Homebrew RetroArch Switch

[SeongGino]

Well, an N64 core hasn't been compiled for the Switch yet. It would be more difficult to port an N64 LibRetro core than to simply recompile an existing core with another library. On top of that, there are several N64 cores in the wild.

It'd take at least until implementing some form of hardware accelerated graphics into Libretro-NX before that can happen.
But at least it'd be relatively simple(-er) seeing as it's basically converting Android-x64 cores to Switch libs... At least, moreso than it is on the Vita. Ahem.

 

[CatmanFan]

It'd take at least until implementing some form of hardware accelerated graphics into Libretro-NX before that can happen.
But at least it'd be relatively simple(-er) seeing as it's basically converting Android-x64 cores to Switch libs... At least, moreso than it is on the Vita. Ahem.

You mean hardware accelerated graphics, not necessarily JIT/GPU, right?
Also, Sega Saturn games can run even without acceleration, although at a super slow speed. No doubt that this can also apply to N64 and PSX.

 

[SeongGino]

You mean hardware accelerated graphics, not necessarily JIT/GPU, right?
Also, Sega Saturn games can run even without acceleration, although at a super slow speed. No doubt that this can also apply to N64 and PSX.

As in HW acceleration for the graphics that isn't software/CPU rendered, yes.
Not shocked either by Saturn's notoriously poor performance, seeing as the emulators are hardly made for ARM/software rendering anyways. But at least the PSX core would have a better chance with ReARMed's baked in renderer which runs well even on the Vita's software render. N64 though -- yeah, it needs an accelerated renderer.

 

[CatmanFan]

As in HW acceleration for the graphics that isn't software/CPU rendered, yes.
Not shocked either by Saturn's notoriously poor performance, seeing as the emulators are hardly made for ARM/software rendering anyways. But at least the PSX core would have a better chance with ReARMed's baked in renderer which runs well even on the Vita's software render. N64 though -- yeah, it needs an accelerated renderer.

How can this be possible? Any renderers available?
And, in addition to JIT/GPU, how can we make the cores for N64, PSX and Saturn run normally at full speed? Seeing as if it's possible somehow, but an accomplishment is probably far from now.

 

[SeongGino]

How can this be possible? Any renderers available?

The exact question that is left unanswered. Just coming into this thread only a few hours ago, but if people can somehow reimplement whatever NVIDIA provides as a homebrew alternative... well, Libretro tbh isn't well-known for using derivative display APIs for particular hardware, so we'll have to see.

And, in addition to JIT/GPU, how can we make the cores for N64, PSX and Saturn run normally at full speed? Seeing as if it's possible somehow, but an accomplishment is probably far from now.

For PSX, the work's kind of been cut out for them with the implementation of PCSX-ReARMed for 3DS/Vita; those cores run at close to full speed-ish on objectively inferior hardware. With a DynaRec in place the improved X1 CPU the NX has, it would be a (comparatively) trivial affair, assuming they are compiled for LibNX.
For Saturn and N64, however, those are just plain unlikely. Saturn I can't really see running well with 3D games (and not sure how much a hardware accelerated plugin can help in this), and the N64 just needs a way to talk to the 3D hardware of the NX, since the only other alternatives are slow-as-balls software renderers that even few desktops can run full-speed.

Of course, some of this is really just me talking hypotheticals; give the development some more time to flourish since we're still far too early in Switch hacking that we don't really have many bearings set regarding standards.

 

[Centergaming]

Nice

 

[m4xw]

My responses:

• 4.x firmwares (4.0.0 up to 4.1.0)
• Definitely the LibNX library, since the latest version of the LibTransistor library doesn't work on 4.x
• RetroArch should load the menu and the ROMs without errors or failure. SD support and JIT support should work, and RetroArch should load from its SD card directory as well as load and save the configuration file.

Thing is, I'm most likely counting on someone to open up the bounty, though.

