There are other tools out there you could install that will do the job, like RetroArch for Windows or Linux. But you could probably get a PhD in computer science in roughly the same amount of time it takes to set that application up. OpenEmu is the ultimate app for computer retro gaming, and the race is not particularly close. If you’ve already got a collection of ROMs on your computer, then I’ve got good news: all you need to do is drag the files onto the OpenEmu window. The software will sort them according to the system they belong to, and even automatically download the cover art for all of them. Alternatively, if cover art doesn’t show up, you can look for the right image yourself and drag it to the corresponding game. That way there will be no games without cover and they’ll be easier to find. This is not only aesthetically pleasing but also necessary, as OpenEmu supports so many different systems that you’re going to have a lot of games to scroll through. Just about every retro console, you can think of (and several that you couldn’t) are here, including classics like every Nintendo console up to the Gamecube, most Atari systems, various Sega systems, and the original Playstation. If there’s a particular system you want to play, you can check out a full list on the OpenEmu website. Keep in mind that OpenEmu won’t work if you were hoping to emulate any system released within the past 15 years. But those are not exactly retro, and this is definitely a setup for the classics. This is great if you’re planning on playing games with your keyboard, but it’s also nice if you’re configuring a Bluetooth or USB controller. Speaking of—OpenEmu supports a bunch of controllers right out of the box, and you’ll find they even come pre-mapped to great layouts without you having to do anything but connect them. The list includes peripherals for PlayStation 3 and 4, the Nintendo Switch Pro, 8Bitdo, and the Xbox One and 360, as well as Wiimotes. You can also check out a full list here. If you’re a gamer, there’s a good chance that you have at least one of these devices around the house, and if that’s the case, you can start gaming in no time. If you have other controllers, you can also use them, but you’ll need to configure them yourself, which you can forgo if you just use your keyboard. If OpenEmu is not pre-loaded with what you’re looking for, you can always find codes for almost any game on GameHacking.org, and add them yourself.
