The Raspberry Pi is a tiny device, but it’s surprisingly powerful – especially when you compare it to the bulky computers of the past. Take video game systems, for instance: while modern ones far outstrip the Pi, older models like the Nintendo Entertainment System or Sega Genesis are weaklings in comparison. That makes the Raspberry Pi more than capable of playing retro games, and the folks behind the RetroPie project have developed a way to help you do exactly that. Installing RetroPie on your Raspberry Pi will give you the ability to emulate a ton of old video game systems, essentially turning your Raspberry Pi into the ultimate retro gaming machine. Here’s how to play retro games on the Raspberry Pi with RetroPie.

Retro games on the Raspberry Pi: What you can play

I would never have beat the game Contra without the use of the Konami code, and hardware like the Game Genie, Pro Action Replay (which I did not own), and GameShark (which I also owned), where even better. Not only were these great at adding cheat codes to various games, they were essentially ROM hacking in its infancy.

The full list of emulators included with RetroPie is absolutely massive. Here’s a link to the full list – we’ve included some of the highlights below, but there are far more than just these. Suffice it to say that if you want to play retro games on the Raspberry Pi, you’ve come to the right place.

Nintendo

• Game Boy
• Game Boy Advance
• Game Boy Color
• Nintendo 64
• Nintendo DS
• Super Nintendo
• Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Sega

• Dreamcast
• Game Gear
• Genesis/Mega Drive
• Master System
• Sega 32X
• Sega CD
• Sega Saturn
• SG-1000

Sony

• PlayStation (PS1)
• PlayStation 2
• PSP

You’ll also get direct ports of popular games like Cave Story and Doom.

How to play retro games on the Raspberry Pi with RetroPie

In order to show you how to play retro games on the Raspberry Pi with RetroPie, we have to cover a few different steps. First, you’ll have to install RetroPie, which is a kind of operating system that includes EmulationStation – which is itself a powerful group of emulators.

Next, you’re going to have to tweak a few settings, including Wi-Fi and controller settings.

Then, you’ll need to add ROMs. Emulators run video game systems as virtual machines within a computer, and ROMs are the game files themselves – the cartridges or discs to the emulators’ systems, if you will.

We’ll cover it all below.

What you’ll need

As is typical with these projects, you’ll need a Raspberry Pi, a power source, a monitor/TV and a way to connect to it, and peripherals (like a keyboard and mouse) for set-up. You’ll also need a few other things:

• A microSD card (at least 8 GB)
• A USB game controller
• A Windows or Mac computer with a place to plug in your SD card

How to install RetroPie

Installing RetroPie has always been pretty easy, but it’s easier than ever now. If you did this project a few years ago (like I did), you’ll find it’s only gotten simpler.

Step 1: Download RetroPie and unzip the disc image

You can find the latest version of RetroPie here. Download it to your computer. It will be compressed in .gz format – unzip it with WinZip or a similar program so that it ends with just .img.

Step 2: Extract the RetroPie disc image to your microSD card

What you just downloaded and unzipped was the RetroPie disc image. Next, you’re going to extract it to your microSD card. With Windows, this is super simple:

• Download Win32 Disc Imager
• Open Win32 Disc Imager
• Select the .img file and the correct disc (make sure it’s your microSD card!)

With Mac, it goes like this:

• Download RPI-sd card builder
• Open RPI-sd card builder
• When prompted, choose the disc image
• When prompted, select your SD card (make sure you’re writing to the right place!)
• Hit “OK” and enter your password. The program should do the rest.

Step 3: Put the microSD card in your Raspberry Pi and boot it up

That was easy, right? Have your USB controller plugged in, because you’ll be setting it up next.

How to set up RetroPie after installation

Now that your Raspberry Pi is running RetroPie, you’re going to want to set up your internet connection (we’ll need it to get your games moved over and to install any future RetroPie updates) and your gaming controller.

Step 1: Set up your controller

If RetroPie detects a USB controller, it’s going to want you to set it up before you do anything else. To set a button value, just touch the button. The menu will move on to the next value as soon as you enter something for the first. If you’re using a simple controller, you may end up double-assigning certain buttons (L1 and L2 both to your only L button, for instance). If you’re looking to emulate more recent systems, you may want to opt for a controller with all the buttons you need – like a PlayStation 4 controller, for instance, which is what I used.

Step 2: Set up Wi-Fi

Head to the settings menu and scroll down to the Wi-Fi option. You’ll be able to choose your wireless network and enter your password. Connecting to Wi-Fi has gotten way easier since the early days of the Raspberry Pi and RetroPie.

How to add emulators and play retro games on the Raspberry Pi with RetroPie

Your Raspberry Pi is now completely set up, but you won’t see any emulators. That’s because RetroPie automatically hides emulators that you don’t have any ROMs for. You have a way to play retro games on the Raspberry Pi, but you don’t actually have any retro games on your Raspberry Pi. So let’s add some games by adding some ROMs!

