)[7] Formerly known as SSNES, initially based on pseudonymous programmer Near's predecessor libsnes,[8] it began its development in 2010 with Hans-Kristian "Themaister" Arntzen committing the first change on GitHub.

[18] In 2020, the paraLLel libretro core for RetroArch used the GPU to run the Nintendo 64 at full speed on common consumer hardware, with upscaled graphics and the accuracy of bit-exact low-level renderer Angrylion.

[29][30][31][32] It has been criticized for how difficult it is to configure, due to the extensive number of options available to the user,[30][29] and at the same time has been praised for the more advanced features it possesses.

[33] On Android, it has been praised for the fact that overlays can be customized, for the expandability of the libretro cores it supports, for its compatibility with several USB and Bluetooth controller peripherals, in addition to the app being free and having no ads.

[32][34] Kyle Orland, writing for Ars Technica, said that RetroArch's 'Run-Ahead' feature is "arguably the biggest improvement to the experience the retro gaming community has yet seen".