: Some frontends like RetroDECK require renaming game folders to .bor and including an empty text file with the same name inside for proper detection .
The RetroArch OpenBOR core comes with a range of exciting features that enhance the beat 'em up gaming experience:
Save your settings via or Game Remap Files so you don't lose them when closing the software. 2. Audio and Video Tweaks
To make your OpenBOR games appear beautifully in your RetroArch sidebar: Go to -> Manual Scan .
Setting up OpenBOR in RetroArch requires a few specific steps, as its file structure differs slightly from traditional console emulators. Step 1: Download the Core Launch RetroArch. Navigate to the and select Online Updater . Select Core Downloader (or Core Updater ). Scroll down to Sega / Doom / Other or look for OpenBOR . Click to download and install the OpenBOR core. Step 2: Prepare Your Directory Structure
As of April 2026, official support for the OpenBOR core has expanded significantly across several ecosystems:
OpenBOR (Open Beats of Rage) is the world's ultimate open-source 2D side-scrolling engine. It allows developers to create custom beat ’em ups, side-scrollers, and arcade-style fighting games. By wrapping this engine into a RetroArch core, you gain access to modern emulation features like shaders, cross-platform saves, custom input mapping, and universal controller support.
First, let’s clarify the terminology. In the RetroArch world, a "core" is a plugin that translates a game engine into a format RetroArch can understand.
OpenBOR games usually come in ZIP or RAR archives when you download them from homebrew sites. You cannot load these archives directly into RetroArch. You must extract them.
Ensure you are using the latest version of the core from the Online Updater.
Once the core is installed and your .pak files are in the correct Paks folder:
Place the .pak files directly into the Paks folder you just created.