ROMs are a little bit of a legal gray area, but you’re generally supposed to only download ROMs for games that you already own in a physical media form. With that said, we’ll let you get the ROMs onto your computer yourself. Once they’re there, here’s how you’ll get them over to the Raspberry Pi.

Option 1: Use an external hard drive or USB drive

This is a super-simple way to get your ROMs to your RetroPie. Just put them all in a folder called retropie and put that folder on a USB storage device. Plug it into your Raspberry Pi, and you’re good to go.

Option 2: Transfer files over your network

Using your network to get ROMs to your RetroPie used to be a (mild) pain, but the newer versions of the system have made it insanely easy. Go to your file manager on your computer and look for shared folders. If your RetroPie is connected to your network, you should see a folder called RETROPIE (if it doesn’t show up, type the address into the address bar directly: RETROPIE for Windows or smb://RETROPIE for Mac).

You will have to log in to access the folder. The default credentials are username: raspberry and password: pi.

Once you’ve spotted it, just drag your ROMS on into the folder. Done!

This is the ultimate and complete setup guide for setting up and installing retro games in Kodi. Get tips and troubleshooting help for setting up your controller with Kodi, installing emulators, finding retro video game roms, and more.

Have a question that this guide doesn’t answer? You can comment below or get in touch with us on Twitter and we would be happy to assist!

Latest Update

The latest version of the IAGL Kodi addon is v2.1.5, released on February 29th, 2020. Check out these changes:

• Update game studio database
• Added custom groups filtering method
• Fixed post download override bug
• Fixed bug in launching correct cue file (issue 106)
• Update Spanish Translation (roliverosc)
• Fix linux ~ directory syntax (Jim Weller)
• Added custom groups search and random filters
• Fix bug in searching for previously downloaded game files
• Update external launch command database for new Retroarch cores

The following game lists have also been updated:

• Atomiswave (Flycast / MAME compatible set)
• Naomi (Flycast / MAME compatible set)
• Amiga (HDF Based game set)

Retro Games in Kodi: Table of Contents

4Syncing and Configuring Game Controllers in Kodi

NOTE: If you see this guide anywhere else other than KODIT I P S.com, it has been stolen. Don’t support scumbags in the community!

Retro Games in Kodi: Introduction

Kodi 18

Since the release of Kodi 18 Leia, the Kodi software has had full support for retro video games in Kodi. That means that you can:

1. sync a controller to Kodi (or use a keyboard)
2. install classic video game consoles (called emulators), and
3. load retro video games (called roms).

Kodi allows retro video games through its inclusion of the RetroPlayer framework, which is a popular software package containing some of the biggest emulators.

What Video Games Systems are Supported in Kodi 18?

Kodi 18 includes support for a number of video game systems, including:

• Nintendo / Super Nintendo / Nintendo DS
• Gameboy / Gameboy Advance / Gameboy Color
• Playstation One
• Sega Saturn
• DOS
• Lynx
• Atari 2600

Over 50 different gaming consoles are supported by IAGL.

Status of Sega Dreamcast & Nintendo 64 (N64) Support in Kodi 18

Two popular retro consoles are not currently supported in Kodi 18: the Sega Dreamcast and the N64. N64 and the Dreamcast cores both require OpenGL support, which is not currently included in the Retroplayer framework.

You will not be able to play Sega Dreamcast or N64 retro games internally. We will show you how to set these up to an external link later on!

Next up, we will have a look at how to get your controller setup in Kodi.

Syncing and Configuring Game Controllers in Kodi

This area of the guide is to help you setup and configure your game controller for retro games in Kodi. It covers a few important components, including:

1. What Controllers are Supported in Kodi?
2. How to Pair Your Controller
3. Getting Kodi to recognize your controller
4. Installing controller addons for each controller
5. Configure your controllers for games

What Controllers are Supported in Kodi?

Kodi supports a number of the most common controllers, including:

• XBox
• Sony Playstation
• Nvidia Shield
• Generic game controllers (as long as they have Bluetooth or USB support)

How to Pair Your Controller

To get your controller working with Kodi, you first have to set it up on the hardware you have Kodi loaded onto. For most people, that is probably and Android TV box, but this guide should work for Mac, Windows, and Linux as well.

If you want to use the controller wired, then plug it into your device. If you want to use the controller over Bluetooth, just turn it on and make sure it is NOT synced with anything else turned on.

How to Pair Game Controller on Amazon Fire

If you are using the Amazon Fire as your hardware of choice, then you want to navigate to Settings > Controllers & Bluetooth Devices.

Select the Game Controllers option and then click on Add New Game Controller.

