RetroArch is a retro gaming obsessive's dream, offering absurd amounts of customisation that might scare off casual users. With an admittedly clunky UI, new users might be put off. But those willing to brave the learning curve will discover retro bliss.

While some standalone emulators offer better user experience and overall stability, RetroArch offers a streamlined solution for enjoying classics with modern touches, like snappy filters and accessible control mapping. Spend time with some guides (and a little trial-and-error), and soon you'll master switching between cores and content libraries effortlessly.

But the real draw? It has to be the integration of RetroAchievements - a community labour of love, where unique achievement sets for hundreds of retro titles have been lovingly crafted for both old and new audiences. It's enough to make your inner child weep joyful tears.

For the Steam version, power users may lament the curated cores and hidden settings. But for others with less obsessive-compulsive tendencies, the convenience of Steam launching and cloud saves might justify the trade-off. Additionally, those looking for online versus or co-op action might be better served using the Steam version as you can avoid using RetroArch's frustrating in-built netplay feature by instead using Remote Play Together.

For casual emulator fans happy with standalones, RetroArch might not be worth the hassle. However, If retro gaming curation and preservation pique your interest, give RetroArch a whirl. It's the closest thing available to your own pocket-sized museum of gaming's past, lovingly shared and maintained by an incredibly dedicated community.

RetroArch is a retro gaming obsessive's dream, offering absurd amounts of customisation that might scare off casual users. With an admittedly clunky UI, new users might be put off. But those willing to brave the learning curve will discover retro bliss. While some standalone emulators offer better user experience and overall stability, RetroArch offers a streamlined solution for enjoying classics with modern touches, like snappy filters and accessible control mapping. Spend time with some guides (and a little trial-and-error), and soon you'll master switching between cores and content libraries effortlessly. But the real draw? It has to be the integration of RetroAchievements - a community labour of love, where unique achievement sets for hundreds of retro titles have been lovingly crafted for both old and new audiences. It's enough to make your inner child weep joyful tears. For the Steam version, power users may lament the curated cores and hidden settings. But for others with less obsessive-compulsive tendencies, the convenience of Steam launching and cloud saves might justify the trade-off. Additionally, those looking for online versus or co-op action might be better served using the Steam version as you can avoid using RetroArch's frustrating in-built netplay feature by instead using Remote Play Together. For casual emulator fans happy with standalones, RetroArch might not be worth the hassle. However, If retro gaming curation and preservation pique your interest, give RetroArch a whirl. It's the closest thing available to your own pocket-sized museum of gaming's past, lovingly shared and maintained by an incredibly dedicated community.