Flycast 2.7 adds multiscreen support for Sega Naomi arcade games
The latest update to the open-source Dreamcast and Naomi emulator brings panoramic arcade setups to your desktop, plus Android cloud saves and modem fixes.
Developer flyinghead has released version 2.7 of Flycast, bringing multiscreen support for Sega Naomi arcade titles and improved modem emulation to the open-source Dreamcast emulator. The update is available to download from the project's official GitHub page.
Flycast began in 2018 as a fork of the Reicast project. It's since grown into the primary emulation core for late-1990s Sega hardware, covering the Dreamcast, Sega Naomi, Naomi 2, and Sammy Atomiswave systems. Because the Naomi arcade board shares its CPU and GPU architecture with the home console, the emulator handles both ecosystems.
The emulator is available today for PC, Android, Linux, macOS, and Nintendo Switch. If you're looking for an Apple mobile version, you're out of luck. Flycast officially dropped iOS support back in version 2.6.
Three monitors on your desk
This update tackles arcade games like Airline Pilot, Derby Owners Club, and Sega Strike Fighter. In physical arcades, these deluxe cabinets used linked multi-monitor displays to create panoramic cockpit views.
Emulating that hardware configuration has historically been difficult. Standard emulators usually output a single screen, breaking the panoramic effect these games rely on. Flycast 2.7 renders those multiscreen setups natively. I am curious how many people actually have the desk space to run a three-monitor arcade setup at home, but having the software support is a massive win for arcade history.
Better modems and software VMUs
The Dreamcast launched in 1999 with a built-in 56k modem, making it the first console to push online multiplayer out of the box. Getting those original network protocols to talk to modern internet infrastructure requires precise timing, which explains the ongoing modem tweaks in Flycast.
The update improves modem emulation for online Dreamcast titles. The patch notes highlight online feature fixes for Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram and F355 Challenge. Both games relied heavily on network features and direct link cables in Japan.
Yu Suzuki's F355 Challenge is notoriously demanding. The arcade version ran on a deluxe three-screen cabinet with realistic physics modeling, and the Dreamcast port retained the online network capability. Fixing the online lag for games with this much physics calculation makes a real difference in playability.
The release also expands compatibility for the DreamPicoPort and DreamPotato. DreamPotato is a software VMU emulator that connects to Flycast, not a physical DIY hardware adapter.
Cloud saves for Android
Mobile players get a practical update for save management. The Android build now supports Google Auto Backup for VMU saves and non-volatile memory. Your Phantasy Star Online character will survive a phone upgrade.
The release also fixes freezes in the 2K sports series, including NFL 2K1 and NBA 2K2, and corrects inputs for the Naomi version of Samba de Amigo. Finally, the interface adds localization for French, Hungarian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Swedish, alongside a new frame rate detection and pacing system to smooth out gameplay.
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