RetroArch runs programs converted into dynamic libraries called libretro cores, using several user interfaces such as command-line interfaces, a few graphical user interfaces optimized for gamepads, several input, audio and video drivers, and other sophisticated features such as dynamic rate control, audio filters, multi-pass shaders, netplay, gameplay rewinding, cheats, etc.
Formerly known as SSNES, initially based on pseudonymous programmer Near's predecessor libsnes,[8] it began its development in 2010 with Hans-Kristian "Themaister" Arntzen committing the first change on GitHub.[9] It was intended as a replacement to bsnes's Qt-based interface[10] but it grew to support more emulation "cores". On April 21, 2012, SSNES was officially renamed[11] to RetroArch to reflect this change in direction.
On February 16, 2016, RetroArch became one of the first ever applications to implement support for the Vulkan graphics API, having done so on the same day of the API's official release day.[13]
On November 27, 2016, the Libretro Team announced that, alongside Lakka (LibreELEC-based RetroArch operating system), RetroArch would be on the Patreon crowdfunding platform to allow providing bounties for developers who fix specific software bugs and to cover the costs for matchmaking servers.[14]
In December 2016, GoGames – a company contracted by video game developer and publisher Sega – approached the RetroArch developers with the intention of using their software in their SEGA Forever project but ultimately the cooperation did not come to fruition due to licensing disagreements.[15][16]
In April 2018, an input lag compensation feature called "Run-Ahead" was added.[17]
The Libretro Team planned to release RetroArch onto Steam as a free download, integrating Steamworks features into the platform in July 2019. It would have been the first major dedicated emulation title to be released on the platform at the time.[18]
In 2020, the paraLLel libretro core for RetroArch used the GPU to run the Nintendo 64 at full speed on common consumer hardware, with upscaled graphics and the accuracy of bit-exact low-level renderer Angrylion.
In August 2020, someone impersonating a trusted member of the team got access to the buildbot server and the GitHub account for the libretro organization, causing vandalism and server wipes.[19]
Advanced GPU shader support – A multi-pass post-processing shader pipeline to allow efficient usage of image scaling algorithms, emulation of complex CRT, NTSC video artifacts and other effects;
Dynamic rate control to synchronize video and audio while smoothing out timing imperfections;[23]
Automatically build categorized playlists by scanning directories for games/ROMs;
Multiple interfaces including: CLI, XMB (optimized for gamepads), GLUI/MaterialUI (optimized for touch devices), RGUI and Ozone (available everywhere);
Game ROM scanner – Automatically constructs playlists by comparing the hashsums of a directory's files against databases of hashsums of known good game copies;[25]
Libretro database of cores, games, cheats, etc.;[26]
Run-ahead – Hide the input lag of emulated systems by using both savestates and fast-forwarding;
Achievement tracking – Integration with the RetroAchievements service to unlock trophies and badges;[27]
AI service – Uses machine translation external services to translate game text on screen.[28]
Supported systems
While RetroArch is available for many platforms, the availability of a specific libretro core varies per platform. For example, fewer cores are available for the iOS or Android version, than for the PC.
Below is a non-exhaustive table of which systems are available to RetroArch and what project the core is based on:
RetroArch has been praised for the number of systems and games it can play under a single interface.[31][32][33][34]
It has been criticized for how difficult it is to configure, due to the extensive number of options available to the user,[32][31] and at the same time has been praised for the more advanced features it possesses.[35]
On Android, it has been praised for the fact that overlays can be customized, for the expandability of the libretro cores it supports, for its compatibility with several USB and Bluetooth controller peripherals, in addition to the app being free and having no ads.[34][36]
Kyle Orland, writing for Ars Technica, said that RetroArch's 'Run-Ahead' feature is "arguably the biggest improvement to the experience the retro gaming community has yet seen".[17]
