Important
Why Exact ROMs Matter
Netplay requires both players to have the exact same ROM file.
If the files differ by even one byte, netplay will desync or fail to connect.
This means:
- Filenames must match exactly (including region tags)
- ROM versions must be identical (no hacks, no translations, no custom patches)
- Arcade ROMs must come from the correct romset version
File Paths
Where to Place ROMs
Place ROMs in the standard Batocera ROM directories. You can transfer them via
network share (SMB), USB drive, or SCP.
| System | Path | Format |
|---|
| FBNeo (Arcade) | /userdata/roms/fbneo/ | .zip (non-merged romset) |
| MAME (Arcade) | /userdata/roms/mame/ | .zip (MAME 0.78 romset) |
| NES | /userdata/roms/nes/ | .zip containing headered .nes |
| SNES | /userdata/roms/snes/ | .zip containing .sfc/.smc |
| Nintendo 64 | /userdata/roms/n64/ | .z64/.n64/.v64, or .zip containing one |
| Genesis | /userdata/roms/megadrive/ | .zip containing .md/.bin |
| Master System | /userdata/roms/mastersystem/ | .zip containing .sms |
| Sega 32X | /userdata/roms/sega32x/ | .zip containing .32x |
| Game Boy | /userdata/roms/gb/ | .zip containing .gb |
| Game Boy Color | /userdata/roms/gbc/ | .zip containing .gbc |
| Nintendo DS | /userdata/roms/nds/ | .zip containing .nds |
| PC Engine | /userdata/roms/pcengine/ | .zip containing .pce |
| SuperGrafx | /userdata/roms/supergrafx/ | .zip containing .sgx/.pce |
| Atari 2600 | /userdata/roms/atari2600/ | .zip containing .a26/.bin |
Arcade
Arcade ROMs (FBNeo & MAME)
Arcade ROMs are not like console ROMs. They require specific romset versions:
- FBNeo — Use a FBNeo v1.0.0.03 non-merged romset. This is the most common format. Each .zip is self-contained (no parent/child dependencies).
- MAME — Use a MAME 0.78 romset for the 10 MAME-only games.
Where these sets live: the reference romsets named on this page — FBNeo
v1.0.0.03, MAME 0.78, and the No-Intro console sets — are archived publicly on
archive.org. Search there by romset name. We don't host or link to ROMs;
supply only games you own.
Do not mix romset versions. An FBNeo ROM from a different version will have different CRCs
and cause netplay failures. When in doubt, use the ROM Checker in the web panel to verify your files.
Console
Console ROMs (NES, SNES, Genesis, etc.)
Console ROMs must use the No-Intro naming convention. This is the standard used by most ROM archives.
Example filenames:
- Contra (USA).zip
- Street Fighter II Turbo (USA).zip
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (USA).zip
The Supported Games page shows the exact filename expected for every game.
The filename column shows what Outbreak looks for (without the .zip extension).
NES note: NES ROMs must be headered (.nes format, not headerless .unf).
Most No-Intro NES sets are headered by default.
Tools
Using the ROM Checker
The web panel has a built-in ROM checker that scans your ROM folders and shows exactly which
games you have and which are missing.
- Open the web panel at http://<your-IP>:8765/ui
- Click the gear icon in the top-right corner
- The ROM Status grid shows found/missing counts per system
- Click any system row to see the list of missing ROMs
This is the fastest way to verify your ROMs are correct and named properly.
Tips
Tips
- Both players must have the same ROM file — share your set with your friend to ensure they match
- Zipped ROMs are preferred (saves space, loads the same)
- Batocera's network share is the easiest way to transfer ROMs: \\<IP>\share\roms\ from Windows
- After adding ROMs, the boot scanner will detect them automatically on next reboot (or you can restart the server)
- The Outbreak Host collection in the ES carousel only shows games you have ROMs for