Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) - TheArcadeStriker/flycast-wiki GitHub Wiki

What is this?

This is an unofficial (for now) wiki/guide made to help users to use the Flycast emulator.

What is Flycast?

Flycast is a SEGA Dreamcast, NAOMI and AtomisWave emulator, forked from reicast, and made by flyinghead. This guide will focus exclusively on the standalone version of flycast, and won't cover anything related to the Retroarch core of flycast (though most information may still apply as its based on the same emulator).

Standalone builds? I thought it was an libretro/Retroarch core exclusive!

As seen in flyinghead's repo for flycast, there's an buildbot that compiles to Android, Mac OSX, Ubuntu and Windows x64 builds. These can be used without anything related to Retroarch.

What does flycast run?

Flycast supports the following:

  • SEGA Dreamcast games (CHD, CDI, GDI, CUE) including games based on Windows CE
  • SEGA NAOMI/NAOMI2 games (.zip, .7z)
  • SEGA NAOMI/NAOMI2 GD-ROM games (.zip, .7z with .chd)
  • Sammy Atomiswave games (.zip, .7z)
  • Decrypted NAOMI games (.bin, not recommended)

What doesn't flycast run?

Doesn't support SEGA Hikaru, or SEGA System SP games.

Does it have command-line support?

It can open games through drag-and-dropping over the .exe file, using an batch file or through the command-line. For example, if you have an Marvel VS. Capcom 2 ROM at the root Flycast folder and you have an flycast.exe file, if you type flycast.exe mvsc2.zip on the command-line, flycast should open with Marvel VS Capcom 2 booting; as long as you have the NAOMI BIOS installed.

In any case, it is recommended to check this page for more information about using command-line parameters to load games, as well as do things like starting the emulator in fullscreen and/or with certain settings enabled.

How can I start the emulator in full-screen mode?

Just set it in full-screen (by pressing Alt+Enter or F11), and if you close the emulator while fullscreen, the next time it will open in fullscreen.

Can it connect online?

Most if not all games compatible with Dreamcast Live servers are supported by flycast, and the emulator is automatically configured to use Dreamcast Live servers.