---
title: "How to Set Up RetroArch — Complete Guide to Cores, ROMs, and Controllers 2026"
canonical_url: https://emudesk.com/issues/retroarch-setup-guide-complete-install-cores-roms-2026
content_locale: en
source_locale: en
entity_type: issue
index_status: index
published_at: 2026-08-31T18:22:23.000Z
updated_at: 2026-09-01T00:45:02.860Z
freshness_status: fresh
---

# How to Set Up RetroArch — Complete Guide to Cores, ROMs, and Controllers 2026

I just downloaded RetroArch but it's completely empty — no games, no consoles listed. How do I add emulator cores for the systems I want to play, load my ROM files, configure a controller, and set up saves so I don't lose progress?