Here is a bunch of useful Drivers, Applications and Programs that may help you with your Retro Gaming. Often many of the Frontends and Emulators require Drivers, APIs or programs in order to run. These do not come as standard in Windows10/11 install and may give you errors if you do not have them installed. I have compiled a collection in one place that may help you out if you get stuck!
I HAVE SCANNED AND I PERSONALLY USE THESE PROGRAMS MYSELF. HOWEVER USE AT YOUR OWN RISK, I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM, NOR DO I TAKE CREDIT FOR MAKING THEM. I'M JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU OUT!
DOWNLOADS
DIRECT X 9
Yes, I know your PC likely has Direct X installed from gaming. However, many of the Emulators require Direct X 9 in order to run. It can be a pain in the ass to find, so I did you a golden. Just install and forget about it!
Microsoft .Net and C++
Often the older emulators require older runtimes to run. This is often the case when you get .DLL errors when trying to run them. DO NOT just put DLL files in the emulator folder, download and install them properly. I gave you all the ones not included with Windows 10/11 as standard.
Java 8
Some of the Frontends need Java to run properly. Use this at risk, it is now outdated, but often the only way to get some FEs working properly.
It is here in case you need it.
OpenAL
This is an older sound API. Not used often today, but again, some older EMUs reply on it. Useful to just install and forget about it, just in case.
FAT-MATCH
An awesome powerful little tool. Enables you to rename large sets of ROMS/Art etc by matching the names to art etc using AI. Saves so much time if you have art or ROMs that do not match each other.
Gengal
Often used and valuable for RetroPi. Some Front ends need a HTML or INFO file in order to show your games and information. This scans through your games and makes a list to your liking to keep or edit. Saves 1 month of working doing your own by hand.
Dons Hyperspin Tools
This is a VERY powerful and essential program if you have a Hyperspin or similar setup. It audits your entire collections of games, tells you if things are missing, broken or wrong. Saves days of self-auditing and fixing.
Files required for OG XBOX Emulation.
This is useful for XEMU the Xbox Emulator. Be aware this link may go down, it is just a link to a webpage that hosts BIOS and setup files as this is the property of Microsoft.