01 — What is RetroApp?
RetroApp (codename SPYRO) is a retro game launcher for Windows. It centralizes your ROM collection, automatically downloads box art and metadata, and launches games through the best available open-source emulators (RetroArch, PCSX2, Dolphin, etc.).
The app is currently in open beta. It's free in its base version and functional on Windows 10 and 11.
⚠️ BETA version — bugs may occur. Report any issue on the Beta Testing page.
02 — System requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel i5-7xxx / Ryzen 5 2xxx | Intel i7-10xxx / Ryzen 7 5xxx |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB+ |
| GPU | GTX 1050 / RX 550 | GTX 1660 / RX 5600 XT |
| Stockage | 500 MB (app) + ROMs | SSD recommandé |
| DirectX | DirectX 11 | DirectX 12 |
💡 For PS2 (PCSX2) and GameCube/Wii (Dolphin) emulators, a solid CPU matters as these are very CPU-dependent. An i5 9th gen or Ryzen 5 3600 handles most games well.
03 — Download & install
🔐 An account is required to download RetroApp. It's free and takes 30 seconds.
Create an account
Go to /register and create your free account.
Download the installer
Once logged in, go to /download and download the .exe installer (~368 MB).
Run the installer
Double-click the downloaded file. Windows Defender SmartScreen may show a warning — click "More info" then "Run anyway" to proceed. This is normal for an unsigned beta app.
⚠️ Your antivirus might flag the file incorrectly (false positive). RetroApp contains no malware — source code will be made public later. If in doubt, scan the file on VirusTotal.
Choose install folder
The installer will suggest a default folder. You can change it, but avoid system folders (C:\Windows, C:\Program Files without admin rights).
04 — First launch
On first launch, RetroApp starts a 4-step onboarding wizard:
- Welcome — app overview.
- ROMs folder — select the folder where your ROMs are stored.
- Scanning — RetroApp auto-detects and identifies your games.
- Summary — you see the games found, ready to play!
💡 You can re-run the scan anytime from Settings → Library if you add new ROMs later.
05 — Adding ROMs
RetroApp does not provide ROMs. To use the app, you need ROMs you legally own — either by dumping them yourself from physical games, or obtaining them from legal sources.
⚖️ RetroApp respects copyright. We cannot guide you to ROM download sites. If you're looking for a ROM of a game you own, a Google search like "[game name] ROM download" will return results — we leave that to your own judgment and responsibility.
Supported formats
| Console | Accepted formats |
|---|---|
| NES | .nes |
| SNES | .smc, .sfc |
| N64 | .z64, .n64, .v64 |
| Game Boy / GBA | .gb, .gbc, .gba |
| PS1 | .bin + .cue, .iso, .img |
| PS2 | .iso |
| GameCube | .iso, .gcz |
| Mega Drive | .md, .gen, .smd |
| Dreamcast | .gdi, .cdi |
Organizing your ROMs
You can put everything in one folder — RetroApp auto-detects the console via file hash and extension. But organizing by subfolder (e.g. C:\ROMs\PS1\, C:\ROMs\SNES\) makes management easier.
06 — BIOS files
Some consoles require an official BIOS to work correctly (PS1, PS2, Dreamcast). The BIOS is extracted from your own console.
⚖️ Like ROMs, we cannot provide BIOS links. A search for "PS1 BIOS SCPH-1001" on Google will guide you — at your own discretion.
Once you have the BIOS file, place it in RetroApp's BIOS folder (Settings → Emulation → BIOS folder).
| Console | Fichier | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| PS1 | scph1001.bin, scph5501.bin | Yes |
| PS2 | ps2-0200J.bin (ou autre région) | Yes |
| Dreamcast | dc_boot.bin, dc_flash.bin | Yes |
| GameCube | Not required | No |
| GBA | gba_bios.bin | Recommended |
07 — Using the library
The library shows all your games with HD box art. You can filter by console, sort by name, date added, or play time.
- Double-click a game: launches it directly
- Right-click: options (rename, remove from list, open folder)
- Search bar: search by game name or console
- "Continue" section: your last 6 played games
08 — Emulator configuration
RetroApp automatically selects the best emulator for each console. You can change this in Settings → Emulation.
| Console | Default emulator |
|---|---|
| NES / SNES / GBA / GB | RetroArch (cores mGBA, Snes9x) |
| N64 | RetroArch (Mupen64Plus) |
| PS1 | RetroArch (Beetle PSX HW) |
| PS2 | PCSX2 (intégré) |
| GameCube / Wii | Dolphin (intégré) |
| Dreamcast | RetroArch (Flycast) |
Controller setup
Connect your controller via USB or Bluetooth before launching RetroApp. Most Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch Pro controllers are auto-detected. For manual button mapping: Settings → Controllers.
09 — Shaders & visual filters
RetroApp offers 14 shader presets to reproduce original screen looks or enhance rendering. You can change them per-console or per-game.
| Preset | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CRT Royale | High-quality CRT emulation | SNES, PS1, Mega Drive |
| CRT Lottes | Fast, less demanding CRT | All 16/32-bit consoles |
| LCD Grid | Game Boy LCD grid | GB, GBC, GBA |
| xBRZ 4x | Smooth upscaling | NES, SNES, GBA |
| Sharp Bilinear | Sharp pixels, clean | All consoles |
| NTSC | Authentic NTSC artifacts | NES, SNES |
| None | No filter — raw render | N64, PS2, GC |
10 — Saves & cloud sync
RetroApp automatically manages save states and native save files. Cloud sync synchronizes your saves to OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox if one of these is installed.
Save states
Save states allow you to save at any point in a game (not just save points). Default shortcuts: F5 (save) / F7 (load).
Enable cloud sync
Settings → Cloud Sync → enable. RetroApp auto-detects OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Sync happens on every game close.
11 — Netplay multiplayer
RetroApp's netplay lets you play online with other users. Based on RetroArch's Netplay protocol, it synchronizes inputs in real time.
Create a session
- Launch a netplay-compatible game
- Menu → Netplay → Host a session
- A 6-character code is generated (e.g. MK-4821)
- Share this code with your friend
Join a session
- Menu → Netplay → Join
- Enter the received code
- Game launches automatically once all players are ready
⚠️ Both players must have the exact same ROM (same MD5 hash) for netplay to work.
12 — RetroAchievements
RetroApp integrates RetroAchievements, a community platform that adds achievements/trophies to thousands of retro games. Your RetroAchievements account is separate from your RetroApp account.
Connect your account
- Create a free account at retroachievements.org
- In RetroApp: Settings → Emulation → RetroAchievements
- Enter your username and Web API Key (found in your RA profile settings)
- Enable "Enable achievements"
13 — FAQ
Is the app really free?
The base version is free and includes all essential features. Advanced features (extended cloud sync, community sync) will be Pro-only in the future.
Are macOS and Linux supported?
Not yet. RetroApp is currently Windows only. macOS and Linux versions are on the roadmap.
Are my saves safe?
Yes. RetroApp never touches your native save files. It creates copies in its data folder. If something goes wrong, your original saves are untouched.
The app crashes on startup — what to do?
Check that you have Visual C++ Redistributables 2022 installed (available from Microsoft's website). If that doesn't fix it, report the bug on the Beta Testing page.
Can I use my own emulators?
Not in this version. RetroApp uses bundled or auto-installed emulators. Support for custom emulator paths is planned for a future release.
Didn't find your answer?
Report your issue on the Beta Testing page — we usually respond within 24-48h.
Go to Beta Testing →