diff --git a/core/emulator.cpp b/core/emulator.cpp
index da39cac90..1cf948f9e 100644
--- a/core/emulator.cpp
+++ b/core/emulator.cpp
@@ -37,9 +37,9 @@
 #include "network/ggpo.h"
 #include "hw/mem/mem_watch.h"
 #include "network/net_handshake.h"
+#include "rend/gui.h"
 #include <chrono>
 
-std::atomic<bool> loading_canceled;
 settings_t settings;
 
 static void loadSpecialSettings()
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ static int getGamePlatform(const char *path)
 	return DC_PLATFORM_DREAMCAST;
 }
 
-void Emulator::loadGame(const char *path)
+void Emulator::loadGame(const char *path, LoadProgress *progress)
 {
 	init();
 	try {
@@ -458,9 +458,7 @@ void Emulator::loadGame(const char *path)
 		else if (settings.platform.system == DC_PLATFORM_NAOMI || settings.platform.system == DC_PLATFORM_ATOMISWAVE)
 		{
 			LoadRomFiles();
-			naomi_cart_LoadRom(path);
-			if (loading_canceled)
-				return;
+			naomi_cart_LoadRom(path, progress);
 			loadGameSpecificSettings();
 			// Reload the BIOS in case a game-specific region is set
 			naomi_cart_LoadBios(path);
@@ -641,7 +639,8 @@ bool dc_loadstate(const void **data, u32 size)
 
 void Emulator::setNetworkState(bool online)
 {
-	DEBUG_LOG(NETWORK, "Network state %d", online);
+	if (settings.online != online)
+		DEBUG_LOG(NETWORK, "Network state %d", online);
 	settings.online = online;
 	settings.input.fastForwardMode &= !online;
 }
diff --git a/core/emulator.h b/core/emulator.h
index 826157708..3f9a8cafa 100644
--- a/core/emulator.h
+++ b/core/emulator.h
@@ -25,25 +25,19 @@
 #include <vector>
 #include <future>
 #include <string>
+#include <memory>
 
 void loadGameSpecificSettings();
 void SaveSettings();
 
-extern std::atomic<bool> loading_canceled;
-
 int flycast_init(int argc, char* argv[]);
 void dc_reset(bool hard);
-void dc_term();
+void flycast_term();
 void dc_exit();
 void dc_savestate(int index = 0);
 void dc_loadstate(int index = 0);
 bool dc_loadstate(const void **data, unsigned size);
 
-void dc_load_game(const std::string& path);
-bool dc_is_load_done();
-void dc_cancel_load();
-void dc_get_load_status();
-
 enum class Event {
 	Start,
 	Pause,
@@ -80,6 +74,19 @@ private:
 	std::map<Event, std::vector<Callback>> callbacks;
 };
 
+struct LoadProgress
+{
+	void reset()
+	{
+		cancelled = false;
+		label = nullptr;
+		progress = 0.f;
+	}
+	std::atomic<bool> cancelled;
+	std::atomic<const char *> label;
+	std::atomic<float> progress;
+};
+
 class Emulator
 {
 public:
@@ -96,7 +103,7 @@ public:
 	 * May throw if the game cannot be loaded.
 	 * If a game is already loaded, or the emulator is in the error state, unloadGame() must be called first.
 	 */
-	void loadGame(const char *path);
+	void loadGame(const char *path, LoadProgress *progress = nullptr);
 	/**
 	 * Reset the emulator in order to load another game. After calling this method, only loadGame() and term() can be called.
 	 * Does nothing if no game is loaded.
diff --git a/core/hw/naomi/awcartridge.cpp b/core/hw/naomi/awcartridge.cpp
index 9ffe21a83..0b4bf0ae2 100644
--- a/core/hw/naomi/awcartridge.cpp
+++ b/core/hw/naomi/awcartridge.cpp
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ u16 AWCartridge::decrypt(u16 cipherText, u32 address, const u8 key)
 }
 
 
-void AWCartridge::Init()
+void AWCartridge::Init(LoadProgress *progress)
 {
 	mpr_offset = decrypt16(0x58/2) | (decrypt16(0x5a/2) << 16);
 	INFO_LOG(NAOMI, "AWCartridge::SetKey rombd_key %02x mpr_offset %08x", rombd_key, mpr_offset);
diff --git a/core/hw/naomi/awcartridge.h b/core/hw/naomi/awcartridge.h
index 2311ec277..c5d0e0106 100644
--- a/core/hw/naomi/awcartridge.h
+++ b/core/hw/naomi/awcartridge.h
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class AWCartridge: public Cartridge
 public:
 	AWCartridge(u32 size) : Cartridge(size) {}
 
