All In One Retro Emulator

1. All Emulators In 1
2. Add Games To Retroarch
3. All In One Emulator Console

• RetroArch is an all-in-one emulator that is able to run games from pretty much every retro console out there. On the home console front, you will be able to run Playstation 1 games and older, while for handheld game consoles, it supports Game Boy Advance games and older.
• VisualBoyAdvance is your one-stop destination for Nintendo's retro handheld devices as it supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games. The emulator has a surprisingly robust.

All in One Emulator - Retro Emulator Classic Game With one emulator, you can play with three best of retro emulator. A graphical emulator front-end allows you to access all your favorite games in one beautiful interface. Plays almost all the classic titles from the 70's to the 90's. Use the controller to browse through the library and play with your friends up to 4 players.

An emulator is a software that allows your computer to run software made for another device. A video game emulator allows your computer to run games made for that video game.

For years, there have been several emulators for various video games and they make the joy of the nostalgic, who want to play games of video games they own but don't work anymore, or those who don't have video games to play.

When I had my first contact with emulators, almost 20 years ago, I was using Windows and I needed to install an emulator for each video game I wanted to emulate, for example: to emulate Super Nintendo, I used Snes9x, to emulate Sega Genesis, I used Gens, and so on.

Is there an emulator for Linux capable of emulating all (or at least many) video games?

Today, yes, there is: we have RetroArch. Multi-platform free and open-source software, RetroArch is not actually an emulator, but an interface (frontend) for several emulators, a kind of emulation center, capable of running virtually every retro game imaginable. RetroArch interfaces with emulators through the libretro library (backend). Each emulator that libretro supports is encapsulated into what is called a libretro core.

The list of video games that RetroArch can emulate includes, but is not limited to:

• Atari 2600
• Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
• Sega Genesis, also known as Mega Drive
• Game Boy, Game Boy Color (GBC), Game Boy Advance (GBA)
• Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
• PlayStation (PS, PS1, PSX), PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation Portable (PSP)
• Nintendo 64 (N64)
• GameCube
• Nintendo DS
• Nintendo Wii

Did you like it? Then read on to see how to install and use RetroArch on Linux Kamarada and openSUSE.

Where to download games (ROMs)

Files that contain games are commonly called ROMs.

For cartridge-based video games, such as the Super Nintendo and the Sega Genesis, their ROMs are files that contain the contents dumped from the cartridges.

RetroArch does not come with ROMs. Also there are no ROMs to download here on the Linux Kamarada website. You can search for ROMs on web search engines like Google.

For example, try searching for sega genesis roms.

Tip: if you download a ROM compressed as a ZIP archive, you don't need to unzip it, RetroArch can open it as is.

Installing RetroArch

There are two different methods for installing RetroArch on openSUSE: from the graphical interface using 1-Click Install or from the terminal using the zypper package manager — choose whichever method you prefer.

To install RetroArch using 1-Click Install, click the following button:

To install using the terminal, first add the needed repository:

Then, install the RetroArch package:

On openSUSE, each libretro core has its own package. Several cores are already installed by default as RetroArch dependencies. Later on, you can open YaST's Software Management, search for libretro and install or remove cores as you wish.

Right after installing, you should be able to launch RetroArch.

Starting RetroArch

To start RetroArch, if you use the GNOME desktop, click Activities, by the upper-left corner of the screen, start typing retroarch and click its icon:

Setting up controls

An interesting feature of RetroArch is that it has a global control configuration, which needs to be set up just once. RetroArch then adapts this global control configuration for each video game in the best possible way. If you used many emulators individually instead, you would have to set up controls on each of them.

RetroArch maps your real-world gamepad or keyboard buttons to a virtual controller called a RetroPad, then it maps the RetroPad buttons to the video games controllers buttons. A RetroPad does not exist in real life, it's only a concept within RetroArch.

Your gamepad or keyboard is mapped to RetroPad, which in turn is mapped to the video games controllers.

RetroPad has the same layout of a Sony DualShock, the PlayStation controller. So, if you are going to buy a gaming controller, I recommend you to buy a gaming controller for PC with that same layout. I have a controller like that and it's the best controller for emulation, because it has many buttons, so it can be mapped to any video game controller.

