Where to (legally) acquire content to play on RetroPie
-
Thanks for alerting us of the free games, i didnt have ultima yet.
I deff advice anyone to get the Syndicate games while they're still available for free, they're really good. Played them to death back in the days. and again last year.
Shame to see them go.
https://www.gog.com/promo/rerelease_ultima_underworld_and_syndicate -
Here's two that I've been having a ton of fun with (one you have to pay for, the other is free)
Xeno Crisis, a twinstick shooter for Genesis/Mega Drive (well, more like dual + + genesis interface but you get the idea), as well as Dreamcast and Neo Geo (AES and CD)
https://shop.bitmapbureau.com/collections/sega-mega-drive-genesis/products/xeno-crisis-sega-mega-drive-genesis-rom-download
(it's the devs store)next is Pyoro64 for the Nintendo 64, a remake of the minigame you find in WarioWare
Here's footage from the original game
here's footage from the 64 remake
the 64 remake runs great on the Pi.
-
BlindJump - https://evanbowman.itch.io/blindjump
Platforms: GameBoy Advance/GBA | PlayStation Portable/PSP
The GBA version comes already compiled and is the downloadable .gba file. The PSP version needs to be compiled from source and currently has no audio. Also, the game is open source.Skyland - https://evanbowman.itch.io/skyland
Platform: GameBoy Advance/GBA
Download the precompiled .gba ROM from either Itchio or Github, or build it yourself. Also open source.Fireman - https://lacoste42.itch.io/fireman
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gbc file. Also includes the GB Studio source code, but no license is included, so you may want to ask the dev what are the conditions for use.Tales of Monsterland (demo, at least for now) - https://joelj.itch.io/talesofmonsterland
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.GBCOMPO21 Entry - https://skittlesfiddles.itch.io/gbcompo21-entry
Platform: GameBoy
The ROMs are the downloadable .gb file.GBJAMRB - https://skittlesfiddles.itch.io/gbjamrb
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Repugnant Bounty RetroBreak Build #1 - https://skittlesfiddles.itch.io/repugnant-bounty-retrobreak-build-1
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Repugnant Bounty RetroBreak Build #2 - https://skittlesfiddles.itch.io/repugnant-bounty-retrobreak-build-2
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Repugnant Bounty RetroBreak Build #3 - https://skittlesfiddles.itch.io/repugnant-bounty-retrobreak-build-3
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.LUNA (Build Dumps) - https://skittlesfiddles.itch.io/luna-final-build
Platform: GameBoy
Canceled game. The ROMs are the downloadable .gb file. -
NES-Pong - https://jamessheppard.itch.io/nes-pong
Platform: NES
The ROM is the downloadable .nes file.Temple Dilemma (demo, at least for now) - https://weapon121.itch.io/temple-dilemma
Platform: NES
The ROM is the downloadable .nes file.Caged Fury - https://weapon121.itch.io/caged-fury
Platform: NES
The ROM is the .nes file inside the downloadable .zip file.Thunder Paw (demo, at least for now) - https://pscdgames.itch.io/thunder-paw
Platform: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
The ROM is the .bin file inside the downloadable .7z file.Bone Marrow Rebirth (demo, at least for now) - https://pscdgames.itch.io/bone-marrow
Platform: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
The ROM is the .bin file inside the downloadable .7z file.FIRE AND RESCUE - https://skyboygames.itch.io/fire-and-rescue
Platform: NES
I don't own the game, but the information in the store page confirms it can be run on an emulator.ITALIA 1944 - https://zanklesoft.itch.io/italia-1944
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
I don't own the game, but it likely comes with files that can be emulated.COUSIN HORACE - https://zanklesoft.itch.io/cousin-horace
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)
I don't own the game, but it likely comes with files that can be emulated.AD LUNAM COLLECTION - https://zanklesoft.itch.io/ad-lunam-collection
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)
I don't own the game, but it likely comes with files that can be emulated.SOPHIA - https://zanklesoft.itch.io/sophia
Platform: ZX Spectrum 128K
The ROMs are the .scl, .trd and .tap files inside the downloadable .zip file.SOPHIA II - https://zanklesoft.itch.io/sophia-ii
Platform: ZX Spectrum 128K
The ROMs are the .scl, .trd and .tap files inside the downloadable .zip file.APULIJA-13 - https://zanklesoft.itch.io/apulija-13
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)
The ROMs are the .tap files inside each downloadable .zip file (aside from MANUALE-MANUAL.zip, which only has the manual).LOST IN MY SPECTRUM - https://zanklesoft.itch.io/lims
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)
The ROMs are the .tap files inside each downloadable .zip file (aside from MANUALE-MANUAL.zip, which only has the manual). -
@auster said in Where to (legally) acquire content to play on RetroPie:
Skyland - https://evanbowman.itch.io/skyland
Platform: GameBoy Advance/GBA
Download the precompiled .gba ROM from either Itchio or Github, or build it yourself. Also open source.What hooked me the most was the Gameboy Player Rumble support. I wish more games did that.
