RetroAssembly

RetroAssembly is a browser-first application that combines a retro game library frontend with in-browser emulation. It presents a cabinet-like interface to browse, launch and play ROMs across many classic platforms directly in a web tab.

Key Features

• Browser-based gameplay: play supported retro consoles (NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, GBA, arcade, Atari and more) without installing local emulators.
• Multi-emulator support: uses a JS emulation layer to select appropriate engines per platform and run games in the browser.
• Cloud sync and save states: save progress and synchronize states across devices so you can resume play elsewhere.
• Automatic box art retrieval: scans uploaded ROMs and fetches cover/box art to present an organized visual library.
• Gamepad and keyboard-first navigation: spatial navigation and full gamepad controls plus an on-screen virtual controller for devices without physical pads.
• Rewind and state features: some emulators expose rewind and instant save/restore controls for improved playability.
• Hosted demo and official hosted option: live demo library of free/retrobrew titles for evaluation and an official hosted service for quick onboarding.
• Account sign-in (Google OAuth) for personal libraries and synchronization.

Use Cases

• Keep a personal, searchable catalog of legitimately owned retro ROMs and access them from any device via the browser.
• Rapidly demo and try homebrew/retrobrew titles at events, streams or when testing emulator configurations.
• Provide an accessible front-end for enthusiasts who want a visually rich, gamepad-friendly way to browse and play classics without desktop installs.

Limitations and Considerations

• Legal responsibility for ROM ownership rests with users; the project provides emulation and library tooling but does not supply commercial ROMs.
• Browser-based emulation performance and compatibility vary by platform and device; some systems or large ROMs may be less performant on low-power clients.
• Hosted synchronization depends on the official service or a user-run instance; offline play is supported but cloud features require an account.

RetroAssembly is focused on ease of access, visual presentation and cross-device continuity for retro game collections. It balances multiple emulator engines with a unified, gamepad-friendly interface to make classic games easy to browse and play from the browser.