Problems with C64 and N64 emulation

evilscytheman

Hello all,

first, sorry for my bad english, hope you understand what I mean. Second the Info:

Pi 4, 4GB RAM
Power Supply used: Official One
RetroPie Version Used:4.7
Built From: RetroPie Website, Raspberry Imager
USB Devices connected: wireless keyboard
Controller used: PS4 DualShock wireless with ds4drv
Error messages received: N64, Amiga, no errors, general questions below. C64: Vice Error Sound: Sound device stalled.
Guide used: RetroPie Docs
Emulator: mupen64plus, vice

General questions:

Do I understand correct: Retropie is the bundle which consists of Emulationstation which is the GUI, RetroArch which is a bundle of emulators and optional additional emulators?
what is the difference between "Emulatorname" and "lr-Emulatorname"?
How can I configure a emulator to get a fullscreen image? Standard seem to be PAL resolution with wide black borders. Even if I change the resolution settings in the emulator (when game is starting) nothing changes. Is there a way to get this as a standard setting?
is there a way to harmonize the controls? Maybe I did a mistake but it seems like every game has different control settings?!
e.g. for N64, there are 5 different emulators. What are the differences, how to tell the differences apart, how to choose the correct one? (lr-mupen64plus-next, lr-mupen64plus, mupen64plus-gles2n64, mupen64plus-gles2rice, mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres, mupen64plus-GLideN64)

Nintendo 64 (several)

why is the grafic with such hugh pixels? In my memory that wasn't the case back in the days. Is there some kind of Smoothening or Anti-Aliasing setting? mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres achieves the correct look i think.
The RetroPie Docs page concerning N64 controls seem to be incorrect. I cannot use some buttons, although my PS4 controller is configured.

C64 (VICE)

I read that the loading time is incredible high (>5 min). Why, the computational power is much higher then at C64 days. But even if I wait half an hour, I'm stuck within the loading screen. Often I just can restart the Pi, because no Input is working
I always get this error directly while loading: Vice Error Sound: Sound device stalled. And of course I have no sound.
Do I need the sid Files or are the D64/G64 files sufficient? I tried both, cannot recognize any difference because of the error above).

Amiga (Amiberry)

Here I just have one game. But i cannot start it, i just get a black screen, with no input working.

Thanks in advance for any help!
BR
Andreas

dankcushions

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

Hello all,

first, sorry for my bad english, hope you understand what I mean. Second the Info:

Pi 4, 4GB RAM
Power Supply used: Official One
RetroPie Version Used:4.7
Built From: RetroPie Website, Raspberry Imager
USB Devices connected: wireless keyboard
Controller used: PS4 DualShock wireless with ds4drv
Error messages received: N64, Amiga, no errors, general questions below. C64: Vice Error Sound: Sound device stalled.
Guide used: RetroPie Docs
Emulator: mupen64plus, vice

General questions:

Do I understand correct: Retropie is the bundle which consists of Emulationstation which is the GUI, RetroArch which is a bundle of emulators and optional additional emulators?

retroarch is RetroArch is the Frontend for the Libretro API and makes a up a large portion of the emulators included in RetroPie.. basically it's the menu you see when you hit 'select + X' within lr- emulators.

what is the difference between "Emulatorname" and "lr-Emulatorname"?

lr- emulators are libretro cores, which have the RetroArch frontend and use our generated retroarch configs. anything else is standalone (ie, a bespoke emulator that we launch and (sometimes) configure via scripts.

How can I configure a emulator to get a fullscreen image? Standard seem to be PAL resolution with wide black borders.

it should be 4:3 aspect ratio in general. i'm not sure what you mean by "PAL resolution"

Even if I change the resolution settings in the emulator (when game is starting) nothing changes. Is there a way to get this as a standard setting?

if you want to stretch all games to widescreen (it will distort the graphics, but if you want that...) then use https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Configuration-Editor/ and change aspect ratio to 16:9 for all libretro emulators.

is there a way to harmonize the controls? Maybe I did a mistake but it seems like every game has different control settings?!

a key purpose of retropie is to do this automatically, but it relies on you picking correct initial mapping via https://retropie.org.uk/docs/First-Installation/#configure-controllers (see diagrams). please give a specific example of the initial mapping you chose and the emulator where you think it's wrong (and how).

e.g. for N64, there are 5 different emulators. What are the differences, how to tell the differences apart, how to choose the correct one? (lr-mupen64plus-next, lr-mupen64plus, mupen64plus-gles2n64, mupen64plus-gles2rice, mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres, mupen64plus-GLideN64)

https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Nintendo-64/#emulators-mupen64plus-lr-mupen64plus-lr-mupen64plus-next

Nintendo 64 (several)

why is the grafic with such hugh pixels?

https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Shaders-and-Smoothing (although note that shaders will not be performant for n64)

In my memory that wasn't the case back in the days. Is there some kind of Smoothening or Anti-Aliasing setting? mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres achieves the correct look i think.

gliden64 highres actually uses higher than native resolution, so it's not "correct" as such.

