Playing Games

The play screen turns your phone into a retro console. You can use touch controls, open the menu, save progress, adjust display options, and start multiplayer.

Start a Game

  1. Tap Library.
  2. Tap a game cover.
  3. Tap Play Now.
  4. Wait for the game to load.

Step 1: Tap Play Now on game details

Image Description: Capture a game details page with the Play Now button clearly visible.

Use Touch Controls

When the game opens, on-screen controls appear over or below the game area.

  • Tap the action buttons just like a controller.
  • Press and hold a direction on the D-pad to move.
  • Rotate your phone for a wider play area.
  • If controls block the game, open the menu and tap Hide Controls.

Step 2: Game play screen with touch controls

Image Description: Capture an active game on mobile with the screen, D-pad, action buttons, and menu button visible.

Open the In-Game Menu

  1. While playing, tap the small menu/settings button.
  2. The Menu drawer opens.
  3. Tap any quick action or setting.
  4. Swipe down or tap outside the drawer to return to the game.

Step 3: In-game Menu drawer

Image Description: Capture the in-game Menu drawer. Show quick actions such as Save State, Open Saves, Screenshot, Cheats, Netplay, and Quit.

Quick Actions in the Menu

The top area of the menu gives fast access to common actions:

  • Save State: Save exactly where you are.
  • Open Saves: Load, download, or delete saves.
  • Screenshot: Capture the current game screen.
  • Export In-Game Save: Save the game’s own battery save file after using the game’s save menu.
  • Hide Controls or Show Controls: Toggle the on-screen controller.
  • Reset: Restart the game.
  • Cheats: Open cheat management.
  • Remote Control: Use another phone as a controller.
  • Netplay: Host or join multiplayer.
  • Quit: Return to your library.

Adjust Volume

  1. Open the in-game menu.
  2. Tap Audio.
  3. Drag the Master Volume slider left or right.
  4. Close the drawer when the volume feels right.

Step 4: Audio settings with Master Volume slider

Image Description: Capture the Audio page inside the in-game menu with the Master Volume slider visible.

Change the Screen Filter

Filters change how games look. Some filters make games look like a CRT TV or handheld screen.

  1. Open the in-game menu.
  2. Tap Shaders.
  3. Tap a filter such as Original, Classic CRT, Curved CRT, Smooth Edges, Sharp Upscale, or LCD Grid.
  4. Restart the game if the change does not appear immediately.

Step 5: Shaders selection screen

Image Description: Capture the Shaders page with the recommended filter buttons visible.

Change the Console Theme

Console themes change the look of the touch controls.

  1. Open the in-game menu.
  2. Tap Theme.
  3. Tap a theme preview.
  4. Return to the game.

Step 6: Console Theme selection screen

Image Description: Capture the Theme page in the in-game menu showing multiple theme tiles.

Change D-Pad Style

  1. Open the in-game menu.
  2. Tap Controls.
  3. Choose Static or Dynamic.
  4. Try the controls in-game and keep the style that feels best.

Step 7: Controls settings with D-Pad Style

Image Description: Capture the Controls page showing D-Pad Style with Static and Dynamic choices.

Quit Safely

  1. Open the in-game menu.
  2. Tap Save State if you want to keep your exact spot.
  3. Tap Export In-Game Save if the game uses its own save menu and you already saved inside the game.
  4. Tap Quit.