v1.1.0, Now Available
Ultra Loader

One Loader. Every Arcade System.

Ultra Loader is a new runtime, specifically built to run ALL Modern Arcade games for free, without a paywall and without gatekeeping. Ultra Loader will run arcade games from all hardware platforms natively on PC and Linux, with 4K upscaling, frame generation, and near universal hardware support built in across every system simultaneously.

0BOARDS
0GAMES
0GUN PLAYERS
FREEALWAYS
Download v1.1.0 Supported Games Browse Library →

Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11  ·  x64     Linux: Coming Soon

No More Gatekeeping. No More Paywalls. It's time for a change.

The Method

Ultra Loader is a Native Arcade Execution Engine,
Not a launcher

Ultra Loader is a new runtime that works by launching all modern arcade games natively. The name came from an acronym, ULTRA: which stands for, Unified Legacy Translation Runtime Architecture, and this name is most fitting for what it does. The loader unifies all hardware and execution requirements for all systems across all boards, both Retro and Modern, and translates everything within itself on the backend, running everything natively. Ultra Loader was meant to make it easier for people to get into arcade gaming. This is because most front end arcade tools shell out to separate emulators or spawn child processes that require their own individual setup. Ultra Loader hosts every emulation core in process, all inside one shared execution environment.

That single architectural choice is what makes a universal enhancement layer possible. 4K upscaling, FSR, frame generation, and lightgun tracking apply to every supported system automatically, not as per system plugins, but as capabilities of the runtime itself. For PC based arcade boards (Sega ALLS, Namco ES series, RingEdge, and 60+ others), Ultra Loader injects directly into the original game binary via clean room DLL hooks, no emulation, just the original code running with the hardware abstraction layer replaced.

"Ultra Loader is a new native arcade execution runtime that makes all other arcade loaders unnecessary."
Ultra Loader Developer

Ultra Loader was built using clean room discipline throughout. No closed source emulator code was ever read, and the project was still able to produce byte identical game execution, with strict policy adherence for most on-market devices, SHA gated patches, and universal compatibility.

The goal of this project is accuracy and longevity, not convenience and shortcuts. We have committed to doing things the hard way, even if it takes more time.

This is the way.

Single Runtime Clean Room Development No Child Processes Universal Enhancement Byte Identical Execution SHA Gated Patches Native DLL Injection No Emulator Overhead Hardware Accurate Shared ABI Cores POSIX on Windows Permanent Preservation Zero IPC Overhead Linux Native

Under The Hood

How it works

Three execution models, one runtime, one enhancement layer.

Native Translation

For Linux based arcade boards (Sega Lindbergh), Ultra Loader runs the original ELF binary directly on Windows via a POSIX compatibility layer. Zero emulation overhead, the original code executes at full native speed.

DLL Injection

For PC based arcade boards (Taito Type X, Sega RingEdge, Namco ES series, and 60+ others), clean room DLL hooks replace the hardware abstraction layer. The original Windows binary runs unmodified, only the I/O and display layers are intercepted.

In Process Emulation

For hardware based systems (NAOMI, Dreamcast, Model 3, Chihiro, PS2, Triforce), emulation cores load as in process modules via a shared ABI. No separate emulator window, no IPC, the core runs inside Ultra Loader alongside the enhancement layer.

Clean Room Cores

Custom retro cores are built entirely from scratch with no closed source reference. Public documentation, GPL MAME behavior, and captured hardware data only, suitable for permanent preservation.

The Features

Everything, built in

Because all cores run inside the same process, every enhancement applies universally, no per game configuration required.

⬆️

4K & FSR Upscaling

AMD FSR (EASU + RCAS) and CAS sharpening bring any arcade source up to 4K. FXAA, forced anisotropic filtering, and FPS cap included. Resolution independent across every system.

🎞️

Frame Generation

Interpolated frames for smoother motion, applied at the runtime level. Works with native translation, emulated cores, and PC board injection alike, no per game setup.

🔫

Ultra Omni Track Lightgun

Up to 8 simultaneous players. Mixed brand co op, a world first. Zero setup auto detect by USB VID/PID. RS3, AimTrak, Sinden, Gun4IR, Blamcon, Wiimote IR, and more.

💾

Save States

Revertible in session snapshots with disk streaming and audio/vsync/clock rollback. Pause and resume any game at any point, across every supported platform.

🖥️

Display & Rotation

V Sync, display fit modes (stretch / pillarbox / zoom / fit no cutoff), universal screen rotation and TATE mode for vertical cabinets, cutscene fill for letterboxed sequences.