You can use a real controller with less buttons, that's perfectly fine. However, if that is the case, you may be missing buttons to emulate some video games.

If you are going to play with a gamepad, plug it in. RetroArch should detect it:

RetroArch is also able to automatically configure many gamepad models: you plug your gamepad and it just works, like a real video game. Possibly your gamepad is ready to use right now and you can just start playing.

To navigate the RetroArch menu, you can use your keyboard, mouse or the gamepad you just connected. To navigate using the mouse, simply click where you want to go.

To navigate the menu using the keyboard, use the arrow keys to move through the options, Enter to advance in the menu, Backspace to go back and Esc to quit RetroArch.

To navigate the menu using the gamepad, use the arrows to move through the options, O (circle) to advance in the menu and X (cross) to go back.

If you want to change the mapping of your keyboard or gamepad to the RetroPad, enter the Settings menu, navigate to Input and finally select Port 1 Binds:

In my case, RetroArch has already mapped my gamepad:

To quickly assign all buttons at once, choose Bind All.

Press the buttons following the RetroArch guidelines:

In the end, you will have all buttons mapped and you will be back to the menu.

If you are going to play two-player games, set up the second player controls in a similar way.

Starting a game

To start a game (open a ROM) in RetroArch, go back to the Main Menu and select Load Content. Navigate to the game folder:

Find the game you want to start, select it once you have:

If the game is zipped, you will be presented with two options, Browse Archive or Load Archive:

In most cases, the ZIP archive contains just one game and you can just load it.

Based on the selected file, RetroArch suggests some emulators (cores) to be used:

You should always choose the platform the game was supposed to run on. For example, I'm loading a Sega Genesis game. So, I'm going to select the Sega Genesis core, which is based on the BlastEm emulator.

The game should start:

Accessing the in-game menu

If during the game you need to access the RetroArch menu, press F1.

Saving and loading game states

An advantage the emulator offers over the video game is that you can save the game state, as well as resume from where you saved it, at any time you want.

Playing on RetroArch, you can save just like you would on the real video game (using the game's own menu), or you can use one of the RetroArch slots.

Another advantage is that generally video games offer only one memory to save the game, so that only one game can be saved. RetroArch offers dozens of memories (state slots).

Note that the RetroArch in-game menu offers the Save State and Load State options, as well as the State Slot option that allows you to change the slot currently in use.

If you need to use one of those options quickly during the game, you can use the keys:

• F2 to save the game state
• F4 to load the game state
• F7 to increase the current state slot (from 0 to 1, from 1 to 2, and so on)
• F6 to decrease the current state slot (from 2 to 1, from 1 to 0)

Quitting the game

When you no longer want to play, you can just close the RetroArch window or press Esc. Note that if you haven't saved the game, when you quit, your progress will be lost.

If you want to quit the current game but return to the RetroArch main menu, press F1 to open the in-game menu and choose Close Content.

History

RetroArch allows you to easily access games you've already played by the History menu:

Favorites

You can also add games you like most or play often to the list of your favorite games, which is another way to easily access them. There are two ways to do this.

During the game, you can open the RetroArch menu and choose Add to Favorites.

Or you can go to the History menu, select the game and use that same option:

Then, to access your favorite games, go to the Favorites menu:

System requirements

RetroArch is, roughly speaking, a graphical user interface made up of menus. Thus, it has no minimum requirements and can be installed on any computer.

But each emulator has its own requirements. Therefore, which video games your computer is capable of emulating depends on your hardware.

To give you an idea, it's very easy to use RetroArch on a Raspberry Pi 4 thanks to the RetroPie distribution (I can write about it in the future). You can check the technical specifications of the Raspberry Pi 4 computer in the text I wrote about it:

Raspberry Pi 4 has a considerable computing power for a credit-card sized computer. Although it's simpler than most nowadays PCs (both desktops and laptops), a Raspberry Pi 4 is able to emulate a PlayStation perfectly fine.

Any working computer today should be able to emulate up to the fifth generation video games, such as PlayStation (launched in 1994) and Nintendo 64 (1996), or earlier ones, such as Super Nintendo (1990) and Sega Genesis (1988).

