GarlicOS Review, Setup and Purple Theme guide (5 Jan 2023)

• Buy an RG35XX here: https://amzn.to/3GSNUnU (AMAZON)
• https://anbernic.com/products/rg35xx?variant=43649446740225&sca_ref=2799956.dcIDVt7qXs&sca_source=GarlicOSreview (ANBERNIC)
• If you don’t find what you’re looking for, consider joining the Retro Handhelds Discord here: https://discord.gg/retrohandhelds
• INITIAL NOTES
  • This video is a companion piece to RetroHandhelds and RetroGameCorp’s setup guides - I was knee deep in note taking for GarlicOS when they released their setup guides. So instead of wasting time on that, I am rather going to add some extra info that they never touched in their videos.
  • Remember to support Black Seraph, the dev behind this project: https://www.patreon.com/blackseraph/GarlicOS
  • I still don’t recommend this for newcomers since it’s still in development and has quite a few quirks.
  • While stock firmware is possibly better right now in terms of ease of use, it will become the definitive OS for the RG35XX in a few weeks’ time.
• SETUP NOTES
  • Use the 2 card setup
  • Flash a small SD card with the main firmware (don’t bother expanding the partition)
  • Add your bios files to the first SD card
  • Then copy the ROMS folder system to a FAT32 64GB card as your ROMS SD card
  • Again, for a detailed setup check out those other YouTube channels.
• INSTALLING ROMS
  • Playstation will not work if your ROMS are in folders - I have removed all my ROMS from folders to be safe.
  • Only use .CHD files for Playstation.
• INSTALLING BIOS FILES
  • Remember to put the neogeo bios file, in the NEOGEO roms folder.
  • Copy your bios files over to the ROMS partition on the firmware SD card (TF1). Go to CFW > retroarch > .retroarch > system and then copy all your bios files over (If you don’t see the .retroarch folder, just click on view>show>hidden items)
  • Usually if you’re having problems with gameplay it’s either that your bios files are in the wrong place or you have a bad ROM file.
• MOST RECENT UPDATES 5 JAN 2023
  • Favourites are in alphabetical order now
  • Improvements to SNES performance (Different default core)
  • VSYNC adjustments
  • Integer scaling works properly now
• MY INTIAL SETUP TIPS
  • If you want to try the Gamepad support - create a file called waitForUSB with no file extension and place it in the misc partition’s root folder.
  • To create a file with no file extension open Notepad, go to file>save as, type “waitForUSB” (include quotation marks) as the filename and save this to the misc partition (TF1)
  • If you’re having issues with performance or scaling, leave the scaling to default fullscreen mode.
  • GBA: turn off full screen and set it to keep aspect ratio, filter - Grid3x and remember to save override to core or folder (more detail in my video).
  • GB: remove fullscreen, set to integer scaling, video filter - Gameboy3x_DMG - you HAVE to save Content Directory override to avoid colouring GBC.
  • GBC - fullscreen off, integer scaling on, video filter Grid3x
• MAKE IT PURPLE…
  • Download OnionOS file system https://github.com/OnionUI/Onion
  • CODE > .ZIP
  • Unzip the file and go to static > build > miyoo > app > skin
  • Copy all these items (except charging and power icons) to the ROMS partition of your firmware card (TF1) here CFW > skin and replace the files.
  • YOU’RE DONE!
• HOTKEYS / SHORTCUTS:
  • Combo keys are a bit fiddly
  • Menu is supposed to exit game but usually it’s a double press
  • Menu + volume = brightness
  • Menu + X = retroarch
  • Menu + R1 = R1,00 fast forward
  • Menu + L1 = slow down
  • Menu + R2 = save
  • Menu + L2 = load save
  • L1 / R1 to race through ROM lists
• GARLIC OS NOTES
• Here are my notes on the firmware as it stands on 5 Jan 2023
  • All game systems work with some issues on Arcade, CPS and a bit of slow down /glitchiness here and there
  • Charging icon is still stock and it’s ugly :-)
  • Menu button now exits the game with a double press (I think it’s supposed to be a single press)
  • Autosave - games start up where you last left them just like OnionOS. It also boots to the game you were playing when you pressed the power button. THIS IS EXCELLENT!
  • Short press to power down the device, which acts as a full powersave mode since it reboots where you left off
  • However timing on the button presses can leave you accidentally restarting the device.
  • Sometimes the volume resets between games - I have a suspicion it’s saving the volume of each game
  • Not all PS games work yet - you must use CHD files and your experience will be near flawless
  • Battery drain still needs to be rated
  • Double button presses? I am not sure if my rubber membrane is wearing in, but I never had double presses in stock firmware
  • No boxart right now
  • OnionOS folder system - so if you ever get lost just go to the OnionOS github for ROM and bios info

ROMS Systems

Check here for bios files names: https://github.com/OnionUI/Onion/wiki/EmulatorsEmulators · OnionUI/Onion Wiki · GitHub