-	void Init() override;
+	void Init(LoadProgress *progress = nullptr) override;
 	u32 ReadMem(u32 address, u32 size) override;
 	void WriteMem(u32 address, u32 data, u32 size) override;
 
diff --git a/core/hw/naomi/gdcartridge.cpp b/core/hw/naomi/gdcartridge.cpp
index 0e1ec779d..ba2a8ffed 100644
--- a/core/hw/naomi/gdcartridge.cpp
+++ b/core/hw/naomi/gdcartridge.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 #include "gdcartridge.h"
 #include "stdclass.h"
 #include "emulator.h"
-#include "rend/gui.h"
 
 /*
 
@@ -436,12 +435,12 @@ void GDCartridge::find_file(const char *name, const u8 *dir_sector, u32 &file_st
 	}
 }
 
-void GDCartridge::read_gdrom(Disc *gdrom, u32 sector, u8* dst, u32 count)
+void GDCartridge::read_gdrom(Disc *gdrom, u32 sector, u8* dst, u32 count, LoadProgress *progress)
 {
-	gdrom->ReadSectors(sector + 150, count, dst, 2048);
+	gdrom->ReadSectors(sector + 150, count, dst, 2048, progress);
 }
 
-void GDCartridge::device_start()
+void GDCartridge::device_start(LoadProgress *progress)
 {
 	if (dimm_data != NULL)
 	{
@@ -494,15 +493,15 @@ void GDCartridge::device_start()
 
 		u8 buffer[2048];
 		std::string gdrom_path = get_game_basename() + "/" + gdrom_name;
-		Disc *gdrom = OpenDisc(gdrom_path + ".chd");
+		std::unique_ptr<Disc> gdrom = std::unique_ptr<Disc>(OpenDisc(gdrom_path + ".chd"));
 		if (gdrom == nullptr)
-			gdrom = OpenDisc(gdrom_path + ".gdi");
+			gdrom = std::unique_ptr<Disc>(OpenDisc(gdrom_path + ".gdi"));
 		if (gdrom_parent_name != nullptr && gdrom == nullptr)
 		{
 			std::string gdrom_parent_path = get_game_dir() + "/" + gdrom_parent_name + "/" + gdrom_name;
-			gdrom = OpenDisc(gdrom_parent_path + ".chd");
+			gdrom = std::unique_ptr<Disc>(OpenDisc(gdrom_parent_path + ".chd"));
 			if (gdrom == nullptr)
-				gdrom = OpenDisc(gdrom_parent_path + ".gdi");
+				gdrom = std::unique_ptr<Disc>(OpenDisc(gdrom_parent_path + ".gdi"));
 		}
 		if (gdrom == nullptr)
 			throw NaomiCartException("Naomi GDROM: Cannot open " + gdrom_path + ".chd or " + gdrom_path + ".gdi");
@@ -510,13 +509,13 @@ void GDCartridge::device_start()
 		// primary volume descriptor
 		// read frame 0xb06e (frame=sector+150)
 		// dimm board firmware starts straight from this frame
-		read_gdrom(gdrom, (netpic ? 0 : 45000) + 16, buffer);
+		read_gdrom(gdrom.get(), (netpic ? 0 : 45000) + 16, buffer);
 		u32 path_table = ((buffer[0x8c+0] << 0) |
 								(buffer[0x8c+1] << 8) |
 								(buffer[0x8c+2] << 16) |
 								(buffer[0x8c+3] << 24));
 		// path table
-		read_gdrom(gdrom, path_table, buffer);
+		read_gdrom(gdrom.get(), path_table, buffer);
 
 		// directory
 		u8 dir_sector[2048];
@@ -529,12 +528,12 @@ void GDCartridge::device_start()
 				(buffer[0x2 + 2] << 16) |
 				(buffer[0x2 + 3] << 24));
 
-			read_gdrom(gdrom, dir, dir_sector);
+			read_gdrom(gdrom.get(), dir, dir_sector);
 			find_file(name, dir_sector, file_start, file_size);
 
 			if (file_start && (file_size == 0x100)) {
 				// read file
-				read_gdrom(gdrom, file_start, buffer);
+				read_gdrom(gdrom.get(), file_start, buffer);
 				// get "rom" file name
 				memset(name, '\0', 128);
 				memcpy(name, buffer + 0xc0, FILENAME_LENGTH - 1);
@@ -550,7 +549,7 @@ void GDCartridge::device_start()
 						(buffer[i + 4] << 16) |
 						(buffer[i + 5] << 24));
 					memcpy(name, "ROM.BIN", 7);
-					read_gdrom(gdrom, dir, dir_sector);
+					read_gdrom(gdrom.get(), dir, dir_sector);
 					break;
 				}
 				i += buffer[i] + 8 + (buffer[i] & 1);
@@ -570,31 +569,25 @@ void GDCartridge::device_start()
 
