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RetroBat
What it is
RetroBat is a free, open-source Windows frontend for organizing and playing a retro game ROM collection. The site describes support for more than 230 consoles and computers, with installation on a PC, hard drive or USB key. It does not include emulator programs, so an internet connection is required to download additional emulators. Library metadata can be scraped from ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, HFSDB, ArcadeDB and IGDB; ScreenScraper is the default and requires credentials. Scraped content may include game information, ratings, images, videos, maps, manuals and pad-to-key settings. RetroBat also lists downloadable themes, shaders, bezels, netplay, cheats, save states and rewind. Major Windows-compatible controllers should work, with X-Input recommended for best compatibility. Supported operating systems are Windows 11, Windows 10 and Windows 8.1. The plan is free, and the project says it will always be free.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Supports more than 230 consoles and computers
- Can run from a PC, hard drive or USB key
- Offers metadata scraping from five services
- Includes themes, shaders, cheats and save states
Against
- Windows only
- Emulators are not included
- Internet is required to download emulators
- ScreenScraper requires credentials
The verdict
RetroBat provides a free Windows hub for organizing retro ROM collections with metadata and customization options. Remember that emulator downloads and a compatible game collection remain separate requirements.
Who it suits
It suits Windows users who want one frontend for a retro ROM collection and compatible emulators. Users should be comfortable downloading emulators separately and supplying required metadata credentials.
Plans and prices
RetroBat
Windows only · ROM collection and compatible emulators required
Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org
On the record
- Controller support
- The documentation says major Windows-compatible controllers should work and recommends X-Input for best compatibility.wiki.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Customization
- The site lists downloadable themes, shaders, bezels, netplay, cheats, save states, and rewind.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Download limitation
- An internet connection is required to download additional emulator programs, which are not included in the setup.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Game library
- The site describes support for more than 230 consoles and computers.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site presents RetroBat as a way to organize and play a retro game ROM collection through one frontend.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Metadata integrations
- The documentation lists ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, HFSDB, ArcadeDB, and IGDB as scraping services; ScreenScraper is the default and requires credentials.wiki.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Portable
- The site says RetroBat can be installed on a PC, hard drive, or USB key.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Price
- The site says RetroBat is free and open source and will always be free.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- RetroBat is a retro gaming frontend for playing ROM collections on Windows.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The listed supported operating systems are Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.1.wiki.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Scraped content
- Scraping can retrieve game information, ratings, images, videos, maps, manuals, and pad-to-key settings.wiki.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The documentation directs users to the official Discord, forum, and FAQ for help.wiki.retrobat.org · read 8 Oct 2026
