Stella crashes when pressing Start button in Adventures of TRON

quellen · 17 June 2026 10:44

Hi everyone, I am experiencing a consistent crash when running Adventures of TRON (USA) using the Stella (8.0_pre) core on RetroArch 1.22.2 (Linux/Arch Linux, Vulkan driver, udev input).

The game loads correctly and runs fine in demo mode. However, if I press the Start button on my controller (which RetroArch maps to the console’s physical hardware switches like Game Reset/Select), the emulator instantly crashes, flooding the console log with endless audio buffer overflows.

Interestingly, if I bypass the Start button and instead initiate the gameplay by pressing UP on the joystick (which is a native alternative input for this specific M Network title), the game starts perfectly and runs without any issues. The crash seems strictly related to how the core handles the console switch triggers combined with specific multi-device input setups ( udev ).

System Information:

OS: Arch Linux x86_64
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G with Radeon Graphics
RetroArch Version: 1.22.2 (Git 69a4f0ea1e)
Core: Stella 8.0_pre (Build 8005, Custom backend)
Video Driver: Vulkan (Display server: X11)
Audio Driver: PulseAudio / ALSA
Input Driver: udev (Using an Arduino Micro HID adapter and an Xbox controller simultaneously)

Relevant Log Output:

When loading the core, there is an initial warning regarding input mappings:

[libretro INFO] event version mismatch; dropping previous joystick mappings
[libretro INFO] converting legacy combo mapping

Then, the moment the Start button is pressed, the log cuts off with this loop:

[INFO] [Vulkan] Resized fullscreen resolution to 1920x1080.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1299x1080 (max 1 level(s)).
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1299x1080 (max 1 level(s)).
[libretro INFO] 12:29:53: audio buffer overflow (316 times in 100  milliseconds)
[libretro INFO] 12:29:53: audio buffer overflow (645 times in 200  milliseconds)
[libretro INFO] 12:29:54: audio buffer overflow (1288 times in 400  milliseconds)
[libretro INFO] 12:29:55: audio buffer overflow (2564 times in 800  milliseconds)
[libretro INFO] 12:29:56: audio buffer overflow (5146 times in 1600  milliseconds)

