Batocera.linux Manuals & User Guides

Batocera.linux is an entirely open-source and free retro-gaming operating system that allows you to turn any computer, nano-computer, or single-board computer into a dedicated gaming console. It is built from scratch to provide a seamless, plug-and-play emulation experience without requiring permanent installation on your hard drive, allowing it to boot directly from a USB stick or SD card.

Featuring the intuitive EmulationStation frontend, Batocera supports a massive range of arcade and console emulators out of the box. Users can easily manage their game libraries, customize the interface with various themes, and configure controllers, including standard Bluetooth gamepads. Advanced features include support for Windows PC games via Wine, RetroAchievements, and a built-in Kodi Media Center for managing entertainment media alongside your games.

• How do I pair a Bluetooth controller in Batocera.linux?

  You can pair a Bluetooth controller via the EmulationStation UI Controllers Settings menu, or manually via SSH. If using SSH, launch 'bluetoothctl', input 'scan on', put your controller in pairing mode, and then use the 'pair', 'connect', and 'trust' commands with your controller's MAC address.

• How do I run Windows games on Batocera using Wine?

  Place your Windows executable installers (.iso, .exe, or .msi) in the /userdata/roms/windows_installers/ folder. Refresh the gamelist, navigate to the 'Windows' system in EmulationStation, select 'Install a new game', and proceed through the normal installation prompts.

• How can I change the EmulationStation theme?

  Press [START] to open the Main Menu, go to 'UI Settings', and choose your preferred theme under 'Theme Set'. You can download more themes by navigating to 'Updates & Downloads' and selecting 'Themes'.

• Where can I configure my game controller?

  Open the EmulationStation Main Menu and select 'Controllers Settings'. Choose 'Configure A Controller', hold down a button on your connected gamepad, and follow the on-screen prompts to map your inputs.

• Does Batocera support RetroAchievements?

  Yes. You can enable and configure RetroAchievements by pressing [START] to open the Main Menu, heading to 'System Settings', and selecting 'RetroAchievements Settings' to input your account credentials.