 			// read encrypted data into dimm_data
 			u32 sectors = file_rounded_size / 2048;
-			read_gdrom(gdrom, file_start, dimm_data, sectors);
+			read_gdrom(gdrom.get(), file_start, dimm_data, sectors, progress);
 
 			// decrypt loaded data
 			u32 des_subkeys[32];
 			des_generate_subkeys(rev64(key), des_subkeys);
 
-			u32 progress = ~0;
 			for (u32 i = 0; i < file_rounded_size; i += 8)
 			{
-				const u32 new_progress = (u32)(((u64)i + 8) * 100 / file_rounded_size);
-				if (progress != new_progress)
+				if (progress != nullptr)
 				{
-					if (loading_canceled)
-						break;
-					progress = new_progress;
-					char status_str[16];
-					sprintf(status_str, "Decrypting %d%%", progress);
-					gui_display_notification(status_str, 2000);
+					if (progress->cancelled)
+						throw LoadCancelledException();
+					progress->label = "Decrypting...";
+					progress->progress = (float)(i + 8) / file_rounded_size;
 				}
 				*(u64 *)(dimm_data + i) = des_encrypt_decrypt<true>(*(u64 *)(dimm_data + i), des_subkeys);
 			}
 		}
 
-		delete gdrom;
-
 		if (!dimm_data)
 			throw NaomiCartException("Naomi GDROM: Could not find the file to decrypt.");
 	}
diff --git a/core/hw/naomi/gdcartridge.h b/core/hw/naomi/gdcartridge.h
index 56a2b1f21..843884032 100644
--- a/core/hw/naomi/gdcartridge.h
+++ b/core/hw/naomi/gdcartridge.h
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ public:
 	{
 		free(dimm_data);
 	}
-	void Init() override
+	void Init(LoadProgress *progress = nullptr) override
 	{
-		device_start();
+		device_start(progress);
 		device_reset();
 	}
 	void* GetDmaPtr(u32 &size) override;
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ private:
 	static const u32 DES_MASK_TABLE[];
 	static const u8 DES_ROTATE_TABLE[16];
 
-	void device_start();
+	void device_start(LoadProgress *progress);
 	void device_reset();
 	void find_file(const char *name, const u8 *dir_sector, u32 &file_start, u32 &file_size);
 
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ private:
 	template<bool decrypt>
 	u64 des_encrypt_decrypt(u64 src, const u32 *des_subkeys);
 	u64 rev64(u64 src);
-	void read_gdrom(Disc *gdrom, u32 sector, u8* dst, u32 count = 1);
+	void read_gdrom(Disc *gdrom, u32 sector, u8* dst, u32 count = 1, LoadProgress *progress = nullptr);
 };
 
 #endif /* CORE_HW_NAOMI_GDCARTRIDGE_H_ */
diff --git a/core/hw/naomi/m4cartridge.h b/core/hw/naomi/m4cartridge.h
index 40e589b75..aa93c0b7e 100644
--- a/core/hw/naomi/m4cartridge.h
+++ b/core/hw/naomi/m4cartridge.h
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public:
 	M4Cartridge(u32 size) : NaomiCartridge(size) { }
 	~M4Cartridge() override;
 
-	void Init() override
+	void Init(LoadProgress *progress = nullptr) override
 	{
 		device_start();
 		device_reset();
diff --git a/core/hw/naomi/naomi_cart.cpp b/core/hw/naomi/naomi_cart.cpp
index 0f5219fff..6285e6909 100644
--- a/core/hw/naomi/naomi_cart.cpp
+++ b/core/hw/naomi/naomi_cart.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 #include "archive/archive.h"
 #include "stdclass.h"
 #include "emulator.h"
-#include "rend/gui.h"
 #include "cfg/option.h"
 #include "oslib/oslib.h"
 
@@ -197,7 +196,7 @@ void naomi_cart_LoadBios(const char *filename)
 	bios_loaded = true;
 }
 
-static void naomi_cart_LoadZip(const char *filename)
+static void naomi_cart_LoadZip(const char *filename, LoadProgress *progress)
 {
 	Game *game = FindGame(filename);
 	if (game == NULL)
@@ -257,12 +256,22 @@ static void naomi_cart_LoadZip(const char *filename)
 		CurrentCartridge->SetKey(game->key);
 		NaomiGameInputs = game->inputs;
 
