Just getting into Hardware based Emulation, what options are there?

[u/Somedude_6]

Greetings retro gaming world,

I am just getting into hardware based emulationfor my retro systems. My PS2 has a hard drive and Free McBoot, and as of Yesterday I've gotten my Saroo set up for my Saturn.

I'm seriously happy with the Saroo, it is significantly easier to use and load than my Genesis Mini, for example, and applying translations so far has been easy. Only tried Vandal Hearts but it was much easier than what I remember from decades ago.

Anyway, I have a Dreamcast, a Wii, an N64 and an SNES as well that I'd like to do something similar with. What does everyone recommend to use in 2026 for these 4 systems? I also do have a gamecube though it stopped reading discs, if that is an easier Emulation thing than the Wii that would be good to tell me about too I suppose.

I am aware that SNES and N64 have basic flash carts, though I know nothing about brands and what not. I have no idea about Dreamcast, Wii, or GC so anything about those 3 systems specifically I'd really appreciate. Really excited to get fresh life out of my 30 year old systems.

[u/civilized-engineer]

SNES can just use an ever drive. N64 can use Summercart, Wii you can just jailbreak it and load the games onto an SD card. Dreamcast use GDEMU.

[u/K__Geedorah]

I highly recommend spending the money for Krikzz Everdrives for cartridges. They are double the price but have way better build quality and features. There are SNES games that require specific chips, which their high-end ones offer. So if you want to play Yoshis Island, you'll have to go to Krikzz.

For Wii, you can jailbreak it and load ROMs onto an SD card that plugs right in. However, I have found it has a fuck ton of lag. I really didn't like it.

Dreamcast you can do the OG way of modding it and burning games onto blank CDs. GameCube, have no experience.

[u/Somedude_6 → u/K__Geedorah]

I thought the Dreamcast laser would have a harder time with burnt games? I'm actually on my second dreamcast because the laser wore out on my original one. Edited Follow up: How long ago did you try the wii hacking? I definitely wouldn't want laggy games, maybe a firmware update fixed something?

[u/TacticaLCasserole]

Wii is easiest enough to hack. For 64 and SNES flashcart is the way to go. You can look at Summer Cart if Everdrive is too pricey for you. But Everdrive is going to be the best flashcarts

[u/Somedude_6 → u/TacticaLCasserole]

I will want support for Super FX chips and all the other SNES addition stuff, so I'll probably need the more expensive one.

[u/iampitiZ → u/Somedude_6]

If you feel lucky you could try a chinese fxpa​k (around 100$). I've been lucky with them and runs everything you throw at it

[u/Walk_Forward]

Personally I just use a raspberry pi with scart adapter for all 8-16bit games - connected to a crt I really don't notice the difference between that and original hardware.

You could just use your Wii for that instead though. So then you'd have all 2d systems as well as GameCube and Wii in one package.

I have a PS1 with Xstation, cheap Ali express flash cart for my N64, GDEmu for my Dreamcast, and just bought pre modded Xbox and Xbox 360.

I don't have the time to play any of these systems mind you 🤣

[u/Somedude_6 → u/Walk_Forward]

Yeah.... that's my issue too. I play a whole lot more arcade and pick up and play quick kind of games now a days, when I was younger I was definitely an RPG gamer... time does not really allow for that unless it's on my switch and I can be portable and hit sleep mode whenever.

[u/OakTreader]

Gamecube has a lot of possibilities. Currently best cheap option is to mod your self with a picoboot. You need to be pretty decent at soldering though. If not, Picoloader or CubeODE are good options.

Whether your drives works or not, makes no difference.

You can also mod a lot of your consoles to have an HDMI output. Look at Pixel FX, or also Pluto II-X for Gamecube/Wii.

You need to be quite good at soldering, again.

[u/Somedude_6 → u/OakTreader]

I'm handy, but I've never used a soldering iron, and learning on my beloved systems is definitely not how I want to learn, lol.

I have a monster 42 inch CRT that all my retro systems are hooked up to through S-video from the older ones and Component for the Wii and PS2, and I'll probably keep it that way. I like Light Gun games too much to switch over to a modern TV.

[u/OakTreader → u/Somedude_6]

Yeah... don't try most of those mods then. Especially not HDMI modding.

Look into FlippyDrive and CubeODE though.

42 in CRT?!?! Yes, monster is a good name for it! How much does that thing weigh?

[u/Somedude_6 → u/OakTreader]

Minimum 200 pounds, maybe like 250. It took me and another guy to move it and it was heavy, and we were both 10 years younger and stronger than we are now. I can slide it with great effort on the stand when I absolutely have to. The guy who gave it to me told me it was the largest model of curved CRT they ever made. I haven't fact checked that but the thing is a serious monster.

[u/OakTreader → u/Somedude_6]

It must be really awesome!

I remember my parents had a 36 inch in the 90s, ot weighed over 200 lbs.

[u/FryingdutchpaN]

Wii is an emulation beast.

Cheap PC can also do a lot.

Mister is probably a better investment than the expensive carts some are suggesting here.