Manuals+

Add Games and BIOS Files to Batocera

Batocera comes with a selection of free ROMs and allows for the installation of additional games via the Content Downloader. Artwork and video previews are pre-scraped for use with themes, aiding in testing functionality.

Several methods exist for adding files to your Batocera machine:

Userdata Filesystem Options

Batocera utilizes two main partitions: the boot partition (FAT32, visible to Windows) and the userdata/share partition (where ROMs, BIOS, saves, etc., are stored). The userdata partition can use various filesystems, with the best choice depending on your needs.

Filesystem Guidelines:

External drives can be reformatted to ext4, BTRFS, or exFAT via Batocera's built-in tools under SYSTEM SETTINGS → DEVELOPER → FORMAT A DISK. Ensure you back up your data before formatting.

BIOS Files

BIOS files are essential for certain emulators to function correctly, particularly for systems like PlayStation and NeoGeo. These files are not included with Batocera due to copyright restrictions and must be supplied by the user. They should be placed in the /userdata/bios/ folder.

For arcade games, specific additional files might be required depending on the system (e.g., Atomiswave, Naomi). A list of suitable BIOS files and their corresponding checksums (md5sum) is available. The easiest way to check for missing BIOS files is through the SYSTEM SETTINGS menu in Batocera, which displays required paths and checksums.

A text document detailing required BIOS files can be found via SSH at /usr/share/batocera/datainit/bios/readme.txt. The current list of required and upcoming BIOS files is also available on the GitHub repository.

List of compatible BIOS files (updated for Batocera v32):

3D0:

Amiga:

Atari 5200 / Atari 800:

Atari ST:

Atomiswave:

Fairchild ChannelF:

Dreamcast:

Nintendo Family Computer Disk System:

Fujitsu FM-Towns:

Future Pinball:

Nintendo Gameboy Advance:

Apple 2 GS:

Mattel Intellivision:

Lynx:

MSX:

Naomi:

Nintendo DS:

NeoGeo:

NeoGeo CD:

Odyssey 2:

NEC PC-8800:

NEC PC-9800:

PC Engine:

PC-FX:

PS2:

PS3:

PSX:

Satellaview:

Sega Saturn:

Super Cassette Vision:

Sega CD:

Super Game Boy:

Sufami:

Supergrafx:

Sharp X1:

Sharp x68000:

Xbox:

ROMs

Ensure your ROM files are in a suitable format for the emulators you intend to use. Check the _info.txt file within each system's ROM directory for acceptable file extensions (e.g., .7z, .nes, .zip for NES). If multiple emulators are available for a system, and they support different ROM formats, you may receive a message indicating potential incompatibility when launching a game.

The Network Share

To add ROM files over the network, connect to your Batocera machine via its Samba share:

  1. Open your file explorer and navigate to the “Network” section.
  2. Locate the BATOCERA share. If it's not visible, you can directly access it using \BATOCERA (Windows/MacOS) or smb://BATOCERA.local (Linux). If hostname resolution fails, use the Batocera machine's IP address (e.g., \192.168.1.2). The IP address can be found in Batocera under MAIN MENU → NETWORK SETTINGS → IP ADDRESS.
  3. Copy the ROMs into the respective share/roms/[system shortname] directory. Refer to the systems overview page for shortname identification.

Alternatively, you can use SCP to connect to your Batocera machine and add ROMs to the /userdata/roms/[system shortname] folders.

? If you encounter issues accessing the network share, consult the network section on the troubleshooting page.

Directly on the SD Card or USB Key

Insert your Batocera drive into another computer. Once mounted, copy and paste ROM files into their respective system folders (e.g., /roms/nes for NES ROMs). If you encounter issues accessing ext4 partitions on Windows, refer to the provided link for assistance.

External USB Key

This method is similar to using an SD card, but FAT32 formatting allows access across most Operating Systems.

File Manager

On PC x86 and x86_64 systems, Batocera includes a file explorer accessible by pressing F1 within EmulationStation. From the file explorer, you can also launch a terminal using F4. This tool can be used to copy ROMs and metadata from an external USB drive. To exit, press [Ctrl]+[Q] or use the File menu.

NAS

NAS usage is detailed in a separate section: Store games on a nas.

Models: 878-546 Add Game BIOS Batocera, 878-546, Add Game BIOS Batocera, Game BIOS Batocera, Batocera

File Info : application/pdf, 10 Pages, 213.91KB

PDF preview unavailable. Download the PDF instead.

add games bios files to batocera

References

mPDF 8.0.7

Related Documents

Preview Guía de Doble Arranque de Batocera: Windows, Ubuntu y Linux Mint
Aprenda a configurar un sistema de doble arranque con Batocera y otros sistemas operativos como Windows, Ubuntu y Linux Mint. Esta guía cubre la partición del disco, la configuración de GRUB y los pasos específicos para cada sistema operativo.
Preview Advanced Arcade Emulation Guide for Batocera | ROMs, MAME, RetroArch
Explore advanced arcade emulation on Batocera with this comprehensive guide. Learn essential techniques for ROM management using tools like RomVault and ClrMamePro, configure various emulators including MAME, fbneo, and libretro variants, and master joystick setup, highscores, and in-game menus. Ideal for retro gaming enthusiasts looking to optimize their Batocera experience.
Preview Batocera Installation Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions
A comprehensive guide to installing Batocera.linux on your computer, covering BIOS settings, boot order, and the installation process using Etcher or directly from within Batocera.
Preview Batocera SSH/Xterm and Common Commands Guide
A comprehensive guide to accessing and utilizing the SSH terminal and common command-line functions within the Batocera operating system for enhanced system management and troubleshooting.
Preview CRT Output on Raspberry Pi with Batocera
A technical guide for configuring Batocera on Raspberry Pi to achieve CRT output using composite video, including prerequisites, preparation steps, and troubleshooting tips.
Preview Accessing Batocera Linux via SSH: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn how to connect to your Batocera system using SSH, execute basic commands, manage files, and debug issues. This guide covers essential command-line operations for Batocera users.
Preview USFF/NUC/Mini PCs for Batocera Compatibility Guide
This guide details the compatibility of various Ultra Small Form-Factor (USFF), Next Unit Computers (NUCs), and other mini PCs with the Batocera retro gaming operating system. It includes tested models, performance notes, required accessories, and links to manufacturer pages.
Preview Batocera Handheld Compatibility Guide
A comprehensive guide to handheld devices compatible with Batocera.linux, detailing features, performance, and specific compatibility notes for each device.