For a complete list of video games classified by generations, see Wikipedia:

Emulating newer and higher-spec video games, such as PlayStation 2 (2000), GameCube (2001), Nintendo DS (2004) and Nintendo Wii (2006), certainly requires higher-spec computers. In such cases, you may want to consult the respective emulators requirements on the emulators websites to see if your computer can emulate those video games.

References

It has never been a better time to get into retro gaming.

There is a huge variety of consoles available which enable you to play classics from Nintendo, Sega, and also your arcade favourites.

Fortunately these days you don't have to worry about having shelves full of cartridges in your home.

This is due to the variety of all-in-one consoles which enable you to store many games on the consoles themselves.

What Is An All-In-One Retro Games Console?

Typically traditional consoles would have you use some kind of cartridge each time you played a game. This unfortunately meant a lot of swapping and changing, and as mentioned, needing lots of shelf or drawer space.

These days however, many retro consoles have tens, sometimes hundreds of games already built into the system.

This is done by converting old game cartridges to ROM files, where the game is essentially stored in a file on computer. These ROMS can then be simply accessed via the system's main menu.

Also, some third party developers have combined versions of their favourite companies systems into one console.

Meaning for example Nintendo fans who still prefer to play with cartridges can purchase a system which has slots which can accommodate, for example, the games from a NES as well as a SNES/Famicom.

In this article we will cover the best all-in-one retro gaming consoles available today.

Whether you are a Nintendo or Sega fan, or want a retro console for on the move, you will almost certainly find something for you.

The 11 Best All-in-One Retro Game Consoles

1/ SNES Super Nintendo Mini Classic Review
2/ Atari Flashback 8 Gold Review
3/ Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Classic Review
4/ NES Classic Edition Review
5/ Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros Review
6/ Hyperkin RetroN 5 Review
7/ Retro-Bit Super RetroTRIO (SR3) Review
8/ Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade Review
9/ C64 Mini (Commodore 64 Mini) Review
10/ Spmywin GroGou Arcade Video Game Console 2000 Review
11/ Anbernic Handheld Pap-KIII Game Console Review

Affiliate Disclaimer – aeonreviews.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

At A Glance…

All Emulators In 1

1/ SNES Super Nintendo Mini Classic

Pros
Perfect SNES Emulation
HD Picture
Option To Add Games

Looking just like a miniature version of the classic console from the 90's, the Super Nintendo Mini is perfect for the 90's Nintendo gamer who wants a trip down memory lane.

It comes preloaded with 21 of the best games available on the system.

It also comes with two controllers, which are full sized and not a smaller scale like the console.

Pros

This system is easy to set up, and ideal for beginners.

The games run perfectly and look great running at full 60hz/60fps. The image is also upscaled to 720p.

You can add more games if you wish as this system has 246mb of internal storage.

Also, being able to rewind the last minute of game play is a nice touch.

Cons

If you aren't charging this from a USB port you will need to purchase a power adapter.

All games are run off the internal storage, so unfortunately this doesn't take old SNES cartridges. And annoyingly you need to reboot the system to change games.

It would be useful if the controller cables were longer, or if the controllers themselves were wireless. However cable extenders are available.

Conclusion

An awesome little console which demonstrates how well the Nintendo classics have stood the test of time.

2/ Atari Flashback 8 Gold

Pros
Faithful Recreation of Original Consoles
Save/Pause/Rewind Games

Atari were one of the originators of bringing arcade games into the home way back in the 70's.

Modelled on the original Atari 2600, the Flashback 8 Gold aims to take you back to that period with this great looking tribute to their original consoles.

Bundled with 120 games and also two controller types, playing all the Atari classics at home has never been easier.

The Flashback 8 enables you to replay classics such as Pitfall, Space Invaders, and Centipede.

Pros

The bundled controllers are an almost completely faithful recreation of the original controllers.

This system is small, lightweight, easy to carry around and store.

Every game has save/pause/rewind features. These abilities really help to get through tough spots in games and are outstanding new features.

Cons

The wireless joysticks run on batteries, and need two AAA batteries.

The paddle movement is somewhat tight. However they 'break in' with use.

