Recommended Emulator Settings - ZFEbHVUE/Batocera-CRT-Script GitHub Wiki

๐ŸŽฎ Recommended Emulator Settings

This page explains the optimal emulator configuration for CRT users running Batocera with the CRT Script. It provides clear recommendations for emulator/core selection, proper use of VideoMode, and Switchres API integration.

โœ… General Guidelines

  • 9 out of 10 times, Libretro (RetroArch cores) should be used because they support the Switchres API for automatic modeline switching.
  • Only use standalone emulators for:
    • PS2 โ†’ PCSX2
    • GameCube/Wii โ†’ Dolphin
    • DOS โ†’ DOSBox
    • ScummVM
    • Windows/Steam
    • GroovyMAME (MAME) (instead of Libretro MAME if possible)

โš™๏ธ Libretro (RetroArch) Systems

  • Set VideoMode = AUTO in Batocera for all Libretro systems. Never change it.
  • RetroArch and GroovyMAME (MAME) use the Switchres API, which dynamically selects the best modeline based on the game resolution and monitor profile.

โ— Forcing a VideoMode before launching RetroArch or GroovyMAME (MAME) is unnecessary and may cause double-switching:
First, from EmulationStationโ€™s current resolution, then again by the emulator via Switchres API.
Let the API handle resolution switching for you.

๐Ÿง  Recommended Core Settings โ€“ MSX2 (libretro: bluemsx)

To avoid unwanted black borders on MSX2:

  1. Launch an MSX2 game using the libretro: bluemsx core.
  2. Open the Quick Menu in RetroArch.
  3. Navigate to:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Core Options โ†’ Crop Overscan โ†’ Off
  4. Then restart the core:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Quick Menu โ†’ Restart
  5. Re-check that the overscan setting is still off:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Core Options โ†’ Crop Overscan โ†’ Off
  6. Finally, save the override to persist across sessions:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Overrides โ†’ Save Content Directory Overrides

๐Ÿง  Recommended Core Settings โ€“ Master System (libretro: genesisplusgx)

To avoid unwanted black borders on Master System:

  1. Launch an MS game using the libretro: genesisplusgx core.
  2. Open the Quick Menu in RetroArch.
  3. Navigate to:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Core Options โ†’ Video โ†’ Borders โ†’ Top/Bottom
  4. Then restart the core:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Quick Menu โ†’ Restart
  5. Re-check that the Borders setting is still on:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Core Options โ†’ Video โ†’ Borders โ†’ Top/Bottom
  6. Finally, save the override to persist across sessions:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Overrides โ†’ Save Content Directory Overrides

Master System (libretro: gearsystem)

  • Quick Menu โ†’ Core Options โ†’ Overscan โ†’ Top+Bottom
  • Quick Menu โ†’ Overrides โ†’ Save Content Directory Overrides

"No such settings for Picodrive & Smsplus"

๐Ÿง  Recommended Core Settings โ€“ To display interlaced resolutions correctly on Genesis / Mega Drive :

  1. Launch an Genesis / Mega Drive game using the libretro: genesisplusgx core.
  2. Open the Quick Menu in RetroArch.
  3. Navigate to:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Core Options โ†’ Video โ†’ Interlaced Mode 2 Output โ†’ Double Field
  4. Then restart the core:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Quick Menu โ†’ Restart
  5. Re-check that the Borders setting is still on:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Core Options โ†’ Video โ†’ Interlaced Mode 2 Output โ†’ Double Field
  6. Finally, save the override to persist across sessions:
    • Quick Menu โ†’ Overrides โ†’ Save Content Directory Overrides

๐Ÿฌ GameCube / Wii (Dolphin)

  • Use Standalone Dolphin, not the Libretro core.
  • Configure Dolphin settings:
    • VideoMode: 640x480 (or 320x240 as an example resolution, depending on if you're downscaling GameCube/Wii ports of older titles or WiiWare games for CRT output)
    • Aspect Ratio: Stretch to Window
    • Renderer: Vulkan
    • VSync: Enabled

๐ŸŽฎ PS2 (PCSX2)

  • Use Standalone PCSX2, not Libretro.
  • Recommended settings:
    • VideoMode: 640x480 (for general use)
    • Use 320x240 only for PS2 games that support native 240p.
    • ๐Ÿ“œ PS2 240p Game List
    • Aspect Ratio: Stretch to Window
    • Renderer: Vulkan
    • DISPLAY โ†’ VSYNC โ†’ Enabled

๐Ÿ•น๏ธ DOS (DOSBox)

  • Use Standalone DOSBox, not Libretro.
  • DOS games often use 320x200 stretched to 4:3:
    • Game Aspect Ratio: 4/3 or FULL

๐Ÿ“บ Why do some DOS games use 320x200 but appear 4:3?
โžก๏ธ Watch this explainer by Displaced Gamers

๐Ÿงฉ ScummVM

  • Use Standalone ScummVM for best compatibility and scaling.
  • RetroArch ScummVM core often has issues with cropping and aspect ratio that donโ€™t persist between sessions.
  • If you must use the core, consider an override:

๐ŸŽฎ N64

  • Libretro cores may not support in-game resolution switching.
  • A standalone emulator can be used if desired.
    • Set a specific VideoMode for best scaling on CRT.

๐Ÿ“ฆ Windows, Steam & Non-API Emulators

Emulators that donโ€™t support the Switchres API rely on the resolutions listed in your videomodes.conf.

  • The CRT Script already adds ~40โ€“50 modelines to support these.
  • You can add more if needed.
  • Use VideoMode per emulator to force a static resolution:
    • Example: 640x480 or 320x240 for fullscreen scaling

๐Ÿ“š External Resources

โš ๏ธ **GitHub.com Fallback** โš ๏ธ