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Emutastic — Core Notes

Detailed notes on per-system emulation: configuration, known issues, workarounds, and implementation details for libretro core integration.

These notes document real problems encountered while building the frontend and the solutions that worked. If you're building a libretro frontend and running into similar issues, this is the reference.

Console Pages

• Nintendo 64 — ParaLLEl-RDP via Vulkan swapchain, teardown sequence, timing pitfalls
• Nintendo 3DS — Azahar core, Vulkan HW render, touch limitations
• GameCube — Dolphin libretro: OpenGL backend, JIT64 with fastmem disabled, HW shared context, AMD/Intel compatibility mode
• Sega Saturn — Mednafen Saturn default, Kronos SINGLE_SESSION save-state caveat, BIOS filenames
• Dreamcast — VMU saves, 30fps timing, audio-drain loop
• PlayStation — Beetle PSX HW default, PGXP / upscaling options, OpenGL backend, multi-disc handling
• PlayStation 2 — LRPS2 (PCSX2): Direct3D 11 vs experimental Vulkan (paraLLEl-GS), the DX11 high-res limitation, supersampling, BIOS, achievements
• PlayStation Portable — PPSSPP: context destruction skip on close
• TurboGrafx-CD — Beetle PCE Fast core, CHD + cue/bin support, RetroAchievements gotchas
• Neo Geo — Geolith core, .neo ROM format, BIOS requirements
• Vectrex — HW OpenGL: FBO sizing, readback dimensions, AR correction, game overlays
• Philips CD-i — SAME CDi: BIOS, analog limitations, button 3 mapping
• Atari Jaguar — Virtual Jaguar: known upstream DSP audio bug affecting voice samples on a handful of titles

Features

• Artwork & Metadata — OpenVGDB by default (no account); ScreenScraper becomes primary when you log in, adding 3D box art and manuals
• Cheats — per-game cheats, library database import, code formats per system
• Cloud Sync — GitHub-based battery save and database sync across PCs, optional AES-256-GCM encryption
• Disc-Based Systems — .cue/.chd support, region detection, BIOS lookup
• Disk Swapping — multi-disc auto-bundling, in-game swap chord, per-console behavior
• Portable Mode — USB-friendly self-contained install, portable.txt and --portable triggers
• RetroAchievements — rcheevos integration: CRT linking, DLL placement, memory regions, auth flow, HTTP bridging
• ROM Hacks — apply IPS/BPS/UPS patches in memory, hacked games as separate library entries, supported systems
• Emulation Timing — Audio-driven vs Stopwatch loops, 30fps game handling, HW core timing

Platforms

• Emutastic on Linux — the native Linux port: install, what's different (paths, logs, rendering), cloud sync interop with Windows