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Flycast Guide

At a glance

Flycast (Dreamcast/Naomi)

Dreamcast/Naomi emulator, best with NTFS USB, textures internal only.

Last tested: 05/07/2025
Dev ModeRequired (Retail not supported)
StorageUSB NTFS recommended for ROMs/BIOS, textures must be internal
User folderLocalAppData\Flycast\LocalState (Data\textures for packs)
DifficultyIntermediate - about 15-20 minutes
BIOS/keysdc_boot optional but recommended for compatibility
ControllersXbox gamepad, set app type to Game
Works
  • Supports Dreamcast/Naomi/Atomiswave formats
  • USB content location selectable via Content Location
  • Game mode improves stability and performance
Known issues
  • Texture packs only load from internal Data/textures
  • Choosing the wrong drive path leads to empty library
  • Missing dc_boot reduces compatibility

After install, change app type to Game and set content path to E:/.

Supported ROM Formats​

Flycast supports the following game formats:

  • SEGA Dreamcast Titles: .cdi, .gdi, .chd, .cue (includes Windows CE games)
  • SEGA NAOMI GD-ROM Titles: .7z, .zip, .dat/.lst, .chd
  • SEGA NAOMI 1 & 2 Titles: .zip, .7z, .dat/.lst
  • Sammy Atomiswave Titles: .zip, .7z
note

Flycast does not support Hikaru or SEGA System SP games.

Installing Flycast on Xbox Dev Mode​

  1. Prepare Files:

    • Download Flycast from Emulators on Emulation Revival Store or the official Flycast releases. Current store builds ship a single flycast-*.appx (for example flycast-2.6.appx) - sideload that through Device Portal, no extra dependency pack is required for that release layout.
    • (Optional) Get a Dreamcast BIOS (dc_boot.bin / dc_flash.bin) for better compatibility.

  2. Upload BIOS to USB (optional but recommended):

    • Create a Sega - Dreamcast games folder on your USB.
    • Place the BIOS file and Dreamcast games inside.

  3. Install Flycast:

    • Enable Xbox Device Portal in your Xbox Dev Mode settings.
    • On your PC, open a web browser and enter the Xbox Device Portal URL.
    • Go to My games & apps - Add.
    • Drag and drop the Flycast .appx file, click Next, then Start.
    • Once installed, click Done.

  4. Change App to Game Mode:

    • On Xbox, hover over Flycast - press Select - View Details.
    • Change it from App to Game.

Internal Storage Setup​

Where to upload your ROMs:

  • Xbox Device Portal - File explorer - LocalAppData\Flycast\LocalState
    • Create a games folder here.
    • Upload Dreamcast ROMs.
    • You can upload .zip files - the portal will prompt you to unzip.

For cheats, VMUs, etc.:

  • Upload to:
    • LocalAppData\Flycast\LocalState\Data

Initial Configuration​

  1. Launch Flycast.
  2. Go to Settings - Content Location - Add.
  3. Press Up on the D-pad - A - keep pressing A on .. (Parent Directory) until you see drives.
  4. Select the E:/ drive (USB)
  5. If using internal storage the default drive will be Q:/.
  6. Press B - Select Current Directory.
  • Transparent Sorting: Per Pixel
  • Automatic Frame Skipping: Leave default
  • Widescreen Mode: Enable if desired
  • Filtering: 16x
  • VSync: Enable if needed
  • Show FPS Counter / VMU in-game: Optional
  • Internal Resolution: Max for Series X, reduce on Series S for best performance

Usage Tips​

  • Quick Menu: Press Start + Select in game.
  • Save States / Load States: Available in the quick menu.

Texture Pack Setup​

note

Texture packs can only be loaded from the internal storage.

  1. Prepare the Texture Pack:

    • Extract to get GameID folder (if not already extracted).
    • Recompress the GameID folder as .zip.

  2. Upload in Xbox Portal:

    • Upload .zip to: Flycast\LocalState\Data\textures
    • Portal will ask: Extract zip file contents to this directory? - Click YES.

  3. Enable in Flycast:

    • Quick Menu - Settings - Video Tab - Enable Load Custom Textures.
note

If you don't see the unzip prompt in the portal, try restarting your Xbox or switching browsers.

DCNet Setup

ONLY WORKS WITH US REGION ROMS!​

Credit to CronicCanabis88 for the instructions

General Setup (do this first)​

  1. Launch Flycast in Xbox Dev Mode.
  2. Go to - Settings - Network.
  3. Enable Use DCNet (tick the checkbox).
  4. Save settings.
  5. Fully restart Flycast.

Games + Step-by-Step Instructions​

ChuChu Rocket!​

  • Go to Online / Network mode.
  • When asked:
    • Username - type at least 3 characters.
    • Password - type at least 3 characters.
  • Hit OK - you're ready to connect.

DeeDee Planet​

  • Select Register New User.
  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.
  • Confirm details - connect to online.

Monaco GP Online​

  • Select NEW USER on the main menu.
  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.
  • Confirm - online racing is ready.

Pod SpeedZone​

  • Go to Network menu.
  • Press left to Account 1.
  • Register new user:
    • Username - at least 6 characters.
    • Password - at least 6 characters.
  • Save - ready to race online.

Planet Ring​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.
  • Privacy code - enter any 10-digit number.
  • Confirm - join online minigames.

Toy Racer​

  • Nickname - at least 3 characters.
  • Password - anything.
  • You're set!

F355 Challenge​

  • IMPORTANT: Needs saved profile before going online.
  • On main menu, go to - Settings - Game Options.
  • Enter:
    • Player name.
    • Country.
  • Go to - Car Profile - set car name + details.
  • BACK OUT - SAVE ON THE MAIN MENU (it will ask you to save, choose Yes).
  • To play online:
    1. Load the saved profile.
    2. Connect to online.
  • TIP: Use save state after loading profile to skip this next time.

NFL / NBA / NCAA / WSB 2K1 & 2K2, Ooga Booga​

  • Go to Network Options.
  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.
  • Required for online stats + leaderboards.

Quake III Arena​

  • Go to - Options - Player.
  • Set player name.
  • SAVE PROFILE.
  • Before online play - always load this profile.

Internet Game Pack​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

PBA Bowling 2001​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

Worms World Party​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

4x4 EVO​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

Tetris Online​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

Daytona USA​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

Golf Shiyou Yo 2​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

Aero Dancing i​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

Hundred Swords​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

Starlancer​

  • Username - at least 6 characters.
  • Password - at least 6 characters.

Extra Tips​

  • Save State Shortcut

    • Set Save State to e.g., LB.
    • Set Load State to e.g., RB.
    • After entering username/password, save state at network screen - next time, just load state.

  • Where to Find Matches