How to Install RetroArch on Your TV
RetroArch is an open source, multi-system video game emulator that allows you to play your favorite retro games right on your TV. With RetroArch, you can emulate classic consoles like the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Arcade systems, and more!
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to get RetroArch running smoothly on your television – from choosing the right hardware, installing and configuring the software, setting up controllers, adding your game ROMs, and troubleshooting any issues that crop up. Follow along friend, and you‘ll be knee deep in nostalgia in no time!
Choosing the Right TV Platform for RetroArch
The first step is making sure you install RetroArch on a TV platform that can actually handle the demands of real-time emulation. Here are the main options:
Android TV Box
Android TV boxes like the Nvidia Shield TV or Xiaomi Mi Box provide the best performance for RetroArch thanks to their more powerful processors compared to other platforms. The Nvidia Shield TV‘s Tegra X1+ processor with 256 core GPU is especially great for HD emulation. Any decently specced Android TV device with at least a Cortex-A53 or A55 CPU and Mali G31 GPU should work well. The Google Play Store also makes installing RetroArch easy.
Amazon Fire TV
Amazon‘s 4K Fire TV models like the Stick 4K and Cube can run RetroArch decently thanks to their quad core CPUs and GPUs based on the ARM Mali architecture. Performance is not quite on par with the Shield TV, but Fire TV still handles HD emulation pretty well. You‘ll need to sideload the Fire TV optimized APK onto the device.
Roku
Roku devices can technically run RetroArch but have lower powered chips so struggle with anything beyond SNES generation consoles. The software can be sideloaded but expect frameskip and audio issues. Only suitable for less demanding platforms like NES. Avoid the HD model.
Apple TV
RetroArch is not directly available on Apple TV, but can be sideloaded using a signing service. Performance varies across models but generally lags behind Android and Fire TV. Graphics and sounds issues are common. Only use for less intensive consoles like GB/GBA/NES.
Desktop/Laptop Computers
Of course, a good modern Windows PC or Mac connected via HDMI works great too! This is the most configurable and customizable option. Just be sure to use a wired controller.
Based on the hardware demands of RetroArch, I recommend an Android TV device like the Nvidia Shield TV or a powerful Windows/Mac computer for the best experience. Let‘s move onto installing the software!
Installing RetroArch on Your TV
Android TV
For Android TV devices like the Shield TV, installing RetroArch is super easy since it‘s available on the Google Play store. Just search for "RetroArch", download it and you‘re good! The latest stable release as of this writing is v1.9.9.
The RetroArch APK is only about 20MB so it won‘t take long to download and install directly on your device.
Fire TV
To install RetroArch on a Fire TV Stick, Cube or television, you‘ll need to download and sideload the APK:
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On a PC or Mac, visit RetroArch.com and download the Fire TV version of the APK.
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Connect your Fire TV to the computer via USB and enable ADB Debugging in the Developer Options.
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Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to push and install the APK:
adb install RetroArch.apk- You can now launch RetroArch on your Fire TV!
Apple TV and Roku
The process is similar for Apple TV and Roku – download the platform optimized RetroArch APK file and use a USB/ADB connection to sideload and install it.
Alternatively, sign up for a service like BuildStore to install RetroArch on your Apple TV or Roku without a computer.
Desktop/Laptop
To install RetroArch on your Windows, Mac or Linux PC, just head to the RetroArch website and download the correct package for your OS. For example grab the .exe file for Windows. Extract the downloaded zip folder and launch RetroArch to get started!
Configuring RetroArch
Once RetroArch is installed, there‘s some initial configuration required before you can start playing games.
Drivers
Go to Settings > Drivers and choose the Video and Audio drivers best suited for your hardware. For example, the gl or glcore video drivers work best for Nvidia GPUs. ALSA or PulseAudio are good choices for audio.
Gamepads/Controllers
Configure your gamepads in Settings > Input > Port # Controls. I recommend a wired USB or Bluetooth controller for lowest latency like the Xbox One controller or 8BitDo Pro. Map your gamepad buttons to the RetroArch functions.
Download Cores
The emulators in RetroArch are called "cores". Go to Load Core and download the cores for the systems you want to emulate:
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Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) – Nestopia or FCEUmm
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Super Nintendo (SNES) – SNES9x or SNES9x Current
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Nintendo 64 – ParaLLEI or Mupen64Plus Next
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Game Boy (GB, GBC) – Gambatte
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Game Boy Advance – mGBA or VBA Next
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Nintendo DS – MelonDS or DeSmuME
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Arcade – FinalBurn Neo or MAME (latest)
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Sega (Genesis, Master System, Game Gear) – Genesis Plus GX or PicoDrive
Stick to the latest versions of the cores for best compatibility. Below is a quick reference table of the best performing cores for each retro system:
| Console | Recommended Core |
|---|---|
| NES | Nestopia |
| SNES | SNES9x Current |
| Nintendo 64 | ParaLLEI |
| Game Boy/Color | Gambatte |
| GBA | mGBA |
| Nintendo DS | MelonDS |
| Arcade | FinalBurn Neo |
| Sega | Genesis Plus GX |
BIOS Files (Optional)
Some cores like PlayStation 1 and Arcade (MAME) may require BIOS files from the original hardware to work properly. These can usually be found online, but be sure to download and use them legally!
