Flycast – Dreamcast Emulator

Step 1: Downloading and Installing Flycast

1. Go to the Flycast website and download the latest Standalone version of the emulator.
   • Note: The Standalone version is more advanced than the RetroArch core.
2. Download the appropriate version for your system. In this guide, we’ll be using the Windows version.
   • The most recent revisions are at the top of the page.
3. Once downloaded, move the file to your desktop for easy access.
4. Create a new folder on your desktop and name it “Flycast.”
5. Extract the downloaded archive into this folder. You will see a single executable file.
6. Run the executable once to initialize Flycast’s default settings. This will generate additional files in the folder.

Step 2: BIOS Setup

To run games, Flycast requires BIOS files for each system it supports. It is illegal for developers to include these with the emulator, so you must obtain them separately.

1. Download the required BIOS files for Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave.
2. Copy these BIOS files into the data folder located in the Flycast folder.
3. Select all the BIOS files and drag them into the data folder at once.

Step 3: Organizing Your Game Files

For better organization, it’s a good idea to create subfolders for each system’s games:

1. Inside the Flycast folder, create subfolders for Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave.
2. Place your downloaded ROM files into the appropriate subfolders. For example, Dreamcast games go into the Dreamcast folder.

Step 4: Downloading ROMs

Arcade Games:

1. For arcade games (Naomi, Naomi 2, Atomiswave), you can download ROMs from the Internet Archive or other ROM-hosting websites.
2. Once downloaded, unzip the ROMs and move them to their respective subfolders in the Flycast folder.

Dreamcast Games:

1. Dreamcast games come in two file formats: GDI and CDI.
   • GDI files allow for compatibility with hacks but are larger.
   • CDI files are smaller but may have limitations.
2. Copy your Dreamcast games into the Dreamcast folder.

Step 5: Configuring Flycast

Once the games are organized, launch Flycast and configure it for the best gaming experience.

General Settings:

1. Cable Type: Under the Settings > General tab, change the cable type to VGA for better video quality.
2. Content Locations: Set up the content locations by linking the folders where your ROMs are stored. This allows the emulator to find your games.

Controls:

1. Flycast supports a wide range of controllers, and in most cases, it should detect your gamepad automatically.
   • Xbox 360 controllers work without additional configuration.
2. You can customize controls by pressing the Tab key and navigating to the control settings.

Video Settings:

1. For optimal video quality, adjust the following settings:
   • Transparent Sorting: Set to Per Pixel for better accuracy (though it may be more demanding on older hardware).
   • Anisotropic Filtering: Set to 16 for maximum quality.
   • Renderer: Choose Vulkan for better performance on most hardware.
   • Resolution: Upscale the resolution to at least 1080p to improve clarity.

Step 6: Running Games

Now that everything is set up, you can run games in Flycast:

1. Start the emulator, and under the File menu, load your games from the appropriate folders.
2. To enter full screen, press Alt + Enter.
3. Access game-specific settings, such as controls or graphics, by pressing Tab while the game is running.

Additional Settings

Flycast allows for customized settings per game. You can adjust individual control schemes and video settings for each title if needed.

• FPS Counter: If you want to monitor performance, enable the FPS counter in the settings.
• Custom Settings: You can set specific graphics or control settings for each game based on your preference.