The Amazon Fire will now search for known game controllers using Bluetooth.

If you are using the Playstation 4 controller, you must hold down the center PS button and the ‘Share’ button at the same time. For most other game controllers, you simply turn on the controller and then press the ‘sync’ button on the controller.

When the Amazon Fire recognizes your controller, it should be added to the list on the screen. You will be able to use the controller to navigate the menus.

How to Pair Game Controller on Android TV

If you have an Android TV box, pair your controller by navigating to Settings (gear icon) > Devices & Accessories > Add Accessory.

If you are prompted to turn Bluetooth ON on your Android TV box, allow this to happen. Your box will now be looking for game controllers.

If you are using the Playstation 4 controller, you must hold down the center PS button and the ‘Share’ button at the same time. For other game controllers, you simply turn on the controller and then press the ‘sync’ button on the controller.

When the Android TV box recognizes your controller, it should be added to the list on the screen. If your controller has been recognizes, scroll down and click OK. You will be able to use the controller to navigate the menus.

How to Get Kodi to Recognize Your Game Controller

By default, you should be able to use your controller and launch Kodi from your boxes main menu as normal. You will probably get to navigate Kodi using your controller right at this point.

If Kodi does not recognize your controller by default, it may be disabled in Kodi’s settings. To fix this issue:

1. From the Kodi main menu, click on Settings (gear icon)
2. Select System and head to the Input tab.
3. On the right, click on Configure attached controllers.
4. Kodi will prompt you to enable the add-on configuration. Select Yes.
5. A window will show your installed game pad along with any profiles you have set up. Simply click “OK” to save and exit and see if your controller works now.

Now that your game controller is set up, you are closer to playing retro games in Kodi!

How to Install Controller Addons in Kodi

In order to properly use each emulator (like Nintendo, Super Nintendo, etc), you need to install specific controller addons. These addons map out how your connected controller simulates each console’s native controller as follows:

1. From the Kodi main menu, click on the Add-ons icon (open box icon).
2. Select Install From Repository
3. Click on the Kodi Add-on Repository
4. Click on Game Add-ons
5. Select Controller Profiles

From this screen, you must install controller profiles for all of the emulators you wish to use. So if you plan on playing Super Nintendo and Atari 2600 games, you must install these controller profiles.

How to Configure Your Controllers for Retro Games in Kodi

Next, you need to configure the buttons for all of the controller addons you just installed. You have to map buttons from each original controller to your new controller which you have synced.

1. From the Kodi main menu, click the Settings gear icon.
2. Select System and then navigate to the Input tab.
3. Select Configure attached controllers.
4. If Kodi asks you to enable the addon configuration, select Yes.
5. You will see all of the controller addons you installed.
6. Choose the one you want to edit and then scroll to the right where the Buttons are listed.
7. Click each button and select it. The assigned button will be replaced by a prompt for you to press the equivalent button on your controller. So if you select the “A” button, then you’ll want to click the button on your controller you want to match A.
8. Repeat this process for each button on every controller.
9. When you are done, select OK to save your settings,

You have now installed controller addons and configured them and are one step closer to playing retro games in Kodi!

Next we get to the fun part – installing and playing games!

How to Install & Play Video Games in Kodi

Retro video games in Kodi are made possible by the use of roms and emulators. Emulators are little software programs that mirror old video game consoles. Roms are software replicas of video games that can be read by the Retroplayer emulator that comes packaged by Kodi.

Next, we will show you how to install emulators since you already have everything you need in Kodi.

How to Install Emulators in Kodi

1. From the Kodi main menu, click on the Add-ons icon (open box icon).
2. Select Install From Repository
3. Click on the Kodi Add-on Repository
4. Click on Game Add-ons
5. Select Emulators

From the giant list of emulators you now see, you have to install the ones you wish to use.

For some of the consoles where there is more than one emulator listed, here are our recommendations:

• Ninetendo DS = DeSmuME
• Game Boy Advance = mGBA
• NES = bnes
• SNES = Snes9x
• Sony Playstation = PCSX ReARMed

If you are having trouble getting some games to work with the emulators you have installed, feel free to try others!

Next, let’s move on to talking about the roms, which are the actual retro games you want to play in Kodi.

There is an awesome addon called the Internet Archive Game Launcher (IAGL) that allows you to play any and all retro games in Kodi. Let’s walk through how to install the IARL addon. Then we’ll show you how you can add your own roms into Kodi and setup a directory to play them.

