RetroArch
Frontend for emulators, game engines and media players built on the libretro API
In our rankings
Scores on the multi-system emulators criteria
Evaluated Nov 5, 2026- Systems covered ×3 5
5/5 means: 35 or more systems
The core list names far more than 35 distinct systems, from the Commodore Amiga to the Sega Saturn and Nintendo GameCube/Wii, across over 200 cores.
4 quotes - Play features ×3 5
5/5 means: All eight
All eight are documented: save states, rewind, fast-forward, run-ahead, shaders, a netplay lobby, controller remapping and automatic setup, and video recording.
5 quotes - Platforms ×2 5
5/5 means: Windows, macOS, Linux, a phone platform and at least one game console
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, on iOS and Android, and on game consoles such as the Wii U, 3DS and Switch.
2 quotes - Release activity ×2 3
3/5 means: 6 to 18 months old
Latest stable release v1.22.2 was published on 20 November 2025, just under a year before capture.
1 quote
Evidence (19 quotes)
- 1
“RetroArch is the reference frontend for the libretro API.”
github.com/libretro/RetroArch · checked - 2
“These programs are instantiated as dynamic libraries. We refer to these as "libretro cores".”
github.com/libretro/RetroArch · checked - 3
“RetroArch/Libretro has over 200 cores, and the list keeps expanding over time. These include game engines, games, multimedia programs and emulators.”
retroarch.com · checked - 4
“Beetle Saturn Sega Saturn”
docs.libretro.com/guides/core-list · checked - 5
“Dolphin Nintendo GameCube/Wii”
docs.libretro.com/guides/core-list · checked - 6
“Amiberry Commodore Amiga”
docs.libretro.com/guides/core-list · checked - 7
“In some areas, RetroArch goes beyond and emphasizes on not-so-common technical features such as multi-pass shader support, real-time rewind (Braid-style), video recording (using FFmpeg), run-ahead input latency removal, etc.”
github.com/libretro/RetroArch · checked - 8
“Options include (but are not limited to) adjusting the video resolution and system region, remapping controller inputs, managing Load/Save States, cheats or shaders, and taking screenshots or recording video clips.”
docs.libretro.com/guides/quick-menu · checked - 9
“Fast forward toggle”
- 10
“Rediscover the joy of multiplayer games using RetroArch built-in netplay lobby.”
retroarch.com · checked - 11
“Common game controllers are automatically configured when plugged in, just like a real console.”
retroarch.com · checked - 12
“On top of all that, RetroArch also runs on iOS and Android for tablets and phones, as well as on game consoles like PS2, PS3, PSP, PS Vita, Wii, Wii U, 2DS, 3DS, Switch, and more!”
retroarch.com/platforms.html · checked - 13
“RetroArch can run on the usual platforms like Windows, macOS and Linux, but it stands alone in that it can support far more platforms beyond just that.”
retroarch.com/platforms.html · checked - 14
“tag_name: v1.22.2, published_at: 2025-11-20T03:12:17Z”
- 15
“Every setting has a logical default so you can be up and running in no time.”
retroarch.com · checked - 16
“And with RetroArch's built-in Core Updater, you can download new programs directly as soon as they become available!”
retroarch.com · checked - 17
“RetroArch is available on many popular store fronts for free, including Steam , Amazon App Store , Samsung Galaxy Store , Huawei App Gallery , Apple Store and Google Play !”
retroarch.com/platforms.html · checked - 18
“For instance, the Steam version requires us to host everything on their CDN and the cores we make available have to be provided on Steam themselves, so there is no daily automatic core updater available.”
retroarch.com/platforms.html · checked - 19
“To run properly, RetroArch requires a libretro implementation present; however, as it's typically loaded dynamically, it's not required at build time.”
github.com/libretro/RetroArch · checked