RetroSave

RetroSave.ahk -- version 2017-06-02 -- by nod5 -- GPLv3

FRONTEND FOR RETROARCH SAVESTATES

Fullscreen gui grid with one screenshot per save state.
Use it to save, load and browse save states while playing.
Works with Xbox 360 controller / mouse / keyboard.
Windows only, 1920x1080 resolution.

RetroSave in 15 seconds https://youtu.be/xRj3ejNMRns

SETUP

1 Install RetroArch and set up games and playlists
2 Install Autohotkey https://autohotkey.com
3 Download RetroSave.ahk https://github.com/nod5/RetroSave
4 Download LibCon.ahk https://github.com/joedf/LibCon.ahk/blob/master/LibCon.ahk
5 Put Libcon and RetroSave in the same folder
6 Run RetroSave.ahk and enter your RetroArch folder path

USE

Run RetroSave.ahk to start both RetroArch and RetroSave

Grid show/hide: RB+Y / mouse Rbutton / CapsLock
Move in grid: joy DPad / mouse / navkeys
Action: A / mouse Lbutton / Enter
Default action mode: load selected saved game

Change mode for selected item: X / Mbutton / Space

Modes: screenshot thumbnail (load this save)
new (overwrite with new save here)
del (delete this save)
cut (prepare this save for move)
paste (move cut to position after this)
Save button modes:
save (new save, placed last)
mute (toggle game audio)

Next/prev grid page: LStick left right / MouseWheel / PgDn PgUp
Quick jump to save button: LStick up / [none] / Home
Keyboard cut/paste a save: ctrl+x ctrl+v
Close game: LB+RB+select
Pause game: RB + X / mouse Lbutton

NOTES

Windows only. Last tested in Win10 with RetroArch x86_x64 1.6.0 stable 2017-06-02
1920*1080 screen resolution
Tested with SNES/NES/FDS/MAME games
Tested with these cores
fbalpha_libretro.dll , mame_libretro.dll , nestopia_libretro.dll
bsnes_accuracy_libretro.dll , snes9x_libretro.dll
Might work with other cores
RetroSave stores savestates and screenshots next to each gamefile
smb.nes smb.state1 smb.state1.png smb.state2 ...
RetroSave sets these RetroArch settings:
user interface > show advanced settings ON
user interface > don't run in background OFF
saving > sort savestates in folders: OFF
saving > sort savefiles in folders: ON
saving > savestate thumbnail: ON
directory > savestate : \states\
directory > savefile : \saves\
logging > logging verbosity : ON
logging > core logging level : 3
input > input hotkey binds :
f2 save , f4 load , f8 screenshot , p pause
RetroSave creates a RetroArch MAME core cfg at
\saves\mame\mame\cfg\default.cfg
This enables MAME save/load and prevents hotkey collisions.
RetroArch core updates may break old savestates.
Workaround: Keep and use backups of cores/savestates.
The way RetroSave interacts with RetroArch is inherently fragile
RetroArch updates can break RetroSave at any time

KNOWN ISSUES

Grid actions fail on state slot change in RA menu during session
Can in rare case mess up retroarch.cfg. Restore with last datestamped
cfg backup in Retroarch folder. Example "retroarch.cfg 20170529181510.cfg"