Assets and Info
Finally, go to Online Updater and download the database files, overlays and assets. This will help populate game information and cover art.
With that, the basic setup is complete and RetroArch is ready for gaming!
Adding Your Game ROM Collection
To load games into RetroArch, you‘ll need the original game ROM images. Here are some tips on managing your collection:
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Store your ROMs on a USB flash drive or external HDD rather than directly on your TV device. This saves space and makes management easier via your computer.
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Organize your ROMs in folders by system (nes, snes, gba etc). You can even sort by genre (shooters, RPGs etc).
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Scrape game metadata and download box art using the built-in scraper or an external tool like Skraper. This enriches the library view.
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Check your ROM files with a tool like clrmamepro to fix any issues and ensure maximum compatibility.
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ROM packs or full collections can be found online but be 100% sure the source is legal and avoid piracy. Stick to ripping your own discs.
To actually add games to RetroArch:
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Plug your USB drive containing the ROMs into your TV device.
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In RetroArch, go to Load Content and browse to the folder for the system you want to play.
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Select the game ROM and choose the appropriate core if prompted.
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Enjoy re-living your favorite childhood classics!
Some of my personal retro gaming favorites to relive on RetroArch include Super Metroid (SNES), The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES), Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation), Street Fighter II Turbo (Arcade) and Pokemon Red/Blue (Game Boy). The possibilities are endless!
Controller Recommendations for RetroArch
To play your favorite retro games on RetroArch with the ideal experience, you need the right controller. Here are some of the best options:
8BitDo Pro 2
This excellent Bluetooth gamepad is designed specifically for retro gaming. It has all the face and shoulder buttons, dual analog sticks and D-pad you need. Works great on Android, Windows, Mac etc. Around $50.
8BitDo SN30 Pro+
Modeled after the iconic SNES gamepad, this Bluetooth controller again nails the retro feel. Includes all modern inputs as well with analog sticks, rumble etc. Use it wired or wireless. Costs around $50.
Xbox One Controller
The Xbox One gamepad is my top pick for an all-purpose modern controller thanks to its comfortable ergonomics, dual rumble and wireless connectivity. Pairs easily with Windows/Android. Usually under $60.
DualShock 4
Sony‘s PS4 controller also works very well for both retro and modern games when connected via USB or Bluetooth. The d-pad and face button layout is nicely suited for retro play. Find it for under $50.
For older consoles, get system-specific controllers – the SNES inspired 8BitDo pads for 2D games and the Xbox style layouts for 3D era systems like Nintendo 64. This provides the most authentic and nostalgic experience. Avoid any cheap knockoffs with poor d-pads and buttons. Spend a bit more for quality.
Optimizing Performance and Fixing Issues
RetroArch is quite customizable, so you can tweak various settings for optimal performance. Here are some tips:
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Under Settings > Video, adjust the aspect ratio like 16:9 for modern TVs. Enable integer scaling for sharp pixels.
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For weaker devices like Fire TV or Raspberry Pi, set Video > Threaded Video to OFF to reduce input lag.
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Adjust timing settings like Run Ahead and Hard GPU Sync for lower input latency.
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Enable V-Sync and set Video Refresh Rate to 60 Hz standard for smooth visuals without screen tearing.
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Select an Audio Sync method like Sinc for stable audio that doesn‘t drift out of sync.
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Tweak graphics renderer and thread modes if you face glitches or slowdowns during gameplay.
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Adjust key bindings if you have controller input issues under Settings > Input
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Update cores and RetroArch itself frequently for bug and compatibility fixes.
With the right settings dialed in, your games should run perfectly on your TV! For any troubleshooting beyond the basics, the RetroArch documentation and community forums are very helpful resources with solutions to virtually any problem.
The Future of RetroArch and Game Emulation
As an open source project, RetroArch is constantly evolving and improving as new contributors add features and optimize performance. The accuracy and compatibility of its emulation cores are only getting better. Exciting upgrades on the horizon include:
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Enhanced AI upscaling for pixel art to make low res textures look crisp and natural on modern displays.
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Cross platform cloud syncing and save states across devices like your phone, TV and computer.
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Support for new consoles as they become possible to emulate like PS2, PS3, Nintendo Wii and Switch.
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Improved VR support for playing retro games in virtual reality!
Beyond RetroArch, broader emulation advances include powerful new emulator cores for systems like Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1. Machine learning techniques are enhancing AI game translation and upscaling. And initiatives like game preservation aim to protect our gaming history.
The nostalgia Rush of playing the classics will never fade away. As technology progresses, retro games will become more accessible than ever on RetroArch and beyond. I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into setting up RetroArch – now it‘s time to dive in and relive those classic gaming moments!
