ANDROID RETRO GAMING EMULATION 101

nintendroid0
Mar 15, 2020
13 min read

(How to play classic games on Android, Fire TV, and Shield)

So, you’re new to the world of Android retro game emulation and want to know how to get started. You’re in the right place as, the Nintendroid app store contains many apps and games to get you reliving those awesome retro games, or, enjoying the titles you never got to play, in no time! The Nintendroid app store is only available in the Facebook support group.

Whether you’re emulating on a phone, tablet, Fire TV, or Android TV device, the process is about the same. Retro emulation on Android has come a long way and these days you can emulate all your favorite classic retro games on many different Android based devices. At Nintendroid we try to keep it simple so, in this article, we will only show just one of the many ways to emulate games on Android. First, I will go over the entire process and explain what it all means, then give a brief overview, with helpful tips and information near the bottom.

The MAIN steps for emulating are highlighted in red bold lettering.

You will need:

The Downloader app by AFTV News or a browser like Google Chrome (get either from your device’s app store if you don’t already have one installed. Use Downloader for TV devices and Chrome for mobile.)
ES File Explorer Pro (use the “Pro” version on the apps page) for moving and unzipping game files and folders.
Games (or “roms”) that you will get with a browser.
Android apps to emulate the games. (full list of emulators in the app store below)

**You will also need a Bluetooth game controller if you are emulating on a TV device.**

STEP ONE: Install Downloader by AFTV News, or Google Chrome, to your Android device. Allow ALL the permissions and, when prompted enter the Nintendroid app page URL. (link in the Announcements section of the Nintendroid Facebook group.)

**NOTE – If you are using Nvidia Shield or any other device with Android TV OS you MUST also install the browser plugin for the Downloader app. Do this by typing in the following web address and install the file:

STEP TWO: Install ES File Explorer Pro (dark icon version). Within the Nintendroid app store, scroll down until you see ES File Explorer Pro. Click the link beside the app name and install. (If prompted, allow any app permissions in Android security settings.) Install ES File Explorer, open it, allow any security permissions and allow storage permission.

Scroll down in the left column and turn off the Recycle Bin function.
For now, Exit ES File Explorer Pro.

ROMS: DONWLOADING THEM AND WHAT TO DO WITH THEM

Next, you need to download your game roms. Roms are the game files that you need in order to have a copy of the game or games you want to play.

You can download roms with any browser that supports downloads. In this article I’ll be talking about using Downloader for downloading the roms. (If you want to use a browser, or another device such as PC, look in the group’s announcements for rom links in the “Nintendroid’s Favorite Websites” post.)

We offer a few ways to get roms on the group page. These links are also useful on a PC for transferring games to external storage or USB thumb drives.

For complete sets, archive of download site links, and community support join us at: http://facebook.com/groups/nintendroid if you aren’t already in the group.

STEP THREE: Download some ROMS. After you have opened the Nintendroid app page in Downloader or a browser scroll down to the ROMS section. The ROMS files are near the very bottom down past all the streaming, utilities, and emulation apps. Click the link beside the file’s name to download the files. Be patient. Some roms files are large and may take a while. Unlike apps, DO NOT TRY TO OPEN OR INSTALL ROM FILES! Simply click DONE in Downoader when the file completes – OR – EXIT your browser once the roms have downloaded completely. This is where we will need ES File Explorer Pro.

**I cannot stress enough that you cannot open or install roms files.**

Explanation:

Select the pack of roms that you would like to download. You cannot download more than one set at a time with Downloader. Let’s say you want to emulate Super Nintendo (SNES). You would scroll down the app page until you see the Super Nintendo Roms pack. Click the link to the right of the file to download and then wait for the file to download to 100%. Click DONE in Downloader when it finishes. Download any others you wish to have and wait for the download to complete. Just see how much storage you have left on your device before you begin and read the file sizes in the descriptions on the app page. You will need DOUBLE the size of the files to download and then extract them until you can delete the zipped folders. I would recommend downloading one at a time if you’re unsure how much storage you’re using.

These rom files (games) must be downloaded to your device or external storage before you can begin playing them. The emulator apps DO NOT include any games. Not only do you need to download these files, the files MUST be moved and unzipped (extracted) as well.

What does that mean?

