How to Add ROMs to RetroPie Using a USB Drive
This short guide will show you how to quickly and easily add ROMs to RetroPie using the USB flash drive method. There are other methods for transferring ROMs to RetroPie, but the USB drive approach is the fastest and easiest. If you're using a Pi Zero (e.g. building a PiCart), this is a also a good approach since the regular Pi Zero doesn't have built-in WiFi and this approach does not require an internet connection.
What is a ROM?
ROM stands for "Read-Only Memory", a type of memory meant to be read but not written to. Originally, video games were stored on ROM chips soldered to a printed circuit board (and later on read-only mediums like CD-Rs). A game ROM that RetroPie uses is essentially a copy of the original ROM.
Transferring ROMs to RetroPie
Using the USB drive approach, you will copy ROMs to your USB drive, connect it to your Pi, and RetroPie will automatically copy them to the SD card and make them available in Emulation Station (and the RetroPie UI).
Where can I find ROMs for RetroPie?
Need more games to play? Check out our complete guide to finding RetroPie ROMs.
Note: You should NOT download any copyrighted ROMs. In some countries, it's legal to use a ROM for which you own a physical copy (as this is considered a backup). Be smart and don't do illegal things. :)
Raspberry Pi | × | 1 | ||
USB flash drive, 32GB | × | 1 |
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