PCGame

RetroArch

Free emulation frontend for running and configuring classic games

Libretro · Released May 27, 2022

Free To Play

Reviews
Very Positive
88% of 11K
Recent reviews
Very Positive
86% of 120 in 30 days
Players
407
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Verified
Last update on Steam
11 months ago
Nov 17, 2025
Minimum PC
Any compliant OpenGL 2.x
0 GB RAM
Full requirements

What is RetroArch?

RetroArch is a free, open-source frontend that runs classic games through modular emulator cores rather than being a game itself. You load compatible game files from a unified interface, configure controls and visual shaders, and can use rewinding plus local or online multiplayer.

For you if...

  • +you want one frontend for many classic game systems
  • +you enjoy fine-tuning controls, cores, and display shaders
  • +you use local or online multiplayer for classic games

Not for you if...

  • −you want a story-driven game rather than utility software
  • −you prefer a dedicated emulator for each game system

What players say

88% of 11,062 reviews are positive · 86% of 120 in the last 30 days

Players praise having many emulation cores, detailed configuration, and multiplayer in one program. The main complaints are the convoluted interface and steep setup process, while recent reviews say this release is outdated and lacks cores, updates, and features available in the standalone version.

Players over time

▼ -44% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 761 players on Sep 27, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 2026407
Nov 6, 2026323
Nov 5, 2026316
Nov 4, 2026331
Nov 3, 2026330
Nov 2, 2026349
Nov 1, 2026404
Oct 31, 2026348
Oct 30, 2026339
Oct 29, 2026318
Oct 28, 2026332
Oct 27, 2026512
Oct 26, 2026570
Oct 25, 2026624
Oct 24, 2026640
Oct 23, 2026570
Oct 22, 2026553
Oct 21, 2026621
Oct 20, 2026572
Oct 18, 2026656
Oct 17, 2026594
Oct 16, 2026574
Oct 15, 2026578
Oct 14, 2026543
Oct 13, 2026651
Oct 11, 2026694
Oct 10, 2026633
Oct 9, 2026596
Oct 8, 2026585
Oct 7, 2026605
Oct 6, 2026585
Oct 4, 2026702
Oct 3, 2026680
Oct 2, 2026613
Oct 1, 2026645
Sep 30, 2026663
Sep 29, 2026660
Sep 27, 2026761
Sep 26, 2026724
Sep 25, 2026621
Sep 24, 2026645
Sep 23, 2026311
Sep 23, 2026663
Sep 22, 2026650
Sep 21, 2026640

Screenshots and trailer

RetroArch screenshot 1

RetroArch system requirements

Minimum: Any compliant OpenGL 2.x, 0 GB RAM.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run RetroArch?

Tell us your graphics card once and every game page will answer this for you.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS
Microsoft Windows 10
Processor
Intel Pentium 4 and up (CPU with SSE2 instructions required)
Graphics
Any compliant OpenGL 2.x or Direct3D11 GPU. For shaders to work properly, should support at least Shader Model 2.0.
Memory
32 MB RAM
DirectX
Version 11
Notes
For OpenGL: Intel HD 2K/3K GPUs on Windows 10 will have to fall back to an OpenGL 1.1 driver.

Recommended

OS
Microsoft Windows 10
Processor
Intel Core series or AMD equivalent
Graphics
Intel: At least Intel HD 4K required for OpenGL, any compliant D3D11 GPU for Direct3D 11. Should support at least Shader Model 3.0 and/or 4.0.
Memory
512 MB RAM
DirectX
Version 11
Notes
For OpenGL: Intel HD 2K/3K GPUs on Windows 10 will have to fall back to an OpenGL 1.1 driver.

Does RetroArch have co-op or multiplayer?

Yes: co-op online and split-screen and LAN; PvP online and split-screen and LAN. It also has a single-player mode. With Remote Play Together, one copy is enough to play the local modes online with friends.

Does RetroArch run on Steam Deck?

Verified Yes, Verified by Valve: it works on Steam Deck out of the box.

  • All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
  • Shows Steam Deck controller icons
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Full controller support
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Steam features
Cloud saves, Family Sharing, HDR
Languages
Text only: English, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese - Portugal, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish - Spain.

Does RetroArch use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Nov 6, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

65 DLC available.

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