Homebrew RetroArch Switch

[notimp]

Zelda OOT played on Retroarch on the switch (1.5 Ghz OC, 16:9 and no hud patched)



(Videos show the PAL version of the game running at 17fps

Render resolution is 640x360 in 16:9 mode (core settings)

Sound is only missing in the video (Switch video recording function) there is sound in Retroarch. (for newcomers ))

The NTSC version of the game drops below its intended 20fps here and there (But I'm too chicken to use a higher overclock setting. Also I set Bilinear filtering mode to 3 point (costs very little performance, looks better on screen )).

If you want to play the game in any language other than english, the best version to play it is actually a hacked version of the GC rom.

I attached a cheats file for that rom (rom name in the name of the save file also attached - you have to find that exact one (its BEST version for european users (hacked GC version), runs at 20fps (if processor speed is fast enough ) the original PAL rom does not (17fps), includes all language versions) to apply the cheats attached) that includes a (correct aspect ratio) 16:9 patch, and a noHUD (only map) patch (items can be seen in the start menu, so the game is playable that way).

I've also included a 4 hearts save file (so maybe beaten first boss?) to load up the game in german.

By default it loads in english.

To run it in other languages, you have to load a save file from a normal PAL Zelda rom, already set to the language version of your choice, the GC version of the rom doesnt have a language selector built in. (This part is afair. )

Have fun.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

If anyone has to deal with project64 sra savefiles and wants to convert them into srm files - here is a 2015 version compile of the conversion tool:
https://forums.libretro.com/t/n64-save-file-convert/1190/4

 

[notimp]

If you are using the cheat file, dont forget, that the cheats have to be applied also, not only loaded.

Depending on performance, on the switch with 1.5Ghz OC it might actally turn out to be better to play the actual PAL versions of OOT roms (17 fps max). In which case, widescreen and noHUD cheatcodes for those can be found here:

http://forum.pj64-emu.com/showthread.php?t=5523

(look at my cheat file, change the codes accordingly)

 

[Plex7]

https://twitter.com/m4xwdev/status/1068245919718653954

Thanks!

Any idea when the music function will be available?

 

[Leonidas87]

More detailed overview on the overclocking/underclocking with a BUNCH of RetroArch cores. Should help answer some questions and give a better understanding on performance with each core.

 

[notimp]

I did some testing. Oddly enough the PAL version of Zelda OOT is the one you might end up wanting to run, as it has less sound stutter at 1.5Ghz OC (but then it runs 3 frames slower overall (molassesTM ).

In any case - here is a cheat file (16:9 patch and noHUD) for
Legend of Zelda, The - Ocarina of Time (E) (M3) (V1.1)
also known as
Legend of Zelda, The - Ocarina of Time (Europe) (En,Fr,De) (Rev A)
(Both PAL version of the game in case the (E/Europe) doesnt make that clear enough. )

Save file is not needed, as the language selector works on this one.

edit: Also: at 1.5 Ghz OC, actually leave render resolution at 640x360 (16:9) and only change bilinear filtering to 3point to make the game look a little better (core options). The videos above are of the PAL version with exactly those settings. Higher render resolution, more sound stutter at 1.5 Ghz OC.

edit2: Also framebuffer iis turned off in core settings as m4xw suggested. I did read that..

 

[notimp]

Ok, this needs a better writeup, so let me try once more..

This is all based on the experience with Zelda OOT in Retroarch with Mupen64Plus.

General recommended core settings:
- disable framebuffer (performance gain)
- set bilinear filtering to 3point (almost no performance loss, better visual quality, bilinear filtering has to be enabled in video settings)

The NTSC version needs OC set to 1.7 - but then runs perfectly well (20fps (=max fps for the game) with only rare minor drops in framerate).

The PAL version can get away with OC set to 1.5 - and then runs mostly well (close to 17fps (=max fps for the PAL game) with only minor drops in framerate and minor audiostutter).

For both version there are real (aspect ratio correct) 16:9 and noHUD cheatcodes available (see above).

As "best NTSC version" I used a special hacked rom based on the GC rerelease of the game. It has the benefit of also including all european language versions of the game, as well as running in 20fps. The first cheat codes on this page (for real 16:9 and noHUD) are for this version.
To "access" other languages than english in this version - you need a savegame from a normal pal rom - set to the desired language already. (Then rename, and start up this rom.) Reason: The language selection is missing from this rom. Any pal rom of the game should do.

As "best PAL version" I used simply the 1.1 version of PAL Zelda OOT, this is what the second zip of cheat codes (real 16:9, noHUD) is for. This one also has a working language selection.

If you cant get your hands on the "NTSC version" I used (name in the savefile in the first zip), you can also use cheat codes for other NTSC versions (link to a thread where you can find them already linked above) - you then have to simply replace 15 lines in the cheatcode file in the zip package - with the cheat codes for your version.

