If you’re like me and love re-watching classic Pokemon games, then emulating them on your Android phone is the perfect way to do it. With RetroArch, you can instantly bring back all your favorite Pokemon memories.
Downloading and setting up RetroArch
RetroArch is a universal emulator that can run almost any retro console you can imagine, from the Game Boy Advance to the Nintendo 3DS.
The best way to install RetroArch on your phone is to download the APK directly from the official RetroArch website and by manually downloading it to your Android device. Although RetroArch is also available on the Play Store, this version is very outdated, so sideloading is recommended for best results. You can install RetroArch by following these steps:
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Start by opening Settings and I’m going Applications. Select your preferred browser, scroll down to Install unknown applicationsand turn it on Allow from this source.
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Go to the RetroArch downloads page and download the latest version of Android. If you see a warning that the APK file may be dangerous, click Download anyway continue.
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Once the download is complete, a banner will appear at the top asking you to install the application. Tap Openthen touch Install to complete the process.
Running Pokemon games on RetroArch While using emulators for games is legal in most regions, it is important to note that downloading ROMs for games you don’t own is piracy.
Now that RetroArch is installed on your phone, make sure that all your ROM files are stored in a directory that you can easily access. If you don’t already have a file viewer app on your phone, use Google Files app to create a new folder that will keep everything in one place.
Although RetroArch does have an on-screen controller, I highly recommend connecting an external controller to the phoneespecially for consoles that use a joystick. To start playing your games on RetroArch, follow these steps:
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Open RetroArch and go to Load Kernel > Load Kernel. Here you will find a list of all consoles that RetroArch supports.
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Select the console you want to emulate from the list and the kernel download will begin automatically.
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Return to the RetroArch home screen and select Download content. Find the folder where your ROM files are stored, select the file, and the game will launch.
But that’s not all RetroArch has to offer. You can also enable cheats, create save states, and even apply shaders to recreate the look of classic displays.
This will ensure your emulated games look as they were originally intended. So now you can relive the nostalgia of your childhood: go ahead and catch them all!