Many of the roms you will find online, and on our app and file page, will be ZIP, 7z, or RAR zipped file folders. This means you will need another app, other than Downlaoder or your browser, to view and interact with them, or, in other words, although you can download the roms, you can’t open or see them with the app used for downloading them, so this is where we will need ES File Explorer.

**NEITHER DOWNLOADER NOR CHROME WILL OPEN OR INSTALL ROM FILES**

When you download roms from the app page, these files go into your Downloader or Download folder (depending which you used) in Android. You will need ES File Explorer Pro in order to navigate to this folder on your device to view and extract them. (tutorial video below)

ROMS EXTRACTION

At Nintendroid we show you how to extract, or unzip, the romsets with ES File Explorer Pro. This app can be found for free on our app page (though there are several ways to do this).

In order to use these files with emulator apps, and actually play the games, we MUST extract the folder of files with ES File Explorer Pro.

STEP 4: Open ES File Explorer Pro again on your Android device. Now that you have downloaded some roms, they need to be extracted (or unzipped). After the file has been extracted, you can then delete the zipped file. Follow the video in the link below to see how this is accomplished.

Here is a video showing how to download a romset with Filelinked, the process will be the same now using the app page on ANY Android or Fire TV device except you will NOT need to move the files (cut/paste): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOuD0R2XBz4

The method is the same with the darker Pro version of ES File Explorer and is recommended for the best compatibility with the files. This procedure will also be the same for any disc based games that you might download later on as, they too, will need to be extracted in almost every case.

Explanation:

Think of this step as simply changing files on your Android device, very similar to how you might cut and paste files on a computer. You won’t mess up anything during this process and are only changing the files (the roms) that you just downloaded from the app page so that your emulation apps can see them. This step is necessary for any emulation apps to read your rom files. If you get stuck, don’t understand something, or need a little help, ask in the group.

Even though this process is shown on an Android box in the video above, and with the now dead Filelinked app, the process is EXACTLY the same using Downloader or a mobile browser app on all Android devices, Firesticks, Fire TV devices, Android TV devices, Tivo, Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield, and any other Television or mobile device based on the Android operating system. The files no longer need to be moved (cut/paste) when using a browser.

Hopefully by now you understand how and where to download game roms and the methods in which to extract the files you downloaded. You don’t need to move them out of the Download or Downloader folders but you may, and large sets shoud be moved to external storage to save space on your device. Remember, the romsets are a long list of games in one folder for each console, so they need to be extracted with ES File Explorer Pro so that the emulator apps can see all of the games. Disc-based games are usually zipped as well and will need to be extracted the same way romsets are.

Familiarize yourself with ES File Explorer Pro. This app will be necessary for moving files and folders around, unzipping (or extracting) roms, renaming or combining folders if needed, deleting files and, all-around general file management on Android.

Remember: By “long pressing” (pressing and holding for a couple seconds on a touchscreen or clicking and holding for a couple seconds the OK/Select button on your remote) on any file or folder, you can open extended menus and actions for those files or folders in Android. (cut / paste / delete/ rename / extract / create new folder / etc.)

In the next step you will see how to emulate or play the games using one, or several, emulation apps.

EMULATION APPS OVERVIEW

At Nintendroid we show you how to emulate your favorite game consoles using standalone apps for each console. There are many ways to emulate retro games, and many apps to do so with. This article will keep things simple and will focus only on individual emulator apps, also know as “standalone” emulators.

Standalone emulators are apps specifically for just one console. This means that the app, in most cases, will emulate only games made for that one particular console. So, for instance, if you wanted to emulate the Super Nintendo console, we suggest an app called SNES9x EX+ from our app store. Once you have the Super Nintendo Roms downloaded and have extracted them, you can use SNES9x to play those games.

**Not covered in this article are what are called “frontends,” nor “all in one” apps to open all or most of your games from within one app. These types of apps usually require a much more involved initial setup. Apps like Retroarch, DIG, and Launchbox are gaming “frontends” and can be setup to integrate all your roms or emulator apps into one easy to navigate app. If you’d like to know more about gaming frontends ask in the Facebook group an we will be happy to help or explain anything you’d like to know about them.

Also not covered are the “all-in-one” apps that will let you emulate several consoles from inside one app. These types of apps are usually less accurate emulators, meaning the games don’t play as well as they should but, are convenient for having many consoles in one place

So, now that you know that you need games, and an app to run them, you will need to setup your apps for use so you can play them.

Note* If you will be using a gaming controller you will need to pair it to your Android device, and leave it turned on, before beginning any emulator app setups.