BEST way to play the game on the Switch right now - is definitely at 20 fps (NTSC version), and at max overclock (1.7Ghz). Then it runs basically perfect (real 16:9 and noHUD cheat codes applied).

Once you load the cheatcode file in retroarch, while the game is running (replace), you then still have to apply the cheatcodes (apply changes - or simmilar). There is also a toggle to do that automatically, after the game loads - which also works.

Should clear things up a little.

You could also take those findings and apply them to "N64 NTSC and PAL roms in Retroarch on the Switch in general". Should work, but milage may vary (There might be more demanding games than Zelda OOT on the platform).

edit: Video of the NTSC version of the game (real 16:9 and noHUD patches) running in Retroarch at 1.7Ghz OC (the first one on this page is from the PAL version).



edit: Setting 16:9 resolution to 720p also works with 1.7 OC (no significant framedrops). But the game somehow looks worse to me then. (Could be a placebo.. )

 

[zomgugoff]

Everyone's going on about overclocking for PSX and N64, but no one has mentioned that we now have full speed 32X emulation without dynarec.


...and I'm sure that's because almost no one cares.

 

[m4xw]

Everyone's going on about overclocking for PSX and N64, but no one has mentioned that we now have full speed 32X emulation without dynarec.


...and I'm sure that's because almost no one cares.

Virtua Fighter runs great on pico with 1.5ghz

 

[Deleted User]

I'm really scratching my head as to why the N64 core keeps constantly crashing for me...
Tried SM64, Conker's Bad Fur Day and Ocarina of Time through a fresh retroarch install, but every single one resulted in a fatal error with the latest buildbot nightly (the one with the new overclocking). PSX and Saturn cores are working amazing for me though.

Even went as far as to set up an empty fat32 microSD and download everything again, but still got the same results even with recommended settings for the latest builds. I'm running atmosphere 0.8.0 and firmware 6.1.0 if it matters.
Has anyone else been having the same trouble?

 

[m4xw]

I'm really scratching my head as to why the N64 core keeps constantly crashing for me...
Tried SM64, Conker's Bad Fur Day and Ocarina of Time through a fresh retroarch install, but every single one resulted in a fatal error with the latest buildbot nightly (the one with the new overclocking). PSX and Saturn cores are working amazing for me though.

Even went as far as to set up an empty fat32 microSD and download everything again, but still got the same results even with recommended settings for the latest builds. I'm running atmosphere 0.8.0 and firmware 6.1.0 if it matters.
Has anyone else been having the same trouble?

https://gbatemp.net/threads/use-atmosphere-to-access-full-ram-with-homebrews-without-nsp.521240/

 

[Deleted User]

https://gbatemp.net/threads/use-atmosphere-to-access-full-ram-with-homebrews-without-nsp.521240/

Ah yeah, I forgot about that. Thanks very much; they're all working perfect now!

 

[lordelan]

Ok, this needs a better writeup, so let me try once more..

This is all based on the experience with Zelda OOT in Retroarch with Mupen64Plus.

General recommended core settings:
- disable framebuffer (performance gain)
- set bilinear filtering to 3point (almost no performance loss, better visual quality, bilinear filtering has to be enabled in video settings)
- set aspect ratio to 16:9 adjusted (seems to crop some of the overscan border artefacts, in a good way)

The NTSC version needs OC set to 1.7 - but then runs perfectly well (20fps (=max fps for the game) with only rare minor drops in framerate).

The PAL version can get away with OC set to 1.5 - and then runs mostly well (close to 17fps (=max fps for the PAL game) with only minor drops in framerate and minor audiostutter).

For both version there are real (aspect ratio correct) 16:9 and noHUD cheatcodes available (see above).

As "best NTSC version" I used a very special hacked rom based on the GC rerelease of the game. It has the benefit of also including all language versions of the game, as well as running in 20fps. The first cheat codes on this page (for real 16:9 and noHUD) are for this version.
To "access" other languages than english in this version - you need a savegame from a normal pal rom - set to the desired language already. (Then rename, and start up this rom.) Reason: The language selection is missing from this rom. Any pal rom of the game should do.

As "best PAL version" I used simply the 1.1 version of PAL Zelda OOT, this is what the second zip of cheat codes (real 16:9, noHUD) is for. This one also has a working language selection.

If you cant get your hands on the "NTSC version" I used (name in the savefile in the first zip), you can also use cheat codes for other NTSC versions (link to a thread where you can find them already linked above) - you then have to simply replace 15 lines in the cheatcode file in the zip package - with the cheat codes for your version.

BEST way to play the game on the Switch right now - is definitely at 20 fps (NTSC version), and at max overclock (1.7Ghz). Then it runs basically perfect (real 16:9 and noHUD cheat codes applied).

Once you load the cheatcode file in retroarch, while the game is running (replace), you then still have to apply the cheatcodes (apply changes - or simmilar). There is also a toggle to do that automatically, after the game loads - which also works.

