TruchiEmu Features
Discover the powerful features that make TruchiEmu the premier emulation experience on macOS
Shader Collection
Transform your gaming experience with our curated collection of 11 high-quality Metal shaders. Each shader is optimized for macOS and designed to enhance or authentically reproduce classic gaming visuals.
The shader picker interface allows real-time preview and adjustment
Passthrough
The default shader that renders pixels exactly as the original hardware intended. Perfect for purists who want unfiltered, authentic visuals with sharp pixel edges.
Use Case: Development, pixel-perfect reproduction, speedrunning
Scale Smooth
High-quality bicubic scaling that smooths pixel edges while preserving detail. Ideal for modern displays where raw pixels appear too blocky.
Use Case: General gaming, modern displays, reduced pixelation
Sharp Bilinear
Combines bilinear filtering with edge detection to create smooth gradients while keeping important edges crisp. Perfect for games with mixed sprite and background art.
Use Case: RPGs with detailed backgrounds, mixed art styles
CRT Multipass
Multi-pass CRT simulation with phosphor glow, scanlines, and curvature. Our most authentic CRT recreation for users seeking the true retro experience.
Use Case: Authentic retro experience, CRT enthusiasts, nostalgia
Lite CRT
Lightweight CRT simulation that adds subtle scanlines and phosphor effects without the performance cost of full multipass rendering.
Use Case: CRT aesthetic on lower-end hardware, subtle effect
CRT Lottes
Advanced CRT simulation using Lottes' algorithm with mask effects, curvature, and bloom. Creates the most realistic CRT monitor appearance available.
Use Case: Professional CRT simulation, content creation, preservation
Dot Matrix
Simulates the distinctive dot matrix display of classic handheld systems like the Game Boy. Features the characteristic grid pattern and subpixel arrangement.
Use Case: Game Boy games, handheld emulation, authentic portableδ½ιͺ
Original Game Boy Screen
Faithful Game Boy DMG (Dot Matrix Game) LCD simulation with the iconic green-tinted monochrome display, pixel persistence, and characteristic motion blur.
Use Case: Original Game Boy games, pure nostalgia, authentic reproduction
Game Boy Color
Accurate Game Boy Color LCD reproduction with the correct color palette, pixel arrangement, and backlight characteristics of the original hardware.
Use Case: Game Boy Color games, accurate color representation
Game Boy Advance
True-to-life Game Boy Advance LCD simulation with the distinctive color temperature, pixel structure, and motion characteristics of the GBA screen.
Use Case: GBA games, accurate portable gaming experience
CRT Filter
A balanced CRT simulation providing classic scanlines and a subtle phosphor glow. Optimized for high performance across all systems.
Use Case: General retro gaming, consistent look across multiple systems
Shader Customization
Each shader includes adjustable parameters to fine-tune the effect:
- Intensity Sliders: Adjust the strength of each effect
- Parameter Presets: Quick settings for different display types
- Real-time Preview: See changes instantly as you adjust
- Per-Game Settings: Save shader preferences for individual games
- Global Defaults: Set system-wide shader preferences
Performance Impact: Passthrough, Scale Smooth, and Vignette have minimal performance impact. CRT shaders and LCD simulations use more GPU resources. Most modern Macs can run any shader at full speed.
Recommended Shader Pairings
| System Type | Primary Shader | Secondary Options | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-bit Consoles | CRT Multipass | Lite CRT, CRT Lottes | Classic TV experience |
| 16-bit Consoles | CRT Lottes | Sharp Bilinear, CRT Multipass | Authentic arcade/TV feel |
| Game Boy | LCD DMG | Dot Matrix, Passthrough | True portable experience |
| Game Boy Advance | Game Boy Advance | Scale Smooth, Sharp Bilinear | Authentic GBA screen |
| Handheld Games | Dot Matrix | Scale Smooth | Grid pattern simulation |
| Modern Displays | Scale Smooth | Sharp Bilinear, Passthrough | Clean, modern look |
Library Management
Organize your game collection with powerful library management features designed for serious collectors and casual gamers alike.
Your games are automatically organized with cover art and metadata
Automatic Organization
- Smart Detection: Automatically identifies games from ROM file hashes
- Metadata Fetching: Downloads game descriptions, release dates, and details
- Cover Art: Automatically downloads high-quality box art and screenshots
- System Categorization: Groups games by original console/system
- Achievement Detection: Identifies games with RetroAchievements support
π Grid View
Visual grid with cover art thumbnails. Perfect for browsing large collections.
- Adjustable grid size via zoom slider
- Sort by name, last played, or last added
- Quick search and filter
π List View
Detailed list with metadata and stats. Great for sorting and organizing.
- Compact display for large libraries
- Quick status indicators
Collections & Playlists
Organize your games with custom categories and built-in filters:
- Manual Collections: Create custom categories to group your favorite games
- Favorites: Quick access to your must-play titles via the favorites filter
- Recently Played: Automatically tracks and displays your most recent sessions
Advanced Library Features
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate Detection | Identifies and prevents duplicate ROM entries during scans | Clean library without duplicates |
| BIOS Management | Validates and separates required BIOS files from game ROMs | Proper system emulation without clutter |
| Region Detection | Identifies game region (USA, Europe, Japan) during identification | |
| ROM Verification | Validates ROMs against No-Intro/Libretro DAT databases using CRC32 | Ensure you have verified dumps |
| Session Tracking | Records total play time and the last played date for every game | Track your gaming progress and activity |
Search & Filter
Find games instantly with powerful search capabilities:
- Text Search: Search by game name or metadata
- System Filter: Show only games from specific consoles
- Achievement Support: Show games with RetroAchievements
- Play Status: Filter by favorites or recently played
Import & Export
Import Options
- Add library folders including all subfolders
- Automatic recursive scanning of ROM directories
- Drag and drop support for library management
Export Options
- Automatic metadata export to games.xml
- Backup library metadata for portability
π‘ Organization Tip: Use the custom categories to group games by genre or project, and leverage the favorites filter for your current rotation of games.
