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Navigating

Navigating on RetroArch is as easy as you can imagine. Depending on the device you have, the control scheme is determined automatically. For example, if you are going to use it on a computer, the basic key combinations of the keyboard will apply. You move with the arrow keys and select with the Enter key, and you return with the Backspace key. If you plug a controller, you can also move with the D-Pad keys.

PC

By default the keyboard should be ready to use.

Using the left and right arrow keys, you move to a different tab, each tab will relate to an aspect of the RetroArch experience (main menu for game loading, settings for settings etc.). Once the desired tab is selected, use the up and down arrow to move to an option.

To advance in the menu press Enter (or Return). To go back to the previous menu push Backspace.

Whilst in a game use the F1 key [MOVE TO ANOTHER PAGE]

Pushing Esc twice will quit the program

Main Menu

Welcome to the main menu this is where you will launch games, download and update cores and have access to freely available content. Load Core, Load Content and the Online Updater are the menu items you will probably be using the most.

Settings

Settings

Here you will find all the options available to configure RetroArch, from Graphics, Input, Sound and everything else.

Favourites

Favorites

Favourites allow you to maintain a short list of your favourite games. You can add the content you want to add to your favorites from the Quick Menu or before launching it. So you can quickly access your favorite content.

History

History

The content you recently run will be added here, the content you run last will be at the top.

Image, Music and Video

These tabs will handle all your media. Images will contain any screenshots you've made.

Netplay

RetroArch relies on peer-to-peer networking to reduce network latency and ensure the best possible experience. Allows multi-player over the internet. Host or join a network gaming session. Rediscover the joy of multiplayer games using RetroArch's builtin netplay lobby. You can also use the spectator mode to watch others play.

Import content

import-content

Either you scan automatically so that your content that matches the last database will add to the playlists or you scan manually without being dependent on the database so you can freely add your contents to playlists.

Mobile

The mobile interface is much more minimalistic compared to the PC's interface. Touch is the default input, although depending on device other options may be available. There are three different tabs, which can be switched at the bottom of the menu.

Main Menu

The main menu will be where you launch games, download and update cores, start or join netplay sessions and pretty much anything to do with gaming.

Playlists

Handles anything to do with creating and maintaining playlists. It gives you scanning options to recognise your game collection. It also provides access to your images, music and videos.

Settings

Here you will find all the options available to configure RetroArch, from Graphics, Input, Sound and everything else.


Last update: 2024-04-19