dArkOSen 10312026

Emulation & Gaming

updated Yabasanshiro-Pirry Saturn emulator to v1.6.1
added 'F10' as the global input hotkey in Retroarch (affects keyboards only)
added enable Auto Focus Mode for C64 in Retroarch (~/.config/retroarch/config/VICE x64/c64.cfg)
fixed GZDoom, IWADs should load straight into the game now
- fixed 'no D-Pad' in picker if they don't
- fixed parsing bugs in launcher code
fixed Stella (Atari 2600) core failing to load; rebuilt from latest source
updated Halo: CE
- updated from upstream, see https://github.com/kirklandsig/halo-ce-anbernic-rg35xx for that change log
- improved texture caching, gained +2 fps, freed extra memory (65MB average)
- no more OOM crashes on screens larger than 640x480
- default render scale is now 0.9 (formerly 0.65), details will be crisp and sharp
- holds a steady 30fps at 0.9 on 640x480, lower the render scale to raise FPS if desired
- removed GPU pinning, you can now enable overclocking
added Bully: Anniversary Edition (HD) port by djparent
- runs smooth at max settings on all tested devices
- adjust CLARITY in in-game settings to improve performance
- removed GPU pinning, you can now enable overclocking

added DSperate NDS emulator

hotkeys:

finished porting Batocera/AmberElec support, tested on all 52 themes in ThemeGallery
replaced ThemeMaster with ThemeGallery
upgraded EmulationStation - more free memory while games run!
- releases textures, decoded image data and font caches before launching a game,
  and returns freed memory to the system (~280 MB idle -> ~105-140 MB during game)
- reloads only what's on screen when returning from a game
- fixed ES memory growing after every game launch
- fixed textures that could stop loading after an interrupted background load
added Turkish locale to ES (thanks to @Natgho)

added PLAY TIMER to UI SETTINGS
- set to OFF/15/30/45/60/90/120 minutes
- new PLAY TIME LEFT item appears at top of menu
- tracks actual game play, not screen on time
- when the timer ends it auto-saves (when possible) and exits the game
- launching a game after the limit is reached shows "Come back tomorrow!"
- popup warning in Retroarch 5 minutes before the limit is reached
- vibration warning every minute of last 5 minutes
- [optional] audio warning every minute of the last five minutes
- when enabled routes audio through dmix, may affect performance
- ducks the game volume so you can hear it clearly
- daily timer resets at midnight
- controls are hidden in kiosk or kids mode
restored LAST 20 PLAYED to GAME COLLECTION SETTINGS
added NIGHT FILTER eye comfort setting to UI SETTINGS
- alternate TEMPERATURE setting, runs on a schedule
fixed VERBAL BATTERY WARNING in SOUND SETTINGS
- when enabled routes audio through dmix, may affect performance
- audio warning when battery is low, even in game
- ducks the game volume o you can hear it clearly

updated DATETIME screensaver
- fine tuned position/size of the digital clock
- added new font to the NUMBER clock; choose Digital or Exo
- changed Clock Style 3 to an easier to read (and cooler!) face
- added 2 flip style clocks
added AQUARIUM screensaver
- add up to 8 3D rendered fish
- customizable lighting
- optional sound effects
added CORRIDORS screensaver
- explore a 3D maze with no exits
- interactive! d-pad left or right to turn, up or down for speed
- customizable lighting
- optional sound effects

added new dtbs to the selector:
- HL-R45H-V11 2025-06-18
- HL-R46H-V20 2025-09-09
- R36S-V21 2024-12-18 2503
- R36S-V21 2024-12-18 2604
- R36S-V21 2024-12-18 2602
- Y3506_V04_20250529 2537
- RK3326-D3
restored original Soy Sauce dtbs in /boot, 60hz timing reported as not working on any model

recompiled rtl8188eu driver v5.2.2.3_24783.20171030, was missing critical USB IDs
updated rtl8821cu wifi driver, should work with Bluetooth now (had to enable shared antenna mode)

fixed reassigning Ports to SD1 when SD2 is enabled
- when reassigning to SD1, control.txt in the Portmaster folder is edited with the correct location
- updates to Portmaster can overwrite the edited file
- assign back to SD2, then back to SD1 to reset after an update
add OTG_fix to the Advanced folder
- may enable OTG on some models
- breaks rumble support on most models
- to reverse reselect your device from the model selector in /boot

ending OTG support. OTG functionality has been tested successfully across all devices available to me, and I have been unable to reproduce the reported issues on hardware I don't have access to. Unfortunately, the community-submitted fixes I've received introduce regressions in other areas and aren't suitable for inclusion in an official release. Given the limited hardware available for testing and the time involved in investigating device-specific issues, I have decided to discontinue further OTG development and troubleshooting. Users are welcome to explore their own solutions, but there are currently no plans for additional official OTG fixes from dArkOSen.