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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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/
The thing can’t run offline and then sync later? You’d think that’s one one of the first things emulator gamers expect.
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.
I thought it’a just an oversight, but online for anticheat? Guess I don’t have to even try it, ffs.
