RetroArch Setup

RetroArch runs many classic systems through small emulator modules called cores. HyperHQ handles the connection between each system and its selected core.

Install RetroArch

1. Open Platforms in HyperHQ.
2. Select the plus button beside Platforms.
3. Search for RetroArch.
4. Choose automatic installation or select an existing RetroArch executable.
5. Finish the platform setup.

Install the executable and cores matching your operating system and architecture. Windows cores use .dll; Linux cores use .so. For a Flatpak install, confirm access to ROM, BIOS, save, and overlay folders. Select directories through RetroArch instead of copying Windows paths.

Open RetroArch once after installation. This creates the folders used for cores, saves, and configuration.

Add a system

1. Open Systems.
2. Select Add System.
3. Choose the system you want to add.
4. Add your ROM folder and file extensions.
5. Select RetroArch as the platform.
6. Choose a core from the list.
7. Finish the wizard and test one game.

HyperHQ shows recommended cores first. Turn on Show all cores when you need a different choice.

Add BIOS files

Some cores need BIOS files. HyperHQ shows a BIOS step when the selected system has known requirements.

1. Open the RetroArch platform from Platforms.
2. Open BIOS.
3. Review the required filenames.
4. Browse to each matching file.
5. Save, then test the game again.

Filenames and file contents both matter. Renaming an unrelated BIOS file does not make it compatible.

Change a core

1. Open Systems and select your system.
2. Open Settings, then Platforms.
3. Select RetroArch.
4. Choose another core.
5. Save and test a game.

Changing cores affects saves, save states, controller behavior, and game compatibility. Keep a backup before switching an established system.

Set up arcade cores

Arcade cores often launch by ROM set name. Keep arcade ROMs zipped and leave their filenames unchanged.

For FinalBurn Neo, select the FBNeo core. For MAME content, select a MAME core matching your ROM set as closely as possible.

Set up bezels and Mega Bezel

RetroArch offers two separate ways to frame game content:

Feature	Purpose
Video Overlay	Displays downloaded system or game bezel artwork around the game image.
Mega Bezel shader	Adds CRT effects, reflections, lighting, and a bezel through a Slang shader preset.

Use video overlay bezels

1. Open the RetroArch platform from Platforms.
2. Turn on Video Overlay.
3. Open the matching system.
4. Confirm RetroArch is the Default Platform.
5. Open the system video settings and turn on Video Overlay.

Downloaded bezel files still need to exist in the RetroArch overlays folder. See Managing Media for media setup.

Install Mega Bezel from HyperHQ

The managed Mega Bezel installer is optional. HyperHQ leaves RetroArch shader behavior unchanged until you select Install & Select and save the new setting.

1. Open the shader settings

Open Platforms, choose RetroArch, then select Shaders / Mega Bezel under Configuration.

The initial Shader Override value is Inherit (Use RetroArch settings). HyperHQ adds no shader argument and downloads no files in this state.

2. Install the managed package

Close RetroArch, then select Install & Select. Keep HyperHQ open while the button shows Installing.

The renderer sends one install request to the Electron backend. The backend download worker fetches the pinned official archive, verifies the SHA-256 digest, extracts the archive into a safe staging directory, validates the package, and promotes the managed folder into the configured RetroArch shader directory.

HyperHQ uses RetroArch's configured video_shader_dir. When no directory is configured, HyperHQ uses the shaders directory beside RetroArch on Windows or beside the selected RetroArch configuration on Linux.

An existing Mega_Bezel folder stays in place. HyperHQ installs the managed copy beside the existing folder as HyperHQ_Mega_Bezel. Reinstall & Select replaces only the folder with a valid HyperHQ receipt.

Windows and Linux use the same verified download, safe extraction, validation, staging, and promotion flow. Linux checks native executables and AppImages by exact path before promotion.

Managed installation supports Windows and Linux. On macOS, select an existing local .slangp preset.

3. Review and save the preset

After installation, HyperHQ selects Presets/MBZ__3__STD.slangp in the editor. The selection stays unsaved until you select Save Changes.

Reinstall & Select refreshes only the HyperHQ-managed package. Other shader folders and local presets stay in place.

The same controls reflow for a narrow HyperHQ window.

4. Launch a game

HyperHQ verifies the selected .slangp file before launch. A valid local preset adds --set-shader <preset path> to the RetroArch command. A missing preset writes a log entry and launches with the existing RetroArch shader behavior.

Choose the shader scope

Mode	Launch behavior
Inherit (Use RetroArch settings)	Adds no shader argument. RetroArch keeps the existing automatic or saved shader behavior.
Disable shaders	Adds --set-shader "" and disables automatic shader presets for the launch.
Use local preset	Adds --set-shader <selected .slangp> after HyperHQ confirms the file exists.

The setting works at emulator, system, and game scope. The most specific explicit value wins.

Use emulator scope for every RetroArch game, system scope for one platform, or game scope for one title. Reset removes the current scope override and reveals the inherited value.

Open the Mega Bezel guide

The installer includes an Open setup & tuning guide action. The action opens the official Mega Bezel manual in your system browser. Opening the guide starts no download and changes no shader setting.

The guide action also stays visible in the narrow layout.

Use the upstream manual for RetroArch video driver setup, preset performance levels, parameter tuning, and shader troubleshooting:

• Complete Mega Bezel 1.17.2 manual
• Installation and RetroArch setup
• Choosing a preset
• Troubleshooting
• Parameter descriptions
• Community collections and packs

HyperHQ installs the base package from libretro/slang-shaders. Extra community packs stay user-managed and follow their own instructions and licenses.

Select an existing local preset

The managed installer is optional. If Mega Bezel or another Slang preset already exists, set Shader Override to Use local preset, select Browse, and choose a .slangp file. HyperHQ leaves the selected package files unchanged.

Save states

HyperHQ recognizes RetroArch save states by core and game. A state made with one core might fail under another core.

Use normal in-game saves for important progress. Use save states for quick return points.

Common problems

A core is missing

Open RetroArch, use its Online Updater, and install the selected core. Return to HyperHQ after the download finishes.

A game returns to HyperSpin

• Confirm the selected core supports the file type.
• Confirm required BIOS files exist.
• Open the same game and core inside RetroArch.
• Check the newest entry under Settings, HyperHQ, Logs.

A save state does not load

Confirm the game uses the same core and core version used to create the state.

The wrong bezel appears

Check the ROM filename, core name, and system overlay. A game-specific bezel takes priority over a system bezel.