-
@auster said in Where to (legally) acquire content to play on RetroPie:
Monstoria: https://lukepixels.itch.io/monstoria
Platform: NES
Comes with two .nes ROMs, one inside a downloadable .rar file and one that's uncompressed and ready to be used. Not sure what's the difference between them, and maybe they have multiple languages, but I can't check right now.from what it looks like, they're both the same exact file, but the rar comes with an emulator and a disclaimer saying "sorry for the bugs, its only a 3 person team" in English and Brazilian Portuguese
-
Tech and Blood - https://roseumteam.itch.io/tech-and-blood
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Zirconia - The Mysterious Planet - https://spicyfuse.itch.io/zirconia
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file. Also includes a .cia file (3DS package installer), but I'm not sure if it's a port or just the GBC version wrapped in the 3DS's virtual console emulator.ABYSS STORY - Chapter 1 - https://spicyfuse.itch.io/abyss-story-test
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file. Also includes a .cia file (3DS package installer), but I'm not sure if it's a port or just the GBC version wrapped in the 3DS's virtual console emulator.contra-esque demo game - https://spicyfuse.itch.io/contra-esque-demo-game
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Metroid - Abyssmania - https://spicyfuse.itch.io/metroid
Platform: NES
The ROM is the downloadable .nes file.sparkworld (for public beta testing) - https://spicyfuse.itch.io/sparkworld-for-public-beta-testing
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.SparkWorld - https://spicyfuse.itch.io/sparkworld
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Abyss Story - https://spicyfuse.itch.io/abyss-story
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Cherry Rescue! - https://grafxkid.itch.io/cherry-rescue
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Robby's Day Out - https://grafxkid.itch.io/robbys-day-out
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Rose's Peanut - Intro Cutscene and Title Screen - https://maxoakland.itch.io/roses-peanut
Platform: GameBoy
The ROM is the downloadable .gb file.Pack-O: The Last One - https://maxoakland.itch.io/packo-the-last-one
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROMs are the downloadable .gb and .gbc files.Blink's Pet Lizard - https://maxoakland.itch.io/blinks-pet-lizard
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROMs are the downloadable .gb and .gbc files.Puppers Delivers - https://maxoakland.itch.io/puppersdelivers
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gbc file.Augury Red Code - https://elvies.itch.io/augury-red-code
Platform: GameBoy Color/GBC
The ROM is the downloadable .gbc file.Klepsydra - https://drexegar.itch.io/klepsydra
Platform: NES
The ROM is the .NES file inside the downloadable .zip file.Sparkle Panda Rainbow Hunter - https://futuretroistic.itch.io/sparkle-panda-rainbow-hunter
Platform: NES
The ROM is the downloadable .nes file.Curse Of The Shadow Prototype - ByteOff2020 - https://ayrik.itch.io/curse-of-the-shadow-prototype
Platform: NES
The ROM is the .NES file inside the downloadable .zip file.Thalassophobe - https://icon-ninja.itch.io/thalassophobe
Platform: NES
The ROM is the .NES file inside the downloadable .zip file.Rumblefest '89 - https://jurassicsunset561.itch.io/rumblefest-89
Platform: NES
The ROM is the .NES file inside the downloadable .zip file.Paws N' Play Demo - https://darthlother.itch.io/paws-n-play-demo
Platform: NES
The ROM is the .NES file inside the downloadable .zip file.Akane - https://hicksretro.itch.io/akane
Platform: ZX Spectrum
The ROMs are the .tap files inside the downloadable .zip files, and also the downloadable .dsk file.Ninja Poison
From HICK: https://hicksretro.itch.io/ninja-poison
From Toku: https://tokuretro.itch.io/ninja-poison
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)
The ROMs are the downloadable .dsk and .tap files. Also apparently it's the same game, and each dev has their own page for the game.Mabus Mania - https://hicksretro.itch.io/mabusmania
Platforms: ZX Spectrum | Amstrad CPC
The Spectrum ROMs are the .tap files and the file Mabusmania+3.dsk. The CPC ROMs are the MABUSMANIACPC.cdt and MABUSMANIACPC.dsk files.Danterrifik - https://tokuretro.itch.io/danterrifik
