ludo VS OpenEmu

A similar project is Ludo [1] which is part of the libretro family. More for emulation but really a clean UI (it actually has screenshots)

[1]: https://ludo.libretro.com/#about

Linux Mint is fine. You'll want to modify it to start using something lighter than Cinnamon (I suggest OpenBox); 4GB of RAM means that KDE and GNOME/Cinnamon are not going to be fun, and as you're using it for arcade games, you don't need much more than a launcher for Steam/RetroArch/EmulationStation/Ludo/Lutris/etc.

Have a look at https://ludo.libretro.com/ if you can't work out RA.

Ludo is better than both.

MULTI EMULATORS (basically one program that handles a bunch of consoles) I would advise you to avoid frontend or multi emulators like mame or retroarch, because they could be intimidating if you start in this area to start with a frontend multi emulator, I recommend this one witch is beginner friendly and have a good documentation ludo emulator

There's a spin-off of Retroarch that I think is way better called Ludo. It's basically a less confusing version of Retroarch with a really clean UI!

did you try retroarch? if you want something simpler, give ludo a try. It's from the same team, but made simpler. https://ludo.libretro.com/

I highly recommend Ludo, it's like Retroarch but much easier to use and automatically chooses the best emulator for each system. Just put in your roms folder and it'll automatically split them by console, then just choose and play.

You just want Ludo. Go use it.

[You might like Ludo](https://ludo.libretro.com/

Tangentially related: if anybody is looking for a good way to organize a library of retro emulators and games on their MacOS laptops/desktop computers then I recommend OpenEmu. It is designed from the ground up to look and feel like a Mac app.

https://openemu.org/

Just follow the link i posted. Btw you can build OpenEmu in a couple of minutes yourself. Some controllers (PS5 for example) are natively supported, more shader options, and other small stuff..

Download Openemu 2.0.9.1 https://github.com/OpenEmu/OpenEmu/releases/tag/v2.0.9.1

As far as I know, devs have no plans to allow multiple bindings to the same inputs. It is apparently too complicated for them to implement. See: https://github.com/OpenEmu/OpenEmu/issues/4600

The Pocket is a great device, highly recommended, get the Dock if you want to buy one. While waiting, I recommend using https://openemu.org/ on your Mac to run "roms", which are files that represent old games. To get the ROMs, google for "tubrografx roms archive.org". Then for a controller on a Mac, you can use a PS4/PS5 or Xbox (One/Series), if you have one lying around. That said, I recommend buying an SN30 Pro.

Download and Install OpenEmu

Huh? Try http://openemu.org/ and download the experimental version (with arcade support)

Yeah should be pretty easy if you have the ISO or a disc copy, OpenEmu should do it without issue - https://openemu.org

Otherwise you can try OpenEmu: it's a very Mac friendly emulator of a lot of old systems that works by dragging/dropping the roms in it. The "Experimental" (direct link) build includes support of Mame, which means support of Neo Geo roms.