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 | RPI3 | RPI4/RPI400 | RPI5 | ODROID XU4 | OGA/OGS/RG351 | PC | RG353 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
¶ 
Features
| Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
| Restart | ✔ |
| Saves | ✔ |
| States | ✔ |
| Rewind | ✔ |
| Netplay | ✔ |
| Core Options | ✔ |
| RetroAchievements | ✔ |
| RetroArch Cheats | ✔ |
| Controls | ✔ |
| Remapping | ✔ |
| Multi-Mouse | ✔ |
¶ 
Bios
¶ List of optional bios
| Nom de fichier | Description | MD5 | Fourni |
|---|---|---|---|
| bios_MD.bin | BIOS MegaDrive (bootrom) | 45e298905a08f9cfb38fd504cd6dbc84 | ❌ |
¶ Location
Put the bios like this:
┣ 📁 recalbox
┃ ┣ 📁 share
┃ ┃ ┣ 📁 bios
┃ ┃ ┃ ┣ 📁 megadrive
┃ ┃ ┃ ┃ ┣ 🗒 bios_MD.bin
¶ 
Roms
¶ Supported extensions
Roms must have the following extensions:
- .68k
- .bin
- .en
- .md
- .mdx
- .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 / SG-1000 II + RAM Ext. / Mark III / Master System / Master System II / Game Gear / Mega Drive/Genesis |
genesis_plus_gx_system_hw |
auto / sg-1000 / sg-1000 II / sg-1000 II + ram ext. / mark-III / master system / master system II / game gear / mega drive / genesis |
| System Region | Auto ✅ / NTSC-U / PAL / NTSC-J |
genesis_plus_gx_region_detect |
auto / ntsc-u / pal / ntsc-j |
| System Boot ROM | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_bios |
disabled / enabled |
| CD System BRAM (Requires Restart) | Per-BIOS ✅ / Per-Game |
genesis_plus_gx_bram |
per bios / per game |
| CD Backup Cart BRAM (Requires Restart) | Per-Cart ✅ / Per-Game |
genesis_plus_gx_cart_bram |
per cart / per game |
| CD Backup Cart BRAM Size (Requires Restart) | Disabled ✅ / 128 kbit / 256 kbit / 512 kbit / 1 Mbit / 2 Mbit / 4 Mbit ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_cart_size |
disabled / 128k / 256k / 512k / 1meg / 2meg / 4meg |
| CD add-on (MD mode) (Requires Restart) | Auto ✅ / Sega/Mega CD / MegaSD / None |
genesis_plus_gx_add_on |
auto / sega/mega cd / megasd / none |
| Cartridge Lock-On | Disabled ✅ / Game Genie / Action Replay (Pro) / Sonic & Knuckles |
genesis_plus_gx_lock_on |
disabled / game genie / action replay (pro) / sonic & knuckles |
| Core-Provided Aspect Ratio | Auto ✅ / NTSC PAR / PAL PAR / 4:3 / Uncorrected |
genesis_plus_gx_aspect_ratio |
auto / NTSC PAR / PAL PAR / 4:3 / Uncorrected |
| Borders | Disabled ✅ / Top/Bottom / Left/Right / Full |
genesis_plus_gx_overscan |
disabled / top/bottom / left/right / full |
| 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 |
| Hide Master System Side Borders | Disabled ✅ / Left Border Only / Left & Right Borders |
genesis_plus_gx_left_border |
disabled / left border / left & right borders |
| Game Gear Extended Screen | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_gg_extra |
disabled / enabled |
| Blargg NTSC Filter | Disabled ✅ / Monochrome / Composite / S-Video / RGB |
genesis_plus_gx_blargg_ntsc_filter |
disabled / monochrome / composite / svideo / rgb |
| LCD Ghosting Filter | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_lcd_filter |
disabled / enabled |
| Interlaced Mode 2 Output | Single Field ✅ / Double Field |
genesis_plus_gx_render |
single field / double field |
| Frameskip | Disabled ✅ / Auto / Manual |
genesis_plus_gx_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_frameskip_threshold |
15 / 18 / 21 / 24 / 27 / 30 / 33 ✅ / 36 / 39 / 42 / 45 / 48 / 51 / 54 / 57 / 60 |
| Master System FM (YM2413) | Auto ✅ / Disabled / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_ym2413 |
auto / disabled / enabled |
| Master System FM (YM2413) Core | MAME ✅ / Nuked |
genesis_plus_gx_ym2413_core |
mame / nuked |
| Mega Drive / Genesis FM | MAME (YM2612) ✅ / MAME (ASIC YM3438) / MAME (Enhanced YM3438) / Nuked (YM2612) / Nuked (YM3438) |
genesis_plus_gx_ym2612 |
mame (ym2612) / mame (asic ym3438) / mame (enhanced ym3438) / nuked (ym2612) / nuked (ym3438) |
| Sound Output | Stereo ✅ / Mono |
genesis_plus_gx_sound_output |
stereo / mono |
| Audio Filter | Disabled ✅ / Low-Pass / EQ |
genesis_plus_gx_audio_filter |
disabled / low-pass / EQ |
| 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_lowpass_range |
5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 |
| 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_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_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 |
| CD-DA Volume | 0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_cdda_volume |
0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 |
| PCM Volume | 0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_pcm_volume |
0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 |
| EQ Low | 0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_audio_eq_low |
0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 |
| EQ Mid | 0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_audio_eq_mid |
0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 |
| EQ High | 0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_wide_audio_eq_high |
0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 / 95 / 100 |
| Light Gun Input | Light Gun ✅ / Touchscreen |
genesis_plus_gx_gun_input |
lightgun / touchscreen |
| Show Light Gun Crosshair | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_gun_cursor |
disabled / enabled |
| Invert Mouse Y-Axis | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_invert_mouse |
disabled / enabled |
| Remove Per-Line Sprite Limit | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_no_sprite_limit |
disabled / enabled |
| Enhanced per-tile vertical scroll | Disabled ✅ / Enabled |
genesis_plus_gx_enhanced_vscroll |
disabled / enabled |
| Enhanced per-tile vertical scroll limit | 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 ✅ / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 |
genesis_plus_gx_enhanced_vscroll_limit |
2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 |
| CPU Speed | 100% ✅ / 125% / 150% / 175% / 200% |
genesis_plus_gx_overclock |
100% / 125% / 150% / 175% / 200% |
| System Lock-Ups | Enabled ✅ / Disabled |
genesis_plus_gx_force_dtack |
enabled / disabled |
| 68K Address Error | Enabled ✅ / Disabled |
genesis_plus_gx_addr_error |
enabled / disabled |
| CD access time | Enabled ✅ / Disabled |
genesis_plus_gx_cd_latency |
enabled / disabled |
| PSG Tone Channel 0 Volume % | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 ✅ |
genesis_plus_gx_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_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_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_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_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_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_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_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_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_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_sms_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_sms_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_sms_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_sms_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_sms_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_sms_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_sms_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_sms_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_sms_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/