Platform: ZX Spectrum
The ROM is the downloadable .tap file.Danterrifik II - https://tokuretro.itch.io/danterrifik-ii
Platform: ZX Spectrum
The ROM is the downloadable .tap file.Danterrifik III - https://tokuretro.itch.io/danterrifik-iii
Platform: ZX Spectrum
The ROM is the downloadable .tap file.AntEater - https://defb.itch.io/anteater
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48k
The ROMs are the downloadable .sna and .tap files.8BitTRIS - https://defb.itch.io/8bittris
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48k
The ROMs are the downloadable .sna and .tap files.PACMAN Curse of the Slimers - https://defb.itch.io/pacman-curse-of-the-slimers
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48k
The ROM is the downloadable .sna file. -
Colonos ZX - ZX Spectrum 48k - https://manuel-gris-umpierrez.itch.io/colonos-zx
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROM is the .tap file inside the downloadable .rar file.RESCATE EN MARTE - ZX Spectrum 48k - https://manuel-gris-umpierrez.itch.io/rescate-en-marte-mars-rescue
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROM is the .tap file inside the downloadable .rar file.The Doom Of The Pond (La coza de la poza) - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/the-doom-of-the-pond
Platform: ZX Spectrum 128K
The ROMs are the downloadable .tap files.Rade Blunner, Episode 1: Weon Kolalski's Memories - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/rade-blunner
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROMs are the downloadable .tap files.Rade Blunner, Episode 2: Cannibal Wheh's Little Shop - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/rade-blunner-episode-2
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROMs are the downloadable .tap files.Birdy Cantabile: A Musical Puzzle - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/birdy-cantabile
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROMs are the downloadable .tap files.The Hoarder (sp: El Acaparador) - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/the-hoarder
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROMs are the downloadable .tap files.ENIGMATIK / ЭНИГМАТИК - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/enigmatik
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROMs are the downloadable .tap files.Flappy Clive - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/flappyclive
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROMs are the downloadable .tap files.Misaki Hiragana Japanese Font for MK1 Demo - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/misaki-font-demo
Platform: ZX Spectrum 48K
The ROM is the downloadable .tap file.Yopparai Sarariiman!! - https://furilloproductions.itch.io/yopparaisarariiman
Platform: ZX Spectrum
The ROMs are the downloadable .tap files. -
According to ScummVM's wiki, most of the games from the Leisure Suit Larry franchise released on GOG and Steam appear to be playable through the ScummVM emulator:
https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php/Leisure_Suit_Larry_seriesAlso, Leisure Suit Larry 1 - In the Land of the Lounge Lizards is currently free on IndieGala, and it also includes the files required by ScummVM:
https://freebies.indiegala.com/leisure-suit-larry-1-in-the-land-of-the-lounge-lizards -
I feel like this whole thread should be replaced by a wiki and then locked.
Can that be done?
It's completely unmanageable for me to keep updating that first post with all these.
-
@benmclean I like the wiki idea, but I'd keep the post open if people want to ask something or help with anything other than editing such wiki.
Also, sorry if I bloated the post. Itchio is kinda of a rabbit hole. "<.<
-
Leisure Suit Larry 2 is also free now on IndieGala, and the game can be run on ScummVM:
https://freebies.indiegala.com/leisure-suit-larry-2-looking-for-love-in-several-wrong-placesRecommendation of the ScummVM wiki: keep all files that come with the game, since they tend to change a lot between version and it's hard to know which files are needed.
Also the stand-alone ScummVM detects both Atari ST and DOS versions of the game, but I have no clue which are the Atari ST files and which are DOS'.
