Here's a fun one lol: RetroArch + Gens GX. Auto-Detect System

[SkyHighGam3r]

I gotta fun one for you guys today!

So it's come to my attention that the Gens core in RetroArch is FAR superior to PicoDrive in about every way when it comes to emulating SMS, GG, Genesis, 32X, & the Sega CD. As such, I'm trying to switch over from the PicoDrive core.

Now, because my system is so completely whackadoo, there's not really any documentation on how to make this work, but I DO BELIEVE it's completely possible, I just don't know how.

On my build the Genesis, 32X, and Sega CD are in one single wheel under Genesis. (I re-branded it, but it shows up in RocketLauncher and the folders as Genesis) Now, I can launch any genesis game with default module settings perfectly. However, when I load a Sega CD or 32X game from the wheel, I get a black screen.

Originally this is what led me to try the PicoDrive (set via the global module settings in RL) and it will autodetect what kind of game it is.

So I deleted the global module changes, and tried it (I've since upgraded RA multiple times) and still the same issue. So I took a look inside the module itself.

Sega Genesis|Libretro_GEN|Genesis_Plus_GX_Libretro|Genesis

So I changed it to

Sega Genesis|Libretro_GEN|Genesis_Plus_GX_Libretro

No change, but I see while in RetroArch in the core settings system is set to "auto" which should auto detect what system it needs to emulate like the PicoDrive core does. However it's not.

I also tried setting it to:

Sega Genesis|Libretro_GEN|PicoDrive_libretro

and again it worked, so I tried setting the global module settings to load the Gens+ core... no change.

Given that the core is advertised as having the auto-detect feature, I am at a loss for what else I can try to get it to do this. I know that combined wheels are not common, and often disliked, but I'm trying to compile some helpful data for those who want to take the path less traveled.

I'd love some assistance in figuring this out, especially since Gens is supposed to be so much better than PicoDrive

[FrankyRizzo]

I don't have combine wheels.  But i'm not sure why you are having this issue.  Since each system can use the same core.  I dont understand why it wouldn't just automatically launch the games.

[SkyHighGam3r]

Haha, I haven't met anyone else with a combined wheel, it seems quite rare. I've combined several of mine. I actually just made a Nintendo Revolution wheel out of Gamecube and Wii.

That's precisely my thinking. Yet I can't get it to to load anything but genesis games. I thought for a while it might have been a BIOS issue, but I have a whole set of bios in the \system folder which is how I got them to load in PicoDrive...

[SkyHighGam3r]

You want to avoid modifying the module if at all possible, and there's no reason to when what you're doing can be done in the module settings. Changing the core there is the same as specifying the core in the module settings. The genesis that you removed from the end of that line is the mame/mess software list name that corresponds to that system, which is used if you're using the mess core. So none of the changes you made there were necessary.

 

As far as not being able to load/autoselect the games, the genesis_plus_libretro core doesn't list 32X as a supported system and 32X isn't listed as a supported extension so I doubt that core will run 32X. I haven't tried SegaCD yet but I added some Master System games to my genesis xml and the core loaded the SMS games no problem.

I know I tinker too much hahaha, but I made a backup! (Learned my lesson ) Still when option A wasn't working...

I just checked the Libretro Wiki and you're right... 32x isn't listed there... That poses a whole NEW problem... but I'll figure that out later.

Sega CD should definitely work though, the wiki even references it directly and says you need the BIOS.

I noticed that in that same wiki though it says:

 

• system_hw (auto/sg-1000/sg-1000 II/mark-III/master system/master system II/game gear/mega drive / genesis)(restart): Choose which system is going to be emulated.

  So Sega CD isn't listed there... yet the wiki specifically states it's supported, BIOS are needed, and even lists .cue as a file extension.

  Now I'm even more confused than before hahaha

[SkyHighGam3r]

OOOH here's an idea though...

Is there a way to make the Alternate Emulator Function for specific games pull up RetroArch using a specific core?

OMG that would solve like 5 problems I have pending haha.

[SkyHighGam3r]

Ok, I don't know what I did... the Sega CD games are booting now lol. I tried switching off all the settings in core options, then it worked. I turned them all back on to go through one by one to see what was doing it but it still works...

I'm just having a week of stupid problems I guess hahaha.

 

Yes, that's possible. You would just create an alternate emulator and set which core you want it to use in the module settings. Then you assign that emulator to the games on the Alternate Emultators tab.

Dude, I could ****ing kiss you!!!!!

I made a copy of the module and made the default core picodrive, labeled it "RetroArch - 32X" and set it as the alternate... AND IT WORKED!!!! So now I am running Gens+GX for Genesis and CD, and PicoDrive for 32X all via RetroArch cores... IN THE SAME WHEEL!!!!!

*party dance, party dance*

This means I can apply the same concept to my Game Boy/Color/Advance wheel!!!! I don't have to use standalone VBA anymore!!! AHHHH *girlie scream* AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

[THK]

Sounds like a logical solution. Was just thinking about that in another thread (compression something) about different psx emulators. If you want to try different emulators for a systems it should be easy to have muliple set-up and switch between em.

[SkyHighGam3r]

I had racked my brain on the issue before but hadn't considered trying to 'make an emulator' within rocketlauncher. I just knew I could chose one that was already there, and since they were both on RetroArch... no go.

 

[SkyHighGam3r]

Yes, that's possible. You would just create an alternate emulator and set which core you want it to use in the module settings. Then you assign that emulator to the games on the Alternate Emultators tab.

Hey, how do I mark a thread as solved? I need to start doing that, but I can't figure it out.

[SkyHighGam3r]

Hmm, it's not there on my end. I just see:

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[thcdgaf]

Ok, I don't know what I did... the Sega CD games are booting now lol. I tried switching off all the settings in core options, then it worked. I turned them all back on to go through one by one to see what was doing it but it still works...

I'm just having a week of stupid problems I guess hahaha.

 

Dude, I could ****ing kiss you!!!!!

I made a copy of the module and made the default core picodrive, labeled it "RetroArch - 32X" and set it as the alternate... AND IT WORKED!!!! So now I am running Gens+GX for Genesis and CD, and PicoDrive for 32X all via RetroArch cores... IN THE SAME WHEEL!!!!!

*party dance, party dance*

This means I can apply the same concept to my Game Boy/Color/Advance wheel!!!! I don't have to use standalone VBA anymore!!! AHHHH *girlie scream* AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

 

heres the logic on 32x its add on of genesis therefore gens plus gx core i played it before i knew pico core exist just tested they play in stand alone but not with module i thought it played

 

 

well it works in rlauncher after load one game in retroarch try it