RetroArch 1.7.1 released – Switch port coming soon, original XBOX port is back, Wii U port greatly improved, Super Gameboy support, new Direct3D11/12 driver and more
The folks over at libretro are always working hard to give us the best experience while playing the retro games that we love. This time, they’ve updated RetroArch to version 1.7.1, a version that brings along many great things such as an improved DirectX driver, original XBOX support and major improvements to the Wii U port!
What is RetroArch?
RetroArch is a front-end for various emulators that are called cores. Thanks to RetroArch, you can manage your entire multi-platform game collection from just one program and avoid having to fiddle around with various different emulators! With RetroArch, you can emulate consoles such as:
- The NES, SNES, GBA and many more Nintendo consoles
- The Genesis, Master System and Game Gear among other Sega consoles
- Arcade machines
- Various computers (such as old Amiga computers) and some game engines (PrBoom for DOOM)
What makes RetroArch extremely popular is that it’s available on various platforms such as:
- Windows, Mac and Linux PCs
- Game consoles such as the PSP, PS3, PSVita, Wii, XBOX and soon the Nintendo Switch
- Android and iOS
What got updated/changed in RetroArch 1.7.1?
RetroArch 1.7.1 brings along the following:
- The Wii U port was greatly improved with shader and overlay support, increased stability while switching cores and menu shader effects.
- The original XBOX port is finally back with 21 cores thanks to the fact that the RetroArch team still supports compiling with Visual Studio 2003 and has created a Direct3D8 driver which also works with older PCs.
- Cores that support subsystems such as bSNES (Super Gameboy) and Same Boy (2-Link netplayer) can have their subsystem started directly from the RetroArch UI rather than through the command line
- A new Direct3D 11/12 driver that has features such as overlay support, menu shader effects and being able to draw the menu itself so you’ll have a unified experience with nothing being out of place!
- The Nintendo Switch port is now closer to being released than ever thanks to the recent major developments in the Switch homebrew scene. RetroArch is saying that a port for the Switch should be with us with the release of RetroArch 1.7.2 so stay tuned!
- Web Player works again and many bug fixes across many platforms.
Conclusion
For more information about this update, simply follow the link below! To get the updated version of RetroArch on your device, you may visit the link to the buildbot page below.
RetroArch 1.7.1 release post (source + more info): https://www.libretro.com/index.php/retroarch-1-7-1-released/
RetroArch 1.7.1 download links: https://buildbot.libretro.com/stable/1.7.1/
There haven’t been any major improvement to Vita port in a long time. I wonder if anyone is still working on it. My major issue is PS1 and SNES performance.
Just use Adrenaline (“PSP mode”) for PS1 games.
I know I can do that, but I prefer using Retroarch for fastforward feature and save compatibility with PC and my phone.
Try playing Rollcage 2… doesn’t work on Adrenaline.
True.
I’m also waiting for n64 which they could achieve very soon.
We haven’t heard anything about the N64 in a long time. Personally, I’m scared they’ll drop it, and leave us with Daedalus.
ParaLLEl core is great for N64 emulation.
Link?
actually the current version is pretty good. UI is light, and fast, there are some hiccups but nothing world ending
First
FIRST
where is xbox 360
It will come eventually. HLDS renderchain needs to be fixed in the Direct3D9 driver.
*HLSL
Any chance to get an updated version of retroarch on Xbox 360?
where is xbox 360 version
Silly me.
I thought an original XBOX emulator was about to descend from the sky…Halo1/2 and the wonderful RSC2…who cares ?
Retro arch ? Yeah, gud gud.
But, imo, it is a plague on VITA compared to the (almost) unmatched VHBL softwares and the outstanding PSP mode.
On Switch, on the other hand…
PS4 when?
Note for those having issues getting the icons to show up in the PS Vita version:
You have to also download the RetroArch data zip file and extract the contents to ux0:app/RETROVITA/
If you skip this critical step, the user interface is going to look terrible and will be very unintuitive.
VirtualBoy on the Vita/N3DS needs to get worked on. Big time