-		for (int romid = 0; game->blobs[romid].filename != NULL && !loading_canceled; romid++)
+		int romCount = 0;
+		while (game->blobs[romCount].filename != nullptr)
+			romCount++;
+		for (int romid = 0; romid < romCount; romid++)
 		{
-			if (game->cart_type != GD)
+			if (progress != nullptr)
 			{
-				std::string progress = "ROM " + std::to_string(romid + 1);
-				gui_display_notification(progress.c_str(), 1000);
+				if (progress->cancelled)
+					throw LoadCancelledException();
+				if (game->cart_type != GD)
+				{
+					static std::string label;
+					label = "ROM " + std::to_string(romid + 1);
+					progress->label = label.c_str();
+					progress->progress = (float)(romid + 1) / romCount;
+				}
 			}
 
 			u32 len = game->blobs[romid].length;
@@ -350,31 +359,26 @@ static void naomi_cart_LoadZip(const char *filename)
 				}
 			}
 		}
-		if (loading_canceled)
-			return;
 		if (naomi_default_eeprom == NULL && game->eeprom_dump != NULL)
 			naomi_default_eeprom = game->eeprom_dump;
 		if (game->rotation_flag == ROT270)
 			config::Rotate90.override(true);
 
-		CurrentCartridge->Init();
-		if (loading_canceled)
-			return;
+		CurrentCartridge->Init(progress);
 
 		strcpy(naomi_game_id, CurrentCartridge->GetGameId().c_str());
 		if (naomi_game_id[0] == '\0')
 			strcpy(naomi_game_id, game->name);
 		NOTICE_LOG(NAOMI, "NAOMI GAME ID [%s]", naomi_game_id);
 
-	} catch (const FlycastException& ex) {
+	} catch (...) {
 		delete CurrentCartridge;
 		CurrentCartridge = NULL;
-
-		throw ex;
+		throw;
 	}
 }
 
-void naomi_cart_LoadRom(const char* file)
+void naomi_cart_LoadRom(const char* file, LoadProgress *progress)
 {
 	naomi_cart_Close();
 
@@ -382,7 +386,7 @@ void naomi_cart_LoadRom(const char* file)
 
 	if (extension == "zip" || extension == "7z")
 	{
-		naomi_cart_LoadZip(file);
+		naomi_cart_LoadZip(file, progress);
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -609,6 +613,11 @@ std::string Cartridge::GetGameId() {
 	}
 	while (!game_id.empty() && game_id.back() == ' ')
 		game_id.pop_back();
+	if (RomSize < 0x138)
+		printf("GAME EEPROM ID: (ROM too small)\n");
+	else
+		printf("GAME EEPROM ID: %c%c%c%c\n", RomPtr[0x134], RomPtr[0x135], RomPtr[0x136], RomPtr[0x137]);
+
 	return game_id;
 }
 
@@ -918,6 +927,10 @@ std::string M2Cartridge::GetGameId()
 		game_id = std::string((char *)RomPtr + 0x800030, 0x20);
 		while (!game_id.empty() && game_id.back() == ' ')
 			game_id.pop_back();
+		if (RomSize < 0x800138)
+			printf("m2 GAME EEPROM ID: (ROM too small)\n");
+		else
+			printf("m2 GAME EEPROM ID: %c%c%c%c\n", RomPtr[0x800134], RomPtr[0x800135], RomPtr[0x800136], RomPtr[0x800137]);
 	}
 	return game_id;
 }
diff --git a/core/hw/naomi/naomi_cart.h b/core/hw/naomi/naomi_cart.h
index 4c18376fc..547720b4c 100644
--- a/core/hw/naomi/naomi_cart.h
+++ b/core/hw/naomi/naomi_cart.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <string>
 #include "types.h"
+#include "emulator.h"
 
 class Cartridge
 {
@@ -10,7 +11,7 @@ public:
 	Cartridge(u32 size);
 	virtual ~Cartridge();
 
-	virtual void Init() {}
+	virtual void Init(LoadProgress *progress = nullptr) {}
 	virtual u32 ReadMem(u32 address, u32 size) = 0;
 	virtual void WriteMem(u32 address, u32 data, u32 size) = 0;
 
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ public:
 	NaomiCartException(const std::string& reason) : FlycastException(reason) {}
 };
 
-void naomi_cart_LoadRom(const char* file);
+void naomi_cart_LoadRom(const char* file, LoadProgress *progress);
 void naomi_cart_Close();
 int naomi_cart_GetPlatform(const char *path);
 void naomi_cart_LoadBios(const char *filename);
diff --git a/core/imgread/common.cpp b/core/imgread/common.cpp
index 15dc08f08..152cc87d3 100644
--- a/core/imgread/common.cpp
+++ b/core/imgread/common.cpp
@@ -275,28 +275,20 @@ DiscType GuessDiscType(bool m1, bool m2, bool da)
 		return CdRom;
 }
 