-
-
@themazingness I'm glad they're appreciated! ^^
Also, a new batch of games (sadly, no GB/GBA/GBC games included). I tried shortening the info I bring, e.g. the files that need to be emulated unless there's some quirk regarding them, since things usually work mostly the same:
Space Invaders (for ZX Spectrum/TS2068/TC2068) - https://splintergu.itch.io/space-invaders-for-zx-spectrum
Platforms: ZX Spectrum 48K | TS2068 | TC2068Space Invaders for ZX81 (WRX) - https://splintergu.itch.io/space-invaders-for-zx81-wrx
Platform: Sinclair ZX81Transylvanian Castle Deluxe - https://siyei-er.itch.io/transylvanian-castle-deluxe
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)Misifu Remeow (Zx Spectrum) - https://jbinary.itch.io/misifu-remeow
Platform: ZX SpectrumMisifu - https://jbinary.itch.io/misifu
Platform: ZX Spectrum 128KSTOP VIRUS ZX Spectrum 48/128k by Ctrl+C Games & PCNONOGames - https://pcnonogames.itch.io/stop-virus-zx-spectrum-48128k-by-ctrlc-games-pcnonogames
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)
Also has a demo linked in the store page (the mediafire link).CODE-112 ZX Spectrum 48-128k by PCNONOGames - https://pcnonogames.itch.io/code-112-by-pcnonogames-zx-spectrum-48-128k
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)PARACAIDISTA Kerl (Android, Windows, Spectrum) - https://pcnonogames.itch.io/paracaidista-kerl
Platform: ZX SpectrumTRASHMAN Crisis Time ZX Spectrum 48/128k - https://pcnonogames.itch.io/trashman-crisis-time-zx-spectrum-48128k
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)PAINTBALL-2048 ZX Spectrum 48/128K - https://pcnonogames.itch.io/paintball-2048
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)DEAD ZONE Zx Spectrum 48/128k - https://pcnonogames.itch.io/dead-zone-zx-spectrum-game-48128k
Platform: ZX Spectrum (48K/128K)The Perils of Willy ZX - https://highriser.itch.io/the-perils-of-willy
Platform: ZX Spectrum
Also includes some bonus games as ZX Spectrum ROMs in the downloadable .zip file.Pac-Hack plus - https://highriser.itch.io/pac-hack-plus
Platform: ZX SpectrumJetPac RX - https://highriser.itch.io/jetpacrx
Platform: ZX Spectrum
Mod for the original JetPac. The person who wants to play it needs to source the original files himself/herself.JetPac Redefine Keys Patch - https://highriser.itch.io/jetpac-redefine-keys
Platform: ZX Spectrum
Mod for the original JetPac. The person who wants to play it needs to source the original files himself/herself.Bruce Lee RX - https://highriser.itch.io/bruce-lee-rx
Platform: ZX SpectrumAGDX latest - https://highriser.itch.io/agdx-latest
Platform: ZX SpectrumAirwolf ZX patches + 128k AY music - https://highriser.itch.io/airwolf-zx-patches
Platform: ZX Spectrum 128KArcade Bundle - 3 in 1 - https://highriser.itch.io/arcadebundle
Platforms: ZX Spectrum 128K | Sinclair ZX81Roust! Full Version - https://highriser.itch.io/roust
Platforms: ZX Spectrum 128K | Sinclair ZX81
Also includes a demo.AGD Bytesize: Downloads - https://highriser.itch.io/agd-bytesize
Platform: ZX SpectrumAdvanced Xmas Cracker Simulator - https://highriser.itch.io/advanced-cracker-simulator
Platform: ZX SpectrumBenny Hill's Madcap Chase 128k - https://highriser.itch.io/benny-hills-madcap-chase-128k
Platform: ZX Spectrum 128KTerrapins - https://highriser.itch.io/terrapins
Platform: ZX Spectrum
Also includes a demo. -
Leisure Suit Larry 3 - Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals free on IndieGala and just like the previous 2 games, it's playable on ScummVM:
https://freebies.indiegala.com/leisure-suit-larry-3-passionate-patti-in-pursuit-of-the-pulsating-pectorals -
Leisure Suit Larry 5 free on IndieGala, and just like the previous titles, it runs on ScummVM:
https://freebies.indiegala.com/leisure-suit-larry-5-passionate-patti-does-a-little-undercover-work
Also, from what I read, either there never was a Leisure Suit Larry 4, or it never got released. -
Street Racer includes the SNES and MS-DOS versions of the game, according to this comment:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/street_racer_dos_version_removed_from_offline_installer/post50Game's store page: https://www.gog.com/game/street_racer
Don't know if it's available anywhere else. -
@benmclean While they currently lack many of these new itch.io games and are intentionally limited to only include finished games (or at least games in a state complete enough to have more than ten minutes worth of content), I have been working on both freeware and commercial lists of legally accessible ROMs for a device-specific wiki I edit, but they certainly might be helpful to people with other devices as well. As I was planning on turning the table section of the article into a template that I could use on different device-specific wiki I just created, perhaps such a template would be of use if another wiki were to be created.
