> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.retrobat.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.retrobat.org/get-started/adding-a-game.md).

# Adding a game

Building your library

Adding games is a straightforward process.

{% hint style="warning" %}
RetroBat does not include any games. You must use your own game backups (ROMs).
{% endhint %}

## Adding a ROM

Place your game files (ROMs) in the folder of the corresponding system, inside the `roms` folder of RetroBat:

`<RetroBat folder>\roms\<system>\`

For example, a Super Nintendo game goes in `C:\RetroBat\roms\snes\`.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2FYLNJAecgS1TYNoyu85ic%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=aa087f64-bf0a-4d1e-ae18-0609b540a6b2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
The folder name must match the system exactly (e.g. `snes`, not `Super Nintendo`). The folder name and supported file formats for each system are listed in the [Supported Game Systems](/systems-and-emulators/supported-game-systems.md) section.

Some systems also require BIOS files to work: see [Adding BIOS files](/get-started/adding-bios-files.md).

To keep your games in another location (another drive, a NAS…), see [Symbolic links](/tutorials/symbolic-links.md).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Multi-disc games:** create a `.m3u` text file listing the discs, one per line (for example `Game (Disc 1).chd`). RetroBat automatically hides the disc files listed in a `.m3u`, `.cue` or `.gdi` file: only one entry appears in the game list.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Compressed games:**

* For CD and DVD systems, the **.chd** format is recommended: the game is compressed and read directly by most emulators.
* **.zip / .7z** files are read directly by most RetroArch cores. With some standalone emulators (Dolphin, PCSX2, DuckStation, PPSSPP…), RetroBat mounts or extracts the archive before each launch, which makes loading slower.
* The extraction settings are in **MAIN MENU > GAME SETTINGS**, **COMPRESSION** group: **DECOMPRESSION** (keep or delete the extracted files), **DECOMPRESSION PATH** (by default `roms\.uncompressed`) and **NEVER TRY TO MOUNT AS DRIVE**.
  {% endhint %}

New games are detected the next time RetroBat starts, or when you update the gamelist (**MAIN MENU** > **GAME SETTINGS** > **UPDATE GAMELISTS**).

The system then appears in the **System View**.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2Fqm5FLypaLut8JaxVrEAi%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=2d7dccd0-9b24-4b9b-871c-f81ab47a11ec" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Select it to see your games in the [Game View](/navigation/system-view-and-game-view.md#game-view).

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2FOJXnciUvQiTxZe4YNhoz%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=84f31bc3-a44d-4184-b284-91021d64411c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Scraping game information

The next step is to scrape game information: your library will look much better with pictures, videos and descriptions.

Scraping can be done globally, per system or per game.

### Global scraping

Press **START** (**ENTER** on keyboard) to open the **MAIN MENU**, then choose **SCRAPER**.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2Fy7BIRM21m263oN6JQZVD%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=5ed96c5c-f3a9-494a-bb08-b04d82db1936" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

In the **SCRAPE** tab, choose the source, the games and the systems to scrape, then select **SCRAPE NOW**.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2FsBjvo2ImBB3g4Sbf90aj%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=a6f449dd-b9d1-4030-8ea3-ee5e42da19a2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
To use ScreenScraper, we recommend creating a free account on the [ScreenScraper website](https://www.screenscraper.fr/), then entering your username and password in the **ACCOUNTS** tab.

More details in the [Scraping & Metadata](/navigation/scraping-and-metadata.md) section.
{% endhint %}

While scraping is in progress, the following message is displayed at the top right of the screen.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://i.imgur.com/7WXE0GL.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Scraping in progress</p></figcaption></figure></div>

Once scraping is finished, update the gamelist: press **START** (**ENTER** on keyboard) to open the Main Menu, select **GAME SETTINGS**…

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://i.imgur.com/X1sumBQ.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

… then **UPDATE GAMELISTS**.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://i.imgur.com/B9beKo6.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Game information is now displayed in the [Game View](/navigation/system-view-and-game-view.md#game-view).

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2FqBWBsFO7lV6pZMAHkEYZ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=15336065-e0a5-488c-8bf9-5ca24abbc5e9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Per-game scraping

To scrape a single game, highlight it in the Game View and long-press ![](https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2FW8q8wzu0yW9Htt5h4zEA%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=a4ae3ad3-3a80-4c28-8b15-92a1b5a80da7) to open the [Game Options](/navigation/game-options.md), then select **SCRAPE**.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2FpnsB0AGkGwPIMkc2aNRk%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=e9fda7a9-c1a3-482a-b714-a6bd35e6a2e4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

A list of possible matches is displayed. Select the right game and confirm with ![](https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2FW8q8wzu0yW9Htt5h4zEA%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=a4ae3ad3-3a80-4c28-8b15-92a1b5a80da7).

{% hint style="info" %}
The search is based on the ROM file name by default. To search with another name, use the **INPUT** button at the bottom of the screen.
{% endhint %}

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://990680527-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FexdzL60ZuqPLldz2AYta%2Fuploads%2FOJuc4l0PQMtQx2tvMP88%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=ebfb70cc-7322-41c9-a2ce-db469f1bdb8a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Congratulations!** You have added your first games to RetroBat. Next step: Running a game.


---

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