Floating IPS (Flips)
github.com
What it is
Floating IPS (Flips) patches IPS and BPS files. It provides Windows and GTK+ graphical interfaces, command-line support, and a command-line-only build, and is listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The GUI can apply multiple patches to the same ROM and create multiple resulting ROMs. For BPS patches, it can remember earlier ROM choices and reuse one when it determines that it matches. The GUI can also launch another program after patching, allowing an emulator to start after a BPS file is patched. The project says Flips creates very small IPS patches and the smallest BPS patches of any known tool, and that it is faster than comparable creators. It is free and licensed under GNU General Public License version 3.0 or higher. The project is in maintenance mode: bug reports and pull requests will be read, but feature requests are unlikely to be implemented. GitHub marks the repository archived and read-only since May 21, 2025. Releases are automated for each commit, with an erratic schedule that can include identical releases.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Floating IPS (Flips) is a patcher for IPS and BPS files.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Platforms
- The project provides build instructions for Windows, Linux, and macOS or other Unix systems, and links Linux users to Flathub binaries.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- Flips is licensed under GNU General Public License version 3.0 or higher.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Batch patching
- Its GUI can apply multiple patches to the same ROM and create multiple resulting ROMs.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Emulator launch
- The GUI can launch other programs after patching, allowing a BPS file to be opened and patched before launching an emulator.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Interfaces
- Flips offers Windows and GTK+ graphical interfaces, command-line support, and a command-line-only build.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- IPS patch creation
- The project says Flips creates very small IPS patches, while noting that Lunar IPS is also quite good.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Maintenance
- The project says it is in maintenance mode; bug reports and pull requests will be read, while feature requests are unlikely to be implemented.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Patch creation
- The project says Flips creates the smallest BPS patches of any known tool and is faster than comparable creators.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Release cadence
- The project says releases are automated for every commit and the release schedule is highly erratic, with some releases identical.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Repository status
- GitHub marks the repository as archived and read-only since May 21, 2025.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- ROM selection
- For BPS patches, the GUI can remember previously used ROMs and reuse one when it determines that it is correct.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Free Free IPS and BPS patching · community-provided Flathub package is not verified, affiliated with, or supported by Alcaro Read 2 Oct 2026 · flathub.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Handles both IPS and BPS patch files.
- Includes graphical and command-line interfaces.
- GUI can apply multiple patches and create multiple ROMs.
- Free under GNU GPL version 3.0 or higher.
Limits
- Repository is archived and read-only since May 21, 2025.
- Feature requests are unlikely to be implemented.
- Project describes its release schedule as erratic.
Who it suits
Flips suits users who need to apply or create IPS and BPS patches on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It offers both graphical and command-line interfaces.
Verdict
Flips provides graphical and command-line patching for IPS and BPS files. Its archived repository and maintenance status are important considerations for users seeking ongoing development.
Where Specifiction places it
- ROM Patching Software#6 of 207.8
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