There are reports of issues with the joysticks not going left or right. However it was discovered recently this only happens when you leave the paddles plugged in at the same time.

Conclusion

A great way to experience the beginnings of console gaming, and a definite must for all Atari fans!

3/ Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Classic

Pros
Accepts Sega Genesis & Genesis 2 Cartridges
Compatible With Original Genesis Controllers
Great Value

No list of retro all in one games consoles would be complete without an entry from Sega.

A video game giant in the early 90's, many gamers will welcome the chance to play the Genesis/Megadrive classics from that time again.

Pros

A great value system, which works out less than a dollar a game!

Enjoy classics such as Sonic, Golden Axe, and Altered Beast.

For those who already have a Sega games collection, this accepts original Sega Genesis and Genesis 2 cartridges. You can also plug in your original Genesis controllers too!

The Genesis Classic also has the ability to save in-game progress.

Cons

Unlike some other retro consoles there is no option to upscale the display to HD.

Unfortunately this does not run PAL game cartridges.

This system can be somewhat buggy, with reports of some games hanging/crashing.

Conclusion

By far the easiest way to enjoy classic Sega games.

Comes with an array of classic games, and you can insert the original cartridges for any games that aren't included.

4/ NES Classic Edition

Pros
Easy To Set Up & Portable
HD Picture
Lightweight & Portable

The console that started it all for Nintendo and their unstoppable run of amazing home gaming systems.

Available again here as a miniaturized version of the classic NES console from the 80's.

Comes bundled with all the classic games from that era, such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros 3, and Mega Man 2.

Pros

Easy to set up. Simply connect to a TV and you're away.

Up to 4 save game states.

The graphics are just as you remember but with a little more sharpness.

The device is lightweight, and portable if needed.

Cons

The included range of games is somewhat limited, which I understand is due to a legal issue.

However the more tech savvy amongst you will quickly be able to utilise online documentation to enable the upload of games onto the device. Giving you the ability to potentially upload over 800 games!

Unlike the Genesis classic, this console does not accept original game cartridges.

The NES classic only comes with one controller, and the controller cables are somewhat short (28″). However controller extenders can be purchased if needed.

Conclusion

If you're looking for some 8-bit nostalgia, the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition won't disappoint.

5/ Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros

Pros
3 x Classic Mario Games
Retro Gold Metal Front
Clock With 35 Animations

Spec:
Toggle Brightness & Volume
8 Hour Battery (Charge via USB)
Ultra Thin Portable Design

If you grew up in the 80's and 90's the chance is that one of your first gaming experiences was on a Nintendo Game & Watch system.

These devices offered a handy way to play video games on the go. They proved popular at the time, with over 43 million units shipped worldwide.

With this updated version you are able to play three classic Mario titles, and still feel like you are using a classic Game & Watch system from back in the day.

Pros

Included here are three mario games (Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, & Ball: Mario version).

Unlike before you can now easily switch between the three, and save your progress as you go.

A really great looking device, and the brushed golden alloy front looks modern but maintains a faithful retro look.

You can expect around 8 hours of battery life, but this varies depending on the brightness and volume settings you use.

The layout feels similar to a NES controller, and the device is easy to hold and operate.

I like how Nintendo have approached the clock screen here. They didn't just go for some boring digital display, but have actually created an animated display with 35 different animations (with some cool easter eggs to discover).

Cons

I feel the speaker could have been better placed. It is on the left side of the device, and you may find you sometimes accidentally cover it with your hand when playing.

Also there is no headphone port.

Conclusion

A faithful recreation of a piece of gaming history.

Nintendo have done a great job here of keeping faithful to the original, but modernising where it counts.

Anyone who gamed in the early days of gaming, especially when these were popular in the early to mid 80's, will love this!

6/ Hyperkin RetroN 5

Pros
Play Games From 9 Different Consoles
Wireless Controllers
SD Card Storage

Packing a whopping 9 retro systems all in to one console, the Hyperkin 5 is a great choice when you want to be able to play original cartridges from a range of systems.

This device features five cartridge slots to enable you to play retro games from both Nintendo and Sega (SNES, Megadrive, Game Boy & more).

