RetroBat

What RetroBat is

RetroBat is a free, open-source Windows frontend for organizing and playing a retro ROM collection. It brings games from more than 230 consoles and computers into one library, with emulator support; compatible emulator programs are not included in the setup and must be downloaded separately, which requires an internet connection. RetroBat can be installed on a PC, hard drive, or USB key, and supports Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.1.

The library can be enriched using ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, HFSDB, ArcadeDB, or IGDB. ScreenScraper is the default and requires credentials. Scraped material can include game details, ratings, images, videos, maps, manuals, and pad-to-key settings. Players can add downloadable themes, shaders, and bezels, and use netplay, cheats, save states, and rewind. Major Windows-compatible controllers should work; X-Input is recommended for best compatibility. RetroBat’s free plan costs nothing, and the project says it will always be free. Help is available through its official Discord, forum, and FAQ.

Who it suits

RetroBat suits Windows users who want one frontend for organizing and playing a retro ROM collection across many consoles and computers. It is also a fit for people who want library scraping, controller support, and options such as save states or rewind.

Limits

The free plan is limited to Windows, and a ROM collection plus compatible emulators are required. Emulator programs are not included in the setup and require an internet connection to download.

Getting started

1. Visit the RetroBat website.
2. Download and install it on a PC, hard drive, or USB key.
3. Use a Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8.1 system.
4. Connect an internet connection to download additional emulator programs.
5. Add a ROM collection and compatible emulators.
6. Optionally configure a scraping service and compatible controller.

Verdict

Choose RetroBat if you want a free Windows frontend for a broad retro ROM library, with scraping and play options in one place. Look elsewhere if you need a platform other than Windows or expect emulator programs to be part of the initial setup.