Retro Shark AI –FAQ Questions and Answers

General Questions

1. What is Retro Shark AI?

Retro Shark AI is an advanced AI-powered gaming assistant designed to elevate your retro gaming experience. Inspired by the legacy of GameShark, it is being developed to work in tandem with emulators and monitor gameplay in real-time. The goal is to deliver intelligent, personalized features such as dynamic cheat code application, in-game strategy tips, visual enhancements, and custom content generation like new characters or levels.

Rather than relying on static cheat menus or manual code entry, Retro Shark AI is planned to use modern machine learning to understand what’s happening in the game and offer assistance that feels like a smart, responsive co-pilot. Whether you’re stuck on a tough boss, searching for hidden secrets, or looking to replay a childhood favorite in a new way, Retro Shark AI aims to transform nostalgia into a next-gen experience.

Retro Shark AI is being designed to enhance retro games in multiple ways. It will monitor game memory and screen activity using emulator integration to understand what’s happening during gameplay. It will then provide dynamic support such as cheat suggestions, game tips, graphical improvements, and modded content. These features are intended to create a smarter and more personalized experience, enabling players to explore retro games in new and exciting ways

No. It will work alongside your emulator. You will still need an emulator like RetroArch or Project64.
Yes, you will need an emulator and your own legally obtained ROM files to play games.
Retro Shark AI is planned to work automatically with supported emulators. Users will have the ability to customize settings if desired.
Yes, it is being designed to detect when cheats are helpful and suggest or apply them in real time.

That’s up to you. It is being developed to offer both challenge-reducing cheats and new gameplay modifications—depending on the emulator you use.

Yes. Features will be modular and designed to be toggled on or off.
Most core features are expected to work offline after initial setup. Online connectivity may be required for updates and advanced AI capabilities.
It is planned to integrate via plugins, memory monitoring, or emulator APIs depending on the platform.
We plan to begin with the major emulators (RetroArch, Project64, BizHawk and Dolphin) and add more with future updates.
Yes, Retro Shark AI will be designed to integrate seamlessly with those emulators.
Yes. Support will focus on PC first, with Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck support on the roadmap.
Mobile support is on the roadmap for initial launch or shortly thereafter.
Not initially. Retro Shark AI is focused on emulator-based gaming.
Yes. Retro Shark AI will not interfere with standard controller input.
No. It is being developed to run efficiently alongside emulators without noticeable lag.
It will read emulator memory and screen data to understand what’s happening in real time.
Voice command support is on the roadmap for initial launch.

Examples are: Infinite lives, unlock all levels, power boosts, walk-through-walls, custom mods, and more. Specific codes and cheats will depend on the emulator you are using.

Yes. Different personality and voice options will be available.
Yes. It will be developed to learn from your behavior and adapt accordingly.
Yes, it is intended to offer context-based tips like a built-in strategy guide.
Yes. It will use AI pattern recognition to detect repetition, failure loops, or idle time.
You will be able to control how much the AI reveals and when it offers hints.
You can dump them from your own cartridges or find them online. Legal use depends on ownership.
Yes, as long as you’re using legally obtained ROMs. Retro Shark AI itself doesn’t distribute games.
No. For legal reasons, no games will be included.

Nintendo
NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)
SNES (Super Nintendo)
Nintendo 64
Game Boy
Game Boy Color
Game Boy Advance
Nintendo DS
Nintendo 3DS (limited support)
GameCube
Wii
Virtual Boy
WiiWare (via Dolphin)
Nintendo Wii Virtual Console titles (via Dolphin)

Sony
PlayStation 1 (PS1)
PlayStation 2 (PS2)
PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Sega
Master System
Game Gear
Genesis / Mega Drive
Sega CD
32X
Sega Saturn (experimental)
Dreamcast

Atari
Atari 2600
Atari 5200
Atari 7800
Atari Jaguar
Atari Lynx
NEC / Hudson
TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine
TurboGrafx-CD / PC Engine CD
SuperGrafx

SNK / Neo Geo
Neo Geo (Arcade)
Neo Geo Pocket
Neo Geo Pocket Color

Other Consoles & Platforms
Wonderswan / Wonderswan Color
MSX / MSX2
ColecoVision
Intellivision
Commodore 64
Amiga (limited via cores)
TI-83 Calculator
Apple II
DOS (via DOSBox)
Arcade (MAME, FinalBurn Neo)

Yes. Retro Shark AI is being designed to support homebrew and modded titles.
Yes, though AI performance may vary depending on game version.
Yes. It is being designed to detect and unlock hidden levels, debug rooms, and more.
It will use AI-based upscaling and visual enhancement techniques in real time.
Yes. Players will be able to toggle visual features.
Yes. On supported emulators, these features will be available.
Yes. It will support character swaps and custom avatars.
Yes. AI-generated level packs and community-created content will be supported.
Yes. A curated mod-sharing community is on the roadmap for future releases.
This is a pledge-based campaign. You are supporting development in exchange for early access and exclusive rewards. This is not an investment in the company nor a pre-purchase of a finished product.
Depending on your tier, you’ll receive digital rewards, early access, exclusive features, or recognition.
Reward delivery will depend on development milestones. Development can be faster or slower than expected depending on circumstances beyond our control.
Yes, depending on platform rules. You will be able to update your pledge before the campaign ends.
Yes. Certain tiers will include access to beta builds.
We’ll notify all backers and provide options based on platform policy.
Please refer to our “Terms & Conditions” for the complete policy. In short, $15 of every pledge is nonrefundable, to cover campaign management costs. The remaining pledge amount will be refundable, ONLY if the initial goal is not met.
Please refer to the previous question. There are no refunds if the initial funding goal is met.
The project’s initial funding goal is $50,000.
The expected timeline for the Beta launch is 6 months after the initial funding goal is met. However, future fundraising can speed or slow these expectations. There are no guarantees of product releases due to circumstances beyond our control.
Yes. A dedicated console is part of our long-term roadmap.
Absolutely. Founding backers will also have the opportunity to vote on future additions and projects.
Yes. Multiplayer support will depend on emulator compatibility.
Yes. Future packs, enhancements, and AI upgrades are planned.
Join our mailing list, Discord, or follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Retro Shark AI and GameShark companies are not related by way of ownership. The only relation is that both companies were originally founded by Todd Hays.