RetroArch

RetroArch
Developer(s)Libretro
Initial releaseMay 26, 2010 (2010-05-26)
Stable release
1.21.0  / 1 May 2025 (1 May 2025)
Repositorygithub.com/libretro/RetroArch
Written inC++, C
Operating systemHaiku, Unix-like, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS, FreeBSD, macOS, Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Xbox, Switch, New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 2DS, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Vita, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Classic, tvOS, webOS, AmigaOS, visionOS
PlatformIA-32 (x86), x86-64 (x64), ARMv7, AArch64, PowerPC, MIPS, Cell
Available inEnglish, Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese, Turkish, Arabic, Greek, Persian, Hebrew, Asturian
TypeVideo game console emulator
LicenseGNU General Public License, version 3.0
Websitewww.retroarch.com, www.libretro.com

RetroArch is a free and open-source, cross-platform frontend for emulators, game engines, video games, media players and other applications. It is the reference implementation of the libretro API, designed to be fast, lightweight, portable and without dependencies. It is licensed under the GNU GPLv3.

RetroArch runs programs converted into dynamic libraries called libretro cores, using several user interfaces such as command-line interfaces, a few graphical user interfaces optimized for gamepads, several input, audio and video drivers, and other sophisticated features such as dynamic rate control, audio filters, multi-pass shaders, netplay, gameplay rewinding, cheats, etc.

RetroArch has been ported to many platforms. It can run on several PC operating systems, home consoles, handheld consoles, smartphones, smart TV's, single-board computers and web browsers. As of 1 April 2024, versions for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 are not out yet, but are available unofficially.