{"id":917240,"date":"2024-09-09T13:07:36","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T13:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/kb\/uncategorized\/kb-article\/how-to-install-and-set-up-retroarch-on-your-gpd\/"},"modified":"2024-11-30T16:11:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-30T16:11:51","password":"","slug":"how-to-install-and-set-up-retroarch-on-your-gpd","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/kb\/software-guides-en-au\/kb-article\/how-to-install-and-set-up-retroarch-on-your-gpd\/","title":{"rendered":"How to install and set up RetroArch on your GPD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this guide, we will walk you through installing and setting up the RetroArch emulator frontend on Windows-based devices, such as GPD handheld gaming PCs and mini laptops. You\u2019ll learn how to download and install RetroArch, set up emulator cores, add new ROMs to the game browser, and much more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Download RetroArch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To get RetroArch on your Windows device, head over to the official homepage at https:\/\/www.retroarch.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch for Windows download<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can choose between the latest Nightly build, which may include some bugs, or the Stable version, which is slightly older but more reliable. Once the file is downloaded, open it and follow the installation instructions provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Set Up RetroArch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Updating Configuration Files<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step in setting up RetroArch is to update the configuration and data files. To do this, go to the Settings<\/strong> menu from the main screen and select Online Updater<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Update<\/a>
Update configuration and data files<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From there, choose the menu items that begin with “Update…”\u2014each option will download and update the corresponding files to their latest versions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installing and Updating RetroArch Cores<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once your configuration files are up to date, you can start downloading emulator cores. These cores represent the various emulators available for your device. From the Settings > Online Updater<\/strong> menu, select Core Downloader<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Core Downloader\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You will see a list of available cores. Some systems, like Arcade, may have multiple cores\u2014Arcade, for example, has twelve. The term “Arcade” is generic, and certain cores may support specific systems, while others support multiple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
A RetroArch Core Downloading\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To download a core, simply click on it, and it will automatically download and install on your device. If you’re unsure which core to select when multiple options are available, you can download them all and test each one to find the best fit for your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding New Games<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you’ve downloaded your desired cores, the next step is to add your game ROMs. If you haven\u2019t already added any ROM files, we recommend checking out our how to add new ROMs guide<\/a> on where to find and how to add them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After your ROMs are on your device, you can scan them using RetroArch. From the main menu, select Import Content<\/strong>, then choose Scan Directory<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Import<\/a>
Import your ROMS by scanning them<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Navigate to the folder where your ROMs are stored. You can choose to scan all folders or select a specific system if your ROMs are organized by platform. Click on <Scan This Directory><\/strong>, and RetroArch will scan the folder, adding the games to your library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You<\/a>
You can scan all ROMs or a specific folder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Depending on how many games you’re scanning, this process might take a while\u2014just let RetroArch complete the task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loading an Imported Game<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From the main menu, scroll through the list and you\u2019ll see the gaming systems you previously scanned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Browse<\/a>
Browse your collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Select a gaming system, and on the right side, you will see a list of the games found during the scan. Choose the game you want to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Game Menu\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once selected, a menu will appear with several options. For now, since we\u2019re focusing on playing the game, simply select Run<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another menu will appear, showing a list of emulator cores that are compatible with the game. The number of cores listed depends on how many you have installed\u2014you might see one or several options. If you\u2019re not satisfied with the performance of a particular core, you can always return and try another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Choose Core\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Select the compatible core you want, and you\u2019ll be taken back to the previous menu. Click Run<\/strong> again, and your game will load. Enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Configuring the Controller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RetroArch should automatically detect your game controller or built-in controller when the software starts. However, you can further customize the configuration, such as setting up shortcuts for common functions. These include bringing up the in-game menu, saving\/loading states, and even rewinding games on compatible emulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding a Hotkey in RetroArch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hotkeys allow you to use button combinations for shortcuts. To set up a hotkey, you first need to define which button will serve as the hotkey. The most commonly used hotkey is the SELECT<\/strong> button, but you can choose any button you prefer. From the main menu, go to Settings<\/strong>, then select Input<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Input\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scroll down to find Hotkeys<\/strong> and select it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Hotkeys<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, choose the Hotkey Enable<\/strong> option. A popup will appear, prompting you to press a button on your controller. Press the SELECT<\/strong> button or any other button you’d like to assign as your hotkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Hotkey Enable<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Your hotkey is now enabled! Let’s move on to configuring it for various shortcuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting Up Hotkey Combinations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the Hotkeys<\/strong> screen, you\u2019ll find a list of shortcuts that can be configured. Here, we’ll show you how to set up the Load<\/strong> and Save State<\/strong> functions. These options allow you to save your exact progress in a game and pick up right where you left off later. We\u2019ll use the L1<\/strong> and R1<\/strong> buttons for these combinations, but feel free to assign others if you prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll down to the Load State<\/strong> entry and select it. When prompted, press the L1<\/strong> button to set it. Then, select Save State<\/strong> and press the R1<\/strong> button to assign it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Load Save State\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now, when you\u2019re playing a game, you can hold the SELECT<\/strong> button and press L1<\/strong> to load a save state, or press R1<\/strong> to save a state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also recommend setting up the Menu Toggle Controller Combo<\/strong>, which allows you to bring up the in-game menu. This is useful if you need to tweak settings or safely exit the game and return to the main menu. Additional hotkey functions, such as Rewind<\/strong> (for supported systems) or Fast Forward<\/strong> (great for skipping cutscenes or long dialogues), can also be activated to enhance your gaming experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Useful Hints and Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Where to get ROMS?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can find where to get ROMs in our guide here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Make the RetroArch Window Full Screen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can set RetroArch to display in full-screen mode permanently or create a shortcut to toggle between windowed and full-screen modes. In the Hotkeys<\/strong> menu we discussed earlier, there\u2019s an option to set up this toggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you want RetroArch to always start in full-screen mode, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the main menu, select Settings<\/strong>, then choose Video<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Video Settings\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the Video Settings<\/strong> menu, select Fullscreen Mode<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RetroArch<\/a>
RetroArch Fullscreen Mode\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then, choose the option Start in Fullscreen Mode<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RetroArch will briefly restart and then open in full-screen mode. If you wish to switch back to windowed mode, simply return to the Start in Fullscreen Mode<\/strong> option and disable it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

RetroArch can be daunting when first setting it up. Our how to install and set up RetroArch guide will have you retro gaming in no time at all!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":917243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[13758],"doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-917240","docs","type-docs","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","doc_category-software-guides-en-au"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"year_month":"2026-04","word_count":1137,"total_views":"226","reactions":{"happy":"0","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"name":"Dave","author_nicename":"dave-c","author_url":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/blog\/author\/dave-c\/"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"Software Guides","term_url":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/kb-category\/software-guides-en-au\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"knowledge_base_info":[],"knowledge_base_slug":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/917240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=917240"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/917240\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/917243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=917240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=917240"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpdstore.net\/en-au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=917240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}