rollback netcode

noun

A type of netcode that prioritizes the inputs of a local player and predicts the inputs of a remote player, rolling back to a previous state when the remote player's inputs differ from the prediction.

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Meanings

nounrollback netcode (uncountable)
  1. uncountablecomputingA type of netcode that prioritizes the inputs of a local player and predicts the inputs of a remote player, rolling back to a previous state when the remote player's inputs differ from the prediction.

    Despite Killer Instinct’s pedigree as an excellent game, there’s no doubt that its superb rollback netcode has played a huge part in the sustained growth of its community.

    2019 October 18, Ricky Pusch, “Explaining how fighting games use delay-based and rollback netcode”, in Ars Technica, archived from the original on 18 Oct 2019
    3 more examples

    Of course, there’s a huge difference between a traditional 1v1 fighting game and melee combat taking place in an open world with 60 players, especially when the rollback netcode that has become favoured within the fighting-game community wasn’t designed for the latter.

    2021 November 29, “Naraka: Bladepoint”, in Edge, number 363, via EBSCOhost, →ISSN, page 108

    Using Dolphin, Slippi is able to enhance Dolphin’s online functionality with rollback netcode, allowing players from around the world to connect and play with little to no latency.

    2023, Damian Majewski, “Videogame Streaming and Emulators – A Slippi Slope for Fair Use?”, in Rutgers Computer & Technology Law Journal, volume 49, number 2, via EBSCOhost, page 429

    Konami made some great scrolling fighters back in the day and X-Men: The Arcade Game is one of its best. It’s a gloriously entertaining romp with a host of iconic villains to duff up and six playable characters to master. Each brawler has a good range of moves, there’s some extremely funky music and Limited Run has included the option to play online with Rollback Netcode.

    2026 May 29, Darren Jones, “Marvel MaXimum Collection: Have Limited Run Games Put in Maximum Effort?”, in Retro Gamer, number 285, via EBSCOhost, →ISSN, page 90
Cite this entry
APA

rollback netcode. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rollback%20netcode

MLA

“rollback netcode.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rollback%20netcode. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rollback netcode,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rollback%20netcode.

Source: rollback netcode on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.