- OpenEmu is Mac software that basically lets you access all your video game emulators and 100%-legal backups of already-owned games, in one window, and one single GUI. I heard RetroArch is good for Android, but I've never seen the Windows version. NOTE TO MODS: Discussing emulators is okay. Mods are clueless when it comes to emulation.
- RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players. It enables you to run classic games on a wide range of computers and consoles through its slick graphical interface.
- Current Cover Count: (600 + 113 Alts) Supported by Plugin(s): wii2600 Complete Download.rar: Atari 2600 Standard Spine (450MB) Atari 2600 Shrunken Spine (472MB) Recommended for WiiFlow! Last Update: 07-11-15-Atari 5200-Size/Type: 1090x680 /.png Current Cover Count: (75) + (36) Supported by Plugin(s): wiixl Complete Download.rar.
A really nice touch to an already nice app is OpenEmu automatically searches internet databases for the information AND cover art of each game you import into the library. This gives you a sense of having a classic shelf of games, just like in the 80s and 90s. A controller is a must for anyone wanting to enjoy playing retro games.
In other entries, we have shown you how your Mac can be a very capable gaming machine that allows you to enjoy your older catalogue of both handheld and console Nintendo games via emulation apps.
Openemu Cover Artwork
As it turns out, OpenEmu for Mac, a new application, was released sometime back that takes an entirely new approach to how you can play your old game library, allowing for a more convenient and cohesive experience overall.
Here's a look at how this new application for old-school gamers works.
As several other free apps out there, OpenEmu is an open source project exclusive to the Mac that actually builds upon other existing collaborations to serve as a sort of hub for all your ROM (game backups) files.
The first time you open it after installation, OpenEmu asks you to choose all the ‘cores' that you would like to install along it. Each ‘core' is an additional platform that OpenEmu is able to support.
In addition to this, the app can scan your Mac for any existing ROMs, so if you have quite a few of them scattered around, OpenEmu does a pretty good job of gathering them all and presenting them neatly organized by platform.
While it is still in its version 1.0, OpenEmu for Mac already supports up to 12 different consoles and handhelds, including the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance, the Game Gear, NeoGeo Pocket, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the popular Sega Genesis, the Super Nintendo and even the old Virtual Boy, among others.
Here's where the main benefit of OpenEmu becomes obvious: It pretty much behaves as the iTunes equivalent of old school games. You can add games to your library by simply dragging them into the app without worrying what platform they are for.
You can also sort your existing games in different views, search among them, download games' covers and even add new ‘collections', which serve just as playlists would on iTunes.
Once you start playing games, you will find that OpenEmu is more than just a hub for other emulators. In fact, it integrates some of the features of the formers that are usually not too intuitive and makes them very easy to use. Examples of this are the app's support for full save states, OpenGL scaling and most importantly, gamepad support, which allows you to simply plug your favorite controller to your Mac and start playing games.
While it is still in its version 1.0, OpenEmu for Mac already supports up to 12 different consoles and handhelds, including the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance, the Game Gear, NeoGeo Pocket, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the popular Sega Genesis, the Super Nintendo and even the old Virtual Boy, among others.
Here's where the main benefit of OpenEmu becomes obvious: It pretty much behaves as the iTunes equivalent of old school games. You can add games to your library by simply dragging them into the app without worrying what platform they are for.
You can also sort your existing games in different views, search among them, download games' covers and even add new ‘collections', which serve just as playlists would on iTunes.
Once you start playing games, you will find that OpenEmu is more than just a hub for other emulators. In fact, it integrates some of the features of the formers that are usually not too intuitive and makes them very easy to use. Examples of this are the app's support for full save states, OpenGL scaling and most importantly, gamepad support, which allows you to simply plug your favorite controller to your Mac and start playing games.
Starting a game with the app is as simple as double clicking on it, then the OpenEmu window just fades and becomes the game window.
Also, regardless of which game you play, the app provides the same set of basic controls, which provides much needed consistency to the gaming experience.
Of course, you can also tweak each particular emulator's settings if you need to.
All in all, OpenEmu turned out to be an excellent app for anyone who had hoped to dig into their old game library but was intimidated by all the technicalities involved. This app makes things much easier and, while not providing support for the more advanced consoles yet, it still brings a bunch of old ones under one roof and makes it as easy as it ever was to enjoy them.
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For a rather long time, I was not a fan of classic game emulation. I viewed it as a bastardization of the gaming medium. I also wondered how you could possibly enjoy playing an old NES, or Genesis game on a computer, while not using the original hardware or controllers. Also, having separate emulators to configure, and issues with improperly mapped controls, emulation just couldn't deliver the experience I was looking for.Fast forward to current day. My views on emulation have turned around thanks to the help of OpenEmu. OpenEmu is a fantastic piece of software that allows you to search, sort, and organize all of your ROMs. The interface reminds me very much of iTunes. It also has the ability to launch the game right where you left off, even if you didn't create a save state. When it comes to the controls, it has a tendency to automatically detect your USB controller, and even properly map the controls for you. I have only tested it with 2 controllers so far (Logitech USB Rumble Pad, and Xbox 360 controller), but I must say that it works fantastically. In OS X I did need to download a driver so that my Xbox 360 controller would be compatible.