How to Use Lakka to Play Classic Video Games on a Windows PC GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Gaming > Consoles & PCs

How to Use Lakka to Play Classic Video Games on a Windows PC

How to install the Lakka video game emulator

By Scott Orgera Scott Orgera Writer Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section What You Need Create the Lakka Installer for PC Install Lakka on a PC Add Games to Lakka Where to Download Video Game ROMs Lakka is a video game emulator based on a distribution of the Linux operating system. If you know how to install Lakka on a PC, you can play classic Atari, Nintendo, and PlayStation games. Instructions in this article apply to release 2.3.2 of Lakka.

What You Need to Install Lakka on a PC

Before you get started, you'll need the following items: A spare Windows PC A USB flash drive A USB PC game controller You'll also need to download Lakka. Make sure to choose the download that works with any operating system. Depending on the CPU architecture of the PC, choose between the 32-bit or 64-bit version. You can tell if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows by checking the Control Panel. You may also need a program like 7-Zip to uncompress the Lakka installer files. To dual boot Lakka and another OS, use a Raspberry Pi.

How to Create the Lakka Installer for PC

After you download Lakka, create the installer medium. Download Win32 Disk Imager and install it on your computer. Plug the USB flash drive into the PC. Open Win 32 Disk Imager and select the blue folder under the Image File section. Locate and select the Lakka ISO file that you previously downloaded. Select the Device drop-down menu and choose the letter assigned to the USB flash drive. Select Write, then select Yes to proceed. This process deletes the files and data on the flash drive. Move the files you want to keep to your hard drive. Once the process is complete, remove the USB drive.

How to Install Lakka on a PC

To turn a Windows PC into a dedicated gaming device using Lakka: This process deletes the files and data on your spare PC, so back up the files you want to keep beforehand. With the computer turned off, plug the USB flash drive and game controller into the spare PC. After powering on the PC, enter the BIOS and modify the boot order so that it starts up with the USB flash drive. The Lakka bootloader screen appears. When you see the word boot, type installer, and then press Enter. On the main menu, select Install Lakka. Select your USB device and wait for the installation to complete. When prompted to do so, remove the USB drive, then select OK and Reboot. Once the reboot is complete, the Lakka main menu screen displays.

How to Add Games to Lakka

Lakka is based on the Retroarch emulator. If you know how to use Retroarch, you'll feel right at home with Lakka. To add game files to your Lakka PC: On a different PC, save the ROM file for the game you want to play on a flash drive. Plug the flash drive into your Lakka PC. From the Lakka main menu, go to Load Content > Start Directory > USB. Choose the ROM file for the game you want to play. If the ROM is contained in a compressed format, such as a ZIP file, select the entire file. Choose an emulator for the game system you want to use. It's possible to add games by transferring files from PC to PC using Wi-Fi or Ethernet cables. For wireless transfers, go to Settings > Services and select SAMBA Enable so that it becomes activated.

Where to Download Video Game ROMs

Downloading ROMs for games that you don't own a physical copy of is illegal in many places. Nonetheless, a Google search can unearth thousands of ROM repositories for most retro consoles. Scan the files you download from the web with antivirus software to avoid malware. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Install Windows 8/8.1 From USB [Full Walkthrough] How to Connect Steam Deck to a PC Can I Play Nintendo 3DS Games on the Wii U? How to Burn an ISO File to a USB Drive How to Use Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons on PC How to Play PS4 Games on a PC MemTest86 v10 Free Memory Testing Tool Review How to Install Windows 8 or 8.1 From USB How to Clean Install Windows 8 Pro Upgrade How to Set up a Windows XP Emulator for Windows 10 Western Digital Data LifeGuard Diagnostic Tool Review GBA File (What It Is & How to Open One) How to Install Windows on Steam Deck How to Flash Custom ROMs on Android With TWRP How to Recover When AVG Crashes Your Computer The 21 Best Free Data Recovery Software Tools (Oct. 2022) Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies