Video Game Emulation - Updated 2023

I love to Emulate old Retro Video Game Consoles on my PC.
And sometimes some even more Modern Consoles as well.
Here are Some great Guides to Awesome Emulators; tho, Google the Emulator's Official site as their Downloads may be of an Outdated Version: Free Emulator
Emulation General Wiki
Emulator Zone



Known Current Emulator Versions (for Windows; That I Personally Use):
Legend: Console/ Emulator/ Current Emulator Version [Exact Version that I Use Currently]

PSP/ PPSSPP (x86)/ 0.9.9.1
Download: PPSSPP
PS2/ PCSX2/ 1.2.1 r5875
Download: PCSX2
PSX/ pSX/ 1.13 -final
Download: pSX Emulator
N64/ RMG (Rosalie's Mupen GUI)/ 0.3.9 [0.1.4]
Download: RMG
N64/ Project64/ 3.0.1
Download: Project64
SNES/Snes9x (x64)/ 1.53
Download: Snes9x
NES/ RockNES/ 5.142 (My Personal Favorite; not listed on the site)
Download: RockNES 5.142
GBA/ VBA-M/ 1.8.0 r1097 (Old version from 2012; that I prefer using)
Download: VBA-M r1097
GBA/ VBA-M/ 2.1.5 ~Git
Download: VBA-M (GitHub)
GBA/ mGBA/ 0.10.2 [0.9.3]
Download: mGBA
NDS/ MelonDS(x64)/ 0.9.5 [0.9.4]
Download: MelonDS
NDS/ DeSmuME(x64)/ 0.9.13
Download: DeSmuME
Wii & GCN/ Dolphin (x64)/ 5.0
Download: Dolphin
Atari 2600/ Stella/ 4.0
Download: Stella
MS-DOS/ DOSBox/ 0.74 (Doesn't quite work on 64-Bit hosts)
Download: DOSBox
Xbox/ XEMU/ 0.7.86 (Fork of XQEMU; Requires OpenGL 4.0)
Download: XEMU
Xbox/ XQEMU/ "Version Unknown" (Requires OpenGL 3.3)
Download: XQEMU
Android Nougat or Pie (Android versions 7 and 9)/ BlueStacks/ 5.0 (BlueStacks 4.0 can only do Android Nougat)
Download: BlueStacks

As you see; I have Tried a Emulator for Almost Every Console! (Even a Semi-Working one for a Nintendo 3DS; But, I Talked about that in a previous Post)

Systems Currently without Emulators (Experimental or Untested):
Please Note that these might be Fake, Untested, a Virus, or a Scam. (I don't recommend trying any of these at this time)
Microsoft Xbox One*, Sony PS4**, Sony PS5, Xbox Series X/S.
* - There is one known Xbox One Emulator, known as BolXEmu; but I've never tested it (Possible Scam).
** - There is a PS4 Emulator in Development, called: Spine. Not Currently Released Yet!

Currently "Highly Experimental" Projects:
These Emulators, Run very slow, or will lag too much.(When Tested on my Current Hardware)
And Not every Emulator was Tested by Me yet, either.

Nintendo 3DS/ Citra
Download: Citra
Sony PS3/ rpcs3
Download: RPSC3
Microsoft Xbox 360/ Xenia/ v.1.0.2797-Master
Download: Xenia
Nintendo Switch/ Yuzu
Download: Yuzu
Nintendo Switch/ Ryujinx
Download: Ryujinx
Nintendo WiiU/ Cemu
Download: Cemu
Xbox 360 and Xbox One/ BolXEmu (Haven't Tested it yet; Not Recommended!)
Link Removed until Research is Completed

Graphics rendering with Emulators; for Windows mostly use DirectX (Usually Direct3D or Direct Draw); Tho, you can also get decent Graphics with OpenGL. And, certain Emulators are powered by OpenGL only. And you'll find that XAudio2 will work better than Direct Sound. (Tho, I prefer OpenAL Audio when it's supported)
Some Emulators can also take advantage of Multiple cores and use Vulkan for Graphics if it's supported on your System GPU.

