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For those of you wanting to emulate some classic Dreamcast games on Linux, you're in luck as Redream [Official Site] is an actively developed emulator that works on Linux. The compatibility list for it is quite impressive, with over 500 titles being playable with only 97 listed as being broken currently. 

When I spoke to the developer, Anthony Pesch, I asked them what the difference is between Redream and other Dreamcast emulators, here's what they told me:

The primary difference is that we're aiming to be a user-friendly emulator that's both optimized and available to run everywhere. We have Windows, Mac and Linux support out now and I'm hoping to get Android out this Summer.

Features like our HLE bios and automatic controller configuration make it painless to get up and running through the controller-navigable UI in a few clicks. For command line users life is even easier, no clicks necessary - just `./redream /path/to/game`.

We're also working on fleshing out our internal game database to expand on providing more than just box art - namely per-game configuration options and cheats. If you browse through our UI you'll see there aren't that many options - I'm a fan of things just working. These configuration options will include things like disabling bilinear filtering for pixel-art games like Bangai-O and the cheats will be for features such as enabling true 16:9 widescreen on older games.

The developer of Redream has contributed to a bunch of open source projects over the years like SDL, emscripten (they're one of the top contributors there) and plenty of others. While Redream itself was originally open source, it's no longer the case (the older source is still available) as it seems it didn't gain many contributors over the years other than from Pesch himself.

It comes in two versions, a Lite version which is free but it doesn't include the "High-definition rendering" feature, the Premium is $5 and has that in. Not a bad price for an up to date supported emulator, especially with good compatibility.

There are of course others, but if you have trouble with them then Redream is another option for you to try.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Emulation
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15 comments
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yar4e Jul 26, 2018
Quoting: omer666
Quoting: yar4eIt was "IMHO" :) Two times i tried to finish this game and two times i failed in this because i became very bored right in the middle of the game..

Of course, no harm taken ;-)
Do you play a lot of JRPGs?

I played many JRPGs, but finished less then ten of them. And my most favorite of them is Vagrant story, FFX,FFXII and of course brilliant Chrono Trigger. FFXII i playing right now and it runs perfect in WINE+DXVK by the way) and about the Skies of Arcadia - i really like the setting and music but the rest..
Shinikio Jul 26, 2018
Redream is fine but closed-source, unfortunately...

RetroArch from Libretro Team did huge progress about Dreamcast emulation through Reicast and Reicast OIT. Now it runs lot of games. Some with a few graphics glitches but not as much ^_^


Last edited by Shinikio on 26 July 2018 at 11:01 am UTC
ageres Jul 26, 2018
There is a Linux-only Dreamcast emulator: https://github.com/washingtondc-emu/washingtondc
omer666 Jul 26, 2018
Quoting: yar4e
Quoting: omer666
Quoting: yar4eIt was "IMHO" :) Two times i tried to finish this game and two times i failed in this because i became very bored right in the middle of the game..

Of course, no harm taken ;-)
Do you play a lot of JRPGs?

I played many JRPGs, but finished less then ten of them. And my most favorite of them is Vagrant story, FFX,FFXII and of course brilliant Chrono Trigger. FFXII i playing right now and it runs perfect in WINE+DXVK by the way) and about the Skies of Arcadia - i really like the setting and music but the rest..

Ok, that explains the difference of opinion. Skies of Arcadia has a more classical gameplay compared to your favourite titles. Ever played one of the older Tales of titles?
Dolus Jul 26, 2018
Gotta be honest, I do not like this trend of proprietary emulators. It's one thing to have games be blobs, but emulators are the way we're going to preserve most of these games for future generations. They should be free as in freedom.


Last edited by Dolus on 26 July 2018 at 5:35 pm UTC
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