Pros

The wireless controller has a great range, and features two programmable macro buttons.

It also has a home button for quick in-game access to features.

Another nice touch is the pre-built in cheats that can be accessed at any point during gameplay for most games. You can also update the cheats library using an SD card.

Also you don't need to buy a separate controller for each platform.

For example you can play Genesis games with a SNES controller. The system has a feature which will tell you if you are playing a game with a controller with not enough buttons.

You can store save dumps, save states, screenshots, cheats and patches on the SD card.

There are no region locks with this console, and it supports both NTSC and PAL.

Cons

The Retron would benefit from an eject button to remove the cartridges. Games are removed by hand, with the NES cartridges being particularity stiff when removing.

Conclusion

The long term reliability of this console is somewhat questionable. However a large portion of the Retron's user base also report no problems with the console. Also the developers work hard to make this system better and better with each release.

The Retron is the only console on the market which offers the ability to play such a wide range of consoles. A great option for multi platform retro gaming.

7/ Retro-Bit Super RetroTRIO (SR3)

Pros
Compatible NES, SNES, GENESIS Cartridges
Accepts Original & 3rd Party Controllers
Great Design

Offering a similar approach to retro gaming as the Retron 5, this console aims to let you play retro games cartridges from across different platforms, all in one system.

The Super RetroTRIO is however limited to NES, SNES, and Genesis games.

Pros

The included controllers are faithful to the original SNES controllers, but you can also plug in other original controllers from the above systems, as well as third party controllers.

Unlike other systems the SR3 will accept the 500 in 1 type game cartridges available. Also, even though not advertised, this system will also accept Famicom games.

You can even use the NES light gun on this system however you will need any old style CRT TV for it to work.

The design is nice and compact.

Cons

There is no hardware support to upscale the display.

The default controllers are of the SNES layout, so you may be disappointed by this if you are looking for an authentic Genesis experience.

This system seems to change the original sounds and music slightly. This may be down to the way the sound is emulated.

As with the Retron, this console would benefit from an eject button.

Conclusion

Ensure your TV has a RCA-SVideo connector before buying.

If you were strictly a Nintendo gamer back in the day then perhaps consider the Retro-Bit Duo Twin Video Game System instead.

Overall though, the Super RetroTRIO looks great,plays well, and is great value.

8/ Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade

Pros
Play Nintendo & Sega Classics
Upload More Games If Needed
Smart UI

Spec:
Games – Includes Games Officially Licensed From Capcom, Data East, Irem and Technos
Controllers – 2 x 10′ Wired USB Six Button Controllers Compatible With PC and Mac
Intuitive Smart UI – With Smart Filters For Easy Navigation, Internal Save States, & Button Tutorials
Display – AV and HDMI compatible (6′ HDMI cable included)
SD Card Slot – To Save & Transfer Game Progress, Also Upload More Games

Want a retro gaming system but don't want the hassle of having a collection of cartridges taking up space in your home?

Try the Super Retro-Cade which comes with over 90 popular games already pre-installed.

This system enables you to play a host of classics from the NES, SNES & Genesis platforms.

Pros

Includes a nice selection of games from across a number of genres. Includes classic such as Final Fight, Double Dragon, and Mega Man 2.

Access titles through the user friendly game library menu, which can be sorted by name, publisher and genre.

The Super Retro-Cade can also play ROMS via an SD card.

The games look great on a big screen thanks to the HDMI out. You can also change the aspect ratio.

This system is also easy to setup, so you will be retro gaming in no time.

You also have the option to remap the controller buttons to different functions.

Cons

The Super Retro-Cade lacks some of the big name titles from these systems.

Also there is no option for wireless controllers, and it is fussy about what USB controllers it will accept outside of what is included.

There are also reports of some slow down in some games.

Conclusion

This is a great option for playing some of the classic Nintendo, Sega, and arcade classics, without the hassle of owning the original game cartridges.

At times the emulation isn't perfect, and this console would benefit from more controller options.

However this is a great pick up and play system with a near endless library of games due to the ability to add new ROMS via the SD card slot.

9/ C64 Mini (Commodore 64 Mini)

Pros
Wide Selection of Games
HD Display
Functional Home Computer

The C64 mini is a re-imagining of one of the most popular home computers of all time.

