RetroArch Amiga Emulation Tutorial

Commodore AmigaRetroArch

RetroArch Amiga Setup Guide Banner Graphic

Requirements

  • Install RetroArch – Download RetroArch Here
  • Obtain Amiga Kickstart ROM (BIOS) files – This is optional as PUAE has a built-in Kickstart ROM, but to ensure maximum compatibility, I recommend using actual Amiga Kickstart ROM files. These can be legally purchased as part of the Amiga Forever by Cloanto. A useful tip is to purchase the Amiga Forever Essentials Android app, this app also contains the Amiga Kickstart files you will need and is very cheap to buy.
  • Have at least one Amiga game ready to test These are usually .adf files.
  • To play games, you will ideally need a controller – You can try using keyboard controls, but Amiga games are best experienced using an old-school joystick. The Competition Pro USB is best for playing Amiga games with an emulator.

Step 1 – Downloading The PUAE 2021 Core In RetroArch

The first step is to download the PUAE 2021 core in RetroArch.

Boot up RetroArch, select ‘Load Core’, and then ‘Download a Core’, then scroll down the Core Downloader list until you reach ‘Commodore – Amiga (PUAE 2021)’. If your version of RetroArch is not showing the PUAE 2021 core, just download the regular PUAE core.

Select this and the PUAE core will download and install.

The RetroArch core downloader menu, where the Amiga PUAE 2021 core is being selected
Download The Amiga PUAE Core In RetroArch

Assuming RetroArch is pre-installed on your system, it is advisable to return to the main menu, navigate downward to ‘Online Updater,’ and subsequently select ‘Update Core Info Files’ and ‘Update Databases.’

Executing these updates on vital RetroArch files and databases guarantees their currency, thereby minimizing the likelihood of encountering any complications.

Step 2 – Copy The Amiga Kickstart Files To RetroArch

If you are using actual Amiga Kickstart ROM files, these will need to be copied to the RetoArch ‘system’ folder. You will only need to copy those that you plan to use, but if you are able to obtain all of the files, simply copy them all across.

I typically use the A1200 Kickstart for most games, but where there may be compatibility issues, especially with older games, it’s often better to use the A500 Kickstart.

I recommend copying at least the A500 & A1200 Kickstarts to the RetroArch system folder.

RetroArch Amiga kickstart files being copied in to the RetroArch system folder as part of the installation process
Copy The Amiga Kickstart ROM Files To The RetroArch System Folder

It is worth noting that PUAE in RetroArch requires BIOS files to be named and matched accordingly. The below list is taken from the PUAE Libretro site and provides details as to what the file names should be for the Amiga Kickstart files.

PUAE possesses a moderately compatible built-in AROS Kickstart, functioning as a fallback when the appropriate Kickstart remains undiscovered.

Both Amiga Forever and TOSEC filenames are recognized and accepted by PUAE.

FilenameAmiga ForeverDescriptionmd5sum
kick33180.A500amiga-os-120.romKickstart v1.2 rev 33.18085ad74194e87c08904327de1a9443b7a
kick34005.A500amiga-os-130.romKickstart v1.3 rev 34.00582a21c1890cae844b3df741f2762d48d
kick37175.A500amiga-os-204.romKickstart v2.04 rev 37.175dc10d7bdd1b6f450773dfb558477c230
kick37350.A600amiga-os-205-a600.romKickstart v2.05 rev 37.350465646c9b6729f77eea5314d1f057951
kick40063.A600amiga-os-310-a600.romKickstart v3.1 rev 40.063e40a5dfb3d017ba8779faba30cbd1c8e
kick39106.A1200amiga-os-300-a1200.romKickstart v3.0 rev 39.106b7cc148386aa631136f510cd29e42fc3
kick40068.A1200amiga-os-310-a1200.romKickstart v3.1 rev 40.068646773759326fbac3b2311fd8c8793ee
kick39106.A4000amiga-os-300-a4000.romKickstart v3.0 rev 39.1069b8bdd5a3fd32c2a5a6f5b1aefc799a5
kick40068.A4000amiga-os-310-a4000.romKickstart v3.1 rev 40.0689bdedde6a4f33555b4a270c8ca53297d
kick34005.CDTVamiga-os-130-cdtv-ext.romCDTV extended ROM v1.0089da1838a24460e4b93f4f0c5d92d48d
kick40060.CD32amiga-os-310-cd32.romCD32 Kickstart v3.1 rev 40.0605f8924d013dd57a89cf349f4cdedc6b1
kick40060.CD32.extamiga-os-310-cd32-ext.romCD32 extended ROM rev 40.060bb72565701b1b6faece07d68ea5da639
kick40060.CD32CD32 KS + extended v3.1 rev 40.060f2f241bf094168cfb9e7805dc2856433

