This guide provides instructions for installing and setting up RetroArch (Mesa for Xbox Series X|S, Angle for Xbox One) on consoles running in Developer Mode.
Important: This guide ONLY covers RetroArch Mesa and RetroArch Angle. For the Citra (Nintendo 3DS) core, please refer to the separate RetroArch Setup Guide (Citra).
Before you begin, ensure the following conditions are met:
Need help with prerequisites? See the Xbox Dev Mode Setup guide for detailed instructions on activating Dev Mode, setting up Remote Access, and preparing a USB drive.
You have a couple of options for getting the RetroArch UWP application:
Xbox Dev Store (Recommended for most users):
Compiling from Source (Advanced Users):
Use the Xbox Device Portal to install the RetroArch application package (.appx or .msixbundle).
.zip file, extract its contents on your PC or phone. You should have at least one .appx or .msixbundle file and potentially a dependency file.RetroArch.appx).This step is crucial for performance and proper function.
Once RetroArch is launched, perform these initial setup steps.
Main Menu > Online Updater.Update Core Info FilesUpdate AssetsUpdate Controller ProfilesUpdate CheatsUpdate DatabasesUpdate OverlaysUpdate Slang Shaders (Note: Slang shaders might be broken in some UWP builds; don't worry if this fails).Main Menu > Online Updater.Core Downloader.Mupen64Plus-Next, ParaLLEl N64, or Yabasanshiro via the Core Downloader if you are using a build specifically configured for ANGLE (typically Xbox One). These builds use modified core versions. Updating them will likely break them. Download them initially, but do not update them later via the Online Updater unless explicitly instructed.If you store your games, BIOS files, saves, etc., on an external USB drive, configure RetroArch to find them.
Settings > Directory.File Browser, System/BIOS, Saves, States).E:\ drive) and select <Use This Directory>.Core directory. This will prevent RetroArch from finding your downloaded cores.If you are not using a USB drive, BIOS files need to be placed within RetroArch's LocalState folder.
LocalAppData\[RetroArch Folder Name]\LocalState.system Folder: Create a folder named system inside LocalState if it doesn't already exist.system folder (or specific subfolders within system as needed by certain cores - see Troubleshooting).Settings > Directory > System/BIOS and ensure it points to the system folder within RetroArch's directory structure (it might detect this automatically, but verify).There are two main ways to add your games to RetroArch's menus.
This works best for games with unique file extensions or those recognized by RetroArch's database.
Main Menu > Import Content > Scan Directory.E:\Games\SNES on your USB drive or the relevant folder in LocalState).<Scan This Directory>.Use this method for file types like .iso, .bin, .chd, .cue, etc., that might not scan automatically or are used by multiple systems.
Main Menu > Import Content > Manual Scan.E:\Games\PSX). Select <Scan This Directory>.Sony - PlayStation). You can also set a custom name if desired.Sony - PlayStation (Beetle PSX HW)).chd cue bin iso). Leave blank to scan all file types (use with caution).Start Scan.Main Menu > Online Updater.Playlist Thumbnails Updater.Settings > Drivers > Menu.ozone, xmb).Main Menu > Configuration File > Save Current Configuration.Main Menu > Quit RetroArch and relaunch it.Settings > User Interface > Appearance.Menu Color Theme and select a preset color scheme.Main Menu > Configuration File > Save Current Configuration.The default combo (Start + Select/View) can be inconvenient.
Settings > Input > Hotkeys.Menu Toggle Controller Combo and select your desired button combination (e.g., L3 + R3).Main Menu > Configuration File > Save Current Configuration.Some cores may crash when you select "Close Content". To save core options or remaps for these cores:
Settings > User Interface and turn Show Advanced Settings ON.Settings > User Interface > Menu Item Visibility > Quick Menu. Turn Show 'Save Options on Exit' ON (or similar wording like 'Flush Options').Options > Manage Core Options.Save Options on Exit or Flush Options to Disk in the Quick Menu and select it.Q) Games crash or show "FAILED TO LOAD CONTENT" when loading from USB.
A) This is almost always a USB permissions issue. Ensure you have followed the USB setup guide linked in the Prerequisites section exactly, specifically the steps for setting "ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES" permissions to "Full Control". Re-run those permission steps if unsure.
Q) Where do BIOS files go? // Loading a game crashes RetroArch.
A) Missing BIOS files are a common cause of crashes. Ensure you have the correct BIOS files placed in the appropriate location based on your storage method:
Internal Storage (LocalState):
PCSX2 (PS2): LocalAppData\[RetroArch Folder Name]\LocalState\system\pcsx2\biosDolphin (GC/Wii): LocalAppData\[RetroArch Folder Name]\LocalState\system\Dolphin-emu\ (Copy the entire Sys folder from a Dolphin setup here).Most Other Cores: LocalAppData\[RetroArch Folder Name]\LocalState\systemExternal USB Drive (E:):
PCSX2 (PS2): E:\YourBiosFolder\pcsx2\bios (Set Settings > Directory > System/BIOS to E:\YourBiosFolder)Dolphin (GC/Wii): E:\YourBiosFolder\Dolphin-emu\ (Copy the entire Sys folder here. Set Settings > Directory > System/BIOS to E:\YourBiosFolder).Most Other Cores: E:\YourBiosFolder (Set Settings > Directory > System/BIOS to E:\YourBiosFolder)(Replace YourBiosFolder with the actual name of the folder you created on your USB drive to store BIOS files).
For further assistance or specific issues not covered here, please direct your questions to the #support channel within Revives Community Server.
Guide originally written by Mango (Mango3714)
Proof-read by MewLew and ReviveMe