Try EmuVR To Relive ’90s Gaming

We will never be able to truly relive the 90s, but technology is getting us very close. Right now, in 2022, you can sit in your modern home surrounded by iPhones, big-screen OLED TVs, and smart gadgets of all kinds, all the while experiencing a room decorated with classic posters, old-school TVs, and retro -games fill every corner of the bookshelves. It’s not magic: it’s EmuVR.

EmuVR recreates the 90s bedroom of your dreams, allowing you to play one of over 70 different classic consoles on one TV, while watching retro cartoons on another. Because EmuVR is an emulator at its core, you can play games from a wide variety of platforms, including PlayStation, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Sega Dreamcast, SNES, NES, and even more modern consoles like Wii.

The coolest part of EmuVR, in my opinion, is that it recreates the gaming experience down to the smallest detail. You’re not selecting your games from some in-game UI, or digging through your Windows files to find them. Once you’ve added your games to EmuVR, they appear in your “room” as cartridges and discs. You can then pick up the console you want to play, grab a cartridge and jump into it, just like you did in the 90s. So cool.

EmuVR – Netplay Update

Not all console models are currently supported, but there is a good list: PS1, N64, SNES (US, PAL and Japan), NES, GameCube and PS2 all have detailed models to interact with in the game. There’s even a VCR! The TVs are also realistic: get up close, and you can see pixels and scan lines. If you don’t have a CRT in your actual retro gaming setup, this is the next best thing.

You can customize your room to your liking, from the posters on the walls to how messy a space it is. Plus, there’s multiplayer support, so you can invite friends to visit your room, and you can visit theirs. Take turns to play Super Mario Bros. on your digital NES, or head back to theirs for some Mario Kart 64.

As cool as EmuVR is, it’s not for everyone. This is because it only works with Windows and PC VR systems, such as Oculus Rift, Oculus Link (Quest with PCVR), Valve Index, HTC Vive and WMR. If you don’t have a VR headset, no problem: You can play EmuVR on your 2D monitor like you would any other game or emulator. However, you won’t be able to access EmuVR on other VR headsets like PSVR, Oculus Quest (without PCVR), Oculus Go, Gear VR, or Cardboard VR. This is probably because EmuVR is ROM-based emulation, which means you need to download and save the game files on your Windows PC to run them in the game.

This is another caveat: As with any emulator, EmuVR does not provide games to users. You have to bring your own ROMs to the table. However, if you’ve used an emulator before, you know that it’s not a difficult endeavor. Just know EmuVR won’t help you at all on that front.

How to play EmuVR on your PC

If you do have a PC and/or a PC VR headset, and you want to give EmuVR a spin, you should head over to their Discord first. Read through the #welcome channel to familiarize yourself with the platform, which will also guide you through the various Wiki pages you need to set up. This page contains the installation guide, which, while lengthy, essentially boils down to downloading and extracting EmuVR, copying your games to the correct directory, and scanning your games and downloading kernels before you’re ready to to go There are also guides for starting games, adding light gun support, and troubleshooting any issues you may have.

Stick to these guides rather than searching for YouTube tutorials. While video introductions may be more helpful for some of us, they may have outdated or incorrect information that will confuse you. The official wikis will always have the latest instructions and updates so you can set yourself up.

I don’t have a PC VR headset (I’m a PS VR fan), but I do have a PC, so I’m excited to take this time machine back to my childhood.

Try EmuVR to Relive ’90s Gaming

How to play EmuVR on your PC

Leave a Reply Cancel reply