Savefile or savestate

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Apparently some people do not know the difference between save files and savestates. Here are some steps to follow to choose the correct word so that other people know what you are talking about:


  • You launch the game in the emulator. In order to return to where you left off in the game...
  • Do you navigate through the game's menus, using the bottom screen of the emulator? If so then you are using SAVE FILES.
  • Do you use a hotkey such as 1 or F1 or anything from the menu bar of the emulator (containing such things as FILE, EMULATION, VIEW, CONFIG, etc.)? In other word, do you save using the menu option 'Save State'? If so then you are using SAVESTATES.
  • Have you ever used a save point in the game? IF NOT, then you are using SAVESTATES.


To save us trouble, DO NOT USE SAVESTATES. These are likely to break between emulator versions.

Instead use SAVE FILES. These are likely to survive between emulator versions.

This means that you will have to use save points within the game.

SAVESTATES are stored in .ds* files, where '*' is a digit (0-9). For example, .ds1 or .ds2.

SAVE FILES are stored in .dsv files.

If you do not have any .ds(0-9) files then YOU ARE USING SAVE FILES.

If you have a .dsv file then it does not mean anything since there will always be a .dsv file.

Note: SAVE FILES are also known as: "Battery Save", or "In-Game Save".

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