Download¶
Some retro consoles need firmware files (commonly called BIOS) to run games. Without them, the emulator either refuses to start the game or runs it with reduced accuracy. RetroBIOS maps those requirements to source-traced emulator profiles and verifies local content against the evidence each platform exposes.
This page picks the right pack for a setup. For BIOS directory paths per platform, verification, and the CLI, see Getting started.
Quick install¶
One line detects the platform and BIOS directory, downloads only missing or incorrect files, verifies their hashes, and installs them atomically. The small bootstrap checks the Python installer against an embedded SHA-256 before running it, and the installer reads its file list from that same revision.
Linux / Mac / Steam Deck:
Windows (PowerShell):
That is the complete default flow. Extra copies into detected standalone
emulator directories are deliberately opt-in with --standalone-copies, so
automatic setup never writes outside the selected platform tree unexpectedly.
Use python install.py --check from a checkout for a read-only verification.
Manual download¶
Pick the pack that matches the setup from the latest release, download it, and extract the files into the BIOS folder listed below. The metadata and website can be newer than that release: pack publication is manual and only happens after the release gates pass.
Packs over 2 GB are split into numbered volumes (.zip.001, .zip.002).
Download every part, then open the .001 file with 7-Zip or PeaZip, which
extract the whole archive directly. To join the parts manually instead:
- Linux/macOS:
cat PackName.zip.0* > PackName.zip - Windows (cmd):
copy /b PackName.zip.001+PackName.zip.002 PackName.zip
Steam Deck¶
| Setup | What it is | Pack | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|
| EmuDeck | Installs and configures multiple emulators, adds each game to the Steam library | EmuDeck | ~/Emulation/bios/ |
| RetroDECK | Single Flatpak app, all emulators bundled, one-click install from Discover | RetroDECK | ~/retrodeck/ (the pack carries its own bios/) |
| RetroArch standalone | Installed from Discover, Steam, or Flatpak | RetroArch | Open RetroArch > Settings > Directory > System, that is the folder |
Windows¶
| Setup | What it is | Pack | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|
| RetroArch | Multi-system emulator, loads different cores for each console | RetroArch | The system folder next to retroarch.exe |
| RetroBat | Windows frontend with EmulationStation, includes RetroArch and standalone emulators | RetroBat | The bios folder inside the RetroBat installation |
| BizHawk | Accuracy-focused multi-system emulator, popular for speedruns and TAS | BizHawk | The Firmware folder inside the BizHawk installation |
| LaunchBox | Game library manager and launcher, uses RetroArch or standalone emulators behind the scenes | RetroArch | Open RetroArch (via LaunchBox) > Settings > Directory > System |
Linux¶
| Setup | What it is | Pack | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|
| RetroArch (native) | Installed via package manager or AppImage | RetroArch | ~/.config/retroarch/system/ |
| RetroArch (Flatpak) | Installed from Flathub | RetroArch | ~/.var/app/org.libretro.RetroArch/config/retroarch/system/ |
| Batocera | Bootable OS dedicated to gaming, runs from USB or full install, supports PC and SBC | Batocera | /userdata/bios/ |
| Recalbox | Bootable OS for retro gaming, streamlined interface, auto-configured | Recalbox | /recalbox/share/bios/ |
macOS¶
| Setup | What it is | Pack | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|
| RetroArch | Multi-system emulator | RetroArch | ~/Library/Application Support/RetroArch/system/ |
Raspberry Pi and single-board computers¶
| Setup | What it is | Pack | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|
| RetroPie | The classic Pi emulation setup, largest community, most online guides | RetroArch | ~/RetroPie/BIOS/ |
| Lakka | Lightweight RetroArch OS, minimal config, boots straight into the UI | RetroArch | /storage/system/ |
| Batocera | Easy setup, works on Pi 3/4/5 and many other boards (Odroid, etc.) | Batocera | /userdata/bios/ |
| Recalbox | Plug-and-play experience, good for a first build | Recalbox | /recalbox/share/bios/ |
Handhelds¶
| Setup | What it is | Pack | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android (Retroid Pocket, Odin, etc.) | Most Android handhelds run RetroArch | RetroArch | RetroArch/system/ on internal storage or SD card |
| ROCKNIX | Linux OS for ARM and x86 handhelds (RG35XX, RG552, Deck) | ROCKNIX | /storage/roms/bios/, over SSH or the network share |
| Batocera | Also images many handhelds | Batocera | /userdata/bios/ |
FPGA¶
| Setup | What it is | Pack | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiSTer FPGA | Hardware-level recreation of consoles on a DE10-Nano board | MiSTer FPGA | /media/fat/games/, one subfolder per core |
Self-hosted ROM manager¶
| Setup | What it is | Pack | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|
| RomM | Web-based ROM manager, plays games in the browser via EmulatorJS | RomM | The bios folder in the RomM library, one subfolder per system |
Full pack or Platform pack?¶
Each platform has two pack types on the latest release.
Full pack (recommended)
Contains the platform's own BIOS list plus all files needed by each emulator core available on that platform. This covers alternate cores, optional firmware that improves accuracy, and edge cases. Larger download, and the best default when storage is not constrained. It is not a guarantee: source profiles can document missing, user-provided or unsourceable files, all of which remain visible in the gap analysis.
Platform pack
Contains only the files the platform officially checks for. Much smaller download. Good for limited storage (SD cards, handhelds) or setups that only use default cores.
When in doubt, take the full pack and verify it against the platform page.
After extraction¶
Launch a game and use the emulator's firmware status screen where available. Most supported frontends find files in the documented directory automatically; standalone emulators may still need their BIOS path configured.
If a game still asks for a missing file, check the platforms section for the full file list, or the emulators section for what each core expects.