$ retroarch -v
[INFO] [Config] Looking for config in: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/retroarch.cfg".
[INFO] RetroArch 1.22.2 (Git 69a4f0ea1e)
[INFO] === Build =======================================
[INFO] CPU Model Name: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G with Radeon Graphics         
[INFO] Funzionalità: MMX MMXEXT SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4 SSE42 AES AVX AVX2 
[INFO] Version: 1.22.2
[INFO] Git: 69a4f0ea1e
[INFO] Built: Dec  7 2025
[INFO] =================================================
[INFO] [Input] Found input driver: "x".
[INFO] [Environ] SET_PIXEL_FORMAT: RGB565.
[INFO] [Core] Versione delle API di libretro: 1, Compilato contro API: 1
[INFO] [Core] Geometry: 320x240, Aspect: 1.333, FPS: 60.00, Sample rate: 48000.00 Hz.
[INFO] [Video] Set video size to: fullscreen.
[ERROR] [Wayland] Failed to connect to Wayland server.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Vulkan dynamic library loaded.
[INFO] [XINERAMA] Xinerama version: 1.1.
[INFO] [XINERAMA] Xinerama screens: 1.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using Xinerama on screen #0.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using windowed fullscreen.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Found GPU at index 0: "AMD Radeon Graphics (RADV RENOIR)".
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using GPU index 0.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using semaphores for WSI acquire.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using GPU: "AMD Radeon Graphics (RADV RENOIR)".
[INFO] [Vulkan] Queue family 0 supports 1 sub-queues.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Got 3 swapchain images.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using resolution 1918x1035.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using RGB565 format.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Loading stock shader.
[INFO] [udev] Pad #0 (/dev/input/event3) supports 0 force feedback effects.
[INFO] [Autoconf] Arduino LLC Arduino Micro configurato nella porta 1.
[INFO] [udev] Pad #1 (/dev/input/event10) supports force feedback.
[INFO] [udev] Pad #1 (/dev/input/event10) supports 16 force feedback effects.
[INFO] [Autoconf] Microsoft X-Box pad v2 (US) configurato nella porta 2.
[INFO] [Input] Found joypad driver: "udev".
[ERROR] [DBus] Failed to suspend screensaver via DBus.
[INFO] [X11] Suspending screensaver (X11, xdg-screensaver).
[INFO] [Video] Found display server: "x11".
[INFO] [Audio] Set audio input rate to: 48000.00 Hz.
[INFO] [PulseAudio] Requested 24576 bytes buffer, got 18432.
[INFO] [Audio] Started synchronous audio driver.
[INFO] [ALSA] Using ALSA version 1.2.16.1
[INFO] [Microphone] Initialized microphone driver.
[INFO] [Display] Found display driver: "vulkan".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento file preferiti: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_favorites.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento dei file della cronologia: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento dei file della cronologia: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_image_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento dei file della cronologia: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_music_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento dei file della cronologia: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_video_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Vulkan] Resized fullscreen resolution to 1918x1035.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Resized fullscreen resolution to 1920x1080.
[INFO] [Core] Using content: "/media/DATI/EMU/A2600/Adventures of TRON (USA).7z#Adventures of TRON (USA).a26".
[INFO] [Core] Unloading core...
[INFO] [Core] Unloading core symbols...
[INFO] [XINERAMA] Xinerama version: 1.1.
[INFO] [XINERAMA] Xinerama screens: 1.
[INFO] [XINERAMA] Saved monitor #0.
[INFO] RetroArch 1.22.2 (Git 69a4f0ea1e)
[INFO] === Build =======================================
[INFO] CPU Model Name: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G with Radeon Graphics         
[INFO] Funzionalità: MMX MMXEXT SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4 SSE42 AES AVX AVX2 
[INFO] Version: 1.22.2
[INFO] Git: 69a4f0ea1e
[INFO] Built: Dec  7 2025
[INFO] =================================================
[INFO] [Input] Found input driver: "x".
[INFO] [Core] Loading dynamic libretro core from: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/cores/stella_libretro.so".
[INFO] [Override] Reindirizzare il file di salvataggio su "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/saves/Stella/Adventures of TRON (USA).srm".
[INFO] [Override] Reindirizza il salvataggio rapido in "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/states/Stella/Adventures of TRON (USA).state".
[INFO] [Environ] GET_CORE_OPTIONS_VERSION.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_CORE_OPTIONS_V2.
[INFO] [Environ] GET_LOG_INTERFACE.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_PERFORMANCE_LEVEL: 4.
[INFO] [Content] Caricamento dei file di contenuto: "/media/DATI/EMU/A2600/Adventures of TRON (USA).7z#Adventures of TRON (USA).a26".
[INFO] [Content] CRC32: 0x1b8019d6.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_CONTROLLER_INFO.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_INPUT_DESCRIPTORS.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_PIXEL_FORMAT: XRGB8888.
[libretro INFO] Stella 8.0_pre
[libretro INFO]   Features: Sound 
[libretro INFO]   Build 8005, using Custom backend [x86_64]
[libretro INFO] Base directory:     '.'
[libretro INFO] State directory:    '.'
[libretro INFO] NVRam directory:    '.'
[libretro INFO] Persistence:        'none'
[libretro INFO] Cheat file:         '.'
[libretro INFO] Palette file:       '.'
[libretro INFO] event version mismatch; dropping previous joystick mappings
[libretro INFO] converting legacy combo mapping
[libretro INFO] Video system: libretro
[libretro INFO] Game console created:
[libretro INFO]   ROM file: .
[libretro INFO]   PRO file: .
[libretro INFO]   Cart Name:       Adventures of TRON (1983) (M Network)
[libretro INFO]   Cart MD5:        ca4f8c5b4d6fb9d608bb96bc7ebd26c7
[libretro INFO]   Controller 0:    Joystick in left port
[libretro INFO]   Controller 1:    Joystick in right port
[libretro INFO]   Display Format:  NTSC*
[libretro INFO]   Bankswitch Type: 4K* (4K) 
[INFO] [Environ] SET_GEOMETRY: 320x228, Aspect: 1.203.
[INFO] [SRAM] Carico SRAM saltato.
[INFO] [Core] Versione delle API di libretro: 1, Compilato contro API: 1
[INFO] [Core] Geometry: 320x228, Aspect: 1.203, FPS: 60.00, Sample rate: 31440.00 Hz.
[INFO] [Video] Set video size to: fullscreen.
[ERROR] [Wayland] Failed to connect to Wayland server.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Vulkan dynamic library loaded.