-void Disc::ReadSectors(u32 FAD, u32 count, u8* dst, u32 fmt)
+void Disc::ReadSectors(u32 FAD, u32 count, u8* dst, u32 fmt, LoadProgress *progress)
 {
 	u8 temp[2448];
 	SectorFormat secfmt;
 	SubcodeFormat subfmt;
 
-	u32 progress = ~0;
 	for (u32 i = 1; i <= count; i++)
 	{
-		if (count >= 1000)
+		if (progress != nullptr)
 		{
-			if (loading_canceled)
-				break;
-			// Progress report when loading naomi gd-rom games
-			const u32 new_progress = i * 100 / count;
-			if (progress != new_progress)
-			{
-				progress = new_progress;
-				char status_str[16];
-				sprintf(status_str, "%d%%", progress);
-				gui_display_notification(status_str, 2000);
-			}
+			if (progress->cancelled)
+				throw LoadCancelledException();
+			progress->label = "Loading...";
+			progress->progress = (float)i / count;
 		}
 		if (ReadSector(FAD,temp,&secfmt,q_subchannel,&subfmt))
 		{
diff --git a/core/imgread/common.h b/core/imgread/common.h
index 1fb49ebc5..7b1d19e7c 100644
--- a/core/imgread/common.h
+++ b/core/imgread/common.h
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 
 #include "emulator.h"
 #include "hw/gdrom/gdrom_if.h"
-#include "rend/gui.h"
 
 /*
 Mode2 Subheader:
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@ struct Disc
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	void ReadSectors(u32 FAD,u32 count,u8* dst,u32 fmt);
+	void ReadSectors(u32 FAD, u32 count, u8 *dst, u32 fmt, LoadProgress *progress = nullptr);
 
 	virtual ~Disc() 
 	{
diff --git a/core/linux-dist/main.cpp b/core/linux-dist/main.cpp
index 25af39d79..12576b18e 100644
--- a/core/linux-dist/main.cpp
+++ b/core/linux-dist/main.cpp
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
 
 	mainui_loop();
 
-	emu.term();
+	flycast_term();
 
 	os_UninstallFaultHandler();
 
diff --git a/core/nullDC.cpp b/core/nullDC.cpp
index 9598a5808..d476212df 100644
--- a/core/nullDC.cpp
+++ b/core/nullDC.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 #ifndef LIBRETRO
 #include "types.h"
-#include <future>
-
 #include "emulator.h"
 #include "hw/mem/_vmem.h"
 #include "cfg/cfg.h"
@@ -9,14 +7,11 @@
 #include "log/LogManager.h"
 #include "rend/gui.h"
 #include "oslib/oslib.h"
-#include "hw/sh4/sh4_if.h"
 #include "debug/gdb_server.h"
 #include "archive/rzip.h"
 #include "rend/mainui.h"
 #include "input/gamepad_device.h"
 
-static std::future<void> loadingDone;
-
 int flycast_init(int argc, char* argv[])
 {
 #if defined(TEST_AUTOMATION)
@@ -58,7 +53,7 @@ int flycast_init(int argc, char* argv[])
 
 void dc_exit()
 {
-	emu.term();
+	emu.stop();
 	mainui_stop();
 }
 
@@ -73,11 +68,10 @@ void SaveSettings()
 #endif
 }
 
-void dc_term()
+void flycast_term()
 {
-	dc_cancel_load();
+	gui_cancel_load();
 	emu.term();
-	SaveSettings();
 }
 
 void dc_savestate(int index)
@@ -215,38 +209,4 @@ void dc_loadstate(int index)
     INFO_LOG(SAVESTATE, "Loaded state from %s size %d", filename.c_str(), total_size) ;
 }
 
-void dc_load_game(const std::string& path)
-{
-	loading_canceled = false;
-
-	loadingDone = std::async(std::launch::async, [path] {
-		emu.loadGame(path.c_str());
-	});
-}
-
-bool dc_is_load_done()
-{
-	if (!loadingDone.valid())
-		return true;
-	if (loadingDone.wait_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(0)) == std::future_status::ready)
-		return true;
-	return false;
-}
-
-void dc_cancel_load()
-{
-	if (loadingDone.valid())
-	{
-		loading_canceled = true;
-		loadingDone.get();
-	}
-	settings.content.path.clear();
-}
-
-void dc_get_load_status()
-{
-	if (loadingDone.valid())
-		loadingDone.get();
-}
 #endif
-
diff --git a/core/rend/dx9/dxcontext.cpp b/core/rend/dx9/dxcontext.cpp
index 18a23f990..00d51f59c 100644
--- a/core/rend/dx9/dxcontext.cpp
+++ b/core/rend/dx9/dxcontext.cpp
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ bool DXContext::Init(bool keepCurrentWindow)
 void DXContext::Term()
 {
 	overlay.term();
+	gui_term();
 	ImGui_ImplDX9_Shutdown();
 	pDevice.reset();
 	pD3D.reset();
diff --git a/core/rend/gui.cpp b/core/rend/gui.cpp
index 3f159c095..741e8071f 100644
--- a/core/rend/gui.cpp
+++ b/core/rend/gui.cpp
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ static void term_vmus();
 static void displayCrosshairs();
 
