Emulator Save Backup and Save-State Version History

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Checkpoint64 gives emulator save states something they've never had: a full version history and sync across machines. RetroArch, Dolphin, PCSX2, DuckStation, PPSSPP, RPCS3, and Cemu all have presets, so your save states and memory cards finally get a rewind button and a home in the cloud.

Why emulator saves need backup

Save states are the fast, fragile heart of emulation. They snapshot the whole machine in an instant — and they're just as easy to overwrite in an instant. There's no cloud behind most emulators, an update can break old states, and one wrong slot can wipe hours of a challenge run. If you're speedrunning, doing a low-level challenge, or grinding a long RPG on a handheld emulator, a single overwrite hurts.

Save states vs in-game saves vs memory cards

  • In-game save — written by the game at its own save points.
  • Save state — an emulator snapshot of the entire machine's memory at one moment. Fast, powerful, and easy to clobber.
  • Memory card — a virtual card (PS1/PS2, GameCube) that stores in-game saves for a whole library.

Checkpoint64 backs up all three — whatever your emulator writes to its save folder gets a version history.

Supported emulators

Emulator Systems
RetroArch Multi-system front-end (NES → PSP and beyond)
Dolphin GameCube, Wii
PCSX2 PlayStation 2
DuckStation PlayStation 1
PPSSPP PSP
RPCS3 PlayStation 3
Cemu Wii U

Not listed? Any emulator works — point Checkpoint64 at its save folder and choose the files yourself.

Sync save states between PCs

Because every version lives in your account, your states aren't stuck on one machine. Start a run on your desktop, Restore the state on your laptop, and pick up where you left off — the same save history follows you to any PC you sign in on. It runs on Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon), and Linux.

How to back up your emulator saves

  1. Pick your emulator. The preset for the seven supported emulators already knows the folder; for anything else, point it yourself.
  2. Turn on auto-backup. Every 30 seconds Checkpoint64 checks for a changed state and uploads a new version — only what changed is sent.
  3. Roll back or move machines. Open Versions to restore an earlier state, or restore the latest on a different PC.

Common questions

Which emulators does Checkpoint64 support?

Seven have presets out of the box: RetroArch, Dolphin, PCSX2, DuckStation, PPSSPP, RPCS3, and Cemu. Each preset knows where that emulator keeps its saves and save states. Any other emulator works too — point Checkpoint64 at its save folder and pick the files yourself.

Can I sync emulator save states between two PCs?

Yes — that's a core use. Checkpoint64 uploads your save states and memory cards, so you can restore them on another machine you're signed in on. Start a game on your desktop, restore the state on your laptop, and keep going.

Does it back up RetroArch saves?

Yes. RetroArch has a preset, so Checkpoint64 knows where its saves and save states live and keeps a version history of them. If a save state gets overwritten, you can roll back to an earlier one.

What's the difference between a save state and an in-game save?

An in-game save is written by the game itself at save points. A save state is an emulator snapshot of the entire machine's memory at one instant — powerful, but easy to overwrite and fragile across emulator updates. Both are worth backing up, and Checkpoint64 versions both.