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JMBeresford

JMBeresford/retrom

Self-hosted game library service for organizing and launching emulated and DRM-free games across desktop and web clients.

Open-source alternative to:Steam

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Last commit
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What is it?

Retrom is a centralized game library management service. You host it on one machine, then connect desktop or web clients on other devices to install, download, and play games from that central library.

It scans your filesystem for games and platforms and adds them automatically. Emulator profiles are managed per client but stored on the server, so configurations can be shared between devices or restored after a reinstall. Games from different emulators and platforms launch from a single interface, and metadata and artwork are downloaded from supported providers.

The project also aims to bring in third-party libraries such as Steam, with GOG listed as planned and native PC, Linux, and macOS games marked experimental. Fullscreen mode with controller support and in-browser emulation via EmulatorJS are included.

Key features

  • 01Scans the filesystem to detect games and platforms and adds them to the library automatically.
  • 02Install, uninstall, and play games on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop clients.
  • 03Web client for accessing the library from any browser, with in-browser emulation via EmulatorJS.
  • 04Per-client emulator profiles stored on the server for sharing and restoring configurations.
  • 05Downloads game metadata and artwork from supported providers such as IGDB.
  • 06Fullscreen mode with controller support.

Use cases

  • Hosting a personal DRM-free game collection on a home server and playing it on several computers.
  • Consolidating emulated games from multiple platforms into one library with a single launcher.
  • Keeping emulator setups consistent across devices or after reinstalling an operating system.
  • Playing a home game library from a browser on a device without installed clients.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Open the quick start guide on the wiki

  2. 2

    Download the latest client from the releases page

Things to know

  • Server setup is needed; the client connects to a self-hosted service.
  • Some features are incomplete, such as standalone emulator cloud saves and user authentication.
  • Desktop-only native PC game support is marked experimental.

In collections

Self-hosted apps

Topics

#emulation#game-library#self-hosted#media-management#retro-gaming#cross-platform#typescript

FAQ

What is retrom?
Self-hosted game library service for organizing and launching emulated and DRM-free games across desktop and web clients. Retrom is a centralized game library management service. You host it on one machine, then connect desktop or web clients on other devices to install, download, and play games from that central library.
Is retrom free to use? What license does it have?
retrom is open source under the GPL-3.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is retrom still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to retrom was on Nov 1, 2026.
What can I use retrom for?
Hosting a personal DRM-free game collection on a home server and playing it on several computers. Consolidating emulated games from multiple platforms into one library with a single launcher. Keeping emulator setups consistent across devices or after reinstalling an operating system. Playing a home game library from a browser on a device without installed clients.
How do I install retrom?
Open the quick start guide on the wiki Download the latest client from the releases page
Where can I get retrom?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/JMBeresford/retrom

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