Mednafen core for Sega Saturn emulation through RetroArch

  1. Download the two BIOS files you need (they are here in a zip file.)
    1. sega_101.bin (md5 hash is: 85ec9ca47d8f6807718151cbcca8b964)
    2. mpr-17933.bin (md5 hash is: 3240872c70984b6cbfda1586cab68dbe)
  2. Place them in the appropriate folder under RetroArch
    1. Typically this is the RetroArch/system folder
    2. You can place them where ever if you use per-core configs (I use RetroArch/system/mednafen_saturn_bios)
    3. If you just use one config file (i.e. everything is saved to RetroArch.cfg) then place all BIOS files for all emulators in the same folder (again, typically RetroArch/system folder.)
    4. You will have to set the BIOS location in RetroArch
  3. Open RetroArch and enter the Directory location
    1. It is in the second column – “Settings”; the one with the gears for the icon
    2. Near the bottom of that column is the Directory section
  4. The first directory option under the Directory section is System/BIOS Dir
    1. Set the directory to wherever you saved the two BIOS files in step 2.
    2. Save the RetroArch config.
      1. If you are using per-core configs MAKE SURE YOU’VE LOADED THE Mednafen Saturn config file first! Don’t overwrite the default RetroArch config file with a new default BIOS directory location – unless you’re going to put ALL emulator BIOSes in that directory (see 2.C. above.)

RetroArch tips and tricks

Tips and tricks:

1. When RetroArch is launched by RocketLauncher, it still will use per-core settings if you have it enabled in RetroArch. However, rather then naming the config file after the core, you have to name it after the gaming platform. The easiest way to make it work is to make a copy of the per-core config from RetroArch in the same directory/folder, but rename it to the name of the system used by RocketLauncher. Example:

  1. If you are using the Nestopia core and per-core settings in RetroArch, the config file is called nestopia_libretro.cfg.
  2. Make a copy of it in the same folder and rename it Nintendo Entertainment System.cfg
  3. Now when you load RetroArch and play an NES game, that config will load. You can even press F1 and see that config is loaded, and save changes directly to it (i.e. change to shader, controller, etc.)

2. In RetroArch the default exit key is the Esc button. You can set it to use one – or two simultaneous – controller button(s) in the Input Hotkey Binds. See video below: