Libretro GenesisPlusGX Wide is an open-source Sega 8/16-bit emulator focused on accuracy and portability.
It emulate Megadrive games with widescreen support.
Unlike other emulators, Libretro GenesisPlusGX Wide will not stretch the image to fill the screen, but will display game graphics outside the original 4/3 area.
An impressive example on Street of Rage with the Wide core:
And the original version:
¶ 
License
This core is under non-commercial license.
¶ 
Compatibility
| RPI0/RPI1 | RPI2 | RPI3 | RPI4 | RPI-400 | ODROID XU4 | ODROID GO | PC x86 | PC X86_64 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
¶ 
Features
| Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
| Restart | ✔ |
| Saves | ✔ |
| States | ✔ |
| Rewind | ✔ |
| Netplay | ✔ |
| Core Options | ✔ |
| RetroAchievements | ✔ |
| RetroArch Cheats | ✔ |
| Controls | ✔ |
| Remapping | ✔ |
| Multi-Mouse | ✔ |
¶ 
Bios
No bios is required.
¶ 
Roms
¶ Supported extensions
Roms must have the following extensions:
- .bin
- .en
- .md
- .smd
- .zip
- .7z
This system supports compressed roms in .zip/.7z format. However, be careful, it is only an archive.
The files contained in the .zip/.7z must correspond to the extensions mentioned above.
Moreover, each .zip/.7z file must contain only one compressed rom.
¶ Location
Place the roms like this:
┣ 📁 recalbox
┃ ┣ 📁 share
┃ ┃ ┣ 📁 roms
┃ ┃ ┃ ┣ 📁 megadrive
┃ ┃ ┃ ┃ ┣ 🗒 game.zip
The roms using No-Intro format roms are highly recommended.
For more information about roms, go to this tutorial!
¶ 
Advanced configuration of the emulator
To be able to keep your custom configurations during an update, we advise you to use our configuration override feature.
¶ Accessing to options
You can configure various options in two different ways.
- Via the RetroArch menu:
┣ 📁 RetroArch menu
┃ ┣ 📁 Core options
┃ ┃ ┣ 🧩 Name_option
- Via the
retroarch-core-options.cfgfile:
┣ 📁 recalbox
┃ ┣ 📁 share
┃ ┃ ┣ 📁 system
┃ ┃ ┃ ┣ 📁 configs
┃ ┃ ┃ ┃ ┣ 📁 retroarch
┃ ┃ ┃ ┃ ┃ ┣ 📁 cores
┃ ┃ ┃ ┃ ┃ ┃ ┣ 🧩 retroarch-core-options.cfg
¶ Core options
| Options | Options values | Variables (for configuration override) | Variables values |
|---|---|---|---|
| System Hardware | Auto ✅ / SG-1000 / SG-1000 II / Mark III / Master System / Master System II / Game Gear / Mega Drive/Genesis |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_system_hw |
auto / sg-1000 / sg-1000 II / mark-III / master system / master system II / game gear / mega drive / genesis |
| System Region | Auto ✅ / NTSC-U / PAL / NTSC-J |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_region_detect |
auto / ntsc-u / pal / ntsc-j |
| System Lock-Ups | Enabled ✅ / Disabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_force_dtack |
enabled / disabled |
| System Boot ROM | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_bios |
disabled / enabled |
| CD System BRAM | Per-BIOS ✅ / Per-Game |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_bram |
per bios / per game |
| 68K Address Error | Enabled ✅ / Disabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_addr_error |
enabled / disabled |
| Cartridge Lock-On | Disabled ✅ / Game Genie / Action Replay (Pro) / Sonic & Knuckles |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_lock_on |
disabled / game genie / action replay (pro) / sonic & knuckles |
| Master System FM (YM2413) | Auto ✅ / Disabled / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_ym2413 |
auto / disabled / enabled |
| Mega Drive / Genesis FM | MAME (YM2612) ✅ / MAME (ASIC YM3438) / MAME (Enhanced YM3438) / Nuked (YM2612) / Nuked (YM3438) |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_ym2612 |
mame (ym2612) / mame (asic ym3438) / mame (enhanced ym3438) / nuked (ym2612) / nuked (ym3438) |
| Sound Output | Stereo ✅ / Mono |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_sound_output |
stereo / mono |
| PSG Preamp Level | 0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 / 105 / 110 / 115 / 120 / 125 / 130 / 135 / 140 / 145 / 150 ✅ / 155 / 160 / 165 / 170 / 175 / 180 / 185 / 190 / 195 / 200 |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_psg_preamp |
0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 / 105 / 110 / 115 / 120 / 125 / 130 / 135 / 140 / 145 / 150 / 155 / 160 / 165 / 170 / 175 / 180 / 185 / 190 / 195 / 200 |
| FM Preamp Level | 0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 ✅ / 105 / 110 / 115 / 120 / 125 / 130 / 135 / 140 / 145 / 150 / 155 / 160 / 165 / 170 / 175 / 180 / 185 / 190 / 195 / 200 |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_fm_preamp |
0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 / 105 / 110 / 115 / 120 / 125 / 130 / 135 / 140 / 145 / 150 / 155 / 160 / 165 / 170 / 175 / 180 / 185 / 190 / 195 / 200 |
| Audio Filter | Disabled ✅ / Low-Pass |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_audio_filter |
disabled / low-pass |
| Low-Pass Filter % | 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 ✅ / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_lowpass_range |
5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 |
| Frameskip | Disabled ✅ / Auto / Manual |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_frameskip |
disabled / auto / manual |
| Frameskip Threshold (%) | 15 / 18 / 21 / 24 / 27 / 30 / 33 ✅ / 36 / 39 / 42 / 45 / 48 / 51 / 54 / 57 / 60 |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_frameskip_threshold |
15 / 18 / 21 / 24 / 27 / 30 / 33 / 36 / 39 / 42 / 45 / 48 / 51 / 54 / 57 / 60 |
| Blargg NTSC Filter | Disabled ✅ / Monochrome / Composite / S-Video / RGB |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_blargg_ntsc_filter |
disabled / monochrome / composite / svideo / rgb |
| LCD Ghosting Filter | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_lcd_filter |
disabled / enabled |
| Borders | Disabled ✅ / Top/Bottom / Left/Right / Full |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_overscan |
disabled / top/bottom / left/right / full |
| Game Gear Extended Screen | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_gg_extra |
disabled / enabled |
| Hide Master System Left Borders | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_left_border |
disabled / enabled |
| Extra columns to draw in H40 for widescreen | 10 ✅ / 0 / 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_h40_extra_columns |
10 / 0 / 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 |
| Fix VPD DMA boundary bug | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_vdp_fix_dma_boundary_bug |
disabled / enabled |
| Core-Provided Aspect Ratio | Auto ✅ / NTSC PAR / PAL PAR |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_aspect_ratio |
auto / NTSC PAR / PAL PAR |
| Interlaced Mode 2 Output | Single Field ✅ / Double Field |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_render |
single field / double field |
| Show Light Gun Crosshair | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_gun_cursor |
disabled / enabled |
| Light Gun Input | Light Gun ✅ / Touchscreen |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_gun_input |
lightgun / touchscreen |
| Invert Mouse Y-Axis | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_invert_mouse |
disabled / enabled |
| CPU Speed | 100% ✅ / 125% / 150% / 175% / 200% |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_overclock |
100% / 125% / 150% / 175% / 200% |
| Remove Per-Line Sprite Limit | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_no_sprite_limit |
disabled / enabled |
| PSG Tone Channel 0 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_psg_channel_0_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| PSG Tone Channel 1 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_psg_channel_1_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| PSG Tone Channel 2 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_psg_channel_2_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| PSG Tone Channel 3 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_psg_channel_3_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Mega Drive / Genesis FM Channel 0 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_md_channel_0_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Mega Drive / Genesis FM Channel 1 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_md_channel_1_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Mega Drive / Genesis FM Channel 2 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_md_channel_2_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Mega Drive / Genesis FM Channel 3 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_md_channel_3_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Mega Drive / Genesis FM Channel 4 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_md_channel_4_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Mega Drive / Genesis FM Channel 5 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_md_channel_5_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 0 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_0_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 1 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_1_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 2 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_2_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 3 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_3_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 4 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_4_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 5 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_5_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 6 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_6_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 7 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_7_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Channel 8 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_msms_fm_channel_8_volume |
0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 |
¶ 
External links
- Source code used: https://github.com/libretro/Genesis-Plus-GX-Wide/