How to Save and Load Saved Games in RetroPie

No more marathons. Unless you want to.
Zach Zach (248)
2 minutes

It's not super apparent how to save games in RetroPie. This short guide will show you how to save and load your saved games, as well as how to utilize RetroPie's multiple save game slots!

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RetroPie automatic save buttons

Some games automatically save your progress if you exit the game correctly. If your game has a built-in save feature, such as the Save Stations in Super Metroid, then the game is automatically saved when you use Start+Select to exit the game.

RetroPie manual save buttons

This is the method you'll use for most games. To save a game, simply press Select+R1.

RetroPie saved game load buttons

To load a saved game in RetroPie, launch the game and press Select+L1.

RetroPie multiple save game slot buttons

RetroPie supports multiple game slots! To change a game slot, press Select+Left or Select+Right on the D-Pad.

The instructions here will work for most controllers.

However, If you're using a keyboard or non-standard controller to play games (and can't figure out which button/key is mapped to L1, R1, etc.), you can change the mappings for these commands quite easily to accommodate your particular setup.

To do this, check out the RetroArch configuration section of the RetroPie wiki.

Let’s find something to play!
Ash Ash (362)
10 minutes

You've just set up your Raspberry Pi with RetroPie, it's plugged into the TV, you've got a controller in your hand when—GASP! You don't have any games to play.