My Current Hardware (That I use to test the Emulators):
OS: Windows 11 Home x64 (Version 21H2; OS Version: 22000.1335)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3450U with Radeon Vega Mobile Gfx 2.10 GHz (Hexa-Core CPU)
APU/GPU: AMD Radeon(TM) Vega 8 Graphics; VRAM: 2048 MB (2.0 GB)
RAM (Installed): 16.0 GB (13.9 GB usable)
Keyboard: EvoCore LED Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Rocksoul Gaming Mouse.
Gamepad: PowerA Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S - Black (Xbox One Controller for Windows; Xbox Gaming Device)
Physical Disk Drive: Y-E DATA USB-FDU USB Device (External; Not Always Connected)
Physical Optical Disc Drive: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GP96YB70 USB Device (External; Not Always Connected)
It's also common to Use a Gamepad with Many Emulators as Well.
I would highly recommend an Xbox Controller as they usually have built-in support on Windows,
Windows7 or Earlier: I highly recommend a Xbox 360 USB controller. (Tho, anything before Windows7 will require a Manual Driver install)
Windows10 or Windows11: I highly recommend either a Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S controller. (Will register as a Xbox One Controller for Windows)
Linux: Most Modern Distros should have built-in support for Xbox controllers, as USB support was added in Kernel 3.17.

My Recommended Controller for Emulation (and PC Gaming in General):
PowerA - Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S - Black
I Personally Use this Controller, Myself. (PC registers it as an Xbox One Controller)

Driver Downloads:

Official Microsoft Controller Drivers

For Linux Driver Support, it's usually built-in to the Linux Kernel. xpad for Xbox 360 controllers and xpadneo for Xbox One controllers.

Linux Downloads:

Snes9x 1.53 GTK Deb Install Packages (.deb):
32-Bit: snes9x-gtk_1.53.903.81~saucy1_i386.deb
64-Bit: snes9x-gtk_1.53.903.81~saucy1_amd64.deb

These PPA Packages for Linux Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander"; Tho, the Deb Packages will work with any "Modern" Distribution that can use the "GDebi" Package Installer. I installed the 32-Bit Version under Linux Mint 16. (Downloads Listed here Because they are hard to Find; and the Ubuntu/Mint version in the Software Center is Outdated.)

Quotes:
"Any controller made after the release of Windows 10, July 29, 2015 is strictly compatible with Windows 10. Windows 10 has a native driver system that should automatically accommodate PowerA controllers. Any controller made before the release of Windows 10, are compatible with Windows 7 and 8."

Media Files:

 

Snes9x 1.53 GTK; Running Under  Linux Mint 16.

Snes9x 1.53 GTK; Running under Linux Mint 16, 

Emulating the American version of "Secret of Mana".

Video Game Emulation - Updated 2021

I love to Emulate old Retro Video Game Consoles on my PC.
A great Guide to Awesome Emulators; tho, Google the Emulator's Official site as their Download maybe of an Outdated Version: http://www.freeemulator.com/



Known Current Emulator Versions (for Windows; That I Personally Use):
Legend: Console/ Emulator/ Current Version (or Exact Version that I Use Currently)

PSP/ PPSSPP (x86)/ 0.9.9.1
Download: PPSSPP
PS2/ PCSX2/ 1.2.1 r5875
Download: PCSX2
PSX/ pSX/ 1.13 -final
Download: pSX Emulator
N64/ Project64/ 3.0.1
Download: Project64
SNES/Snes9x (x64)/ 1.53
Download: Snes9x
NES/ RockNES/ 5.142 (My Personal Favorite; not listed on the site)
Download: RockNES 5.142
GBA/ VBA-M/ 1.8.0 r1097
Download: VBA-M r1097
NDS/ MelonDS(x64)/ 0.9.2
Download: MelonDS
Wii & GCN/ Dolphin (x64)/ 5.0
Download: Dolphin
Atari 2600/ Stella/ 4.0
Download: Stella
MS-DOS/ DOSBox/ 0.74 (Doesn't quite work on 64-Bit hosts)
Download: DOSBox

As you see; I have Tried a Emulator for Almost Every Console! (Even a Semi-Working one for a Nintendo 3DS; But, I Talked about that in a previous Post)

Systems Currently without Emulators (Non-Working, Fake, Viruses, or Scams):
Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PS3, Sony PS4, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U.

Currently "Homebrew Only" Projects:
Nintendo 3DS/ Citra
Sony PS3/ rpcs3
Microsoft Xbox 360/ Xenia

Graphics rendering with Emulators; for Windows mostly use DirectX (Usually Direct3D or Direct Draw); Tho, you can also get decent Graphics with OpenGL. And, certain Emulators are powered by OpenGL only. And you'll find that XAudio2 will work better than Direct Sound.

It's also common to Use a Gamepad with Many Emulators as Well.
My Gamepad is an PDP Afterglow AX.1 Xbox 360 USB Controller.

Linux Downloads:

Snes9x 1.53 GTK Deb Install Packages (.deb):
32-Bit: snes9x-gtk_1.53.903.81~saucy1_i386.deb
64-Bit: snes9x-gtk_1.53.903.81~saucy1_amd64.deb

These PPA Packages for Linux Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander"; Tho, the Deb Packages will work with any "Modern" Distribution that can use the "GDebi" Package Installer. I installed the 32-Bit Version under Linux Mint 16. (Downloads Listed here Because they are hard to Find; and the Ubuntu/Mint version in the Software Center is Outdated.)

