Summary
On hybrid Intel/NVIDIA laptops, the bundled RetroArch + Mupen64Plus-Next core launches Nintendo 64 games with audio but renders only a black screen.
The issue is reproducible from a clean RetroDECK installation.
The problem disappears after forcing GLX/OpenGL to use the NVIDIA implementation by setting:
flatpak override --user \
--env=__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia \
net.retrodeck.retrodeck
Environment
- RetroDECK: Flatpak
- OS: Kubuntu 24.xx
- Desktop: KDE Plasma
- Session: X11
GPU:
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Driver:
RetroArch core:
Mupen64Plus-Next
Core Version: 2.8-Vulkan 680e033
Steps to reproduce
- Install RetroDECK from Flatpak.
- Open RetroArch through the RetroDECK Configurator.
- Configure Mupen64Plus-Next as the emulator.
- Launch any Nintendo 64 game.
Tested with:
- Super Mario 64
- Donkey Kong 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Actual result
Games start normally.
- Audio works.
- Input works.
- The screen remains completely black.
Expected result
Games should render video normally.
Additional testing
The issue was reproduced from a completely clean installation.
The following tests were performed:
-
Launching through ES-DE → black screen
-
Launching directly from RetroArch → black screen
-
Switching RetroArch Video Driver:
No change.
Changing the following Core Options also made no difference:
Switching to the ParaLLEl N64 core renders video correctly.
This appears to affect only Mupen64Plus-Next / GLideN64.
Workaround
Adding the following Flatpak override fixes the problem:
flatpak override --user \
--env=__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia \
net.retrodeck.retrodeckAfter restarting RetroDECK, video renders correctly.
Notes
This appears to affect hybrid Intel/NVIDIA PRIME systems.
Based on testing, the issue seems related to GLX/OpenGL vendor selection.
Without the override:
- Mupen64Plus-Next produces audio but renders a black screen.
With:
__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia
the bundled GLideN64 renderer works correctly.
Interestingly, another bundled emulator exhibits a related symptom:
- RPCS3 requires
__NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD=1 to avoid a startup crash on the same hardware.
Although these are separate issues, both suggest that bundled emulators inside RetroDECK may not automatically select the appropriate graphics provider on PRIME hybrid systems.
Summary
On hybrid Intel/NVIDIA laptops, the bundled RetroArch + Mupen64Plus-Next core launches Nintendo 64 games with audio but renders only a black screen.
The issue is reproducible from a clean RetroDECK installation.
The problem disappears after forcing GLX/OpenGL to use the NVIDIA implementation by setting:
flatpak override --user \ --env=__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia \ net.retrodeck.retrodeckEnvironment
GPU:
Driver:
RetroArch core:
Steps to reproduce
Tested with:
Actual result
Games start normally.
Expected result
Games should render video normally.
Additional testing
The issue was reproduced from a completely clean installation.
The following tests were performed:
Launching through ES-DE → black screen
Launching directly from RetroArch → black screen
Switching RetroArch Video Driver:
No change.
Changing the following Core Options also made no difference:
Switching to the ParaLLEl N64 core renders video correctly.
This appears to affect only Mupen64Plus-Next / GLideN64.
Workaround
Adding the following Flatpak override fixes the problem:
flatpak override --user \ --env=__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia \ net.retrodeck.retrodeckAfter restarting RetroDECK, video renders correctly.
Notes
This appears to affect hybrid Intel/NVIDIA PRIME systems.
Based on testing, the issue seems related to GLX/OpenGL vendor selection.
Without the override:
With:
the bundled GLideN64 renderer works correctly.
Interestingly, another bundled emulator exhibits a related symptom:
__NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD=1to avoid a startup crash on the same hardware.Although these are separate issues, both suggest that bundled emulators inside RetroDECK may not automatically select the appropriate graphics provider on PRIME hybrid systems.