This system arrived in the early 80's, and while it was developed to be used with office applications, it was also a popular gaming platform.

Pros

Includes a great selection of 64 game titles, such as Boulderdash, Speedball and California Games.

You can easily add more games via a USB stick.

This device can be powered via a USB port, but you will need to buy the AC adapter seperately.

Plug in a USB keyboard and use the C64 Mini as a fully functional home computer, or add a second joystick for 2-player games.

The C64 mini uses a HDMI connection for crisp looking graphics.

Add Games To Retroarch

Cons

Unfortunately the keyboard for the C64 mini is for show only. So don't pick this up if your are expecting the same functionality as the system from the 80's. This is a retro gaming platform only, and you will need to pick up a functional keyboard separately.

The included joystick is somewhat stiff, and there are limited options in terms of third party controllers which could be used with this system.

The virtual keyboard offered is too clumsy for some games, so connect a USB keyboard to get the most out of this.

Conclusion

A solid recreation of one of the great home computer systems. Consider upgrading from the stock joystick however if you do purchase.

10/ Spmywin GroGou Arcade Video Game Console 2000

Pros
Arcade Gaming At Home
HD Display
Impressive Game Library

Spec:
Games – Includes 2000 Games & Favourites List
Controls – Adjust & Customize Buttons
Display – 1280×720 HDMI Resolution
Case – Non slip case

If you want to bring an arcade gaming experience to the home then the Spmywin GroGou Arcade console is a great option.

This system does away with big bulky arcade cabinets, but offers an authentic joystick interface true to many arcade machines from the past.

Pros

The joystick interface has a nice weight and feel to it. Almost identical to a real arcade machine. It also lights up which is a nice touch.

It has plug and play functionality, so no frustrating set-ups.

This system connects to a TV via HDMI cable (included), so you can play from the comfort of your chair.

This console can also be connected to a PS3 and PS4.

Play classics such as Street Fighter 2, Sega Outrun, Bubble Bobble, and Marvel vs Capcom.

The games look great when run on this system, and are identical and if not better to the originals thanks to the HD output.

Cons

Unlike the other systems we have mentioned in this article, there is no option to add more games to this system.

Also there is no option to use wireless controllers with the GroGou.

2000 included games is somewhat misleading as it has variations on certain titles. For example there are over 40 King of Fighters games included here!

Conclusion

Possibly the best console available for having that arcade gaming experience in your home.

All In One Emulator Console

11/ Anbernic Handheld Pap-KIII Game Console

Pros
Easy To Use
Crisp Display
Packed With Extras

If you like your retro gaming on the go, Abernic provide a great all in one portable retro gaming console.

Looking very much like a Playstation Portable, this console comes with an incredible 650+ games included, as well as a host of other cool functions.

Includes classic such as Super Mario World, Street Fighter Turbo, and Double Dragon. Also many more games from a range of Nintendo, SEGA and Neo Geo consoles (such as the SNES and Genesis).

This console also acts as an audio and video player for on the go, and can even be used as an ebook reader.

There's even a rear facing camera included.

You can also plug this into a TV for a full screen experience.

Pros

The screen is surprisingly bright and crisp, and the sound also appears true to the original games (however expect some distortion at high volume).

You can also add further ROMS via an SD card.

Easy to pick up and use, making it ideal for any member of the family.

It is a great console for those long drives or flights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_fGQE4jXeE

Cons

There have been reports of the poor quality of the battery that ships with the console, which in some cases only runs for 2 or 3 hours. This has led many users to immediately upgrade this.

There are also emulation issues with some titles, however it appears the more mainstream titles appear to run fine on this platform.

Conclusion

A great little console for such a low price, which is packed with a surprising amount of games and features. A great gift for anyone who grew up in the 80's and 90's.

Conclusion

Well there is our list. We hope you have enjoyed this article.

As you can see there are many options available for retro game consoles with all in one functionality.

Have you played any of these consoles yourself? What was you favorite? And did we miss any?

Please check out our other gaming reviews, such as our article on the best handheld console of all time.

Banner image courtesy of Hello I'm Nik