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SPECIFICTION
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RetroBat

retrobat.org

Free plan Windows
Visit retrobat.org
Spec score 7.3 #46 of 68 in Game launchers

What it is

RetroBat is a free, open-source Windows frontend for organizing and playing retro game ROM collections. It supports more than 230 consoles and computers and can run from a PC, hard drive, or USB key. The setup does not include emulator programs; 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. Retrieved information may include 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 help is available through Discord, the forum, and the FAQ.

Spec sheet

Purpose
RetroBat is a retro gaming frontend for playing ROM collections on Windows.Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org
Intended users
The site presents RetroBat as a way to organize and play a retro game ROM collection through one frontend.Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org
Support
The documentation directs users to the official Discord, forum, and FAQ for help.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wiki.retrobat.org
Controller support
The documentation says major Windows-compatible controllers should work and recommends X-Input for best compatibility.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wiki.retrobat.org
Customization
The site lists downloadable themes, shaders, bezels, netplay, cheats, save states, and rewind.Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org
Download limitation
An internet connection is required to download additional emulator programs, which are not included in the setup.Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org
Game library
The site describes support for more than 230 consoles and computers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org
Metadata integrations
The documentation lists ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, HFSDB, ArcadeDB, and IGDB as scraping services; ScreenScraper is the default and requires credentials.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wiki.retrobat.org
Portable
The site says RetroBat can be installed on a PC, hard drive, or USB key.Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org
Price
The site says RetroBat is free and open source and will always be free.Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org
Requirements
The listed supported operating systems are Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.1.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wiki.retrobat.org
Scraped content
Scraping can retrieve game information, ratings, images, videos, maps, manuals, and pad-to-key settings.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wiki.retrobat.org

Plans and prices

RetroBat Free Windows only · ROM collection and compatible emulators required Read 8 Oct 2026 · retrobat.org

Every RetroBat plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source
  • Supports 230+ consoles and computers
  • Runs from USB storage
  • Offers several metadata sources
  • Includes save states and rewind

Limits

  • Emulators are not included
  • Internet is needed for emulator downloads
  • ScreenScraper requires credentials
  • Windows only

Who it suits

RetroBat suits Windows users organizing ROM collections through one frontend with emulator, controller, metadata, and customization support.

Verdict

RetroBat centralizes a broad retro game collection on supported Windows versions and offers extensive metadata and interface options. Users must provide compatible ROMs and obtain emulator programs separately.

Where Specifiction places it

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