 GameScanner scanner;
+static BackgroundGameLoader gameLoader;
 
 static void emuEventCallback(Event event)
 {
@@ -409,7 +410,7 @@ void gui_open_settings()
 	}
 	else if (gui_state == GuiState::Loading)
 	{
-		dc_cancel_load();
+		gameLoader.cancel();
 		gui_state = GuiState::Main;
 	}
 	else if (gui_state == GuiState::Commands)
@@ -427,7 +428,7 @@ void gui_start_game(const std::string& path)
 
 	scanner.stop();
 	gui_state = GuiState::Loading;
-	dc_load_game(path);
+	gameLoader.load(path);
 }
 
 void gui_stop_game(const std::string& message)
@@ -2076,10 +2077,7 @@ static void gui_display_content()
 
 		ImGui::PushID("bios");
 		if (ImGui::Selectable("Dreamcast BIOS"))
-		{
-			gui_state = GuiState::Closed;
 			gui_start_game("");
-		}
 		ImGui::PopID();
 
 		{
@@ -2113,7 +2111,6 @@ static void gui_display_content()
 						{
 							std::string gamePath(game.path);
 							scanner.get_mutex().unlock();
-							gui_state = GuiState::Closed;
 							gui_start_game(gamePath);
 							scanner.get_mutex().lock();
 							ImGui::PopID();
@@ -2197,7 +2194,7 @@ static void gui_network_start()
 			if (networkStatus.get())
 			{
 				gui_state = GuiState::Closed;
-				ImGui::Text("STARTING...");
+				ImGui::Text("Starting...");
 			}
 			else
 			{
@@ -2213,7 +2210,7 @@ static void gui_network_start()
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		ImGui::Text("STARTING NETWORK...");
+		ImGui::Text("Starting Network...");
 		if (NetworkHandshake::instance->canStartNow())
 			ImGui::Text("Press Start to start the game now.");
 	}
@@ -2250,10 +2247,9 @@ static void gui_display_loadscreen()
     ImGui::PushStyleVar(ImGuiStyleVar_FramePadding, ImVec2(20 * scaling, 10 * scaling));
     ImGui::AlignTextToFramePadding();
     ImGui::SetCursorPosX(20.f * scaling);
-	if (dc_is_load_done())
-	{
-		try {
-			dc_get_load_status();
+	try {
+		if (gameLoader.ready())
+		{
 			if (NetworkHandshake::instance != nullptr)
 			{
 				networkStatus = NetworkHandshake::instance->start();
@@ -2262,32 +2258,36 @@ static void gui_display_loadscreen()
 			else
 			{
 				gui_state = GuiState::Closed;
-				ImGui::Text("STARTING...");
+				ImGui::Text("Starting...");
 			}
-		} catch (const FlycastException& ex) {
-			ERROR_LOG(BOOT, "%s", ex.what());
-			error_msg = ex.what();
-#ifdef TEST_AUTOMATION
-			die("Game load failed");
-#endif
-			emu.unloadGame();
-			gui_state = GuiState::Main;
 		}
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		ImGui::Text("LOADING... ");
-		ImGui::SameLine();
-		ImGui::Text("%s", get_notification().c_str());
-
-		float currentwidth = ImGui::GetContentRegionAvail().x;
-		ImGui::SetCursorPosX((currentwidth - 100.f * scaling) / 2.f + ImGui::GetStyle().WindowPadding.x);
-		ImGui::SetCursorPosY(126.f * scaling);
-		if (ImGui::Button("Cancel", ImVec2(100.f * scaling, 0.f)))
+		else
 		{
-			dc_cancel_load();
-			gui_state = GuiState::Main;
+			const char *label = gameLoader.getProgress().label;
+			if (label == nullptr)
+				label = "Loading...";
+			ImGui::Text("%s", label);
+			ImGui::PushStyleColor(ImGuiCol_PlotHistogram, ImVec4(0.557f, 0.268f, 0.965f, 1.f));
+			ImGui::ProgressBar(gameLoader.getProgress().progress, ImVec2(-1, 20.f * scaling), "");
+			ImGui::PopStyleColor();
+
+			float currentwidth = ImGui::GetContentRegionAvail().x;
+			ImGui::SetCursorPosX((currentwidth - 100.f * scaling) / 2.f + ImGui::GetStyle().WindowPadding.x);
+			ImGui::SetCursorPosY(126.f * scaling);
+			if (ImGui::Button("Cancel", ImVec2(100.f * scaling, 0.f)))
+			{
+				gameLoader.cancel();
+				gui_state = GuiState::Main;
+			}
 		}
+	} catch (const FlycastException& ex) {
+		ERROR_LOG(BOOT, "%s", ex.what());
+		error_msg = ex.what();
+#ifdef TEST_AUTOMATION
+		die("Game load failed");
+#endif
+		emu.unloadGame();
+		gui_state = GuiState::Main;
 	}
 	ImGui::PopStyleVar();
 
