> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # RetroArch is The Best Way to Play Classic Games on Linux - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/retroarch/ - Published: 2025-06-16T14:30:07.000Z - Updated: 2025-06-16T14:30:08.000Z - Description: A powerful frontend for emulators, that offers a clean interface and wide platform support. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: First Look, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 [Mainstream gaming on Linux](https://itsfoss.com/linux-mainstream-gaming-2025/) has been steadily improving year after year, with better compatibility, performance, and a growing library of supported titles, making it a viable alternative to Windows and console gaming. In contrast, the emulation scene has been around for much longer within the Linux community, thriving thanks to Linux's openness and DIYbility. There are even [dedicated retro gaming distros](https://itsfoss.com/retro-gaming-console-linux-distros/) like Lakka and RetroPie that make setting up and playing classic games on Linux easy. In this article, we'll be taking a look at [RetroArch](https://www.retroarch.com/index.php?ref=itsfoss.com), a popular emulation frontend available for Linux and many other platforms. ## RetroArch: Overview ⭐ Before you think that RetroArch is an emulator, don't. It's actually **a frontend that runs emulators** through a system of modular components called [Libretro](https://www.libretro.com/?ref=itsfoss.com) cores. Each core handles a specific console or platform, allowing RetroArch to support a wide range of classic systems. It’s also **more than just a game launcher**. RetroArch can run media players, game engine ports, and offers features like game rewinding, shaders, and multiplayer support. ### ⭐ Key Features Packing a wide range of features that complement gameplay, customization, and compatibility across platforms, RetroArch has the following standout features: - **Cross-platform.** - **Supports over 200 cores.** - **Unified settings interface.** - **Can run media from discs.** ## 🎮 Gaming Experience On my Bazzite setup, I installed the RetroArch Flatpak and connected an Xbox Wireless controller to try out [Freedoom](https://freedoom.github.io/?ref=itsfoss.com), a free game that plays like classic DOOM. Using the [PrBoom](https://docs.libretro.com/library/prboom/?ref=itsfoss.com) core, it ran smoothly without any major issues. Initially, I had tried using the Steam version of RetroArch, but it was a bit tricky to manually add cores and games since that version doesn’t have the online downloader. ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/06/retroarch-online-updater-page.png) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/06/retroarch-core-downloader-page.png) **The Online Updater and Core Downloader pages of RetroArch.* I downloaded the PrBoom core using RetroArch’s built-in *Online Updater*, which **offers many cores for playing games** from various classic consoles and systems. Using my controller, I easily navigated to the *Core Downloader* page from the *Main Menu* to find the core. ![retroarch with the prboom core loaded and the main menu page being shown](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/06/retroarch-with-core-loaded.png) ![retroarch load content page in action, showing a directory where two freedoom .wad files are located](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/06/retroarch-load-content-page.png) **The Main Menu and Load Content pages of RetroArch.* After loading the core, I used the *Load Content* option to open Part 1 of Freedoom by selecting its `.wad` file that I downloaded earlier. As you can see in the video above, the game ran well. There were some minor stutters, but it didn’t affect gameplay; I was too busy taking down demons. ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/06/retroarch-input-page.png) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/06/retroarch-recording-page.png) **RetroArch's Input and Recording pages.* For those who like tinkering with their controller input, RetroArch’s *Input* page offers detailed customization, **letting you remap buttons**, adjust sensitivity, and set up different profiles for each core or game. There’s also a *Recording* page where **you can capture gameplay footage easily** without needing extra software. (*I missed this before I recorded the video.*) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/06/retroarch-appearance-page.png) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/06/retroarch-drivers-page.png) **RetroArch's Appearance and Drivers pages.* Similarly, the *Appearance* page allows you to adjust themes, menu styles, and on-screen displays to suit your preferences, while the *Drivers* page **lets you configure hardware settings** like video, audio, input, and network interfaces to ensure smooth performance. During my play session, RetroArch’s full-screen mode bugged out and wouldn’t enter full-screen properly, so I had to stick with windowed mode. There are other cool features I didn’t talk about, like [Netplay](https://docs.libretro.com/development/retroarch/netplay/?ref=itsfoss.com) for online multiplayer, [Shaders](https://docs.libretro.com/shader/introduction/?ref=itsfoss.com) to improve graphics, and [Cheat Code](https://docs.libretro.com/guides/cheat-codes/?ref=itsfoss.com) support for games. ## ⚙️ Installing RetroArch on Linux RetroArch comes in a bunch of formats, but on Linux, there are two main ways I recommend installing it. The first is to source it via [Flathub](https://flathub.org/apps/org.libretro.RetroArch?ref=itsfoss.com) by running the following command: ``` flatpak install flathub org.libretro.RetroArch ``` The second is for Ubuntu users who use snaps. You can grab the latest release from [Snapcraft](https://snapcraft.io/retroarch?ref=itsfoss.com) by running this command: ``` sudo snap install retroarch ``` You can also get RetroArch via [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1118310/RetroArch/?ref=itsfoss.com), AppImage, or build it from [source](https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch?ref=itsfoss.com). It’s cross-platform, with downloads available directly from the [official website](https://www.retroarch.com/index.php?page=platforms&ref=itsfoss.com) for other major systems like **Raspberry Pi**, **Windows**, **Android**, **macOS**, and **iOS**. [RetroArch](https://www.retroarch.com/index.php?page=platforms&ref=itsfoss.com) **Suggested Read** 📖 [Is Linux Ready For Mainstream Gaming In 2025?Linux is quietly gaining ground on Windows in the gaming space. But how well does it actually perform? Here’s what I experienced.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/icon/android-chrome-192x192-128.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/gaming-in-linux-2025-6.png)](https://itsfoss.com/linux-mainstream-gaming-2025/)