RetroArch/README.md
2012-06-30 16:41:35 +02:00

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# RetroArch
RetroArch (formerly known as SSNES) is a simple frontend for the libretro API. An API that attempts to generalize
a retro gaming system, such as SNES, NES, GameBoy, Arcade machines, etc.
Emulator/game cores are instantiated as loadable plugins.
# libretro
libretro is an API that exposes the core of a retro gaming system.
A frontend for libretro handles video output, audio output and input.
A libretro core written in portable C or C++ can run seamlessly on many platforms.
[libretro API header](https://github.com/Themaister/RetroArch/blob/master/libretro.h)
# Binaries
Latest Windows binaries are currently hosted on my [homepage](http://themaister.net/retroarch.html).
# Related projects
- GUI frontend for PC: [RetroArch-Phoenix](https://github.com/Themaister/RetroArch-Phoenix)
- Cg/HLSL shaders: [common-shaders](https://github.com/twinaphex/common-shaders)
- More Cg shaders: [Emulator-Shader-Pack](https://github.com/Themaister/Emulator-Shader-Pack)
- Helper scripts to build libretro implementations: [libretro-super](https://github.com/libretro/libretro-super)
# Philosophy
RetroArch attempts to be very small and lean,
while still having all the useful core features expected from an emulator.
It is used through command-line. It is also designed to be portable.
# Platforms
RetroArch has been ported to the following platforms outside PC:
- PlayStation3
- Xbox 360 (Libxenon/XeXDK)
- Wii (Libogc)
- Raspberry Pi
# Dependencies (PC)
RetroArch requires these libraries to build:
- SDL
RetroArch can utilize these libraries if enabled:
- nvidia-cg-toolkit
- libxml2 (bSNES XML shaders)
- libfreetype2 (TTF font rendering on screen)
- libsamplerate
RetroArch needs at least one of these audio driver libraries:
- ALSA
- OSS
- RoarAudio
- RSound
- OpenAL
- JACK
- SDL
- XAudio2 (Win32)
- PulseAudio
To run properly, RetroArch requires a libretro implementation present, however, as it's typically loaded
dynamically, it's not required at build time.
# Dependencies (Console ports)
Console ports have their own dependencies, but generally do not require
anything other than what the respective SDKs provide.
# Configuring
The default configuration is defined in config.def.h.
These can later be tweaked by using a config file.
A sample configuration file is installed to /etc/retroarch.cfg.
This is the system-wide config file.
Each user should create a config file in $XDG\_CONFIG\_HOME/retroarch/retroarch.cfg.
The users only need to configure a certain option if the desired value deviates from the value defined in config.def.h.
To configure joypads, use the <tt>retroarch-joyconfig</tt> tool.
It is also possible to configure joypads using the RetroArch-Phoenix GUI frontend.
# Compiling and installing
<b>PC</b><br/>
Instructions for compiling on PC can be found in the [wiki](https://github.com/Themaister/RetroArch/wiki).
<b>PlayStation3</b><br/>
RetroArch PS3 needs to be compiled in the following order:
1) Compile RetroArch Salamander
<tt>make -f Makefile.ps3.salamander</tt>
2) Compile the RGL video driver
<tt>make -f Makefile.ps3.rgl</tt>
3) Compile RetroArch as a library
<tt>make -f Makefile.ps3.retroarch</tt>
4) Finally, compile RetroArch packed together with the GUI:
<tt>make -f Makefile.ps3</tt>
<b>PlayStation3 - Creating a PKG installable file</b><br />
You can add 'pkg' as a parameter in order to make a PKG file - for example:
<tt>make -f Makefile.ps3 pkg</tt>
This creates an NPDRM package. This can be installed on debug PS3s.
To make a non-NPDRM package that can be installed on a jailbroken/CFW PS3 (such as PSGroove or PS3 CFWs and other 3.55 CFW derivatives), do:
<tt>make -f Makefile.ps3 pkg-signed</tt>
If you're using Kmeaw 3.55 firmware, the package needs to be signed:
<tt>make -f Makefile.ps3 pkg-signed-cfw</tt>
NOTE: A pre-existing libretro library needs to be present in the root directory in order to link RetroArch PS3. This file needs to be called <em><b>'libretro_ps3.a'</b></em>.
<b> Xbox 360 (XeXDK)</b><br />
You will need Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 installed (or higher) in order to compile RetroArch 360.
The solution file can be found at the following location:
<tt>msvc-360/RetroArch-360.sln</tt>
NOTE: A pre-existing libretro library needs to be present in the 'msvc-360/RetroArch-360/Release' directory in order to link RetroArch 360. This file needs to be
called <em><b>'libretro_xdk360.lib'</b></em>.
<b> Xbox 360 (Libxenon)</b><br />
You will need to have the libxenon libraries and a working Devkit Xenon toolchain installed in order to compile RetroArch 360 Libxenon.
<tt>make -f Makefile.xenon</tt>
NOTE: A pre-existing libretro library needs to be present in the root directory in order to link RetroArch 360 Libxenon. This file needs to be called <em><b>'libretro_xenon360.a'</b></em>.
<b> Wii</b><br >
You will need to have the libogc libraries and a working Devkit PPC toolchain installed in order to compile RetroArch Wii.
<tt>make -f Makefile.wii</tt>
NOTE: A pre-existing libretro library needs to be present in the root directory in order to link RetroArch Wii. This file needs to be called <em><b>'libretro_wii.a'</b></em>.