STEP FIVE: Download and install your emulation app, or apps, of choice. Below is a list of emulation apps available in the app store and the consoles they emulate. Tutorial videos for the apps are also below this list. If you will be using a Bluetooth game controller pair it now.

Here is a list of the emulators (and frontend apps) we have in Nintendroid app store and the consoles they emulate. Some of these apps require what are known as “BIOS” files. (If an app requires a BIOS, it will also be available on the app page and may need to be extracted like the roms folders.)

2600.emu – An app for emulating and playing Atari 2600 games.
Amiga Essentials Forever – An Amiga PC helper app.
ARC Browser – An emulation “Frontend” for Android.
Argon (beta) – Android Emulator for Atari 2600, 7800, Lynx, Intellivision, NES, and Vectrex.
C64.emu – An emulator for the Commodore 64 PC.
Citra – 3DS Emulator (requires a HIGH END mobile device)
Classic Boy (+ Gold) – An “all on one” emulator that allows emulation of several consoles.
Colem Deluxe – An emulator for the ColecoVision game console.
Colleen – Emulates the Atari 400/800 PC.
DIG – This is a “frontend” (an app to open all your games from one place. It REQUIRES other emulators to be setup with it).
Dolphin – This emulator is for 64bit Android operating systems and emulates Gamecube and Wii games. The MMJ version allows cheats and, is optimized for mobile devices but, works on Shield if you turn off on screen controls.
Drastic – An emulator for the Nintendo DS handheld system.
Droid-CPC – Emulates the Amstrad CPC machine.
Duckstation – Playstation 1 emulator for mobile. Allows upscaling but lacks controller support on TV devices (for now).
ePSXe – Emulates the original Playstation (PS1) and is the best choice for most TV devices.
ExaGear Strategies – A Windows PC emulator for classic PC games.
FPse – Another PS1 emulator with a high compatibility with game titles.
GBA.emu – An emulator for the Gameboy Advance.
GBC.emu – Emulates Gameboy and Gameboy color.
Hyperspin – This is another frontend with a lengthy setup that requires other emulators with it. (Requires Tegra processor and 64bit OS).
Irata Jaguar – Emulates the Atari Jaguar console.
John NES – Emulates the original NES and best for mobile devices.
John SNES – Emulates the SNES and best for mobile devices.
Kegs – This app emulates the Apple II Computer.
Launchbox – Another “Frontend” setup for Android. (requires Retroarch and a PC for full setup – app was also discontinued and removed from Play Store but should still work).
Lemuroid – An “all in one” emulator for Android that emulates several consoles. (see the list of emulated consoled in the Filelinked file description.)
Magic DOSBox – Emulate Microsoft DOS PC operating System.
MAME4Droid 0.37b5 – Arcade emulator for Arcade cabinet-based games (only works with 0.37b5 roms).
MD.emu – A Sega Genesis (aka Mega-Drive) emulator. This app can also emulate the Sega Master System console and Sega CD games.
MSX.emu – An Android emulator for the MSX PC machine.
Mupen64 Plus FZ – This app is an emulator for the Nintendo 64 console.
NEO.emu – Emulates the Neo Geo home console and Neo Geo arcade roms.
NES.emu – An emulator for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
NGP.emu – Emulates the Neo Geo Pocket and Pocket Color games.
Nostalgia Game Gear Pro – Emulates the Sega Game Gear handheld console.
Pizza Boy GBA Pro – Gameboy Advance emulator for mobile Android.
Pizza Boy GBC Pro – Gameboy and Gameboy Color emulator for mobile Android.
Play! – Emulates the Playstation 2 console. This app REQUIRES a very high end mobile device with Snapdragon 855 or higher GPU.
PPSSPP Gold – An emulator for the Sony PSP handheld gaming console.
REAL3DO Player – Emulates the Panasonic 3DO Console.
reDream – A Sega Dreamcast emulator for Android 6 and up. The best Dreamcast emulator for Android.
Reicast – Another emulator for the Sega Dreamcast and works well even on older devices below Android 6.
Retro 8 – Emulates the original NES console and one of the few apps that shows game box art. The trade-off is accuracy. NES.emu is the most accurate NES emulator for Android.
Retroarch – An “all in one” emulator and frontend that will let you emulate many different consoles and open them all from one app. See ETA Prime’s YouTube tutorials for help setting this up.
Romflix – Another frontend based on Kodi that requires Retroarch to fully setup.
SNES9EX+ – An emulator for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). The most accurate SNES emulator for Android.
Speccy – Emulates the ZX Spectrum machine on Android.
Super Retro 16 – Emulates the SNES with box art. Like Retro 8, the tradeoff for box art is the accuracy. SNES9x is the most accurate.
PCE.emu – Emulator for the TurboGrafx 16 console (aka PC Engine).
UAE4Arm – An Amiga emulator for Android.
Yaba Sanshiro – Emulates the Sega Saturn console. The “2” version of the app removed cheats but was the only way it was allowed to stay in the Play Store.

