Atari - Lynx (Gearlynx)¶

Background¶

Gearlynx is an open source, cross-platform Atari Lynx emulator written in C++.

Very accurate emulation supporting the entire commercial Atari Lynx catalog.
Bank switching (BANK1 + AUDIN) and EEPROM support.
Save files (EEPROM and NVRAM).
Configurable low-pass audio filter.
Internal database for automatic ROM detection and hardware selection when Auto is selected.
Supported platforms (libretro): Windows, Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS, tvOS, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo WiiU, Nintendo Switch, Emscripten, Classic Mini systems (NES, SNES, C64, ...), OpenDingux, RetroFW and QNX.

The Gearlynx core has been authored by:

Nacho Sanchez (drhelius)

The Gearlynx core is licensed under:

GPLv3

A summary of the licenses behind RetroArch and its cores can be found here.

BIOS¶

Gearlynx requires a BIOS to work.

Required firmware files go in the frontend's system directory.

Attention

The Lynx boot ROM file is required for Gearlynx to function.

Filename	Description	md5sum
lynxboot.img	Lynx Boot Image - Required	fcd403db69f54290b51035d82f835e7b

Extensions¶

Content that can be loaded by the Gearlynx core have the following file extensions:

.lnx
.lyx
.o

RetroArch database(s) that are associated with the Gearlynx core:

Atari - Lynx

Features¶

Frontend-level settings or features that the Gearlynx core respects.

Feature	Supported
Restart	✔
Screenshots	✔
Saves	✔
States	✔
Rewind	✔
Netplay	✔
Core Options	✔
Memory Monitoring (achievements)	✔
RetroArch Cheats	✕
Native Cheats	✕
Controls	✔
Remapping	✔
Multi-Mouse	✕
Rumble	✕
Sensors	✕
Camera	✕
Location	✕
Subsystem	✕
Softpatching	✔
Disk Control	✕
Username	✕
Language	✕
Crop Overscan	✕
LEDs	✕

Directories¶

The Gearlynx core's library name is 'Gearlynx'.

The Gearlynx core saves/loads to/from these directories.

Frontend's Save directory

File	Description
*.srm	EEPROM / NVRAM save

Frontend's State directory

File	Description
*.state#	State

Geometry and timing¶

The Gearlynx core reports a dynamic refresh rate based on each game's timer configuration
The Gearlynx core's provided sample rate is 44100 Hz
The Gearlynx core's base size is 160x102 in horizontal mode and 102x160 in vertical mode
The Gearlynx core's max width is 160
The Gearlynx core's max height is 160
The Gearlynx core's provided aspect ratio is dependent on the 'Aspect Ratio' core option.

Core options¶

The Gearlynx core has the following options that can be tweaked from the core options menu. The default setting is bolded.

Settings with (restart) means that core has to be closed for the new setting to be applied on next launch.

Aspect Ratio [gearlynx_aspect_ratio] (1:1 PAR|4:3 DAR|16:9 DAR|16:10 DAR)

Select which aspect ratio will be presented by the core.
- 1:1 PAR selects an aspect ratio that produces square pixels.
- 4:3 DAR forces 4:3 aspect ratio.
- 16:9 DAR forces 16:9 aspect ratio.
- 16:10 DAR forces 16:10 aspect ratio.
Screen Rotation [gearlynx_rotation] (Auto|Left|Right|Disabled)

Rotates the screen display. This is useful since many Lynx games were designed to be played with the system held vertically.
- Auto automatically rotates based on the game.
- Left rotates the screen 90 degrees counter-clockwise.
- Right rotates the screen 90 degrees clockwise.
- Disabled forces the screen to remain in standard horizontal orientation.
Console Type [gearlynx_console_type] (Auto|Lynx I|Lynx II)

Select the Atari Lynx console model to emulate.
- Auto automatically selects the appropriate console type based on the game.
- Lynx I forces emulation of the original Lynx model.
- Lynx II forces emulation of the Lynx II model.
EEPROM Type (restart) [gearlynx_eeprom_type] (Auto|None|93C46 - 128 B - 16-bit|93C46 - 128 B - 8-bit|93C56 - 256 B - 16-bit|93C56 - 256 B - 8-bit|93C66 - 512 B - 16-bit|93C66 - 512 B - 8-bit|93C76 - 1 KB - 16-bit|93C76 - 1 KB - 8-bit|93C86 - 2 KB - 16-bit|93C86 - 2 KB - 8-bit)

Override the cartridge EEPROM capacity and organization. Auto uses the cartridge header or game database. Restart or reload the content to apply changes.
Fast Sprite Rendering [gearlynx_fast_sprite_rendering] (Disabled|Enabled)

Use a simpler, faster sprite renderer. This is less accurate for mid-render interrupt effects used by some demos.
Audio Low-Pass Filter (Hz) [gearlynx_lowpass_filter] (3500|500|1000|1500|2000|2500|3000|3500|4000|4500|5000)

Configures a low-pass audio filter to reduce high-frequency noise.
Audio Channel 0 Volume [gearlynx_audio_ch0_volume] (100|0-200 in increments of 10)

Sets the volume level for audio channel 0 (percentage).
Audio Channel 1 Volume [gearlynx_audio_ch1_volume] (100|0-200 in increments of 10)

Sets the volume level for audio channel 1 (percentage).
Audio Channel 2 Volume [gearlynx_audio_ch2_volume] (100|0-200 in increments of 10)

Sets the volume level for audio channel 2 (percentage).
Audio Channel 3 Volume [gearlynx_audio_ch3_volume] (100|0-200 in increments of 10)

Sets the volume level for audio channel 3 (percentage).
Allow Up+Down / Left+Right [gearlynx_up_down_allowed] (Disabled|Enabled)

Enable this option to press, quickly alternate, or hold both left and right, or up and down, at the same time.

This may cause movement-based glitches in some games.

It is best to keep this option disabled.