ETA Prime is back with another tutorial, and this time it’s all about Capcom Play System (CPS) games. Known for their incredible arcade games, CPS1, CPS2, and CPS3 are considered some of the best games ever released. In this tutorial, ETA Prime will guide you through the process of setting up and playing these classic games on RetroArch using Launchbox. So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of CPS games, let’s get started.
Step 1: Setting up Launchbox
Before we jump into the specifics of CPS games, it’s essential to have the right setup. ETA Prime recommends using the free version of Launchbox, although there is a paid version called Big Box with additional features. If you haven’t set up RetroArch, watch ETA Prime’s NeoGeo tutorial and follow the instructions to get RetroArch up and running.
Step 2: Downloading ROMs
To play CPS games, you’ll need the necessary ROMs. While ETA Prime can’t provide direct links to download ROMs, a quick Google search for “CPS1 ROM set” or “Capcom Play System 1 ROM set” should help you find them easily. Once you’ve downloaded the ROMs, make sure to know where you’ve saved them on your system.
Step 3: Launch RetroArch and Download Cores
Open RetroArch and go to the “Online Updater” menu. Select “Core Updater” and download the following cores: “Arcade FBA Alpha 2012 CPS1,” “Final Burn Alpha 2012 CPS2,” and “Arcade FBA Alpha” or “Final Burn Alpha 2012 NeoGeo” for CPS3. These cores will allow RetroArch to emulate the CPS games.
Step 4: Set Up Controller Configuration
Ensure that your controller is correctly configured in RetroArch. ETA Prime provides a link to a text document in the video description that simplifies the setup process. Download the document and follow the instructions to set up your controller.
Step 5: Organizing ROMs in Launchbox
Move your downloaded CPS1, CPS2, and CPS3 ROMs to a folder on your system. ETA Prime suggests keeping them in the “Documents\Roms” folder but notes that you can save them anywhere as long as you know the location.
Step 6: Importing CPS1 ROMs into Launchbox
Launch Launchbox and go to “Tools” and select “Import ROM Files.” In the dialog box, choose “Add Files” and navigate to the folder where you saved your CPS1 ROMs. Select all the ROMs and click “Open.” Next, create a new platform named “Capcom Play System 1” or simply “CPS1.” Select the emulator as “RetroArch” and set the associated platform as “CPS1.” Configure the emulator application path by navigating to the RetroArch executable location. ETA Prime advises referring to the text document for the command line parameters. Once everything is set, click “OK.” Launchbox will then parse the ROMs and download metadata from the Launchbox games database.
Step 7: Importing CPS2 ROMs into Launchbox
Repeat Step 6 for CPS2 ROMs, creating a new platform named “Capcom Play System 2” or “CPS2.” Set the emulator as “RetroArch” and the associated platform as “CPS2.” Configure the emulator application path to the RetroArch executable. Again, refer to the text document for the command line parameters.
Step 8: Importing CPS3 ROMs into Launchbox
Follow the same process as Step 6 and 7 for CPS3 ROMs. Create a new platform named “Capcom Play System 3” or “CPS3.” Set the emulator as “RetroArch” and the associated platform as “CPS3.” Configure the emulator application path to the RetroArch executable and use the appropriate command line parameters from the text document.
Step 9: Verify Game Information and Play
Once the ROMs are imported, Launchbox will refresh the local metadata and download game information for the CPS1, CPS2, and CPS3 platforms. Verify that the artwork and game information are correctly scraped. You can also add missing artwork manually by opening the image folder and adding the images. Finally, test the games to ensure they work properly by selecting a game and starting it. Use your configured controller or keyboard settings to control the game.
Exploring Big Box (Optional)
If you have the paid version of Launchbox, ETA Prime recommends exploring Big Box, a premium frontend for Launchbox. It offers additional features and customization options, making it a great choice for a more immersive gaming experience.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up and played CPS1, CPS2, and CPS3 games on RetroArch using Launchbox. Now, you can enjoy the thrill and nostalgia of these classic arcade games. Stay tuned for future tutorials on different systems, such as Wii and Dreamcast, as ETA Prime continues to explore various gaming platforms.