STEP SIX: (Setup your app with a controller – Skip this step if using a touch screen mobile device)

EMULATOR APP SETUP TUTORIALS (VIDEOS)

Here is a current (at time of writing) list of setup tutorials for the standalone emulators we use (disregard any mention of Filelinked and use a browser instead now):

FOR OTHER APPS, IF YOU NEED SETUP HELP, ASK IN THE GROUP

TIPS

Our app store and announcements section of the group contain many romsets and games for these emulators so you can easily download a set for your favorite console, as well as downloading and installing all your favorite emulation apps for each console. The setup for all the apps ending in “.emu” are essentially the same.

“Most” Android devices should handle up to Playstation 1 and anything older without issue. For N64 and newer, you will need a more powerful device. While you “can” emulate some N64 games on a Firestick or Fire TV device, we would recommend ONLY the most popular titles and only putting a handful on your device. Firesticks lack the storage space needed for the full set and will NOT emulate most of the N64 titles well anyway.

Nvidia Shield is the ONLY TV device that will emulate Gamecube and some Wii titles using the Dolphin emulator. For 3DS and PS2 games you will need a high end mobile device with a newer Snapdragon chipset or a PC. In other words, don’t expect to play PS2 games on a Firestick, unfortunately, it’s just never going to happen. Save yourself the time and trouble and take our advice. Stick to what will work best on your device and keep enough free storage, about 1GB at the very least, for any system updates or app cache buildup.

All of the romsets we have are for the cartridge-based console games. If you would like to emulate consoles that used disc-based games such as the PS1, SegaCD, Dreamcast, 3DO, PSP, or others, you will have to find and download those games from a third-party website. We have a long list of many good websites for these in the Announcements section of the group.

Note* Each site may be different depending on the console you are trying to find games for. These sites use third party links that may contain a lot of advertising or pop-up windows and fake download buttons but the game files are legit. It is HIGHLY suggested that you use ad-blocking techniques before visiting and downloading from these sites. Also, look for “alternate link with timer” or “slow download” UNDER the download buttons on these sites. As mentioned, many of these sites show a fake download button that will load an ad, or may even download an app to your device, so be on the lookout when using third party sites and make sure the files you download from them are not APK files. They should be .zip, .rar, or .7z files in most cases. If unsure, ask in the group and we will do our best to help you find the correct files for the games you are looking for.

AD BLOCKING APPS / BROWSER ADDONS (recommended for third party websites)

AdGuard browser extension for Firefox for PC: https://adguard.com/en/adguard-browser-extension/firefox/overview.html
AdGuard browser extension for Google Chrome for PC: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adguard-adblocker/bgnkhhnnamicmpeenaelnjfhikgbkllg?hl=en
AdGuard mobile or Blokada for Android can be found in our Filelinked store as well.

CONCLUSION

Finally, and above all, HAVE FUN! At Nintendroid we do what we do for the enjoyment of others. We are ALL volunteers who donate our time to help show others how to play the great classics on their modern Android based devices and offer general streaming help and advice as well. The Announcements section of the group has a vast wealth of information in it including many links and third-party sites as well as answers to most questions you may have. http://www.facebook.com/groups/nintendroid/announcements/

If you have any questions or need help, first, search the group (magnifying glass) at the top to make sure what you are asking hasn’t already been covered. Create a new post if you need further assistance or don’t see your question answered anywhere in the group search. We don’t mind helping as long as you are putting in effort to learn and have made an attempt to read the announcements. The Nintendroid YouTube Channel is also a goldmine of information for all things Android streaming and gaming. https://www.youtube.com/c/nintendroidofficial/videos

#Gaming #firestick #firetv #shield #Emulation #android

ANDROID RETRO GAMING EMULATION 101

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