RetroFE vs Rocksmith+

RetroFE is a free, open-source front end for displaying, selecting and launching games, videos and programs, commonly used for game emulation. Collections arrange games and menu items into systems and submenus, and can show media such as box art, screenshots, logos and videos. Layouts set the front end’s appearance, with the option for collections to use their own layouts. Launcher configuration specifies an executable and arguments for starting an emulator, application or game; per-game launcher settings can override a collection’s default. Controls such as up, down, select and back are configured in a controls file. Its game information database can hold details including year, manufacturer, genre and player count. Setup involves editing global settings and controls files, then adding or editing collections. Full releases include a 32-bit Windows executable and a 64-bit Linux executable. Windows requires a recent Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio; some Linux distributions may require compiling from source. macOS users need to compile their own executable. Community-made themes are available for installation in the layouts directory, and the maker points users to forums and describes community support.

Rocksmith+ is Ubisoft's music-learning service for guitar, bass, and piano. Its expanding library includes official recordings and covers across rock, hip hop, pop, metal, soundtracks, Latin, and classical. The service tracks and analyzes playing and provides instant recommendations. Practice tools include Riff Repeater, Adaptive Difficulty, interactive video lessons, and sheet music. The Free to Play plan costs nothing and includes lessons and a selection of 20 songs; a subscription unlocks the full licensed song catalog. Paid access starts at $7.99/mo, with listed options for one month, three months, and a 12-Month All-Access Plan. The service runs on Android, iOS, and Windows and includes progress tracking and cloud saves, but not offline access. On PC, playing requires a persistent internet connection, a guitar or bass, and separately purchased connection equipment. Supported instrument connections include ASIO and WASAPI devices; Ubisoft recommends compatible hardware supporting 16-bit, 48 kHz operation.