ok, got it, thanks:

the file is: es_launch_stdout.log

the stderr doesn't change when I run emulators.

When I try to run an emulator and it just comes back to the menu, I would like to be able to see the log.

but the files in /share/system/logs are not changing

do I need to enable logging somewhere? or am I looking at the wrong place?

I ended up doing a re-install; but there is clearly a bug somewhere linked to controller settings and mame. I wish I had been able to isolate the issue.

I have found the problem, but I don't know what causes it:

I can run any MAME game, but using the gamepad will crash the emulator.

If I run the game in attract mode and don't touch the gamepad, it will run fine.
If I press buttons on the gamepad, the emulator will crash to a black screen.
This is happening on every title, so there is a problem with the handling of the controller.

Other emulators are not affected, it is specific to MAME.

I tried to do button remapping and that was the only controller change I did.

@iggy2 The games run in my case, they just all crash

Is there a resource I can have a look at to find out what's the proper way to do this?

What's the relationship between the different config files?

I found video settings in:

/boot/config.txt
/recalbox/share/system/recalbox.conf
/recalbox/share_init/system/recalbox.conf

I feel a bit lost :)

After some research, I found that it is related to the input system: if I leave the games in attract mode, no crash. If I play, it will crash.

I did fiddle with the gamepad settings, but that still indicates a problem. I'll try to pinpoint what I changed.

Is there a way to force a specific resolution both for the menu and the emulators?

I have a TV that takes ages when switching from 1080p <-> 720p and I'd like to find a way to lock the resolution.

I have changed the setting in /recalbox/share/system/recalbox.conf and /recalbox/share_init/system/recalbox.conf to set 1080 but it still toggles between 1080p in the menu and 1080i in the games.

(I found that the Atari 2600 emulator crashes in 1080p)

BurgerTime and Pitfall 2 crash the emulator; They're both quite unique cartridges (BT has a unique bankswitching mechanism and Pitfall 2 has extra hardware).

But for example Millipede, which has a standard bankswitching mechanism doesn't run and the emulator quits right away; same for Jr PacMan which quits right away

Can someone check if these games work for them or if it is this something linked to my setup?