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RetroENGINE: Run with RetroDECK

RetroENGINE lets you launch games directly from your desktop using RetroDECK - no need to open the full application.

  • Supports file associations for common game file types
  • Allows launching games via the command line (CLI)

Will RetroENGINE detect what system I want to launch?

If you place the game file inside the corresponding retrodeck/roms/<system>/<gamefile> directory, RetroDECK will automatically recognize which system to launch.

What if it is not in the correct folder?

When clicked, RetroDECK will prompt a dialog window asking which system the file belongs to and then run it.

Launch with games via CLI

You can also launch games directly with RetroENGINE via CLI.

Example syntax:

flatpak run net.retrodeck.retrodeck retrodeck/roms/<system>/<gamefile> (--help for more information).

Examples

In these examples, we will use the Little Medusa - Demo a .nes file called LittleMedusa_8bitdemo.nes from Mega Cat Studios.

Example 1: The Game Inside the Correct Roms Folder

In this example, the LittleMedusa_8bitdemo.nes file is inside the retrodeck/roms/nes folder.

When you click on it, RetroDECK opens it with the Nintendo Entertainment System emulator, and the game starts.

RetroDECK knows that because you opened it from the /roms/nes folder, the game must correspond to that system.

Example 2: The Game Outside the Roms Folder

In this example, the LittleMedusa_8bitdemo.nes file is not inside the retrodeck/roms/nes folder but in the download folder.

When clicked, RetroDECK will prompt a dialog window asking which system the file belongs to and then run it.

Example 3: Running via CLI

Example full syntax:

flatpak run net.retrodeck.retrodeck retrodeck/roms/nes/LittleMedusa_8bitdemo.nes