---
title: "RetroArch Netplay: How to Play Retro Games Online with Friends"
canonical_url: https://emudesk.com/issues/retroarch-netplay-online-multiplayer-retro-games
content_locale: en
source_locale: en
entity_type: issue
index_status: index
published_at: 2026-08-31T18:22:23.000Z
updated_at: 2026-09-01T00:45:02.459Z
freshness_status: fresh
---

# RetroArch Netplay: How to Play Retro Games Online with Friends

You want to play classic SNES, NES, GBA, Genesis, or PS1 games online with a friend using RetroArch, but Netplay is not obvious to set up. RetroArch includes a built-in Netplay system that uses a relay server — no port forwarding required in most cases — so both players can host and join sessions with minimal setup.

This guide covers the complete Netplay flow: choosing the right core, hosting or joining a session, fixing desync, and managing lag. Work through the steps in order.