The RetroPie Docs page concerning N64 controls seem to be incorrect. I cannot use some buttons, although my PS4 controller is configured.

please be specific.

evilscytheman

@dankcushions Thanks for explanation.

it should be 4:3 aspect ratio in general. i'm not sure what you mean by "PAL resolution"

4:3 ratio is fine! What i mean is, that it seems that the picture is the old CRT-TV resolution in the middle of my Full-HD TV, so I have big black borders surrounding the whole game picture. How can I get rid of the borders at the top and bottom. Left and right is OK due to 4:3 ratio.

please give a specific example of the initial mapping you chose and the emulator where you think it's wrong (and how).

I mapped my PS4 controller as shown here for the PS3 controller https://retropie.org.uk/docs/First-Installation/#configure-controllers .
I have some examples in mind. But I need to recheck thespecific examples.

please be specific.

My Hotkey is the PS key. But i cannot exit the N64 emulator with Hotkey and Start. And the Z-Trigger[N64] (which is left Trigger[PS4]) seems to be inversed, so I have to press the left trigger to not press the Z-Trigger.

BuZz

@evilscytheman see https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Overscan/

evilscytheman

@buzz I have. But Emulationstation is fine, Console is fine, only the games have a border. When I mess with the overscan settings manually, this will apply to emulationstation and console as well, right?

dankcushions

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

@buzz I have. But Emulationstation is fine, Console is fine, only the games have a border. When I mess with the overscan settings manually, this will apply to emulationstation and console as well, right?

that's right. if it's for games only, which specific games? can you please supply a verbose log of an example

dankcushions

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

My Hotkey is the PS key. But i cannot exit the N64 emulator with Hotkey and Start. And the Z-Trigger[N64] (which is left Trigger[PS4]) seems to be inversed, so I have to press the left trigger to not press the Z-Trigger.

hmm, it should work by default, but the trigger issue is strange. what specific n64 emulator are you using? if mupen64plus-[something] please supply /opt/retropie/configs/n64/mupen64plus.cfg and /opt/retropie/configs/n64/InputAutoCfg.ini

evilscytheman

@dankcushions

that's right. if it's for games only, which specific games? can you please supply a verbose log of an example

I tried to get a verbose log with a lr- emulator for Bango-Kazooie. But here no Input works and I have to reset the Pi. Then the /dev/shm/runcommand.log is empty. But the problem (picture resolution) is for all games, independent of the emulator! And with my standard emulator (mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres) there is no verbose log option.

hmm, it should work by default, but the trigger issue is strange. what specific n64 emulator are you using? if mupen64plus-[something] please supply /opt/retropie/configs/n64/mupen64plus.cfg and /opt/retropie/configs/n64/InputAutoCfg.ini

I'm using mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres

mupen64plus.cfg
InputAutoCfg.ini

Additional question: I just managed to start a C64 game with lr-vice. But I don't have a clue how to switch discs?!

dankcushions

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

@dankcushions

that's right. if it's for games only, which specific games? can you please supply a verbose log of an example

I tried to get a verbose log with a lr- emulator for Bango-Kazooie. But here no Input works and I have to reset the Pi. Then the /dev/shm/runcommand.log is empty. But the problem (picture resolution) is for all games, independent of the emulator! And with my standard emulator (mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres) there is no verbose log option.

well, the obvious answer is to get a verbose log from a different emulator :D

fyi, gliden64 is not a libretro emulator (as discussed, no lr- prefix) so as per the verbose log docs, will have no verbose log option. it will still output a log there, but the logs do not persist on a reboot so if you're having to reset the pi then it would not be possible. so, just try a nes/snes game or something instead.

hmm, it should work by default, but the trigger issue is strange. what specific n64 emulator are you using? if mupen64plus-[something] please supply /opt/retropie/configs/n64/mupen64plus.cfg and /opt/retropie/configs/n64/InputAutoCfg.ini

I'm using mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres

mupen64plus.cfg
InputAutoCfg.ini

hotkey (ps button) + start should quit, according to your settings. does it not? can you also please provide your joypad configuration found in /opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch/autoconfig or similar

Additional question: I just managed to start a C64 game with lr-vice. But I don't have a clue how to switch discs?!

please check the docs in the first instance: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Commodore-64-VIC-20-PET/#m3u-support-and-disk-control, although i am not familiar with c64 beyond what the docs say i'm afraid

evilscytheman

@dankcushions

hotkey (ps button) + start should quit, according to your settings. does it not? can you also please provide your joypad configuration found in /opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch/autoconfig or similar

no it does not :(
joypad configuration

so, just try a nes/snes game or something instead.

