7303 verified BIOS and firmware files for 10 retrogaming platforms, 329 emulators profiled from source code.
Quick install
The installer auto-detects your platform and BIOS directory. No configuration needed.
Linux / Mac / Steam Deck:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Abdess/retrobios/main/install.sh | shWindows (PowerShell):
iwr -useb https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Abdess/retrobios/main/install.ps1 | iexIf you prefer to download manually, grab the pack for your platform below and extract it to the listed directory.
Which pack to choose?
-
Full pack (recommended): contains everything your platform needs. The platform's own BIOS list plus all files required by each emulator core. Covers edge cases, alternate cores, and optional firmware that improves accuracy. Pick this if you want zero hassle.
-
Platform pack: contains only the files officially listed by your platform. Smaller download, strictly what the platform itself checks for. Pick this if you have limited storage or only use default cores.
If unsure, take the full pack.
Some full packs exceed GitHub's 2 GB file limit and are split into numbered parts (.zip.001, .zip.002). Download all the parts, then simply open the .001 file with 7-Zip or PeaZip: they extract the whole archive on their own. If you prefer to join the parts back into a single ZIP:
Linux / Mac:
cat PackName.zip.0* > PackName.zipWindows (PowerShell):
cmd /c copy /b PackName.zip.001+PackName.zip.002 PackName.zipFull packs
| Platform | Pack | Files | Size | Extract to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RetroArch v1.22.2 / Lakka | part 1 + part 2 | 7809 | 3.2 GB | system/
|
| RetroPie v1.22.2 | part 1 + part 2 | 7727 | 3.2 GB | ~/RetroPie/BIOS/
|
| RetroDECK | part 1 + part 2 | 3193 | 3.7 GB | ~/retrodeck/
|
| RetroBat 7.5.3 | part 1 + part 2 | 1169 | 3.0 GB | bios/
|
| Batocera 42 | part 1 + part 2 | 1540 | 2.5 GB | /userdata/bios/
|
| Recalbox 10.0 | part 1 + part 2 | 1168 | 2.0 GB | /recalbox/share/bios/
|
| EmuDeck 2.3.8 | EmuDeck_2.3.8_BIOS_Pack.zip | 526 | 1.7 GB | Emulation/bios/
|
| BizHawk | BizHawk_releasebranch-svn-end_BIOS_Pack.zip | 530 | 1.3 GB | Firmware/
|
| RomM 4.7.0 | RomM_4.7.0_BIOS_Pack.zip | 540 | 907 MB | bios/{platform_slug}/
|
Platform packs
| Platform | Pack | Files | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| RetroArch / Lakka | RetroArch_Lakka_v1.22.2_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 6565 | 631 MB |
| RetroPie | RetroPie_v1.22.2_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 6565 | 631 MB |
| RetroDECK | RetroDECK_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 2006 | 687 MB |
| Batocera | Batocera_42_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 361 | 682 MB |
| BizHawk | BizHawk_releasebranch-svn-end_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 118 | 546 MB |
| RomM | RomM_4.7.0_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 374 | 419 MB |
| Recalbox | Recalbox_10.0_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 346 | 93 MB |
| RetroBat | RetroBat_7.5.3_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 339 | 92 MB |
| EmuDeck | EmuDeck_2.3.8_Platform_BIOS_Pack.zip | 34 | 45 MB |
What's new since v2026.04.02
- Split parts renamed from .part00/.part01 to .zip.001/.zip.002: 7-Zip and PeaZip now open the first part directly, no manual joining needed
- Arcade BIOS ZIPs (awbios.zip, naomi.zip, ide250.zip, ...) now ship with the exact checksums Batocera, RetroBat and RetroDECK check for
- CD-i BIOS ZIPs placed where the SAME CDi core looks for them (same_cdi/bios/)
- FBNeo BIOS ZIPs also placed under fbneo/ so the Android core finds them
- Installer detects Recalbox 10.x and current RetroDECK releases, follows EmuDeck installs on SD cards, and picks sensible default folders when detection finds nothing
- 3DS AES key list extended with 52 keys
- Mega CD BIOS files renamed to match the revision dates stored inside them
- Duplicate files differing only by letter case removed
Contributors
Thanks to everyone who reported and helped narrow these down:
- @LampaGJ - Recalbox 10.x detection (#52)
- @Norbz - EmuDeck SD card paths (#63)
- @Ixsul - EmuDeck home paths (#65)
- @phobiac and @nzgamer41 - RetroDECK installer (#53)
- @realdanielelias - Batocera arcade checksums (#54)
- @birdybro and @monster-penguin - CD-i files (#55)
- @dsayson403 - Mega CD BIOS naming (#42) and CD-i paths (#41)
- @iameduardod - FBNeo Android paths (#43)
- @Proletar666 - 3DS AES keys (#62)
- @user18081972 and @AboSari - split naming (#57)
- @blathers16 - case collisions (#49)
SHA256SUMS.txt included for integrity verification (checksums are for the full ZIP, before splitting).
Happy retrogaming 🎮