Media Files:

 

Snes9x 1.53 GTK; Running Under  Linux Mint 16.

Snes9x 1.53 GTK; Running under Linux Mint 16, 

Emulating the American version of "Secret of Mana".

Rune Factory 4 Special

Hello Friends,
With the Launch of the Remaster of Rune Factory 4 on the Nintendo Switch coming out in North America, Like Tomorrow. I just thought I would Chat about the Game a bit, as well as share Good links to Guides that may Help you with your Rune Factory 4 Special play through.
This Post will actually be mostly a collection of Rune Factory 4 and Rune Factory 4  Special websites and Guides. To help you if you get stuck. I just thought that I would Collect them here, to make it simple for Rune Factory 4 Veterans and Noobs alike. Most of the Online Guides will be for the Original Rune Factory 4 on the Nintendo 3DS, as the Gameplay and Story hasn't really Changed much. Mostly updated with HD graphics. All of Town and Marriage events should be the same as the 3DS original. I hope you Guys are Psyched for Rune Factory 4 Special now!

Official Web Stores (Where to Buy):
Xseed Games Store - Rune Factory 4 Special

Official Websites:
Rune Factory 4 Official Site
Rune Factory 4 Special - Nintendo eShop 
Rune Factory 4 (3DS) - Nintendo eShop

Reference Sites:
Wikipedia - Rune Factory 4
Fandom - Rune Factory 4 Special 

Online Guides:
The Rune Factory Fandom - Rune Factory 4
Neoseeker - Rune Factory 4 Town Events 
Neoseeker - Rune Factory 4 Walkthrough Guide


YouTube Playthroughs:
Playlist: Rune Factory 4 by Sirlionhart 
Video: Let's Play Rune Factory 4 Special [First Hour+] by Nindie Spotlight

My Top Favorite Video Games of the Past Decade

Hello, today I will be Listing off all of my Top Favorite video games of the Past Decade. All of these games were released in the 2010's; but, came out on varied Video Game systems. I will be sourcing the Release years for the Games from the Steam Store. (Unless the game is a Console Exclusive)
This, List is completely my Personal Opinion, and this will also be an Top 10 List. So, Without further Ado, Here's the List. Please, Enjoy!


#10 -  Lego Harry Potter Collection (2016)

#9 - Wakfu (2014)











#8 - Fable III (2010)

#7 - Everlasting Summer (2014)

#6 - Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (2016)

#5 - Wolf Tails (2018)

#4 - Pokémon Sword Version (2019)

#3 - TESV: Skyrim Legendary Edition (2011)

#2 - South Park The Stick of Truth (2014)

#1 - South Park The Fractured But Whole (2017)

Bootleg Games: Pokémon Snakewood

One of my favorite Pokémon Rom Hacks/Bootleg Game cartridges is of course called Pokémon Snakewood. The plot of the game is set in the Hoenn Region, three years after the events of Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Hoenn is ravaged by a Zombie Apocalypse, and your Older Brother Landon and, Prof. Birch's Daughter May. Disappeared while trying to Stop the Zombie Plague. You can Play the Rom Image in a GBA Emulator on your Android Phone or Computer, or if you have a working GBA or NDS Lite; you can buy an Bootleg Cartridge on eBay or Etsy. It's a good game, if a bit difficult at times. I would definitely never recommend playing this game as an Nuzlocke Challenge. It is still extremely fun to play, tho. And it is well worth it to buy a Bootleg Cartridge on the Internet.
Mostly for Portability. The game does randomly Glitch and Freeze sometimes when entering an Trainer Battle, forcing you to reset the Game; So, save often like whenever you can! (Not sure if its a glitch specific to the physical bootleg or not, I haven't tested the emulated rom very often)

Purchase an Bootleg GBA Cartridge:
Pokémon Snakewood - Etsy (RetroGamersUS)
Pokémon Snakewood - eBay (g0gigigamerg0 ; US Seller)


Official Links:
Pokémon Snakewood - Official Site/Blog

Misc. Links: 
Pokémon Snakewood - Wiki Fandom
Pokémon Snakewood - PokéCommunity Forums
Pokémon Snakewood - GBA Hacks Blog
Pokémon Snakewood - Romhacking Network

PC Emulators:
Download: VBA-M 2.1.1 (Github)

YouTube Playlists:
Pokémon Snakewood Walkthrough by HeroVoltsy
Pokémon Snakewood Nuzlocke by TheKingNappy
Pokémon Snakewood Nuzlocke by HoodlumCallum


Misc. Images:

Bootleg Cartridge (Front)

