(Short review)

What is "RetroArch"?

RetroArch is an emulator for various old video game platforms based on the libretro framework. It supports fully customizable controls (with only one input device per input device, i.e. you can't map some keyboard keys and controller buttons to a single controller, which is no issue anyway but I thought I should mention it as some crazy people probably want to do that). The "RetroAchievements" framework is also fully implemented, so people who dump their cartridges as ROMs, CDs as ISO/CUE/BIN, etc., can play their old video games on the PC. In addition, there are many games on Steam that offer ROM files that can be played with emulators.

Many Steam games are supported even, there is a guide for that in the community guides. Notably the SEGA Genesis collection that is (partially was) sold on Steam uses ROMs that can easily be renamed and used here, or at least it was like that years ago, so I don't think that has changed. Some other developers made NES versions of their games in addition to the Windows versions, which are offered as DLCs.

RetroArch for Steam comes with many DLC that add "cores", i.e. emulators, to it. In addition other "cores" can be added. To use some cores and systems you will have to read the data from your hardware and copy it to the PC, such as BIOS files.

If modifications of video games are legal in your jurisdiction, after dumping the correct cartridges to your PC, you can also download so-called "ROMhacks" from the internet, apply those patches, and play those. Games like Super Mario World and the Zelda series offer many such fanmade modifications and many RPGs offer randomizers. Other games have maybe one or two big modifications. If you are a hardcore collector who has Japanese games, fan translations also can be applied.

There are of course also other means of obtaining files that can be used with RetroArch, but that will not be discussed here.

All in all, RetroArch is a good GUI to use with the emulator collection, i.e. the "cores", to have the libretro functionality and RetroAchievements all in one program, replacing most standalone emulators. After the initial setup and possibly some tweaking you are good to go wild on your collection without having to plug in the real hardware. As save functionality also is supported, including savestates, and other conveniences of emulation, you don't have to worry about your batteries in cartridges dying or your memory cards wiping your data.

An in-depth review would be beyond my capabilities. As such I hope this short review is enough to give a short overview.

Recommended: I can recommend RetroArch if you want to use emulators.

(Short review) What is "RetroArch"? RetroArch is an emulator for various old video game platforms based on the libretro framework. It supports fully customizable controls (with only one input device per input device, i.e. you can't map some keyboard keys and controller buttons to a single controller, which is no issue anyway but I thought I should mention it as some crazy people probably want to do that). The "RetroAchievements" framework is also fully implemented, so people who dump their cartridges as ROMs, CDs as ISO/CUE/BIN, etc., can play their old video games on the PC. In addition, there are many games on Steam that offer ROM files that can be played with emulators. Many Steam games are supported even, there is a guide for that in the community guides. Notably the SEGA Genesis collection that is (partially was) sold on Steam uses ROMs that can easily be renamed and used here, or at least it was like that years ago, so I don't think that has changed. Some other developers made NES versions of their games in addition to the Windows versions, which are offered as DLCs. RetroArch for Steam comes with many DLC that add "cores", i.e. emulators, to it. In addition other "cores" can be added. To use some cores and systems you will have to read the data from your hardware and copy it to the PC, such as BIOS files. If modifications of video games are legal in your jurisdiction, after dumping the correct cartridges to your PC, you can also download so-called "ROMhacks" from the internet, apply those patches, and play those. Games like Super Mario World and the Zelda series offer many such fanmade modifications and many RPGs offer randomizers. Other games have maybe one or two big modifications. If you are a hardcore collector who has Japanese games, fan translations also can be applied. There are of course also other means of obtaining files that can be used with RetroArch, but that will not be discussed here. All in all, RetroArch is a good GUI to use with the emulator collection, i.e. the "cores", to have the libretro functionality and RetroAchievements all in one program, replacing most standalone emulators. After the initial setup and possibly some tweaking you are good to go wild on your collection without having to plug in the real hardware. As save functionality also is supported, including savestates, and other conveniences of emulation, you don't have to worry about your batteries in cartridges dying or your memory cards wiping your data. An in-depth review would be beyond my capabilities. As such I hope this short review is enough to give a short overview. Recommended: I can recommend RetroArch if you want to use emulators.