@@ -2426,6 +2426,11 @@ void gui_open_onboarding()
 	gui_state = GuiState::Onboarding;
 }
 
+void gui_cancel_load()
+{
+	gameLoader.cancel();
+}
+
 void gui_term()
 {
 	if (inited)
@@ -2436,6 +2441,8 @@ void gui_term()
 			ImGui_ImplOpenGL3_Shutdown();
 		ImGui::DestroyContext();
 	    EventManager::unlisten(Event::Resume, emuEventCallback);
+	    EventManager::unlisten(Event::Start, emuEventCallback);
+	    EventManager::unlisten(Event::Terminate, emuEventCallback);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/core/rend/gui.h b/core/rend/gui.h
index 0412e6ff7..c468ee33f 100644
--- a/core/rend/gui.h
+++ b/core/rend/gui.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ void gui_display_notification(const char *msg, int duration);
 void gui_display_osd();
 void gui_open_onboarding();
 void gui_term();
+void gui_cancel_load();
 void gui_refresh_files();
 void gui_cheats();
 void gui_keyboard_input(u16 wc);
diff --git a/core/rend/gui_util.h b/core/rend/gui_util.h
index afe5e1078..586fe2ae7 100644
--- a/core/rend/gui_util.h
+++ b/core/rend/gui_util.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include "vulkan/vulkan_context.h"
 #include "dx9/dxcontext.h"
 #include "gui.h"
+#include "emulator.h"
 
 typedef void (*StringCallback)(bool cancelled, std::string selection);
 
@@ -82,3 +83,46 @@ static inline bool operator!=(const ImVec2& l, const ImVec2& r)
 
 void fullScreenWindow(bool modal);
 void windowDragScroll();
+
+class BackgroundGameLoader
+{
+public:
+	void load(const std::string& path)
+	{
+		progress.reset();
+		future = std::async(std::launch::async, [this, path] {
+			emu.loadGame(path.c_str(), &progress);
+		});
+	}
+
+	void cancel()
+	{
+		progress.cancelled = true;
+		if (future.valid())
+			try {
+				future.get();
+			} catch (const FlycastException& e) {
+			}
+		emu.unloadGame();
+	}
+
+	bool ready()
+	{
+		if (!future.valid())
+			return true;
+		if (future.wait_for(std::chrono::seconds(0)) == std::future_status::ready)
+		{
+			future.get();
+			return true;
+		}
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	const LoadProgress& getProgress() const {
+		return progress;
+	}
+
+private:
+	LoadProgress progress;
+	std::future<void> future;
+};
diff --git a/core/types.h b/core/types.h
index b04d35ceb..50d83e63b 100644
--- a/core/types.h
+++ b/core/types.h
@@ -453,6 +453,12 @@ public:
 	FlycastException(const std::string& reason) : std::runtime_error(reason) {}
 };
 
+class LoadCancelledException : public FlycastException
+{
+public:
+	LoadCancelledException() : FlycastException("") {}
+};
+
 enum serialize_version_enum {
 	V1,
 	V2,
diff --git a/core/windows/winmain.cpp b/core/windows/winmain.cpp
index 84bf70a2f..c25155e29 100644
--- a/core/windows/winmain.cpp
+++ b/core/windows/winmain.cpp
@@ -758,7 +758,7 @@ int CALLBACK WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance, LPSTR lpCmdLi
 
 	mainui_loop();
 
