How to Install RetroArch on Ubuntu 24.04/22.04/20.04

RetroArch is an open-source front-end for emulators, game engines, and media players. This versatile platform allows you to run classic games on various computers and consoles through its intuitive interface.

Key Features:

• Unified Interface: Seamlessly integrates multiple emulators into a single, user-friendly interface.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and more.
• Shader Support: Enhance your gaming experience with advanced graphics shaders.
• Netplay: Play multiplayer games online with friends.
• Automatic Updates: Keeps your cores and software up to date effortlessly.
• Cheat Codes: Built-in support for various cheat codes to enhance gameplay.
• Customization Options: Extensive settings for controllers, audio, and video configurations.

With the introduction out of the way, let’s explore how to install RetroArch on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS using the command-line terminal.

Method 1: Install RetroArch on Ubuntu via APT

Update Ubuntu Before RetroArch Installation

Before diving into the installation process, ensuring that your Ubuntu system is up-to-date is crucial. This will help prevent potential issues during the installation and ensure your system runs smoothly. To update your Ubuntu system, open your terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Import RetroArch Launchpad PPA

The recommended method for installing RetroArch is importing the Launchpad PPA maintained by the Libretro team. This will provide you with the latest stable release, features, and improvements.

First, let’s ensure that the required dependencies are installed on your system. Enter the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https -y

Next, you can import the stable or testing PPAs. If you import both, the repository with the newest version will be chosen automatically, which will most likely be the development build.

Import RetroArch Stable PPA (Recommended):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libretro/stable -y

Import RetroArch Testing PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libretro/testing -y

Refresh APT Index After RetroArch PPA Import

Now that you’ve imported the desired PPA, it’s time to update the package list to reflect the changes. Run the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt update

Install RetroArch via APT Install Command

With the packages list updated, you’re now ready to install RetroArch. Enter the following command in your terminal to start the installation process:

sudo apt install retroarch -y

Method 2: Install RetroArch with Flatpak and Flathub

This section will explore an alternative method for installing RetroArch using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak is a popular option similar to Snap and is featured across many Linux distributions as a third-party installation package manager for obtaining the latest packages.

Note: If your system does not have Flatpak installed, please refer to our guide on “How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu” for step-by-step instructions on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak.

Enable Flathub for RetroArch Installation

Before installing RetroArch through Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository, a primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to various applications, including RetroArch.

Install RetroArch via Flatpak Command

With Flathub enabled, you can now proceed to install RetroArch using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub org.libretro.RetroArch -y

Launch RetroArch via CLI Commands or GUI Path

Now that you have successfully installed RetroArch, it’s time to launch the application.

CLI Commands to Launch RetroArch

If you have an open command terminal and would like to launch RetroArch immediately, you can enter the following command:

retroarch

For users who installed RetroArch using Flatpak, you’ll need to run this command instead:

flatpak run org.libretro.RetroArch

GUI Method to Launch RetroArch

Most desktop users may prefer to launch RetroArch using the application icon. To do this, navigate through the following path on your desktop:

Activities > Show Applications > RetroArch

Managing RetroArch

This section will discuss managing RetroArch on your Ubuntu Linux system, including updating and removing the application.

Update RetroArch

APT Update Method for RetroArch

Open your terminal and run the following command to update your package list:

sudo apt update

Now, upgrade your packages, including RetroArch, with the following command:

sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak Update Method for RetroArch

To update all Flatpak packages, including RetroArch, run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak update

Remove RetroArch

If you decide to remove RetroArch from your system, follow these steps based on your installation method:

APT Remove Method for RetroArch

Run the following command to remove RetroArch from your system.

sudo apt remove retroarch

If you have no intention of re-installing RetroArch, you should remove the PPA.

Remove RetroArch Stable PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libretro/stable -y

Remove RetroArch Daily PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libretro/testing -y

Flatpak Remove Method for RetroArch

To remove RetroArch installed via Flatpak, execute the following command in your terminal:

flatpak uninstall org.libretro.RetroArch

Troubleshooting RetroArch

This section will discuss common troubleshooting issues you might encounter while using RetroArch Emulator with either Flatpak or PPA installations on Ubuntu.

Missing or Unwritable Assets Directory (PPA Installation)

A common issue with the PPA installation of RetroArch is the missing or unwritable assets directory. This problem may cause RetroArch to display incorrect fonts and icons in the user interface. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below:

First, edit the assets_directory setting in ~/.config/retroarch/retroarch.cfg to point to ~/.config/retroarch/assets:

assets_directory = "~/.config/retroarch/assets"

Next, open RetroArch and navigate to Main Menu > Online Updater > Update Assets to download the newest set of assets.

After completing these steps, RetroArch should display the correct fonts and icons in the user interface.

Audio Issues (Both Flatpak and PPA Installations)

Occasionally, you may experience audio issues, such as stuttering or crackling, while using RetroArch. To fix this issue, try the following solutions:

1. Update your system’s audio drivers to the latest version.
2. Navigate to Settings > Audio in RetroArch and adjust the audio settings according to your preferences and system capabilities.

Incompatible Cores (Both Flatpak and PPA Installations)

Sometimes, you may encounter issues with incompatible cores, which could prevent certain games from running correctly. To resolve this problem, try the following steps:

1. Open RetroArch and navigate to Main Menu > Online Updater > Core Updater to update the cores to the latest versions.
2. If the issue persists, try downloading alternative cores for the affected games.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we’ve covered the straightforward steps to install RetroArch on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS using APT, Snap, and Flatpak methods. RetroArch opens up a world of retro gaming with the ability to customize and enhance your experience. Experiment with different cores and shaders, and ensure you keep the software updated for the best performance. Enjoy your nostalgic gaming sessions on your Ubuntu system!