Bootleg Cartridge (Back)

Bootleg Cartridge (Opened)

Bootleg Cartridge (in GBA Slot)

Bootleg Cartridge (Running Game)

Bootleg Cartridge (Saving Game)

Bootleg Cartridge (Continue Game)

Adobe Reader 9.5.5 for Windows

I personally prefer using old versions of Adobe Reader on my PC mostly because the UI is much better, and quick to load or render the PDF Documents. As it stands most PDF files that you find will be using at least PDF standard 1.7. So you will need at least Adobe Reader 7.0 installed on the PC. These older versions are great Offline but Online try sticking to Firefox's PDF.JS to view the PDF within the Browser. I am actually Running Adobe Reader 9.5.5 under Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit). It's a strange install Process too; First you need to Install "Adobe Reader 9.5.0" via the EXE or MSI installer, then you have to install the 9.5.1 - 9.5.5 updates in order via the MSP files. But if you are still using an Archaic OS such as Windows XP, even just for Gaming, try using Adobe Reader 7.0.9 instead it will probably run better and it can open your PDF format Game Manuals/Game Guides. (I wouldn't run anything newer than Adobe Reader 8 on XP tho.) And the following Download Links are from the Official Adobe Reader FTP Archive. (Unless the Hyperlink mentions otherwise) And all of the Downloads are the US English versions of the Software.


Windows Installer Files (Windows 7):
Adobe Reader 9.5.0

Update Installers:
Adobe Reader 9.5.1
Adobe Reader 9.5.2
Adobe Reader 9.5.3
Adobe Reader 9.5.4
Adobe Reader 9.5.5 


Legacy Installers (Windows XP):
Adobe Reader 7.0.9 

Legacy Installers (Windows 98-2k):
Adobe Reader 6.0 


Legacy Installers (May Run on Windows 98-2k):
Adobe Reader 7.0

Legacy Installers (Windows 95):
Adobe Reader 5.0.5 (Old Version)

Other Installers:
Adobe Reader 9.5.5 for Linux 

Images:

Adobe Reader 9.5.5 Running on Windows 7.

My Most Prized Possession

Currently my most prized possession to date, that I have the most Love for in my collection of everything that I own. Would have to be my Nintendo DS Lite that I got off of eBay. My Nintendo DS Lite will be used for playing my NDS and GBA games. While, my Gameboy Advance will be for Playing my GBC and GB games. I enjoy playing the Nintendo DS Lite alot, so what if the Nintendo Wireless Network was shutdown for the DS? It's fun for Offline Play, and I am sure Local Wireless works fine. Only downside to the DS Lite was it only can use WEP encrypted Wifi networks. But, the games/handhelds are all Region-Free up until the Nintendo DSi, so as long as a game isn't "DSi Exclusive". Pokémon Black and White are "DSi Enhanced", but are only Region-Locked when played on an Nintendo DSi, 3DS, or 2DS. So, they will play on any Region console of the Original DS or Nintendo DS Lite. You will only miss out on the Camera Features of the game's Online Video Chat. (Xtransceiver) Which is Useless now as Online was shutdown in 2014.  An US Action Replay DSi still works on the Japanese DS Lite, too. (If you still have one, that is, Datel no longer makes it anymore)

Other Info about the Handheld:
The Nintendo DS Lite is rather very cheap to import into the United States, from Japan via eBay. An average console (usually without a charger and near dead battery) will usually costs about $6 usd, SAL shipping (takes between 2-4 weeks) costs about $7 usd; a total of about $13 usd for the console. as for the charger you can buy an 3rd party "Onn DS Family Charger" (Also charges your 3DS/2DS) for about $7 from Walmart. So you can get a decent and cheap DS Lite for about $20 usd.

Shopping Links:
Onn DS Family Charger ($8.96 usd; NDS Lite - 3DS XL) - Walmart
Insten Travel Charger for Nintendo DS Lite ($2.69 usd; NDS Lite) - Walmart


Info on my gaming Handhelds:

Nintendo DS Lite - Model No. USG-001
Color: Metallic Pink (Rose Metal) 
Region: Japan  (System Firmware set in English)
Personal Use: Playing NDS and GBA Games

Nintendo Gameboy Advance - Model No. AGB-001
Color: Glacier Blue 
Region: North America
Personal Use: Playing GBC and GB Games

Nintendo 2DS - Model No. FTR-001
Color: Red/Black 
Region: North America
Personal Use: Playing 3DS Games/Software

Nintendo Gameboy - Model No. DMG-01
Color: Grey
Region: North America
Personal Use: Broken/Unusable (Power/Battery)

Misc. Pictures:

This Post was last Updated on: 03/09/2019 at 2:43pm EST