The world of emulation continues to evolve rapidly, with exciting updates, new projects, and controversies shaping the landscape. In this June 2024 emulation roundup, we cover:
- 3Dsen: A 3D NES emulator now on Steam
- Flycast’s iOS removal due to community toxicity
- Xenia-Microsoft rumors (and their denial)
- ShadPS4 v0.9 inching closer to full PS4 emulation
- PPSSPP 1.19 with major performance boosts
- NetherSX2’s two new versions for Android
- Spaghetti Kart: A native Mario Kart 64 port
Let’s dive into the details!
1. 3Dsen: The 3D NES Emulator Now on Steam
3Dsen is a unique emulator that transforms classic NES games into 3D experiences. Unlike traditional emulators, it adds depth and perspective, allowing players to adjust camera angles dynamically.
Key Features:
✔ 3D Perspective – Play NES games with a new dimension.
✔ Savestates & Modern Emulation Features – Full save/load support.
✔ Partial Game Support – Not all NES games work yet.
Note: There’s no free version—only a paid Steam release.
2. Flycast Pulled from iOS Due to Toxicity
The Dreamcast & Naomi emulator Flycast was removed from iOS after developers faced harassment and threats from the community.
What Happened?
- iOS version discontinued (GitHub links removed).
- No future updates—users must rely on archived builds.
- Reason: “Ongoing threats from the iOS community.”
💡 Alternative: Android users can still use Flycast, but iOS players lose one of the few Sega Naomi-compatible emulators.
3. Xenia & Microsoft Rumor (Debunked)
A rumor suggested Microsoft was collaborating with Xenia (Xbox 360 emulator) developers for official backward compatibility.
The Truth:
❌ Xenia’s team denied involvement on Discord.
❌ Microsoft is working on its own solution (not Xenia).
✔ Xenia remains independent, but progress is slow.
4. ShadPS4 Reaches v0.9 – PS4 Emulation Improves
ShadPS4, the leading PS4 emulator, is now at v0.9, with 32 games marked as “Perfect” (up from 28).
Key Improvements:
✔ Better GPU & shader compilation
✔ Bloodborne nearly flawless (with patches)
✔ Still no PKG installer (use ShadPS4 Plus fork for that)
5. PPSSPP 1.19 – Major PSP Emulation Update
PPSSPP 1.19 brings performance boosts, bug fixes, and the end of DX9 support.
Notable Changes:
✔ Fixed smoke effects in Jak & Daxter
✔ Improved lens flares (Midnight Club, Wipeout)
✔ 15% performance boost reported (unofficial)
✔ Last version supporting DirectX 9
6. NetherSX2: Two New Android Versions
The PCSX2-based Android emulator got two new builds:
Version 3668 (Low-End Devices)
✔ Better performance on weak hardware
❌ Snowblind Engine games broken (e.g., Baldur’s Gate)
Version 4248 (High-End Devices)
✔ Fixes for Black, Ace Combat, Jak & Daxter
✔ Better widescreen patches
⚠ Savestates aren’t compatible between versions!
7. Spaghetti Kart: Native Mario Kart 64 Port
A native PC port of Mario Kart 64, Spaghetti Kart, is now available for Windows, Linux, and Switch.
Features:
✔ 60 FPS & HD resolutions
✔ MSAA, texture filtering, V-Sync
✔ Universal track editor (WIP)
Final Thoughts
June 2024 was packed with major emulation milestones, from 3D NES gaming to PS4 emulation progress. While some projects faced setbacks (like Flycast’s iOS removal), others (like PPSSPP & NetherSX2) delivered impressive updates.
Stay tuned for more emulation news next month!
📌 Tags:
Emulation, Retro Gaming, PS4 Emulator, PSP Emulator, NES 3D, Flycast, Xenia, NetherSX2
📢 Hashtags:
#Emulation #RetroGaming #PS4Emulator #PPSSPP #3Dsen #MarioKart64
Disclaimer: Emulation legality varies by region. Always own original game copies when using emulators. Some links may lead to third-party sites—use at your own risk.
Which emulator update excites you the most? Let us know in the comments! 🚀
