Recommended way to switch to xmb?

rsn8887

I am trying to switch from Rgui to Xmb. What is the recommended way to switch?

I found an option in Retropie-setup to install all the assets needed for xmb.

But I can’t find the option to switch to xmb in Retropie-Setup, where is it?

mitu

~~There isn't one added~~, the RGUI is the default since XMB doesn't perform so well on PI0/1 systems. You can switch to XMB by changing the RetroArch config file (/opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch.cfg) and changing the menu_driver to xmb.
EDIT: Seems it's configurable fro the package configuration (retroarch).

rsn8887

I found this solution:

Go to retropie configuration - retroarch to enter the Retroarch rgui. Select driver, and then change menu driver from rgui to xmb
go back a few times with the b button, select configuration - save current configuration
go back with b and select quit Retroarch
now if you select Retroarch again it will show up with the modern xmb menu

The xmb menu does not only look nicer. It also displays more information. It displays tooltips below each menu option. These tooltips are absolutely necessary for some of the newer options. For example, when remapping controls using the new remapper in quickmenu, the tooltips show important information such as user number and other things.

Without the tooltip information that is only displayed in xmb but not in rgui, some parts of the Retroarch menu are pretty much unusable.

So there’s a reason why everybody should switch to xmb and no one should use rgui anymore with current Retroarch versions.

I don’t understand why xmb is not the default in Retropie since rgui has been deprecated for years now.

I haven’t tested on rpi zero or one, but there are many display options under “user interface - appearance” that can be disabled to make xmb fast and snappy even on slow systems. With optimized appearance options, xmb runs in 60fps even on a 444 MHz PS Vita.

There are reports here in the forum that xmb performs even on rpi 0 or 1.

I guess since it is quite easy to switch it is not a big deal.

DarishZone

Just follow rsn8887 advice, but keep in mind that if you changed Retroarch option save on exit the core will revert to rgui despite main configuration, you have to edit cfg file on system folder.

About the rgui default
I think the big thing is the compatibility, xmb is not so snappy with shader activated and 1080p on Pi3, it decrease to 30 fps immediately and is slightly laggy. Nothing to worry too much, but is noticeable.
Also the 4:3 format i suppose, xmb is not so good and even i prefer rgui since i like bezels, but the rsn887 point about additional info cannot be overlooked, is more complete for sure, seems xmb is the new gold standard of Retroarch dev.