Batocera System Guide

IMPORTANT

Do not update the Batocera software. Any update will cause the system to stop working correctly. If the console has been updated, it must be sent back for re-imaging at the customer's expense using this purchase link.

Console Setup

  1. Unwrap the controllers, insert batteries, and plug the included USB-A dongles into any USB port on the console.

  2. Plug in the console and press the power button.

  3. When the main interface loads, turn on one controller with the switch on the bottom, then press Start to connect it. A solid red light at the top means it is connected. Repeat for the second controller.

    Note: Controllers enter sleep mode quickly to save battery. Wake them by pressing Start.

Basic Controls

  • Select — A button
  • Back — B button
  • Search — X button
  • Exit game — Mode + Start (Player 1 controller only)
  • Credit / Coin — Select button (MAME / Arcade games only)

Additional Controls

  • In-game save — Mode + X
  • In-game load — Mode + Y
  • Power off — Start → Quit → Shutdown System
  • Add game to favorites — Hold Y on any game
  • Remove from favorites — Hold Y on a favorited game

Kiosk Mode for Kids

Kiosk mode hides almost all system settings, making the console safe for children.

To enable Kiosk mode:

  1. Press Start to open the main menu.
  2. Go to System Settings → User Interface Mode → KIOSK.
  3. Select Yes to confirm.

To disable Kiosk mode:

  1. Press Start and choose Unlock User Interface Mode.
  2. On the controller, press B B B A B.

Wiimotes

The easiest and most reliable way to play Wii games is with a generic USB or battery-powered IR bar and a standard Wiimote. We do not recommend the DolphinBar — it is harder to set up and less accurate. Do not pair Wiimotes in the bluetooth menu.

Setup steps:

  1. Turn on the IR bar.
  2. Launch any Wii game.
  3. Press the Sync button on the Wiimote. A success notification will appear in the top-left corner of the screen.

Full Wiimote documentation is available in the Batocera wiki.

Sinden Light Guns

Sinden Light Guns are fully plug-and-play. Plug each gun into any USB port while the system is running, then calibrate once (no need to repeat).

Calibration:

  1. Plug the gun into any USB port.
  2. Hold the left D-pad button until the crosshair stays centered on screen.
  3. Line up the sight and shoot the center target.

For best results, play from at least 5 feet away. Full light-gun documentation is available in the Batocera wiki.

Troubleshooting

No Audio

This is a common issue. Batocera sometimes does not default to HDMI audio.

  1. Press Start → System Settings → Audio Output.
  2. Select HDMI.
  3. Press B until you return to the game list. Audio should start immediately.

Steam Deck (OLED) – SD Card Will Not Boot

  1. Insert the microSD card.
  2. Hold Volume Down while pressing the power button.
  3. Choose EFI SD/MMC Card.
  4. On the blue screen, select always continue, then immediately press DOWN on the D-pad to choose verbose boot.

You must repeat this boot sequence every time. To return to SteamOS, remove the SD card and power on normally.

Game Will Not Boot

  1. Highlight the game in the list.
  2. Hold A → Advanced Game Options → Emulator.
  3. Change from Auto to the next emulator in the list and try again. Repeat until the game launches.

Wireless Controller Will Not Respond

  • Press Start to wake a sleeping controller (solid red light = ready).
  • If a controller blinks red/green and does not respond:
    1. Turn both controllers off.
    2. Unplug both dongles.
    3. Plug the dongles back in.
    4. Turn on one controller and press Start (wait for solid red).
    5. Turn on the second controller and press Start.

Incorrectly Mapped Controllers

Quick method: Press Start → Controller & Bluetooth Settings → Controller Mapping and follow the on-screen guide using this reference.

Reset method (if needed):

  1. Connect a keyboard & mouse.
  2. Press F1 to open the file manager.
  3. Navigate to Share → System → Configs → Emulationstation.
  4. Delete the file es_input.cfg.
  5. Choose File → Quit.
  6. Press Start → Quit → Restart. The system will prompt you to remap the controllers again.

System Frozen

If Mode + Start does not exit a game after 10–20 seconds, press and hold the front power button to force a shutdown and restart. This will not damage the system.

Arcade / MAME Games Will Not Boot

Highlight the game → hold A → Advanced Game Options → change Emulator to Libretro MAME or MAME as needed.

Arcade / MAME – Vertical Games Wrong Aspect Ratio

Highlight the game → hold A → Advanced Game Options → Game Aspect Ratio → Core Provided.

If the issue remains:

  1. Press Start → Game Settings → set Video Mode and Game Aspect Ratio to Auto.
  2. Go to Game Rendering & Shaders → set Integer Scaling to Auto.
  3. Back out, select the MAME platform wheel, press Select → Advanced System Options → again set both to Auto.
  4. Go to Game Rendering → Integer Scaling = Auto.
  5. Choose Quit to restart, then test a vertical game.

Advanced Features

Adding Games

USB Thumb Drive: Follow this video, or view the full guide in the Batocera wiki.

For the Steam Deck SD card, you will also need a dock with USB ports, such as this one.

Free Up Space on Hard Drive

Watch our official video guide.

Adding More Controllers

We offer additional PS2 style controllers for purchase here. View the full compatible controller list in the Batocera wiki.

Boot to Windows (models with Windows 11 drive)

  1. Turn off the console and connect a keyboard.
  2. Turn the console on and immediately tap Delete repeatedly to enter BIOS.
  3. Arrow right to the Boot tab.
  4. Change Boot Option #1 to the Windows drive. (If the Windows drive is not listed, go to UEFI NVMe Drive BBS Priorities and select it there.)

Change Controls for One Game or One System

  1. Launch any game.
  2. Press Mode + A to open the RetroArch Quick Menu.
  3. Select Controls.
  4. Choose the player port you want to edit.
  5. Make your changes, then select Manage Remap Files and choose:
    • Save Game Remap File (recommended — only this game)
    • Save Core Remap File (all games for that system)

Increase Rendering Resolution (when available)

Some systems let you run games at higher internal resolutions for smoother graphics without much performance loss.

  1. Select a system on the main wheel.
  2. Press Select → Advanced System Options.
  3. Choose Rendering Resolution and pick a multiple of the original (e.g., 2×, 4×).
  4. Back out and launch a game.

If performance drops, return the setting to the original value.

Change User Interface Theme

Press Start → UI Settings → Theme Set.

Expand ROM Storage with External Hard Drive / Built-In Windows Drive

Watch this video guide or see the “Symlink another drive to Batocera” section in the Batocera wiki.

FAQ

Why do PS3, Wii U, and Switch games stutter? Newer emulators build shader caches on the fly when loading new textures and environments. This is normal behavior and happens even on the most powerful PCs. There is no setting that fully removes it.

Why do PS3 games take so long to load the first time? The very first load builds the shader cache. Every subsequent load is much faster. This is normal and cannot be sped up.