So I’m waaay out of touch with the whole emulation scene. I’m just coming back to it after not touching it since the late 2000’s

I’ve been messing around with Dolphin, Yuzu, RCSP3 mainly, but seen screenshots of a few others.

Relevant information: I’m a Windows user, and I’m using the stand alone emulators.

I’ve noticed that they all have the same, or very similar user interfaces. I’m all for standardization, but I’m curious if this is coincidence, or is there a specific front-end system that they’re all using?

  • @9point6
    5•3 months ago

    You’re probably seeing either retroarch or launchbox (or its full screen mode, bigbox)

    Retroarch is an emulation suite that supports many systems, it has generally superseded many of the original emulators the various cores are based on

    Launchbox is a front end that is pretty well polished, and so very popular

  • @Podo_Danderfluff
    2•1 month ago

    Most emulators have just been built/developed with what people are used to, or what they like, which has become more similar over the years. Your questions confuses me a bit, but if you are actually looking for a good front-end for your standalone emulators, try emudeck: https://www.emudeck.com/

    • KraidenOP
      1•1 month ago

      Thanks. I was really just wondering why all the standalone ui’s were so similar, which I think you’ve answered. I’ve heard of emudeck, but not tried it. Will give it a look

  • @QuarterSwede
    1•3 months ago

    They’re all independent. There are other front ends that will add shine to the emulators like Launchbox or Emulation Station (desktop edition) if you find a list or just plain box art boring. Both have big picture mode for full screen.