There are many ways to install RetroArch in a Linux environment. If you can compile it from source, you can remove unneeded features and dependencies. Distro packages can be nice, but we don't control those builds (aside from the official PPAs) and can't guarantee their quality or how often they are updated. Universal packages, such as Snap and Flatpak are maintained by the libretro team but have some limitations resulting from their sandboxing techniques, such as lack of support for Vulkan and a small number of cores not functioning as expected.
These instructions will install RetroArch. Cores should be downloaded from within the program using the Online Updater's Core Updater, if possible. Some distros patch out the Online Updater, in which case you'll need to install cores using your package manager. There are core packages available in the PPAs, as well, and they will continue to be updated, but new packages for new cores will not be created.
Stable version (RetroArch stable version):
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libretro/stable && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install retroarch
Testing version (RetroArch nightly builds (Git)):
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libretro/testing && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install retroarch
Stable version:
sudo pacman -Sy retroarch
Git version:
yaourt -Sy retroarch-git
flatpak remote-add --user --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
flatpak install --user flathub org.libretro.RetroArch
Update to the latest stable:
flatpak update --user org.libretro.RetroArch
sudo snap install retroarch
There is a stable version of each release in our Steam version. You will need a Steam account and Steam Client. Here you can register and download the client. After successful registration, you can search for RetroArch in the store or use this link to go to the appropriate page.
itch.io is a simple way to find and share indie games online for free.You can download Cores externally as well as Linux versions from our Itchio page. The versions here are only the stable version.You can reach our Itch.io page from this link.
RetroArch 1.21.0 has just been released. Grab it here. Remember that this project exists for the benefit of our users, and that we wouldn’t keep doing this were it not for spreading the love to our users. This project exists because of your support and belief in us to keep going doing great things. We have […]
Continue readingJesse Talavera here again! You may remember me from my work on melonDS DS, McSoftServe, and assorted improvements to RetroArch like microphones and XDelta softpatching. I’ve secretly been developing something brand-new that I’m itching to share with you. Although RetroArch was designed for retro game emulation, every now and then something comes along that breaks […]
Continue readingFor a limited time you can pre-order yours before production begins. https://bliss-box.net/products/4-play-advanced Compatibility Works with the existing software Has the same USB ID so that you do not need to reconfigure your software Has the same mapping, and code logic just faster with greater controller support Compatible with 4-Play/GP Cables Advantages over the 4-Play. […]
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Continue readingHi there, everybody! I’m Jesse Talavera, a libretro contributor. I’m primarily known in this community as the author of melonDS DS, but I’ve got some other exciting projects in the oven as well. Today I’d like to share with you something new that I’ve been working on for some time. Introducing McSoftServe, an emulator for […]
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Continue readingWe have the pleasure of announcing a great new emulator core, the Neo Geo emulator Geolith. The upstream author of the Jolly Good Emulation project broke out this core and ported it to libretro to make it available to as many users as possible, and we’re happy to welcome it into the fold. Historically, Neo […]
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