[INFO] [XINERAMA] Xinerama version: 1.1.
[INFO] [XINERAMA] Xinerama screens: 1.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using Xinerama on screen #0.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using windowed fullscreen.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Found GPU at index 0: "AMD Radeon Graphics (RADV RENOIR)".
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using GPU index 0.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using semaphores for WSI acquire.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using GPU: "AMD Radeon Graphics (RADV RENOIR)".
[INFO] [Vulkan] Queue family 0 supports 1 sub-queues.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Got 3 swapchain images.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using resolution 1918x1035.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using BGRA8888 format.
[INFO] [Shaders] Specific shader preset found at "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/config/Stella/Stella.slangp".
[INFO] [Slang] Compiling shader: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/shaders/shaders_slang/vhs/shaders/vhs_and_crt_godot.slang".
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using render target format R8G8B8A8_UNORM for pass output #0.
[INFO] [Slang] Compiling shader: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/shaders/shaders_slang/vhs/shaders/vhs_font.slang".
[INFO] [Vulkan] Using render target format R8G8B8A8_UNORM for pass output #1.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1245x1035 (max 1 level(s)).
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1245x1035 (max 1 level(s)).
[INFO] [udev] Pad #0 (/dev/input/event3) supports 0 force feedback effects.
[INFO] [udev] Pad #1 (/dev/input/event10) supports force feedback.
[INFO] [udev] Pad #1 (/dev/input/event10) supports 16 force feedback effects.
[INFO] [Input] Found joypad driver: "udev".
[ERROR] [DBus] Failed to suspend screensaver via DBus.
[INFO] [X11] Suspending screensaver (X11, xdg-screensaver).
[INFO] [Video] Found display server: "x11".
[INFO] [Audio] Set audio input rate to: 31440.00 Hz.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1245x1035 (max 1 level(s)).
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1245x1035 (max 1 level(s)).
[INFO] [PulseAudio] Requested 24576 bytes buffer, got 18432.
[INFO] [Audio] Started synchronous audio driver.
[INFO] [ALSA] Using ALSA version 1.2.16.1
[INFO] [Microphone] Initialized microphone driver.
[INFO] [Display] Found display driver: "vulkan".
[INFO] [Qt] Reloading shader parameters.
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento file preferiti: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_favorites.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento dei file della cronologia: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento dei file della cronologia: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_image_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento dei file della cronologia: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_music_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Caricamento dei file della cronologia: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_video_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Playlist] Written to file: "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/playlists/builtin/content_history.lpl".
[INFO] [Environ] GET_CORE_OPTIONS_VERSION.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_CORE_OPTIONS_V2.
[INFO] [Core] Saved core options file to "/home/topo/.config/retroarch/config/Stella/Stella.opt".
[INFO] [Environ] GET_LOG_INTERFACE.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_PERFORMANCE_LEVEL: 4.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_CONTROLLER_INFO.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_INPUT_DESCRIPTORS.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_PIXEL_FORMAT: XRGB8888.
[libretro INFO] Stella 8.0_pre
[libretro INFO]   Features: Sound 
[libretro INFO]   Build 8005, using Custom backend [x86_64]
[libretro INFO] Base directory:     '.'
[libretro INFO] State directory:    '.'
[libretro INFO] NVRam directory:    '.'
[libretro INFO] Persistence:        'none'
[libretro INFO] Cheat file:         '.'
[libretro INFO] Palette file:       '.'
[libretro INFO] event version mismatch; dropping previous joystick mappings
[libretro INFO] converting legacy combo mapping
[libretro INFO] Video system: libretro
[libretro INFO] Game console created:
[libretro INFO]   ROM file: .
[libretro INFO]   PRO file: .
[libretro INFO]   Cart Name:       Adventures of TRON (1983) (M Network)
[libretro INFO]   Cart MD5:        ca4f8c5b4d6fb9d608bb96bc7ebd26c7
[libretro INFO]   Controller 0:    Joystick in left port
[libretro INFO]   Controller 1:    Joystick in right port
[libretro INFO]   Display Format:  NTSC*
[libretro INFO]   Bankswitch Type: 4K* (4K) 
[INFO] [Environ] SET_GEOMETRY.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_GEOMETRY.
[INFO] [Environ] SET_GEOMETRY.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Resized fullscreen resolution to 1918x1035.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1245x1035 (max 1 level(s)).
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1245x1035 (max 1 level(s)).
[INFO] [Vulkan] Updating framebuffer size 1299x1080 (format: 37).
[INFO] [Vulkan] Updating framebuffer size 1299x1080 (format: 37).
[INFO] [Vulkan] Resized fullscreen resolution to 1920x1080.
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1299x1080 (max 1 level(s)).
[INFO] [Vulkan] Creating framebuffer 1299x1080 (max 1 level(s)).
[libretro INFO] 12:29:53: audio buffer overflow (316 times in 100  milliseconds)
[libretro INFO] 12:29:53: audio buffer overflow (645 times in 200  milliseconds)
[libretro INFO] 12:29:54: audio buffer overflow (1288 times in 400  milliseconds)
[libretro INFO] 12:29:55: audio buffer overflow (2564 times in 800  milliseconds)
[libretro INFO] 12:29:56: audio buffer overflow (5146 times in 1600  milliseconds)

Steps to Reproduce:

Launch Adventures of TRON (USA) using the Stella core.
Leave the game on the title/demo screen.
Press the Start button on the gamepad.
RetroArch freezes/crashes immediately due to audio/video desync loop.

hunterk · 19 June 2026 00:50

I was able to reproduce this issue, and bisecting suggests this is the bad commit, from about two years ago: https://github.com/stella-emu/stella/commit/56a82682d5bf9ffc9ac396247a06c9c4b891b5f3

I’m not sure what to do about it, though, since I don’t really see how it would break just that game (not that I’m an expert on 2600 quirks).

Have you tried it in standalone Stella to see if it happens there, as well, and just slipped through the cracks? That’s a bit of a long shot, but it’s worth checking.