SNES is not available for RPi4 ??? is that possible?

Here i managed a verbose log. I just copied it while the game was running, so it wasn't deleted, because even with the lr-mupen64 it was deleted after reboot.
verbose log

please check the docs in the first instance: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Commodore-64-VIC-20-PET/#m3u-support-and-disk-control, although i am not familiar with c64 beyond what the docs say i'm afraid

OK, there it says sth. about a retroarch disc control+ menu. Do u know how to enter this menu?

mitu

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

SNES is not available for RPi4 ??? is that possible?

It is, you just need to copy some games to the snes folder to see it.

OK, there it says sth. about a retroarch disc control+ menu. Do u know how to enter this menu?

Press the Hotkey + X combination and the RetroArch menu should open up.

dankcushions

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

Here i managed a verbose log. I just copied it while the game was running, so it wasn't deleted, because even with the lr-mupen64 it was deleted after reboot.
verbose log

so you're running a PAL "(E)" game here, so it's normal for it to have borders, as many did. try running an NTSC "(U)"/"(USA)" version instead and you should have no borders. if you want to play PAL versions (maybe you want them in german?) then you can potentially remove the borders by looking at the core options for options to remove/crop overscan, but it's still going to be in 50hz rather than 60 for the NTSC version.

i would personally just stick to NTSC versions or endure borders.

evilscytheman

@mitu said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

It is, you just need to copy some games to the snes folder to see it.

Yes, that was my thought as well. But then I did not find any snes folder in "\\retropie\roms". So i checked the optional packages in the RetroPie Setup. And here "snes9x" is red with a remark "Not available for your system". With additional info when opening it:
"Sorry but package 'snes9x' is not available for your system (rpi4)

Package flags: dispmanx !all videocore

Your rpi4 flags: rpi4 32bit arm armv8 neon rpi gles gles3 mesa kms dispmanx

Press the Hotkey + X combination and the RetroArch menu should open up.

OK, that is strange. I got into the menu with "Triangle" of the PS4 controller now ... So theoretically I could switch the Discs ... yey.
But now the game is crashing before even getting to the first menu... here is the verbose
First I got at least through the loading screens to the screen where you have to press x to get into the starting menu. Then game crashed when pressing x, saying "zurücksetzen" which means "reset", then the same again. Until I quit through the RetroArch menu.

Now I dont even get into the loading screens is is just stuck after the C64 picture with "LOAD"*",8,1 ..."

@dankcushions

so you're running a PAL "(E)" game here, so it's normal for it to have borders

why? Dont remember that these games had a border with the old CRT TVs.

dankcushions

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

@mitu said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

It is, you just need to copy some games to the snes folder to see it.

Yes, that was my thought as well. But then I did not find any snes folder in "\\retropie\roms". So i checked the optional packages in the RetroPie Setup. And here "snes9x" is red with a remark "Not available for your system". With additional info when opening it:
"Sorry but package 'snes9x' is not available for your system (rpi4)

Package flags: dispmanx !all videocore

Your rpi4 flags: rpi4 32bit arm armv8 neon rpi gles gles3 mesa kms dispmanx

can you please tell us the image file name you used? snes for sure is included in the official image. anyway, you're trying to to install snes9x standalone, not lr-snes9x, which is the default and correct one for pi4. it should be in main packages.

Press the Hotkey + X combination and the RetroArch menu should open up.

OK, that is strange. I got into the menu with "Triangle" of the PS4 controller now ... So theoretically I could switch the Discs ... yey.

yes, retropad X = triangle, using our suggested mapping.

But now the game is crashing before even getting to the first menu... here is the verbose
First I got at least through the loading screens to the screen where you have to press x to get into the starting menu. Then game crashed when pressing x, saying "zurücksetzen" which means "reset", then the same again. Until I quit through the RetroArch menu.

that sounds like you're pressing the reset hotkey combination (hotkey + retropad B - ie, X button)?

@dankcushions

so you're running a PAL "(E)" game here, so it's normal for it to have borders

why? Dont remember that these games had a border with the old CRT TVs.

nintendo first party games definitely did - mario kart, mario 64, etc. you may be right about banjo - i may look into how gliden64 handles overscan at some point, but i don't have any cause to run pal games.

mitu

@dankcushions said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

But now the game is crashing before even getting to the first menu... here is the verbose

Check in the RGUI Options that you have:

the model type set to a PAL C64 model
True Drive Emulation is On - it seems this game doesn't work without it.

