You have probably noticed that in recent weeks we have been publishing quite a few articles about video games. The main reason is that the Steam Deck is changing things, and now there is more news about gaming on Linux. Chimera OS y DOS_deck They are two good examples, and in both cases there is the Valve console in the background. Since 2017 there is also RetroArch Web Player, which is Libretro's proposal to play classic consoles from the browser.
I don't really know why there isn't so much talk about this available option. here. The reason is likely to have to do with the fact that RetroArch is cross-platform, and can even be installed on the PlayStation 3 although there is no official version. Of course, it is for Windows, macOS, Linux and even for systems as little known as Haiku, so a version that can be run in browser It doesn't seem to be that necessary... or does it?
RetroArch Web Player does not work on mobile
The good thing about web applications is that no installation required. They are like portable applications, but if they work, the better. Suppose we are on a computer on which we are not allowed to install software. We are allowed to kill time by playing games, but not install software as it is restricted. That's one case where RetroArch Web Player can be welcomed.
How RetroArch Web Player works It doesn't have much mystery for those of us who know the desktop version, but you do have to know some things. The blue bar (the white below is hollow... blank) in the screenshot that heads this article are the external controls of the software, so to speak, and they will be the ones that allow us to add roms and choose the core or system:
- The first thing, what the screenshot says "Snes9x", is the selection of the core. It is important to know which core we are going to use and choose it before continuing, since it will be the one that loads.
- After choosing the kernel we will click on "Run". We will see the default interface of RetroArch with the kernel already loaded.
- In the next button we can load the roms. We click on it, choose one that we have on the hard drive and accept.
- The trash button is to delete browser settings and cache.
- The one with the three lines would activate and deactivate the menu, but it doesn't work for me. It works F1, as in the desktop version. The key I come on.
- The icon with the screen is to enter full screen.
- Help is help.
- The little arrow on the right hides the menu.
Almost the same operation as the desktop version
RetroArch Web Player works almost the same as the desktop version. If we want to see the controls, we can do so from the corresponding menu. If we want to change the interface to xmb, it is possible. What you can't do is get excited and think that we can play everything this way. For example, the kernel is not available to play PPSSPP, partly logical because the files are usually very large, some around 2GB, and because the performance is no longer the same. I have tried the PS1 Metal Gear on EmulatorJS, which is practically the same, and it goes in fits and starts.
You also have to take into account file uploads. I think that Bookcase The web version of its game emulation software is a bit neglected, and it would lack, at least, a progress bar to see the status of the uploads, and a warning when they are completed would not hurt. Desktop RetroArch doesn't have to load anything; it simply opens the files with the selected kernel. RetroArch Web Player is left processing and we are the ones who have to go back and forth through the options until we see the rom.
If you are thinking of playing from mobile devices, especially on an iPhone, since RetroArch is for Android, you will not be able to. The interface is not adapted to mobile phones, and touch selects, but it doesn't open (or I can't open it).
For everything else, it is the official Libretro proposal. If it doesn't work for you, I recommend EmulatorJS.