🎮

Universal Input

Three companion services: Omni Play for gamepads (XInput/DirectInput, 8 slots), Omni Steer for flight sticks and HOTAS, Omni Wheel for racing wheels, pedals, shifters, and force feedback.

🕹️

Arcade Sticks & Zero Delay Encoders

Brook, Xin Mo, and generic zero delay USB encoder boards auto detected by VID/PID. Sanwa, Seimitsu, and clone sticks work plug and play. Button layouts map to each game's original cabinet wiring through the firmware profile. True arcade feel, no configuration required.

🎨

Themed Launcher

Five live color themes. Box art and logo display, last played and playtime tracking, Easy Config presets for recognized titles, folder scanner auto discovery.

🔓

Always Free

No paywall, no paid tiers, no "patrons get games first." Ultra Loader is free for everyone, always. Per board modules are source available on the site, readable and open.

🌐

Network & Service Emulation

Built in emulation of arcade network services: card readers, e AMUSEMENT, ALL.Net, NESiCAxLive, and more. Games that require an online server connection run fully offline, no external server tools needed.

🏪

Cabinet Mode

Boot straight into the last game with no menu. Attract loop runs automatically. Hold SHIFT on startup to return to the settings screen. Built for dedicated single game and multi game cabinets that need to power on and play.

💲

Credit Injector

Insert coins with a configurable hotkey or a clickable on screen button. Auto insert credits at boot so you never see the coin screen. Adjustable credits per coin, JVS pulse timing, and a live credit counter. Works across every supported system.

The Library

Every game. One runtime.

Browse by system. Ultra Loader will eventually support every title shown below with its original artwork. Please keep in mind however, this is for the future, and currently, 90% of these games still need work before they will play. But every day that passes, we will get closer and closer to our goal. We will need your help. Please see What is Ultra Loader? for more details.

The Systems

Every arcade system

Native translation, in process emulation cores, clean room custom cores, and DLL injection for PC boards, one runtime handles all of it.

Native Translation,
No Emulation

  • Sega Lindbergh: Linux ELF runs natively on Windows
  • Raw Thrills: Linux based titles run via native translation
Original binary · Zero emulation

In Process
Emulation Cores

  • Sega Model 3 via Supermodel
  • NAOMI / NAOMI 2 / Dreamcast / Atomiswave via Flycast
  • Triforce / GameCube via Dolphin
  • PlayStation 2 arcade via Play!
  • PlayStation 3 arcade via RPCS3 fork
  • Sega Chihiro via Ultra Xemu
  • Laserdisc via Hypseus
  • CPS1/2/3, Neo Geo, PGM, System 16 via FBNeo
  • MAME wrapper core
In process · No IPC

Clean Room
Custom Cores

  • Ultra Viper: Konami Viper (PowerPC + Voodoo III) · in bring up
  • Ultra Hikaru: Sega Hikaru (dual SH 4) · in bring up
  • Ultra Model 2: Sega Model 2 (i960 + TGP) · in bring up
Built from scratch · Clean room throughout

PC Based Arcade
Boards (60+)

  • Taito Type X / X2 / X3 / X4 / Zero / NESiCAxLive / NESiCAxLive 2
  • Sega RingEdge / RingWide / RE2 / Europa R / System SP
  • Sega Nu / Nu 2 / ALLS HX / UX / UX2 / MX2
  • Namco ES1 / ES2 / ES2+ / ES3 / ES4 / BNA1 / N2
  • Konami PC, Cave PC, examu eX BOARD
  • Global VR, Incredible Technologies, Play Mechanix
  • ICE, UNIS, Wahlap WPC, and many more
DLL injection · Original binary · No emulation
All Currently Supported Games View Full Compatibility List →

The Services: Ultra Omni-Track

The Lightgun Service.
Reimagined.

Ultra Omni-Track is a new way to use your lightguns. All the messy problems associated with setup and software are gone. Per gun tuning: sensitivity, calibration offsets, mirror X/Y, off screen auto reload, and TATE axis swap for rotated cabinets. Works across every supported system automatically.

Zero setup auto detect by USB VID/PID. Mixed brand co op, two completely different gun models playing the same game simultaneously. Hotplug with device path slot assignment so dual Sinden setups work without reflashing firmware.

  • 🎯 RetroShooter RS3Verified
  • 🎯 AimTrakVerified
  • 🎯 SindenVerified
  • 🎯 Gun4IRVerified
  • 🎯 OpenFIREVerified
  • 🎯 BlamconVerified
  • 🎯 ACT LabsVerified
  • 🎯 Wiimote IRVerified
  • 🎯 Generic MouseVerified

Omni Track Stats

8simultaneous players
9supported gun types
1000Hz tracking rate
<2ms tracking latency

Mixed brand co op, a world first. Two completely different gun models can play the same game simultaneously, with no configuration required.