-	emu.term();
+	flycast_term();
 
 	os_UninstallFaultHandler();
 
diff --git a/shell/apple/emulator-ios/emulator/AppDelegate.mm b/shell/apple/emulator-ios/emulator/AppDelegate.mm
index 754effa4e..780128b67 100644
--- a/shell/apple/emulator-ios/emulator/AppDelegate.mm
+++ b/shell/apple/emulator-ios/emulator/AppDelegate.mm
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ static bool emulatorRunning;
 - (void)applicationWillTerminate:(UIApplication *)application
 {
     // Called when the application is about to terminate. Save data if appropriate. See also applicationDidEnterBackground:.
-	dc_term();
+	flycast_term();
 	LogManager::Shutdown();
 }
 
diff --git a/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/AppDelegate.swift b/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/AppDelegate.swift
index 1ffb583e4..d33ca7590 100644
--- a/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/AppDelegate.swift
+++ b/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/AppDelegate.swift
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class AppDelegate: NSObject, NSApplicationDelegate {
     }
 
     func applicationWillTerminate(_ aNotification: Notification) {
-        emu_dc_term()
+        emu_flycast_term()
     }
     
     func applicationShouldTerminateAfterLastWindowClosed(_ sender: NSApplication) -> Bool {
diff --git a/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/EmuGLView.swift b/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/EmuGLView.swift
index fd6e2ff3c..852551c4c 100644
--- a/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/EmuGLView.swift
+++ b/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/EmuGLView.swift
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class EmuGLView: NSOpenGLView, NSWindowDelegate {
 		let rect = convertToBacking(frame)
         emu_gles_init(Int32(rect.width), Int32(rect.height))
 		
-		if (emu_reicast_init() != 0) {
+		if (emu_flycast_init() != 0) {
 			let alert = NSAlert()
 			alert.alertStyle = .critical
 			alert.messageText = "Flycast initialization failed"
diff --git a/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/emulator-osx-Bridging-Header.h b/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/emulator-osx-Bridging-Header.h
index 1e5c98233..f72b8e4e1 100644
--- a/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/emulator-osx-Bridging-Header.h
+++ b/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/emulator-osx-Bridging-Header.h
@@ -14,15 +14,14 @@
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-void emu_dc_exit();
-void emu_dc_term();
+void emu_flycast_term();
 void emu_gui_open_settings();
 bool emu_renderer_enabled();
 bool emu_fast_forward();
 bool emu_vsync_enabled();
 bool emu_single_frame(int w, int h);
 void emu_gles_init(int width, int height);
-int emu_reicast_init();
+int emu_flycast_init();
 void emu_key_input(UInt16 keyCode, bool pressed, UInt32 modifierFlags);
 void emu_character_input(const char *characters);
 void emu_mouse_buttons(int button, bool pressed);
diff --git a/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/osx-main.mm b/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/osx-main.mm
index d1a62f475..2c0249cc7 100644
--- a/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/osx-main.mm
+++ b/shell/apple/emulator-osx/emulator-osx/osx-main.mm
@@ -90,16 +90,9 @@ void os_SetupInput()
 
 void common_linux_setup();
 
-void emu_dc_exit()
+void emu_flycast_term()
 {
-    dc_exit();
-}
-
-void emu_dc_term()
-{
-	if (emu.running())
-		dc_exit();
-	dc_term();
+	flycast_term();
 	LogManager::Shutdown();
 }
 
@@ -238,7 +231,7 @@ void emu_gles_init(int width, int height)
 	mainui_enabled = true;
 }
 
-int emu_reicast_init()
+int emu_flycast_init()
 {
 	LogManager::Init();
 	common_linux_setup();
diff --git a/shell/libretro/libretro.cpp b/shell/libretro/libretro.cpp
index af23c215c..9d48baddc 100644
--- a/shell/libretro/libretro.cpp
+++ b/shell/libretro/libretro.cpp
@@ -125,7 +125,6 @@ static double vib_delta[4];
 unsigned per_content_vmus = 0;
 
 static bool first_run = true;
-static bool mute_messages;
 static bool rotate_screen;
 static bool rotate_game;
 static int framebufferWidth;
@@ -151,6 +150,7 @@ static void refresh_devices(bool first_startup);
 static void init_disk_control_interface();
 static bool read_m3u(const char *file);
 void UpdateInputState();
+void gui_display_notification(const char *msg, int duration);
 
 static std::string game_data;
 static char g_base_name[128];
@@ -867,16 +867,13 @@ void retro_run()
 
 static bool loadGame()
 {
-	mute_messages = true;
 	try {
 		emu.loadGame(game_data.c_str());
 	} catch (const FlycastException& e) {
 		ERROR_LOG(BOOT, "%s", e.what());
-		mute_messages = false;
 		gui_display_notification(e.what(), 5000);
 		return false;
 	}
-	mute_messages = false;
 
 	return true;
 }
@@ -2923,8 +2920,6 @@ static bool read_m3u(const char *file)
 
 void gui_display_notification(const char *msg, int duration)
 {
-	if (mute_messages)
-		return;
 	retro_message retromsg;
 	retromsg.msg = msg;
 	retromsg.frames = duration / 17;