How to Install the Internet Archive Game Launcher Kodi Addon

1. Click here to access the Zach Morris Kodi Repository. Click the repository-xachmorris-x.x.zip file and then click on Download to download the repository.
2. Go back to your home screen.
3. Select Install from Zip File and located the repository.zachmorris-x-x.zip file you download above. Click on it and wait for the Add-on enabled notification.
4. Select Install from Repository > Zach Morris Add-ons > GameAdd-ons > Game Providers > Internet Archive Game Launch > Install
5. Wait for Add-on enabled notification

When you launch the Internet Archive Game Launch Kodi addon, you will see a ton of game consoles listed. Select a game you want to play and click Launch to open up the emulator and start playing.

How to Configure Internet Archive Game Launch Kodi Addon (IAGL)

In order to use the IAGL Kodi addon without any issues, there is a setup wizard that has to take place. Complete these steps:

1. Launch the IAGL Kodi addon settings. Hover on the IAGL addon and long press on it or press menu (”c’ button) to bring up the context menu. Then, click on Settings.
2. Scroll down to the Setup Wizard tab.
3. Under Emulator Launcher, you want to select either “Kodi Retroplayer” or “External” based on how you will be playing the majority of your emulators.
4. Select “Kodi Retroplayer” and we will show you how to update a few select emulators to external later if you wish.
5. Click on Execute Setup Wizard and follow the instructions.

Other Retro Games in Kodi Help & Tips

How to Install Retroarch

First off, you need to install the Retroarch app, which is software that contains all of the same emulators you saw above.

A list of where to download and install Retroarch is as follows:

• Windows, OSX users: Download Retroarch from here.
• Linux users: Install Retroarch with from the PPA. See here for stable releases and here for nightly releases.
• Raspberry Pi users: Install the Kodi addon Gamestarter to install Retroarch directly from Kodi.
• LibreElec users (both x86 and RPi) have 2 options. Use the LibreElec “Remix” build here which includes Retroarch, or use the Kodi addon Gamestarter to install Retroarch directly from Kodi.
• OpenElec users (x86): Use the Kodi addon Gamestarter to install Retroarch directly from Kodi.
• Android users: Retroarch is available from the Play store.
• S905 users: Use the LibreElec “SX05RE” build here which includes Retroarch

Install Retroarch on your device.

Next, we have some basic Retroarch setup to perform to enable external app launching.

How to set up Retroarch External App

1. Launch the Retroarch app you installed above.
2. Go to Online Updater
3. Then, go to Core Updater
4. Click on at least one core for every system you’d like to play to update it.

It is highly recommended that you update the:

• Core Info Files
• Assets
• Autoconfig Profiles
• Cheats
• Databases
• Overlays
• Shaders

How to Configure Retroarch Location in IAGL Kodi Addon

1. Run Kodi and head into your video addons where the IAGL Kodi addon sites.
2. Hover over top of it and long press or press the menu (‘c’ button) and then select Settings.
3. Go into the External Launchers tab.
4. Click on My System Type and select it from this list.
5. You will have to complete all of the fields that now show up in order to get Retroarch to launch.

Here are some helpful hints about some of the options that you will see:

• Retroarch System Folder = This is the “com.retroarch” folder that installs when you install Retroarch on your Android box. It will be located at _//data/data/com.retroarch/ _for most users.
• Retroarch CFG Location = This is the “retroarch.cfg” file location, which stores a bunch of retroarch settings. It can be located in a number of locations including:
• Close Kodi on Launch = Some operating systems allow you to close Kodi when Retroarch is opened if you wish.
• Pause Kodi on Launch = Likewise, some operating systems pause Kodi when Retroarch is launched so that it doesn’t take up any resources.

How to Launch Retroarch From IAGL Kodi Addon

Once your external location is set up, we can force some retro games to launch via the external app.

1. Launch the Internet Archive Game Launch Kodi addon
2. Head into the Browse All Lists playlist
3. Hover on the console you want to launch using Retroarch, such a Sega Dreamcast or Nintendo 64.
4. Long press or press the menu button to bring open the context menu and then select Update Launch
5. Change this from Kodi to External to use the external settings you setup above.

Kodi Games on Xbox One Status

There is one giant exception to this entire guide – The Xbox. Last year, Microsoft allowed Kodi to be installed on the Xbox One as long as Kodi complied with all of Microsoft’s terms.

One of those major terms is that the Xbox One does not allow the installation of any video game emulators on its console. Thus, all of the Retroplayer dependencies and files are not included with the Xbox One version of Kodi. You will not be able to play retro games on the Xbox One.

Slow Motion Game Fix

If you are seeing slow motion games and sound when you launch a rom, we have the fix for you. Follow these instructions:

1. From the Kodi main menu, navigate to System > Player > Videos
2. Uncheck the option to Allow Hardware Acceleration – *CodecName).

Retropie Games To Download

Do you have other retro games in Kodi setup questions or tips you want answered? Comment below or get in touch with us on Twitter and we will try to help you out!

Once again, if you have seen this guide on any other page than KODIT I P S.com, it has been stolen.

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