I have the Miyoo Mini+. I originally used MinUI and it saved games like a normal GBA and loaded the game to the menu everytime I started it, again like a standard GBA worked. I switched to OnionOS to have a nicer interface with boxart and now it only uses save states and auto starts from said state when opening a game. Not an authentic experience.

I have learned there’s a difference between game saves and save states but don’t know how to switch my handheld to use only game saves. Is it based on the core used maybe? Can anyone help me out?

  • just_another_person@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    “Game Saves” depend on the core being used, because some consoles attach pseudo devices as memory cards, while others like NES emulate the storage cart in the game cartridge. All of these use files on the emulator filesystem to store the actual saves, but use the game code to save data as the game is designed to do, and will show as saves in the game. Each core will have its own docs on how this works.

    “Save States” are a point in time dump of the game state that sort of replays data where it was saved from. Like pausing music or a video. these are also dumped to files, but loaded differently, and will not show as saves in game menus.

    • sic_semper_tyrannis@lemmy.todayOP
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      3 days ago

      Okay so they are core related. I’ll have to take a look at which core I’m using and maybe change it up. Thank you!

      I really dislike save states as it takes away from how the game is designed to be played and removes the nostalgia of booting a system everytime I want to play. I also setup a handheld for a friend’s kids and couldn’t change it which I felt was really taking away the experience for them