.

 

[KirbyBot]

Sorry, I should've said: I'm using the Aroma build.

EDIT: Is this still the latest "RA for Aroma" build?

EDIT 2: Hmm, checking again, the links on that post appear to be broken. Where can I get the latest "RA for Aroma" build/cores/etc? I've now uninstalled the copy that was causing problems, the plan is to re-install it and see if the issue fixes itself.

This is the new Aroma build: https://gbatemp.net/threads/retroarch-wiiu-wip.447670/post-10646268.

 

[Willicious]

This is the new Aroma build:

 

[ploggy]

Sorry, I should've said: I'm using the Aroma build.

EDIT: Is this still the latest "RA for Aroma" build?

EDIT 2: Hmm, checking again, the links on that post appear to be broken. Where can I get the latest "RA for Aroma" build/cores/etc? I've now uninstalled the copy that was causing problems, the plan is to re-install it and see if the issue fixes itself.

Check my Edit 3 on that post .. That's the latest build

This is the new Aroma build:

You'll have to edit your post I've just updated my link Added mGBA Core and cleaned up the package abit

Post automatically merged: May 5, 2025

View attachment 503137

Try again it should work now

 

[azy77]

what game are you using to test the speed?
Also what Audio Driver are you using AX or AXPro? If its too fast its likely the Sample Rate needs to be adjusted.. but to what? I'm not sure

It was on AX so I changed it to AX Pro. I can't remember what the Output Rate was set to originally (maybe 48000 Hz?) but I've now set it to 44100 Hz and the 10 or so random Amiga games I tested sound about right and play well also.
So far, only Shadow of the beast 3 needs separate thread for video and audio interpolation to none for it to run almost full speed. Thanks again Ploggy.

 

[ploggy]

It was on AX so I changed it to AX Pro. I can't remember what the Output Rate was set to originally (maybe 48000 Hz?) but I've now set it to 44100 Hz and the 10 or so random Amiga games I tested sound about right and play well also.
So far, only Shadow of the beast 3 needs separate thread for video and audio interpolation to none for it to run almost full speed. Thanks again Ploggy.

No probs, glad its working right now

 

[Willicious]

Try again it should work now

Thanks, the link works now. Downloaded and installed.

However, new problem: I now get a blank screen when opening Retroarch and have to power off the Wii U console.

Any suggestions as to what might be going wrong? Is there anything I need to do to install other than extract the folders to the SD card?

 

[ploggy]

Thanks, the link works now. Downloaded and installed.

However, new problem: I now get a blank screen when opening Retroarch and have to power off the Wii U console.

Any suggestions as to what might be going wrong? Is there anything I need to do to install other than extract the folders?

Do you have the right Retroarch WUHB?
https://www.mediafire.com/file/4q3wysuw7r7xacs/retroarch_wuhb.zip/file
I dunno why not having that would cause a black screen tho.

All you really need is this Retroarch wuhb file (placed in sd:/wiiu/apps) and the build posted.
Seeing as your the only one having these issues it must be something your end.. Try updating Aroma if you haven't already?

 

[Willicious]

I uninstalled the copy that wasn't working and then installed the copy you linked to. I wonder whether I might not have properly uninstalled the previous copy. Is there anywhere other than SD\retroarch and SD\wiiu\apps that stuff might need to be deleted (i.e. in order to uninstall a previous copy of RA)?

 

[ploggy]

I uninstalled the copy that wasn't working and then installed the copy you linked to. I wonder whether I might not have properly uninstalled the previous copy. Is there anywhere other than SD\retroarch and SD\wiiu\apps that stuff might need to be deleted (i.e. in order to uninstall a previous copy of RA)?

No. the only Retroarch related folders are SD:/Retroarch and SD:/wiiu/apps/
Try a different SD card?

 

[september796]

Thanks, the link works now. Downloaded and installed.

However, new problem: I now get a blank screen when opening Retroarch and have to power off the Wii U console.

Any suggestions as to what might be going wrong? Is there anything I need to do to install other than extract the folders to the SD card?

I had the same issue, and I think it was due to moving around the core files and configs while testing. I haven’t had the problem again since I set everything up properly now. In my case, it was odd but removing the "remaps" folder (RetroArch/config/remaps) somehow did the trick. Try not to copy or move files inside the RetroArch folder, as it seems pretty finicky now in that regard, at least in my experience.

 

[Willicious]

No. the only Retroarch related folders are SD:/Retroarch and SD:/wiiu/apps/
Try a different SD card?

