Intellivision, a classic gaming system that many of us never had the pleasure of owning, can still be enjoyed through emulation. Through the PC version of Retroarch, you can easily play Intellivision games on your computer and relive the nostalgia. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to set up Intellivision emulation on Windows 10 using Retroarch.
Step 1: Install Retroarch on your PC Before diving into Intellivision emulation, it is necessary to have Retroarch installed on your computer. If you haven’t done so already, follow the instructions provided in the Retroarch setup guide to install the PC version of Retroarch. Links to the setup guides playlist can be found in the description below.
Step 2: Obtain the Intellivision BIOS files To run Intellivision games on Retroarch, you need to source a couple of BIOS files. These files can be found on Intellivision compilation discs for PC or through a simple Google search. However, please note that we do not promote or provide any illegal download links. The two BIOS files required are “exec.bin” and “grom.bin”. Once you have obtained these files, simply locate your Retroarch system folder and drag the BIOS files into the system folder.
Step 3: Source Intellivision games Next, you need to source the Intellivision games that you want to play. There are various ways to obtain Intellivision games, such as using compilations or searching online. Again, we do not endorse or provide any illegal download links. The games can be in either “bin” or “zip” format. Once you have obtained the games, place them anywhere on your hard drive for easy access.
Step 4: Download the Intellivision core Now that you have Retroarch installed and the BIOS files and games ready, it’s time to download the Intellivision core. Open Retroarch and navigate to the “Online Updater” section. Select “Core Downloader” and scroll down until you find the category for “Mattel”. Look for the “Intellivision” core and download it.
Step 5: Load and play Intellivision games With the Intellivision core downloaded, you can now load and play your favorite Intellivision games. There are multiple methods to load games in Retroarch. One way is to navigate to the “Load Content” option, select the directory where your games are stored, choose a game, and select the Intellivision core to load it. Another method is to use the desktop menu feature in Retroarch, which allows you to create playlists for easy access to your games.
Step 6: Understanding the controls Before fully diving into Intellivision emulation, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the basic controls. Pressing the start button on your controller will bring up a help menu that explains the button layout. Keep in mind that the button names may vary depending on the controller you are using. The help menu provides information on the different action pads and buttons, as well as functions such as pausing the game and swapping controller ports.
Step 7: Enhance your gaming experience with shaders Retroarch offers an extensive library of shaders that can enhance your gaming experience. Shaders can be enabled and downloaded through the online updater. Once you have downloaded the shaders, you can load them in Retroarch and choose the one that suits your preferences. One popular shader is “CRT easy mode” which provides a gridline effect and blurring. You can save your preferred shader as a core preset, so it automatically applies to all Intellivision games you play.
Step 8: Create a customized playlist for your Intellivision games To make it easier to access your Intellivision games, you can create a customized playlist in Retroarch. Using the desktop menu, you can add your games to a playlist and even add box art for a more visually appealing experience. Although Retroarch has an internal database for downloading thumbnails, it may not work if your game names are not formatted correctly. In such cases, you can manually add box art from external sources like GameFAQs.
With these steps, you can now enjoy Intellivision emulation on your Windows 10 PC using Retroarch. Remember to respect the copyright of the games and BIOS files, and only source them through legal means. Intellivision gaming has stood the test of time, and with emulation, you can experience the joy of playing these classic games once again.
Please note that this guide is for educational purposes only and should not be used to promote or engage in any illegal activities. Always respect copyright laws and use emulation responsibly.
Thank you for reading and happy gaming!
