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Rompatcher
What it is
Rompatcher is a free Rust command-line tool for applying ROM patches on Linux and Windows. It detects a patch format from its magic bytes and supports IPS, BPS, UPS, APS N64, APS GBA, EBP, RUP, PPF, xdelta and BDF. These formats cover patching work for systems including Game Boy, NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, PlayStation and PSP. Optional checksum verification accepts CRC32, Adler32 and MD5. The tool can query RetroAchievements for ROM hashes covering more than 15 consoles. Its project describes writes as transactional, using atomic output and rollback if an error occurs. Without an output path, Rompatcher creates a file in a patched/ directory, using the ROM name with .patched and its extension. The README reports approximately 27 microseconds to patch a 1 MB ROM in IPS format. Installation instructions use Cargo to build from source. The project lists an MIT OR Apache-2.0 license and states no pricing or usage limits. RetroAchievements is the only named integration.
For and against
For
- Supports ten listed patch formats
- Detects formats automatically from magic bytes
- Optional CRC32, Adler32 and MD5 checks
- Rollback protects against write errors
- Queries hashes through RetroAchievements
Against
- Installation is documented from source using Cargo
- It is limited to Linux and Windows
- No integrations beyond RetroAchievements are listed
- The tool is command-line based
The verdict
Rompatcher focuses on broad patch-format support, checksum options and safer writes. Its free license and defined output behavior make it straightforward for source-building users on Linux or Windows.
Who it suits
Rompatcher suits Linux and Windows users working with ROM patches across the listed retro systems. It is especially relevant to users who want automatic format detection and optional checksum checks.
Plans and prices
Rompatcher
No pricing or usage limits stated on the project page
Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Audience
- The listed patch formats and example ROM extensions cover systems including Game Boy, NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and PSP.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Checksums
- Optional checksum validation supports CRC32, Adler32, and MD5.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- CLI output
- When no output path is specified, the command creates a file under patched/ named from the ROM with .patched and its extension.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Format detection
- The tool identifies patch formats from their magic bytes.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README documents installation from source using Cargo.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README names RetroAchievements for ROM hash lookups; it lists no other integrations.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The README lists the project license as MIT OR Apache-2.0.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Patch formats
- Supported formats listed are IPS, BPS, UPS, APS N64, APS GBA, EBP, RUP, PPF, xdelta, and BDF.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The README reports approximately 27 microseconds to patch a 1 MB ROM in IPS format.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Rompatcher is a ROM patcher written in Rust that applies patches with automatic format detection and optional checksum verification.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- RetroAchievements
- It can look up ROM hashes for more than 15 consoles through RetroAchievements.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The README describes checksum verification and write rollback but does not state a security certification or compliance standard.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Write safety
- The project describes patch writes as transactional, with atomic writes and rollback on error.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