Auto detect TATE support Sinden border Per gun tuning Off screen reload Mixed brand co-op Hotplug devices Recoil support
Sinden Border, Built In

Replaces the Sinden Lightgun app entirely. Ultra Omni Track draws the border overlay natively at present time, auto sized per game resolution. No Sinden software, no extra window, no conflicts with the game process.

No USB Conflicts

Device path slot assignment tracks guns by their Windows kernel path, not VID/PID. Two identical gun models always get separate player slots automatically, no reflashing or manual assignment needed.

Per Gun Tuning

Each player slot has its own sensitivity (X/Y separately), calibration offsets, axis inversion, and XY swap for TATE rotated cabinets. Your guns will work, will never conflict with each other, and they will stay connected to their ports.

Off Screen Reload

Point outside the screen boundary and the game registers a reload, exactly as the original cabinet intended. Threshold distance is tunable per gun so every player gets the feel they expect.

Mixed Brand Co-op

A RetroShooter and a Sinden can share the same game session without any bridge software or manual slot assignment. Each gun is tracked independently by kernel device path, so brand differences are invisible to the game.

The Services: Ultra Omni-Play

Your Arcade Hardware.
All of it.

Zero delay encoder boards, Sanwa and Seimitsu fightsticks, dance pads, spinners, trackballs: if it plugs into USB and an arcade cabinet uses it, Ultra Loader sees it. Auto detected by VID/PID with no mapping required.

Button layouts align to each game's cabinet wiring through its firmware profile, so a 6 button Capcom panel is always correct for a Street Fighter title and a 4 button layout is always correct for a Tekken cab. No remapping, no guessing.

  • 🕹️ Sanwa / Seimitsu FightsticksVerified
  • 🕹️ Brook Universal Fighting BoardVerified
  • 🕹️ Hori / Qanba / Razer Arcade SticksVerified
  • 🕹️ Victrix Pro / Mayflash / Generic SticksVerified
  • ⚡ Xin Mo Zero Delay EncoderVerified
  • ⚡ Generic USB Zero Delay BoardsVerified
  • 🎵 Dance Pads (DDR / PIU style)Verified
  • 🖱️ Trackballs & SpinnersVerified
  • ⚡ Ultimarc I PAC / J PAC EncodersVerified
  • 🕹️ Arcade & Fight SticksVerified

Omni Play Stats

10fully supported players
60+recognized devices
<1msUSB polling latency
1000Hz input poll rate

Any USB HID device a real arcade cabinet uses works here. Plug it in, power it on, and the game gets the right buttons from the start.

Auto detect VID/PID matching Zero mapping 10 players Cabinet wiring Hotplug devices Per player curves 1000Hz polling
Button Wiring, Built In

Zero delay encoders wire buttons differently depending on how the cab was built. The game's firmware profile carries the correct cabinet button map, so encoder pins always land on the right in game action regardless of how they were wired up.

No Conflicts

A fightstick, a zero delay encoder, and a gamepad can all be plugged in simultaneously. Each device gets its own player slot with independent dead zone and curve settings. They never fight each other.

Hotplug at Any Time

Devices can be connected or disconnected at any point during a session. Player slots reassign automatically. If you unplug a stick and replug it, it picks up where it left off with the same slot and settings.

Miscellaneous Hardware

Trackballs enumerate as HID mice and are routed through Ultra Omni Bridge. Spinners appear as relative axis devices and are handled the same way. Dance pads are standard HID gamepads. All of it is automatic.

No Drivers Required

Every device runs on Windows native HID stack. No driver installs, no admin prompts, no reboots. Plug it in and it works.

Get Started

Download Ultra Loader

Download below, or visit the Download button above. Free for everyone. No accounts, no paywalls, no strings attached.

✓ Always Free

ULTRALOADER

Version 1.1.0

Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 (x64) No installer required ~5.5 MB DirectX 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
  • Native engine supporting 60+ arcade platforms
  • Universal lightgun support up to 8 players, Sinden border built in
  • 4K upscaling, FSR frame generation, HDR tonemapping
  • Save states · libretro cores · Ultra.ini per slot config
Download Ultra Loader (ZIP)

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Changelog

Download Technical Manual

Full reference documentation covering every system, setting, and feature.

Download PDF View in Browser

Bananapass Service

Use Bananapass on any launcher, loader or software. Bananapass is open and free for all users, regardless of what you use. The service runs silently on Windows & Linux, with zero setup required.

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