and I've finally come to the conclusion that my computer lacks the specs to get RetroArch's PS2 core to function.
:bawllin-sad:
Update:
Accepted the suggestions and managed to get the solo PSX2 emulator. Got it to fire up a PS2 iso. Now I get to play "guess the checkbox" to get the settings all tweaked so that it runs smoother. Boy howdy! The Armored Core games got all sorts of fiddly things in 'em since the PS1 days. :freeman-true:
Not specific advice because I don't know how closely the RetroArch PS2 core update tracks with standalone, but maybe give standalone a shot because it may lag significantly behind and there's a chance standalone may have better performance/more tweakable options than RetroArch's core exposes
It's pretty far behind just like the Dolphin core, especially since the nightly version is exactly what the name suggests. OP: just try the standalone nightly version.