📰 New article from RetroRGB
ArcStation: Installation & Demo
https://retrorgb.com/arcstation-installation-demo.html
Remember the frustration of hunting for that one specific memory card to save your progress in Crash Bandicoot? Well, retro gaming hardware just got a whole lot cleaner. Tito from Macho Nacho Productions has released a demo of the ArcStation, a plug-and-play Optical Drive Emulator (ODE) for every model of the PlayStation 1.
The real magic here is how it works. Instead of requiring you to open up your console and solder wires to the motherboard, the ArcStation mimics the exact RF signal an original CD-ROM drive would output. This means the PS1 thinks it’s talking to the real thing. You get full compatibility and a completely hassle-free installation on both the original “phat” models and the later PSOne slim units.
However, there is one major caveat you need to watch out for. If you’re using the ArcStation’s Virtual Memory Card (VMC) feature on an original PS1, do not insert a physical memory card into the slot. Doing so could corrupt your saves. It’s safer to just turn the VMC feature off in the menu unless you’re completely done with physical cards. Also, keep in mind that VMC and in-game reset features simply won’t work on the PSOne models anyway.
While pre-orders are currently paused due to payment glitches, the hardware is real, and production units are on the way. Keep an eye on the official site for when orders reopen.