RetroArch vs Standalone Emulators: Which Is Better on PC?

RetroArch vs Standalone Emulators for PC Gaming

So how do you go about setting up emulation on a Windows PC? Should you install RetroArch and its cores, or install specific standalone emulators? It’s one of the first decisions any new emulation setup has to make. The answer depends on what consoles you care about. The question exists because there are two alternative […]

Best Controllers for Emulation in 2026: USB, Bluetooth & Retro

Retro-style gamepad, modern dual-analog controller and GameCube-style controller on a desk beside a USB cable

Best Controllers for Emulation: USB, Bluetooth & Retro The best controllers for emulation are not necessarily the newest or the most expensive. You can emulate pretty much any ancient system on a current PC, but whether a game feels correct or just playable largely depends on the controller in your hands. A mushy D-pad can […]

How to Legally Back Up Game Cartridges and Discs (Guide)

Retro game preservation desk with a cartridge reader, game disc, optical drive, laptop, and external backup drive

Game cartridges were made to last, but not forever. Batteries wear out, contacts corrode, and circuit boards age. Discs have their own problems: scratches, warping, and sometimes “disc rot”, when their reflective coating slowly breaks away. And the older the original gear required to play these games gets, the more difficult and expensive it becomes […]