These are just for this game, other games may need other adjustments, though generally TDE can be set to Off to speed up loading.

If a certain game need an option changed from default, you can change the option, then use the 'Save Game Options' at the top of the Options to save specific game options.

evilscytheman

@dankcushions said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

can you please tell us the image file name you used? snes for sure is included in the official image. anyway, you're trying to to install snes9x standalone, not lr-snes9x, which is the default and correct one for pi4. it should be in main packages.

OK I'm an idiot ... there is a snes folder and it works ... But I used a US Version of Super Mario and have borders :(
But here is the issue, that the d-pad is used to move around and i get messages for "Spielstand-Speicherplatz: x" which means "savegame-saveslot: x" ...

that sounds like you're pressing the reset hotkey combination (hotkey + retropad B - ie, X button)?

Yes but if i do not reset or quit, I'm stuck at the loading screen for at least half an hour (after that i aborted).

@mitu

Check in the RGUI Options that you have:

the model type set to a PAL C64 model

True Drive Emulation is On - it seems this game doesn't work without it.

These are just for this game, other games may need other adjustments, though generally TDE can be set to Off to speed up loading.

If a certain game need an option changed from default, you can change the option, then use the 'Save Game Options' at the top of the Options to save specific game options.

OK RGUI set to PAL C64 automatic, TDE was already activated??

It loads to the reLINE Logo, then nothing happens until i press "space" which is fastforward. Then exiting ff mode. After that i get the names of the developers and then the oil imperium loading screen. Here nothing happens. If I now press any key besides "x or triangle at the ps4 contr." either nothing happens or the game crashes back to emulationstation. If pressing "x" then reset to loading. "triangle" to RGUI.
Here a verbose of a 30 min loading screen. At the end you can see that I'm playing with the inputs.
Verbose 30 min C64 loading

Sorry for bothering ... usually I'm not such a tech idiot, but I'm new to Linux, Pi and Emulators and there is something blocking my understanding of the whole thing :(
Just the controllers ... I use my PS4, but a keyboard is attached as well. sometimes the keyboard is a keyboard and sometimes it is a controller with the controller buttons ... but when is what and how is the logic ... I dont get it...

mitu

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

OK I'm an idiot ... there is a snes folder and it works ... But I used a US Version of Super Mario and have borders :(
But here is the issue, that the d-pad is used to move around and i get messages for "Spielstand-Speicherplatz: x" which means "savegame-saveslot: x" ...

This usually happens when you use Hotkey + D-Pad Left/Right, to increase/decrease the save slot.

It loads to the reLINE Logo, then nothing happens until i press "space" which is fastforward. Then exiting ff mode. After that i get the names of the developers and then the oil imperium loading screen. Here nothing happens. If I now press any key besides "x or triangle at the ps4 contr." either nothing happens or the game crashes back to emulationstation. If pressing "x" then reset to loading. "triangle" to RGUI.

Can't say much except that it lods for me with those options. I see, from the log, that TDE is on, so that's fine.

If you use a keyboard, pressing ScrollLock will disable any RetroArch hotkeys/input grabbing and send the input to the emulated machine. In case you need to type something and it conflicts with RetroArch's bindings.

dankcushions

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

OK I'm an idiot ... there is a snes folder and it works ... But I used a US Version of Super Mario and have borders :(

verbose log, please.

evilscytheman

@dankcushions said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

verbose log, please.

SNES US Super Mario with borders verbose

@mitu

This usually happens when you use Hotkey + D-Pad Left/Right, to increase/decrease the save slot.

OK, this happens for me with and without hotkey :(

If you use a keyboard, pressing ScrollLock will disable any RetroArch hotkeys/input grabbing and send the input to the emulated machine. In case you need to type something and it conflicts with RetroArch's bindings.

That's a good hint. Thanks!

Can't say much except that it lods for me with those options. I see, from the log, that TDE is on, so that's fine.

What are my options? I get this issue also for another c64 game.

mitu

@evilscytheman said in Problems with C64 and N64 emulation:

OK, this happens for me with and without hotkey :(

Maybe the menu button is stuck ? Can you use the 'Select' (Share) button instead and see if it happens again ?

Can't say much except that it lods for me with those options. I see, from the log, that TDE is on, so that's fine.

What are my options? I get this issue also for another c64 game.

Reset the core options - open up \\retropie\configs\all\retroarch-core-options.cfg and delete all the lines that start with vice. Then start the game again and toggle TDE On (if not already set by default, can't remember which one is the default).