This is a simple, step-by-step guide for NewClassicGaming. It works whether you’re on Windows or Linux. No prior knowledge needed.
What you’ll need
- A USB flash drive (8 GB or bigger)
- A PC to run Batocera on (the “target PC”)
- An internet connection (to download Batocera)
- Optional: Gamepad (most modern controllers work)
⚠️ If you later choose to install Batocera onto the internal drive of your target PC, it will erase that drive. Running from USB does not erase anything.
Step 1 — Pick the right Batocera download
- On your everyday computer (Windows or Linux), go to batocera.org → Download.
- Under PC x86_64, grab the stable image (a .img.gz file).
Tip: If your target PC is very old (pre-2010), there’s also a x86 (32-bit) build—but almost everyone should use x86_64.
Step 2 — Write Batocera to a USB stick
Option A: Windows
Insert your USB stick.
Download and open balenaEtcher or Rufus.
In balenaEtcher:
- Flash from file → select the downloaded batocera-…img.gz
- Select target → choose your USB stick
- Flash!
(Wait until it says done. If Windows asks to format the drive afterward, cancel.)
—OR—
In Rufus:
- Device: your USB stick
- Boot selection: click SELECT → pick batocera-…img.gz (Rufus can handle .gz)
- Partition scheme: GPT (UEFI PCs). If your target PC only boots Legacy/CSM, choose MBR.
- Click START and confirm.
Option B: Linux
- Insert your USB stick.
- Using GNOME Disks:
- Select your USB → menu ⋮ → Restore Disk Image…
- Pick batocera-…img.gz → Start Restoring.
- Prefer terminal? Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device:
gzip -dc batocera-*.img.gz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX bs=8M status=progress conv=fsync
sudo sync
Step 3 — Boot the target PC from the USB
- Plug the USB into the target PC.
- Power on and press the Boot Menu key (often F12, F11, Esc, or F8) to choose the USB.
- If you can’t get a boot menu, enter BIOS/UEFI (Del/F2) and set the USB as the first boot device.
- If the PC shows “Secure Boot” errors, disable Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI and try again.
Batocera will start and land on the EmulationStation front page.
Step 4 — Do the very first setup (once)
- Language: Press Start (or Enter) → System Settings → Language.
- Wi-Fi (optional): Network Settings → Enable Wi-Fi → enter password (helps for updates).
- Controller: Plug in via USB or pair Bluetooth:
- Controller Settings → Pair a Bluetooth Controller.
That’s enough to explore!
Step 5 — (Optional) Install Batocera to the internal drive
You can run Batocera forever from the USB. Installing to the internal disk makes it a bit faster and frees your USB. It will erase that disk.
- Press Start → System Settings → Install Batocera on a New Disk.
- Select the target drive (double-check it’s the right one).
- Confirm. When it finishes, shut down, remove the USB, and boot from the internal drive.
Step 6 — Add your games (ROMs) the easy way
You must supply your own legally obtained game files.
- On Batocera, press Start → Network Settings and note the device’s IP or name.
- From your everyday computer on the same network:
- Windows: Open File Explorer and type \BATOCERA (or \<IP>).
- Linux/macOS: Use your file manager → Network → batocera (or smb://BATOCERA).
- Open the roms share. Each system has its own folder (e.g., nes, snes, psx).
- Copy your ROMs into the right folders.
- Back on Batocera: Start → Game Settings → Update Games Lists.
BIOS files: some systems (e.g., PSX, Sega CD) need BIOS files. Put them in /share/bios (visible as the bios network share). Check the Missing BIOS list in System Information if a system doesn’t start.
Step 7 — Map controls (if needed)
- Start → Controller Settings → Configure a Controller and follow on-screen prompts.
- For Hotkeys (like quitting a game), Batocera uses Hotkey + Button (default Hotkey is Select).
Step 8 — Save states, shaders & bezels (quick tips)
- In-game menu: press Hotkey + B (or Hotkey + X, depends on core) to access save/load state, shaders, etc.
- Bezels (nice screen frames for retro systems): Start → Updates & Downloads → Bezels.
Step 9 — Keep Batocera updated
- Start → Updates & Downloads → Check for Updates (keep to stable releases).
- If updating ever fails, you can just rewrite a fresh USB and keep your roms/saves on a separate storage.
Quick Troubleshooting
- No USB boot option: Try another USB port, rebuild the USB, or switch BIOS UEFI/Legacy mode.
- Black screen or no audio in games:
- Start → Audio Settings → pick the correct output (HDMI vs analog).
- Try a different video driver (Start → System Settings → Advanced → GPU driver, when available).
- Controller not detected: Use a cable first; then pair Bluetooth. Remove old pairings if it refuses to connect.
- Games not appearing: Put ROMs in the correct system folder, then Update Games Lists.
Legal note
Only use ROMs/BIOS you own the rights to. NewClassicGaming does not host or distribute game files.
Super-Short Checklist (print me!)
- Download Batocera x86_64
- Flash image to USB (balenaEtcher/Rufus or GNOME Disks)
- Boot target PC from USB (disable Secure Boot if needed)
- Set language, Wi-Fi, controller
- (Optional) Install to internal drive
- Copy ROMs to \BATOCERA\roms\… → Update Games Lists
- Play! (Use Hotkey for in-game menu; save states, shaders, bezels)
