Emulator games as a way to postpone your purchases (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 month ago by xelar@lemmy.ml to c/patientgamers@lemmy.ml

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Go to https://retroachievements.org/ for emulator. Check out games total players or https://www.vgchartz.com/gamedb/ for inspiration and dont hesitate to play long time classics for selected consoles, handhelds.

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[-] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 month ago

Rant incoming: love the idea and how it works with RetroArchivements. My only problem, and that's the reason I do not use them, is that with RetroAchievements games turn basically into an always-online game. Especially with handhelds this is annoying, because I do not have online connection on my Steam Deck all the time. And once I was playing a JRPG and could not play it offline, because I did not want to miss the achievement. That's when I realized this is not for me. I would love to have offline achievements.

There are also services by fans to revive the online experience of servers that are shutdown. One famous (and funny name) is Pretendo Network. I never got into these fan created online servers, but the idea is amazing.

Otherwise there are so many great games one can emulate. Also one of my favorite stuff from the emulation and retro scene are Romhacks and Mods. Think of it as Mods for your PC games, but instead for the classic console games. They can take any form, like DLC like new content like characters, vehicles, maps, randomized builds, new graphics or bug fixes, new stories, game modes, or new attacks or skill sets and even simple cheats. Romhacks are a world of its own to explore. In past years I wrote a few articles about this with many recommendations. You just need to know how to patch them (its explained in the article). Have a look as an inspiration to play next: https://thingsiplay.game.blog/2025/01/23/snes-mods-and-romhacks-collection-2025/

[-] Auster@thebrainbin.org 3 points 1 month ago

DRM reimplemented with extra steps, when even commercial emulated releases are DRM-free near 100% of the time. Did we get so far, only to lose it again? And if achievements are for bragging rights, the user could just take a screenshot and post to social medias.

Alas, I wonder if there are lists of emulatable games with in-game achievements too. And though those may be rarer before the PS2 if not going for romhacks, such mods for achievements may a potential niche to explore too.

[-] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

Nah, its not for bragging or like that. I personally find the achievements cool, its just nice. I think this has something to do with collecting and finding and doing extra challenges you didn't care much before. But not at that cost. The games itself stay DRM free to be honest, its just the achievement would not be validated at runtime. I think its more of a thing they don't know how to do it right and have no time for (and no personal interest from devs), not with the intention to DRM the games for any customer.

While I rant, I also come down to earth (like now) and have an understanding and defend them (lol multiple personalities...). Realizing ingame achievements would be even more complicated and you would play a game that is not the same anymore. And the experience and integration into the system UI wouldn't be the same too. So I do not think that Romhacks is the correct answer. They either find a way to do it like Steam does, or they give us a way to download achievement sets and use it offline without any account in our favorite emulators (off course the emulators would need to be adapted to the "new" system too). It's just unfortunate, because I really really liked achievements. That's why it's bitter.

As for any games with ingame achievements, I would love to have such a list. Good idea, need to start collect it now. :-)

[-] Auster@thebrainbin.org 2 points 1 month ago

About being for bragging rights, sorry, didn't mean you. Rather, to me it seems to be the common mentality, even if not usually worded like that. And for DRM, I consider as being as such because the player doesn't control the content, even if it's just a part of the whole package or a mod.

About integration of in-game achievements, solutions I see are usually lists or the sort in menu entries (e.g. Dust: An Elysian's Tail where achievements are an entry in the start menu), or the addition of an extra area that doesn't break the style of the game (e.g. FFVI T-Edition where the trophy room is added to the tutorial building). Also some in-game achievement screens can look rather nice, like (imo) FFXII's.

As for a curated list, taking inspiration from a thread for GOG's titles with in-game achievements, maybe either of us could make a similar one for emulated games here on the fediverse?

[-] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

I just started such a curated list for ingame achievements for any game that can be emulated in RetroArch. Problem is, its currently empty. :D Who knows maybe I write a blog post someday if the list becomes long enough.

[-] Auster@thebrainbin.org 1 points 1 month ago

Retroarch on Linux, Windows 10+ and Xbox One afaik runs Final Fantasy XII for the PS2. And afaik, all PS2 versions have these achievements. And if you'd be willing to add mods, there's also the aforementioned FFVI T-Edition.

Trying to remember any games or mods.

(Also poking about Wordpress having an ActivityPub plugin if you'd wish to include)

[-] Auster@thebrainbin.org 2 points 1 month ago

Looking at my notes, maybe these could also be included:

Böbl (NES homebrew): little in terms of optionals, the only that I remember being collectible rubber ducks, which appear if you collected them at the end screen.
Dissidia 012 and FFVII Crisis Core (PSP): iirc both have but checking next.
Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island (PS2): has badges in a more common achievements sense.
The Simpsons Game (PS2, PSP, Wii): ~~iirc it had achievements but also checking next.~~ Main Menu > Extras > Clichés; I'd count since some can be rather challenging to unlock, and they're just a list proving you did their conditions.

[-] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

Thanks for the list. For the moment I'm only interested into official licensed games for this topic. In the coming days I will probably dive into researching more to come up with something. I was thinking of Racing games, maybe sports or fighting games would be likely to have them. Or some classic collections with added bonus material and achievements. But ultimately, I don't remember ANY game from the old days doing that. Your list is definitely a good starting point.

[-] Auster@thebrainbin.org 2 points 1 month ago

As for collections, I have two for the PS2, Atari Anthology and Sonic Mega Collection Plus. The Atari one I'd have to double check since I don't remember, but the Sonic one has at least unlockable (often non-Sonic-related) games by hidden conditions, so maybe that'd count? Though the condition is pretty simple, open a certain game or games an X number of times.

Also just checked Dissidia 012 and Crisis Core. Dissidia 012 has an achievement system, Crisis Core doesn't seem to have one.

For Dissidia 012, open the customizations menu with triangle with the character you want to check character-specific achievements, go to the right and open the first entry, Accomplishments.

[-] neon_nova@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago

The pretendi network is really cool. I’ve played Mario maker on the 3ds and Mario kart 7. It seems to work really well.

I’ve also been getting into to rom hacks recently and have been enjoying various Pokemon ones.

[-] markz@suppo.fi 2 points 1 month ago

The thing can't run offline and then sync later? You'd think that's one one of the first things emulator gamers expect.

[-] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 month ago

Unfortunately not. Lot of people asked for this and discussed with the "developers". They say its hard to implement, while preserving their other goals of providing Leaderboards and Scores (you get points for each achievement). With offline achievements its easier to cheat them. You need an account too, otherwise it would not sync to the online database. I wish there was a way to download and use it without an account, so its not possible to cheat, because I personally don't care about the online Leaderboards. This is the official reason.

[-] markz@suppo.fi 2 points 1 month ago

I thought it'a just an oversight, but online for anticheat? Guess I don't have to even try it, ffs.

this post was submitted on 12 Apr 2026

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