Emulation frontend RetroArch just got a new update, bringing the program to version 1.9.2. This update adds some nice quality of life features and performance increases on certain platforms. File load times and RetroArch startup times are shorter across the board, and GBA emulator gpSP now works much better on the PlayStation Vita, as it's been optimized heavily since 1.9.1. In other news, 1.9.2 also adds multi soft-patching support, which as the name implies, will apply multiple patches to your ROM files on the fly, so long as they have a matching file name and are in the same folder as the base game, making it easier to deal with games that have lots of patches, such as romhacks or translations. A formatting example is shown in the example below.

Contra (Japan).nes
Contra (Japan).ips # Applied first
Contra (Japan).ips1 # Applied second
Contra (Japan).ups2 # Applied third

Source

 

[the_randomizer]

We already have a standalone GBA emulator on Vita, is a port of mGBA and works quite well, it even gets updated when mGBA does.

Yes, but you have to use frameskip, hard pass.

RetroArch shines on powerful hardware and unfortunately the Vita is not the PS3 that happens to be the bare minimum to make RetroArch tolerable.

So don't use it.

 

[armaldodo]

gPSP is still the best emulator, they only should fix the frameskip type, it was okey with the manual, automatic, and not this new type of frameskip that put choppy a game when using it.

Yes, but you have to use frameskip, hard pass.

 

[SuperDan]

Im Grabbing it right now i hope it doesnt mess up my icons and boxarts....>?!!

 

[Shawn ShyGuy]

Still listed as "coming soon" for Steam unfortunately. I'm sure the hack on their servers delayed the release some.

IIRC, if you register for the playtest it automatically unlocks for you. Not sure why it hasn't been released on steam properly yet, but doing that will at least give you access, and you can benefit from the updates, steam multiplayer, etc. Ive been using primarily the steam build and it's been running fine.

 

[Xzi]

IIRC, if you register for the playtest it automatically unlocks for you. Not sure why it hasn't been released on steam properly yet, but doing that will at least give you access, and you can benefit from the updates, steam multiplayer, etc. Ive been using primarily the steam build and it's been running fine.

Oh you're right, that was easy. I assumed it was by invite only since it said "the developers will let you know when they're accepting more testers" or something along those lines.

 

[tabzer]

I actually think the soft patching is cool for those who want to retain one version of a rom. You probably can use the same savestates and perhaps glitch out in the process. I like to use ips patches for a lot of translation hacks and other qol aspects. Maybe I can ditch my 5 versions of Mother 2.

 

[cashboxz01]

My OLED vita is still better than any retro handheld I've used. The vita d-pad and OLED display are the gold standard.

 

[the_randomizer]

My OLED vita is still better than any retro handheld I've used. The vita d-pad and OLED display are the gold standard.

Its weakness is the CPU

 

[hamohamo]

It have not improved gba emulation, when I use or not filters it runs slower than the previous version!

i think by improve they mean stability cuz i'm pretty sure it used to crush a lot

 

[MadMakuFuuma]

Im Grabbing it right now i hope it doesnt mess up my icons and boxarts....>?!!

i always backup my retroarch main folder (all folder, not only config) and save, in case of anything goes wrong. and believe me, it happens with frequency.

 

[nikeymikey]

RetroArch shines on powerful hardware and unfortunately the Vita is not the PS3 that happens to be the bare minimum to make RetroArch tolerable.

Disagree completely with that statement, I have powerful hardware and RA still sucks ass compared to standalone emus

To make it barely tolerable they really need to simplify things. I have a bit of an idea of how to make most things work, either hardware or software, I have modded many consoles etc over the years, complicated soldering etc, but can i get my head around the MANY config files that RA generates..... NO i cant, no matter how many goes i have at it. That should be the thing that they concentrate on fixing before add more features and making it even more complicated
Its the only emulator/front end that can work perfectly one minute and then be completely broken the next and mostly its down to the overcomplicated config files.

 

[Deleted member 534570]

It still runs horribly, sadly.

 

[SuperDan]

i always backup my retroarch main folder (all folder, not only config) and save, in case of anything goes wrong. and believe me, it happens with frequency.

Actually it all went well all boxarts icons ect backgrounds... Still there

 

[raxadian]

Yes, but you have to use frameskip, hard pass.

Just plan on PC then.

Disagree completely with that statement, I have powerful hardware and RA still sucks ass compared to standalone emus

To make it barely tolerable they really need to simplify things. I have a bit of an idea of how to make most things work, either hardware or software, I have modded many consoles etc over the years, complicated soldering etc, but can i get my head around the MANY config files that RA generates..... NO i cant, no matter how many goes i have at it. That should be the thing that they concentrate on fixing before add more features and making it even more complicated
Its the only emulator/front end that can work perfectly one minute and then be completely broken the next and mostly its down to the overcomplicated config files.

Well good thing I have up any time I tried to use RetroArch then.

 

[Clydefrosch]

if retroarch feels too slow for you loading up, delete emulator cores and info files you don't need.
this works wonders on 3ds systems and is nice even on vita

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

We already have a standalone GBA emulator on Vita, is a port of mGBA and works quite well, it even gets updated when mGBA does.

i have no idea how anyone can like mgba on non-pc hardware.
it doesn't run well at all and the menu is attrocious.
shortcuts? touchscreen shortcuts? slightly more complicated button configurations?

 

[Dothackjhe]

Loading a GBA core was broken in the earlier build on the PS Vita. Version 1.9.2 fixed it. However, the devs seem to have overlooked the need to update the homebrew's version placeholder as it still appears as "1.9.1" whereas it's 1.9.2.

 

[MetoMeto]

i like the soft patching feature!

 

[the_randomizer]

Use vierua


Well good thing I have up any time I tried to use RetroArch then.

WTF is that?

 

[raxadian]

WTF is that?

Didn't work, tried to install tons of stuff, worked but the default controller buttons were terrible... and so on, I never have good luck with the darn thing.

 

[the_randomizer]

Didn't work, tried to install tons of stuff, worked but the default controller buttons were terrible... and so on, I never have good luck with the darn thing.

That doesn't answer my question. WTF is vierua?