From what I know, Libtransistor is working on JIT support as well, and it seemed to be progressed quite some bit.

Right now mys libnx port starts but the snes9x core crashes the application after loading the game rom

I didn't try any other cores yet, but so far it mostly needs cleanup and some general fixes and I need to partly recode the audio driver.

I suspect that some cores could already work, but idk.

Btw anything but 5.x crashes for some reason after the gfx get initialized, maybe someone could play around with it a bit and look where it crashes on their console?

Sources of my libnx port here https://git.m4xw.net/Switch/RetroArch

 

[Centergaming]

From what I know, Libtransistor is working on JIT support as well, and it seemed to be progressed quite some bit.

Right now mys libnx port starts but the snes9x core crashes the application after loading the game rom

I didn't try any other cores yet, but so far it mostly needs cleanup and some general fixes and I need to partly recode the audio driver.

I suspect that some cores could already work, but idk.

Btw anything but 5.x crashes for some reason after the gfx get initialized, maybe someone could play around with it a bit and look where it crashes on their console?

Sources here https://git.m4xw.net/Switch/RetroArch

Wait... audio works??

 

[m4xw]

Wat, I said i need to recode it.

The audio_write function still needs the blocking implementation.

Idk which cores work or which need some love.

 

[Centergaming]

Wat

Nvm, I guess I misunderstood lul

 

[CatmanFan]

With all the current stuff going on, do you think 4.x users should update to 5.x to get a chance to test all the LibTransistor RetroArch builds? I'm debating on whether I should update my 4.1.0 Switch because, if I did, then no chance for possible softmod CFW solutions...
(pretty off-topic)

Also, who's gonna port the 3D console cores via LibNX?

 

[m4xw]

With all the current stuff going on, do you think 4.x users should update to 5.x to get a chance to test all the LibTransistor RetroArch builds? I'm debating on whether I should update my 4.1.0 Switch because, if I did, then no chance for possible softmod CFW solutions...
(pretty off-topic)

I would stay 4x.

 

[ownedlol]

With all the current stuff going on, do you think 4.x users should update to 5.x to get a chance to test all the LibTransistor RetroArch builds? I'm debating on whether I should update my 4.1.0 Switch because, if I did, then no chance for possible softmod CFW solutions...
(pretty off-topic)

Also, who's gonna port the 3D console cores via LibNX?

I wholeheartedly don't see a single reason to stay on 4.0.0 - 4.0.2 anymore.

 

[CatmanFan]

I wholeheartedly don't see a single reason to stay on 4.0.0 - 4.0.2 anymore.

4.1.0 is a more popular firmware in terms of homebrew to be honest.

 

[Phenj]

From what I know, Libtransistor is working on JIT support as well, and it seemed to be progressed quite some bit.

Right now mys libnx port starts but the snes9x core crashes the application after loading the game rom

I didn't try any other cores yet, but so far it mostly needs cleanup and some general fixes and I need to partly recode the audio driver.

I suspect that some cores could already work, but idk.

Btw anything but 5.x crashes for some reason after the gfx get initialized, maybe someone could play around with it a bit and look where it crashes on their console?

Sources of my libnx port here https://git.m4xw.net/Switch/RetroArch

You should make a thread about that, what you are doing is really important

 

[m4xw]

But what is the right section?

 

[CatmanFan]

But what is the right section?

"Emulation, Homebrew & Software Projects".
You know, the one that we're posting in right now.

 

[hippy dave]

Saturn I can't really see running well with 3D games

Personally I'd be happy if I could just play Saturn Bomberman. A port that could only manage 2D games full speed wouldn't be wasted on the Saturn's library, but it's always nice to be surprised by these things surpassing expectations.

 

[Phenj]

But what is the right section?

Emulation & Homebrew should be ok

 

[m4xw]

"Emulation, Homebrew & Software Projects".
You know, the one that we're posting in right now.

Blame the sun and the beer!