Step 3 – Using ADF Files To Play Games

ADF means ‘Amiga Disk File’ and are single file dumps of Amiga disks, essentially what you would have put into the disk drive of your old Amiga! With PUAE, we are using ADF files as replacements for these original floppy disks, and have to be treated as such.

Playing Single Disk Games With PUAE

To play a single disk game, such as Stunt Car Racer, from the main menu in RetroArch, select ‘Load Content’, navigate to where your game ADF file is stored and select it.

PUAE will then boot your game.

Playing Multiple Disk Games With PUAE

Because Amiga games often came on more than a single disk, it is necessary to have to swap disks during the game.

This is possible in RetroArch in a couple of ways, the first is by using the Disc Control feature in RetroArch to swap disks. To do this, press F1 to access the Quick Menu and select the following options:-

  • Disc Control
  • Eject Disc
  • Load New Disc
  • Select the Disk you need to Use
  • Insert Disc
  • Press F1 to return to your game

PUAE will now add this disc to the ‘Disc Index’ and use the disk you have selected. If you need to reinsert a previous disc, simply go back to the Disc Control menu, select ‘Current Disc Index’, and select the appropriate disk from the list.

The RetroArch menu that allows users to swap Amiga Disks with the Disc Control function
Swapping Amiga Disks Using The Disc Control Feature

Playing Multiple Disk Games Using .M3U Files

If you prefer to keep things a little tidier in RetroArch, it is possible to create ‘.M3U’ playlists for each game, which are essentially a text file that RetroArch can refer to, to understand how many discs are associated with a game.

The benefit of booting games via an .M3U file is that some will automatically swap disks, and some will not, but booting games via an .M3U file means that RetroArch Disc Control will know the playlist of disks for each game, making it easier to change disks when prompted.

Simply create a text file and enter the location of each Amiga disk file, one per line. Make sure to enter these in the correct chronological order, e.g. starting with Disk 1, etc.

An example of how to create an M3U File that contains multiple Amiga disk images allowing RetroArch to automatically swap disks when needed
.M3U File Creation

Once you have done this, be sure to save the file with a .m3u file extension.

You can do this by naming your file, changing the save as type to ‘All files’, and making sure your file name has .m3u at the end.

3 Amiga disk images for the game Cannon Fodder stored in a folder ready for use with the M3U file
Amiga Disk .M3U Playlist File

Once you have done this, you will be able to boot your game via the .m3u file you have created.

As mentioned earlier, some games will automatically swap the disks for you (these are typically games that on a real Amiga are able to utilise multiple disk drives), but some games do not.

If you find the game does not automatically swap disc, press F1 and select the below options from the RetroArch menu:

  • Disc Control
  • Eject Disc
  • Current Disc Index
  • Select the Disk you need to Use
  • Insert Disc
  • Press F1 to return to your game

PUAE will then load the data required from the disk you have selected.

The RetroArch disc index screen which summarises all of the discs referenced in the M3U file being used with PUAE in RetroArch
Select Your Required Amiga Disk Via The ‘Disc Index’ Menu

Step 4 – RetroArch Amiga Settings

The PUAE core boasts an array of options, allowing you to fine-tune your amiga emulator for an optimal experience.

To access these options, press the F1 key or your designated hotkey to pause the emulation and enter RetroArch’s quick menu and scroll down the menu and select ‘options.’

Here, you will gain access to an extensive range of PUAE core emulator options, encompassing video, audio, and emulator performance.

For an in-depth understanding of the available options for the PUAE core, consult the RetroArch PUAE Core Options documentation.

Additionally, if you seek recommendations for Amiga games to enjoy with RetroArch, explore our best Amiga games article for all the must-play titles!

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