I had the same issue, and I think it was due to moving around the core files and configs while testing. I haven’t had the problem again since I set everything up properly now. In my case, it was odd but removing the "remaps" folder (RetroArch/config/remaps) somehow did the trick. Try not to copy or move files inside the RetroArch folder, as it seems pretty finicky now in that regard, at least in my experience.

Thanks guys. Managed to get it all working.

As september796 said, it's a case of being careful which files are copied over from a previous RA installation. Here's what worked for me in case it helps anyone else with similar issues:

1) With your SD card in your PC, backup your existing Retroarch folder somewhere on your PC
2) Delete all Retroarch files and folders from the SD card (SD\retroarch) (SD\wiiu\apps\retroarch.wubh)
3) Copy the latest Retroarch build onto the SD card and then put the SD card back into the Wii U
4) Fire up the Wii U and open Retroarch. This will generate a config file and allow you to test that the basic build is working
5) Power off the Wii U, remove the SD card and put it back into your PC
6) Copy any roms, savestates and remap files from your previous Retroarch folder to the new one on the SD card. DO NOT copy any cores (although you can copy savestates and remaps from the "cores" folder)
7) Put the SD card back into the Wii U, fire up Retroarch

Hopefully, everything should work fine. You might have to set some stuff up manually again but it should all at least work.

The only issue I'm having now is that I sometimes can't save/load core options files from within Retroarch. Not sure what's going wrong, but... at least the games are running and the savestates are working.

I do a bit of programming in my spare time, I'd be happy to help get Retroarch working properly in Aroma depending on what the issues are holding it back from a fully stable Aroma-ready release.

 

[ploggy]

Thanks guys. Managed to get it all working.

As september796 said, it's a case of being careful which files are copied over from a previous RA installation. Here's what worked for me in case it helps anyone else with similar issues:

1) With your SD card in your PC, backup your existing Retroarch folder somewhere on your PC
2) Delete all Retroarch files and folders from the SD card (SD\retroarch) (SD\wiiu\apps\retroarch.wubh)
3) Copy the latest Retroarch build onto the SD card and then put the SD card back into the Wii U
4) Fire up the Wii U and open Retroarch. This will generate a config file and allow you to test that the basic build is working
5) Power off the Wii U, remove the SD card and put it back into your PC
6) Copy any roms, savestates and remap files from your previous Retroarch folder to the new one on the SD card. DO NOT copy any cores (although you can copy savestates and remaps from the "cores" folder)
7) Put the SD card back into the Wii U, fire up Retroarch

Hopefully, everything should work fine. You might have to set some stuff up manually again but it should all at least work.

The only issue I'm having now is that I sometimes can't save/load core options files from within Retroarch. Not sure what's going wrong, but... at least the games are running and the savestates are working.

I do a bit of programming in my spare time, I'd be happy to help get Retroarch working properly in Aroma depending on what the issues are holding it back from a fully stable Aroma-ready release.

Hmm, looks like I'll have to trim some more files from the build then if it has the possibility of messing up.
I'll trim out the system folder files and the config/remap cfgs..

How are you at resolving source conflicts? I've been trying to compile the pcsx core, but I'm getting alot of conflicts when I try to merge my repo with the new upstream changes :/
This coding stuff doesn't come naturally to me at all so I'm pretty much stuck unless someone can help resolve these conflicts.

 

[ShadowOne333]

It's been a long time
I got rid of my Wii U so I'm not that into WIiU Hacking anymore, but I'm curious, how far is the Aroma build now?
Is it already officially released? Or is still the Tiramisu one the default build?

 

[ploggy]

It's been a long time
I got rid of my Wii U so I'm not that into WIiU Hacking anymore, but I'm curious, how far is the Aroma build now?
Is it already officially released? Or is still the Tiramisu one the default build?

Hows it going?

Tiramisu is still the only build on the buildbot right now and the official libretro port.
Quarky was building towards an Aroma PR, which is more or less done. Things that were holding it back were a lot of the cores were broken on the switch to Aroma, but most if not all of that has been sorted for a while.. I think its just the actual PR itself that is a pain in the ass, since they need to replace the whole RA WiiU toolchain from Tiramisu to Aroma then retire the Tiramisu build and the logistics of doing that.

I think the thinking was to have both Tiramisu and Aroma toolchains on the buildbot for a while then after some time retire the Tiramisu build from the buildbot and have it as a download - WiiU Tiramisu (legacy) or something. but again its just doing it lol



EDIT: OK I've reuploaded the build. (hopefully for the last time) I've trimmed out EVERYTHING except what 100% is needed for a clean build.
Shaved a couple hundred MB off the build size too. Bonus!