Should clear things up a little.

You could also take those findings and apply them to "N64 NTSC and PAL roms in Retroarch on the Switch in general". Should work, but milage may vary (There might be more demanding games than Zelda OOT on the platform).

edit: Video of the NTSC version of the game (real 16:9 and noHUD patches) running in Retroarch at 1.7Ghz OC (the first one on this page is from the PAL version).



edit: Setting 16:9 resolution to 720p also works with 1.7 OC (no significant framedrops). But the game somehow looks worse to me then. (Could be a placebo.. )

Good write up. Insteand of noHUD I'd prefer cheats that make it playable in 16:9 but not stretched (including HUD).
Do you have those as well?

 

[notimp]

Everyone's going on about overclocking for PSX and N64, but no one has mentioned that we now have full speed 32X emulation without dynarec.


...and I'm sure that's because almost no one cares.

I've thought about it. But then I remembered testing Star Wars Arcade before, which wasnt very fun. So I dropped the thought. But yay, new console generation unlocked.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Good write up. Insteand of noHUD I'd prefer cheats that make it playable in 16:9 but not stretched (including HUD).
Do you have those as well?

Yes. If you read the cheat files, they are in there as two separate groups of cheats. You simply delete all of the noHUD kind, and change the number of overall cheats at the top of the cheat file, and you are good.

The cheat file format in retroarch basically doesnt support multi line grouping. so all cheats are entered as single line cheat codes. I've "grouped" them using cheat names.

Easiest way - if you already have the cheats working on a version of the game, is to disable all noHUD cheats in the cheat menu, then apply. You don't even need to edit the cheats file for that.

Also - the cheats files I created in about 15 minutes myself - you could create your own. Link to the aspect ratio correct 16:9 cheats (and more) is in here as well - just look at one of the cheat files as templet, and you can create your own.

But. There is a reason why noHUD is actually quite proper to group with aspect ratio correct 16:9. And that is, that the HUD elements will be nonproper 16:9 stretched. So you have an absolutely fine looking game - with stretched icons on top. Non bueno.

 

[Cencil]

I did some testing. Oddly enough the PAL version of Zelda OOT is the one you might end up wanting to run, as it has less sound stutter at 1.5Ghz OC (but then it runs 3 frames slower overall (molassesTM ).

In any case - here is a cheat file (16:9 patch and noHUD) for
Legend of Zelda, The - Ocarina of Time (E) (M3) (V1.1)
also known as
Legend of Zelda, The - Ocarina of Time (Europe) (En,Fr,De) (Rev A)
(Both PAL version of the game in case the (E/Europe) doesnt make that clear enough. )

Save file is not needed, as the language selector works on this one.

edit: Also: at 1.5 Ghz OC, actually leave render resolution at 640x360 (16:9) and only change bilinear filtering to 3point to make the game look a little better (core options). The videos above are of the PAL version with exactly those settings. Higher render resolution, more sound stutter at 1.5 Ghz OC.

edit2: Also framebuffer iis turned off in core settings as m4xw suggested. I did read that..

Wow, thanks. You're in a good mood today!

 

[notimp]

No reason to bash people in this subforum any longer. This has become a place, where not every second posting is a service request thingy for rtfm issues any longer. (I couldnt read up on information anymore - because at times every second posting asked for personalized help in here - which we all gave for 5-10 times each on each issue, but then its over. *hulksmash* )

Oh, and by the way - please dont forget to also enable threaded video under video driver settings, if you are new to Retroarch on the switch, and are descovering it, because of the addition of N64 - thats the most performance gain "for free" that you'll get. (Might cause issues with some Retroarhc cores ("emulators"), although I basically always leave it on. Try it, be aware that that toggle exists.

Threaded video means, video will be rendered on more than 1 CPU core. Similar to that your smartphone haz all those multi cores, that make you excited to buy it - and then hardly ever get used, if software isnt designed to do just that. (This time written only jokingly, and not with a sarcastic undertone.. )

 

[KHEOPS]

little videos to see what the oc can do to improve fps

Spoiler: videos zelda oot ,f zero x

zelda oot

fzero x

 

[KHEOPS]

Everyone's going on about overclocking for PSX and N64, but no one has mentioned that we now have full speed 32X emulation without dynarec.


...and I'm sure that's because almost no one cares.

picodrive 32x is not good enough yet, but the games that are launched, the oc allows the fullspeed
there are not many good games on 32x, and the best ones don't work well unplayable
tempo, kolibri, mortal kombat does not work or very badly (no sprites,glitch), I expect improvements

 

[domol2]

overclocking not working for me. i dont see any differe

 

[Keylogger]

overclocking not working for me. i dont see any differe

same here, overclocked with max performance
Zelda OOT is running as slow as before

 

[arianadark]

restart retroarch and see if its the same