What Is Batocera? Explained
Batocerais technically a Linux distribution, but you wouldn’t know it upon first glance. This is a heavily modified distribution that loads up as a virtual arcade machine packed with retro games.
You can download and install Batocera completely free of charge, so the only money you’ll end up spending is on a device-compatible gaming controller (assuming you don’t already have one).
Related:Useful PC Gaming Accessories and Peripherals Worth Getting
Getting Started With Batocera
Before you can get started with Batocera, you need to have a USB drive or SD card ready. Batocera will run on most options, but for best results, you’ll want a drive or card withat least 16 GB of storage.
While Batocera is pretty easy to install to whatever USB drive or SD card you have available, it may not seem intuitive. Here are the steps:
Head to the Batocera website anddownload the installer, making sure you select the right version (for your computer, console, or otherwise).
Next you need to downloadBalena Etcher. This is the software you’ll use toprepare the USB drive or SD cardso it can accept the Batocera installation.
Once you’ve downloaded both the Batocera installer and Balena Etcher, launch Balena Etcher. Then, select the Batocera file you downloaded (as the image) and select your USB drive or SD card (as the destination).
Then select theFlash! buttonto begin installing Batocera. This will take a while, so make sure your device stays on.
Once Balena Etcher is finished writing the image to the USB drive or SD card, you should restart your computer so you canboot using that USB drive or SD cardrather than your normal operating system.
To boot from an external device, most computers will prompt you to hold a certain key (e.g. Esc, F2, Delete) during the startup process. If you don’t know which key to press, consult the manual or your computer manufacturer’s website.
Once you successfully boot from the USB drive or SD card, Batocera itself will launch for the first time.
Configuring Batocera
One thing to know about Batocera is that it’s very controller-centric. While you can navigate the interface with a keyboard, you’ll want to have a controller for the best experience. After all, this is retro gaming!
If you have a USB gaming controller,you’re all set and ready to go. Batocera even comes with a handful of home-brew video games that you can use to make sure the system is set up properly.
If you have a Bluetooth gaming controller,it will take a tiny bit more work to get things set up—but it should be quick and painless.
For example, pairing an Xbox Series X|S controller is as simple as pressing the spacebar to open the menu, navigating to the controller settings, and enabling pairing. Then, press the connection button on the Xbox Series X|S controller and everything should auto-pair.
You can try playing some of the built-in games to make sure your controller is mapped, but I found that everything seemed to set itself up fairly well without extra work from me.
The built-in games are nice, by the way! But if you’re installing Batocera, it’s probably because you have your own ROMs you want to add—so let’s get into how to do that below.
Adding Your ROMs to Batocera
While Batocera is completely legal, ROMs have always sat in a legal gray area depending on where you live.
For example, in the United States, you can legally play many ROMs of old games on sites like the Internet Archive. But if you want to download those ROMs and use them in Batocera? That isn’t legal.
Related:Nostalgic Treasures: Cool Things You Can Find on the Internet Archive
In the United States, the only way to legally obtain copies of ROMs is to take your own cartridges and dump the ROMs yourself. Those files are legal for you touse, but not legal tosharewith others.
Nonetheless, regardless of how you obtained your ROMs, one thing is certain:adding ROMs to Batocera is simple.
The easiest method is to use a second USB drive or SD card and copy the ROMs from your computer to this second USB drive.
Then, after booting up Batocera, insert that second USB drive or SD card into an open port. Tap the F1 key to open the Batocera file browser, where you’ll see a folder named “ROMs.”
Once you’re there, all you need to do is copy your ROM files from the second USB drive or SD card to that very folder. The next time you boot up Batocera, all your games will be there, ready to play.
If you’re looking for cartridges to dump, don’t forget to check our guide to thebest places to buy retro games online.
Read next:What Makes a Game “Retro”? Explained
