What is HyperSpin? – A Beginners Guide
Those of you that are just getting into retro gaming may have noticed on YouTube and other media, fancy retro game setups that consist of a scrollable wheel of different retro systems which display numerous games for each system in the form of text, images and videos. Chances are the setup you’re looking at has been created using HyperSpin.
So, what is HyperSpin? – HyperSpin is a totally free front end graphic based management system for Windows and home arcade cabinets that allows you to organise and launch all your retro games quickly and easily. It allows you to create custom menu layouts with bespoke or stock imagery and videos, favouring artwork over text to give you that distinct arcade look and an immersive feel.
HyperSpin is also designed to work hand in hand with RocketLauncher so combining the two should be a quick and seamless process.
Do I Need HyperSpin for Retro Gaming?
No, HyperSpin, or any front end menu system for that matter, is not absolutely necessary for playing your retro games, but it does make the experience more enjoyable. Without it you would need to download and install all your emulators and ROMs individually, and then know the location of all these applications and files. Simply loading up a ROM to play would be an arduous task consisting of numerous clicks and long winded searches through folders and files.
With HyperSpin setup you will be presented with a stylish presentation with an easy to use interface. Your available systems will be displayed in and easy to navigate menu. When the desired system is selected the games for that machine will then be displayed in a similar graphical fashion.
What is RocketLauncher and Is It Necessary?
RocketLauncher (formerly named HyperLaunch) is a program that runs along side HyperSpin with its primary function being to increase the ease of use with which to launch emulators and play games. It also expands on the options you have while using these emulators. Essentially it is the back end of the front end and takes all the heavyweight processes away from HyperSpin.
HyperSpin was originally built to work with arcade/MAME applications. Setting up and launching just a few emulators is not that complicated, but as you increase the number of machines you want to play the whole process can become complicated and confusing. With RocketLauncher running in the background HyperSpin will then be able to launch a plethora of different machines, which includes most retro consoles you care to remember as well as your favourite retro computers such as the Amiga and the Atari ST, at the click of a button.
So, is RocketLauncher necessary? I would say so as it removes a lot of the headaches involved in launching games and emulators with HyperSpin alone. Technically you don’t need it, but if you want to save yourself some undue stress I would recommend it.
What Systems Can I Run Using HyperSpin?
This is a question that generally gets asked with every front end management system. In the case of HyperSpin the world is your oyster. The developers of hyperSpin claim that it can play just about any system that there is an emulator for, and this is pretty plausible given that it’s the emulator that actually runs the ROMs and HyperSpin simply gives you a conduit to launch it.
HyperSpin and EmuMovies
EmuMovies is the primary source for acquiring any retro gaming media that you want. From video snaps to in game retro music EmuMovies has got you covered. The good news is that HyperSpin has partnered with EmuMovies to make the transfer and setup of your media files as seamless as possible.
Unfortunately this service does come at a price, however it is entirely optional and not needed in order to run HyperSpin. It does however enhance your experience immensely and makes your setup look all the more authentic and professional. There are a few purchase plans to pick from so you should obviously choose the one that’s best for you. Whichever one you go for I would recommend it as it will add the finishing touch to your retro gaming setup.
Are There Any Alternatives to HyperSpin
There are a host of other retro gaming front end management systems out there for you to play around with. As always the final one you choose comes down to personal preference. Each one has its own individual features which you may love or hate. Some are free and others have free elements with the option to upgrade to the full package. Either way, the choice is yours but I recommend trying several before you decide to make a full commitment to a single one. Here is some info on some of the more popular front ends out there.
Big Blue
This front end management system is slightly toned down from HyperSpin. It doesn’t have the wow factor of the ‘in your face’ graphics, ‘whizz bang’ sound effects and flashy video snaps that HyperSpin exhibits, but what it does have is function over form. The whole application is completely streamlined and extremely simple to use, plus it incorporates a fantastic search functionality where you can name the criteria yourself and be presented with a list which includes all games from every installed machine (obviously dependent on your search criteria). It’s available for free and is quick and easy to set up.
LaunchBox/Big Box
In contrast to Big Blue, Launchbox is an all singing all dancing retro gaming front end. The presentation for this application is fantastic and the ease of setup and general use is second to none. The drawback to Launchbox is that it is the free version and not the full version. The full version comes in the form of Big Box and it will cost you to upgrade to this. The cost of the package depends on which option you choose. We have written a full beginners guide to Launchbox/Big Box to address any questions you may have.
RetroFE
Here we have a highly customisable front end management system that is a direct competitor to HyperSpin. You do need to have some knowledge of coding in order to create your customisations, however it is still completely useable straight out of the box. Its free to download and setup although a subscription to EmuMovies is recommended (but not essential).
Related Questions
Do I need any coding knowledge before I setup HyperSpin? – HyperSpin is by no means the easiest application to setup and there are a lot of hoops to jump through in order to get the configuration you desire. The inclusion of RocketLauncher helps to bypass some of these hoops, but there are a number of applications you need on your computer in order for all emulators to run correctly. With respect to coding it is necessary to rename a few files and create a few file shortcuts and folders and amend some of the settings files. None of this it too taxing and there are plenty of tutorials online to guide you through.
What do I need before I install HyperSpin? – There are a few things that you need installed on your PC before you setup HyperSpin. Most of these you probably already have, and to be honest it’s probably not worth you checking them now. Just be aware of them if you need to do any troubleshooting later on down the road. Also, some of these apps may only be needed to run certain emulators so not having them at the start may not be an issue for your setup. The things you may need are, 7zip, Direct X9 or greater, the latest drivers for you graphics card, up to date version of Java, .Net Framework, Visual Studio and Open AL.
Can HyperSpin run on a Mac? – Unfortunately no. HyperSpin can only be run on a Windows OS. There are alternatives to HyperSpin that can run on a Mac OS, the most popular one being OpenEmu which incorporates many of the features that are included in HyperSpin.