In terms of other research I've done for my lists, I did find that Retroism, Piko Interactive, and Dotemu had quite a few classic games re-released on new platforms, several of which aren't on my lists yet, but I've been unable to confirm, either independently or by contacting the companies, whether or not the missing games are emulated and/or DRM free or not. Perhaps someone who has several games from one or more of those companies on Steam or GOG could shed some light on that? I'm pretty sure most if not all Piko Interactive releases include the ROM of the respective game in the game files, whereas DotEmu seems to add DRM and Retroism generally seems to not. To avoid people buying games expecting a ROM and not finding one, I generally prefer finding confirmation first though. I'll try compiling a list of all the games I think might be emulated in the coming days that I haven't found confirmation of yet, and hopefully one or more people here might have it.
On another note, it's quite unfortunate that in the SNES/Genesis cartridges of Chip's Challenge being released, the freeware ROM versions for both consoles were taken off itch.io, especially as now there's no way to just buy the ROMs... I wonder if perhaps they licensed those versions from the developer.
-
@cooliecoolster About DotEmu, they're the ones that rereleased some of SNK's NeoGeo games, right?
If it is and if I remember right, some versions don't include the ROM/BIOS in the Windows version, but do in the Mac & Linux versions.
It may take some digging, and I have some NeoGeo games on Humble Bundle, Steam, GOG and Amazon Prime, so maybe I could check those.Also, little edit: Is there any limitation as to who can add information to those wiki pages, or can anyone do it?
-
@auster Anyone is able to, though I would like to turn the pages into generalizable templates before I encourage others to edit them. While I finish testing and adding the itch.io games, I can also add anything else that is missing in the meantime, and once I turn the tables into templates, perhaps they can be hosted on a general wiki specifically for documenting legally accessible ROMs. If someone wants to create that wiki I'd suggest using the same host as I do for my wiki, Miraheze, as it's both ad-free, free, and quite a bit more customizable than Fandom. Plus since content can be transcluded between wikis, it would make content sharing a bit easier, meaning only one set of templates on one wiki would need to be maintained.
I'll see if today I can put a list of all the potentially emulated games that I'm unsure whether or not have user-accessible ROMs. In regards to Neo Geo content specifically, I so far have it listed that the NeoGeo Classic Complete Collection includes DRM-free ROM files on GOG, whereas the Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection on Steam is apparently emulated but currently has no known way of extracting the ROM files. Not sure about other Neo Geo games at the moment; will research the libraries of the various publishers to see what remains on Steam and GOG. And indeed, it does seem like Dotemu is one of the major sources of these releases, such as Metal Slug X on Steam, which I currently don't know whether or not it includes accessible ROM files, assuming it is emulated. As it's already in the NeoGeo Classic Complete Collection on Humble Bundle and GOG though, I'll focus on listing games with no known method of acquisition yet.
Edit: I think I have everything from DotEmu documented other than the recently released Zombies Ate My Neighbors & Ghoul Patrol Bundle, which I'll need confirmation of whether or not the ROMs of those games are included or not (and in the case of the first game, whether that ROM is a SNES or Genesis ROM).
Edit 2: Here's my list so far: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_1j3ihSEYQ1Rj_RRl7G8_TSm2f7BIAd0g8jzBG6rRiM/edit?usp=sharing. Still going to continue researching to add more games to it, but if anyone is able to confirm the status of any game on it, let me know and I'll update the page of the wiki accordingly.
Contributions to the project are always appreciated, so if you would like to support us with a donation you can do so here.
Hosting provided by Mythic-Beasts. See the Hosting Information page for more information.