What is the difference between RetroX and other frontends?
There are two main differences:
- RetroX automatically downloads, installs, and sets up the required emulator to run your games. Other frontends are just game browsers; you need to look for the emulators, set them up, etc. yourself. Other frontends are like setting up an old computer to play movies, where you had to download the codecs, install video players, etc., while RetroX is more like Netflix or Spotify: just start your game and RetroX will do whatever is needed to run it automatically.
- Other frontends require you to set up everything again if you install them on a new device. In RetroX, you have a user account that holds all your setup and preferences. If you install it on another device, all your preferences and saved progress will be there for you.
There are many other differences that you will discover as you use it, like:
- Cloud saves without any kind of setup: just save your progress and continue on any device where you have your account set up.
- Having specialized display modes for different screens, like big screens (TV devices), small screens like handhelds, CRT screens, and of course mobile screens.
- Different background options: static backgrounds, dynamic/blurred backgrounds, automatically downloaded bezels.
- Apart from favorites and playing history, you can create your own collections, for example, “Best beat ’em up,” “Games with great music,” etc.
- Automatic access to cheat codes.
- Easy rewind so you can try again that difficult part of the game.
- Easy and fast switching between video shaders.
- Custom keyboard mappings.
- …and more.
Is this a subscription service?
It’s up to you. You can have a 1- or 2-year subscription or purchase a lifetime license if you want to enjoy RetroX forever. It all depends on what type of Activation Code you purchase.
What is an Activation Code?
RetroX is free to try for five days. Once you get the idea of how it works and the trial period ends, you can continue using it, but limited to 6 games. To activate your
user account, you need to buy an Activation Code. An Activation Code is a redeemable code. Once purchased, you have to open RetroX with your account and redeem the code.
These features are only available for activated accounts:
- Unlimited games (free accounts are restricted to 6 games).
- Custom collections.
- Cloud-based saved states and memory cards.
- Our presets for computer-based games.
How do I buy an Activation Code?
You can purchase your Activation Code for RetroX from our online store.
How does the device limit work?
The device limit is for devices running RetroX simultaneously. If you reach your device limit, RetroX will show a list of devices where the app has been installed, and you can select one from the list to deactivate.
If you uninstall RetroX and then reinstall it on the same physical device, it will count as a new device, but the older one can be deactivated when needed.
Can I use RetroX without an internet connection?
Yes. Once your device has logged in online at least once, RetroX can start offline and you can keep playing the games already on your device or local network. Changes like save states and favorites are synced automatically when the connection is back. The time you can stay offline depends on your account type, and it’s renewed every time RetroX logs in online.
Read Using RetroX offline for the full details.
Why do I see fewer MAME games than I have?
MAME is a very special system when it comes to running a game. A ROM ZIP file doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a game. A game may need several ZIP files to run, and in some instances a single ZIP file can be used for several games. As such, there is no direct relationship between a ZIP ROM and a game. MAME romsets (full game collections) also suffer from having several duplicate games.
You can read the full details in our MAME page.
Why aren’t my ScummVM games being recognized?
ScummVM supports a well-known set of games. As explained in the Adding Games document, you need to use a well-known game code for your ScummVM game to be recognized. An up-to-date list can be found on the ScummVM compatibility page.
I have a game that requires more than one disk. How can I play it?
Read Multi Disk Support.
I have a physical gamepad. How do I configure it?
First, make sure that Android recognizes your gamepad: you should be able to navigate through the Android interface with it. If you can, go to Settings -> Gamepad Options to map the buttons in your gamepad (most gamepads use non-standard buttons).
Once done, all the emulators should recognize your gamepad/controller.
Here you can watch a video showing the process of mapping your gamepad/controller buttons.