PrBoom

• Emulator: RetroArch
• Core: libretro: prboom
• Folder: /userdata/roms/prboom
• Accepted ROM formats: .wad, .iwad, .pwad

No PrBoom emulator in Batocera needs a BIOS file to run.

Batocera comes with the shareware version of Doom. It relies on this to run any other WADs at all. This “base” WAD can be replaced with a commercial copy of the game's WAD.

When adding .wad files, make sure you put the filenames in lowercase. Uppercase .WAD won't work.

RetroArch (formerly SSNES), is a ubiquitous frontend that can run multiple “cores”, which are essentially the emulators themselves. The most common cores use the libretro API, so that's why cores run in RetroArch in Batocera are referred to as “libretro: (core name)”. RetroArch aims to unify the feature set of all libretro cores and offer a universal, familiar interface independent of platform.

RetroArch offers a Quick Menu accessed by pressing [HOTKEY] + which can be used to alter various things like RetroArch and core options, and controller mapping. Most RetroArch related settings can be altered from Batocera's EmulationStation.

Standardized features available to all libretro cores: prboom.videomode, prboom.ratio, prboom.smooth, prboom.shaders, prboom.pixel_perfect, prboom.decoration, prboom.game_translation

Additional configuration /userdata/saves/prboom/[DOOM-EPISODE]/prboom.cfg.

On some ARM platforms, floor and ceilings got some disruptive graphics output. Disabling it completely gets rid of the effect. This screenshot illustrates the problem at full effect! This is due to some fix for texture “vibrations” (not exactly the same issue as the wiggle but triggered with the same option) the fix was backported from prboom-plus but it seems it's causing trouble in some platforms.

So how to fix? Start PRBOOM → Options → General → 3rd page Whiggle fix → No

Annother method? Yes, navigate to /userdata/saves/prboom/[DOOM-EPISODE]/prboom.cfg and search Video Section for r_wiggle_fix and disable it.

## Video settings
#screenblocks                  0
#usegamma                      0
#uncapped_framerate            3
#filter_wall                   1
#filter_floor                  1
#filter_sprite                 1
#filter_z                      1
#filter_patch                  1
#filter_threshold          49152
#sprite_edges                  0
#patch_edges                   0
#render_stretchsky             1
r_wiggle_fix                  0

General: IWAD = Internal Where's All the Data and PWAD = Patch Where's All the Data.

So in general IWADs are standalone files and can be started by themselves. They MUST NOT be renamed.

Known IWADs so far:

PWADs can be renamed. Some example of known PWADs:

I suggest creating multiple folders for each IWAD like :

 roms\prboom\Doom
 roms\prboom\Doom 2
 roms\prboom\Doom Ultimate
 ...

In each of these folder, just put the IWAD associated in it.

 roms\prboom\Doom\doom.wad
 roms\prboom\Doom 2\doom2.wad
 roms\prboom\Doom Ultimate\doomu.wad
 ...

Now if you are going to use some mods and PWAD, just do a folder in the associated IWAD. For example:

 roms\prboom\Doom\doom.wad
 roms\prboom\Doom\Chex Quest\CHEX.wad
 roms\prboom\Doom\Episode 5 - Sigil\SIGIL_v1_21.wad
 ...

That way, PWADs will use the main IWAD file in their parent folder.

PrBoom allows to use a prboom.cfg file to apply to games recursively.

So if you put a prboom.cfg in \roms\prboom\prboom.cfg, it will apply to every game in roms\prboom\ and subfolders.

For example, I noticed that most WAD mods have a too low brightness. In order to fix that, you can create a prboom.cfg file with Video–>usegamma 0/1/2/3/4.

Click to open

# Doom config file
#
# Format:
#  variable   value
#
# Lines starting with '#' are comments
# When saved, default values are commented out

## Misc settings
#default_compatibility_level    -1
#menu_background               1
#max_player_corpse            32
#flashing_hom                  0
#demo_insurance                2
#level_precache                0
#demo_smoothturns              0
#demo_smoothturnsfactor        6

## Files
#wadfile_1                 ""
#wadfile_2                 ""
#wadfile_3                 ""
#wadfile_4                 ""
#wadfile_5                 ""
#wadfile_6                 ""
#wadfile_7                 ""
#wadfile_8                 ""
#dehfile_1                 ""
#dehfile_2                 ""

## Game settings
#default_skill                 3
#weapon_recoil                 0
#doom_weapon_toggles           1
#player_bobbing                1
#monsters_remember             1
#monster_infighting            1
#monster_backing               0
#monster_avoid_hazards         1
#monkeys                       0
#monster_friction              1
#help_friends                  1
#allow_pushers                 1
#variable_friction             1
#sts_always_red                1
#sts_pct_always_gray           0
#sts_traditional_keys          0
#show_messages                 1
#autorun                       0

## Compatibility settings
#comp_zombie                   0
#comp_infcheat                 0
#comp_stairs                   0
#comp_telefrag                 0
#comp_dropoff                  0
#comp_falloff                  0
#comp_staylift                 0
#comp_doorstuck                0
#comp_pursuit                  0
#comp_vile                     0
#comp_pain                     0
#comp_skull                    0
#comp_blazing                  0
#comp_doorlight                0
#comp_god                      0
#comp_skymap                   0
#comp_floors                   0
#comp_model                    0
#comp_zerotags                 0
#comp_moveblock                0
#comp_sound                    0
#comp_666                      0
#comp_soul                     0
#comp_maskedanim               0

## Sound settings
#pitched_sounds                0
#samplerate                11025
#sfx_volume                    8
#music_volume                  8
#mus_pause_opt                 2
#mus_load_external             2
#snd_channels                  8

## Video settings
#screenblocks                  0
usegamma                       3
#uncapped_framerate            3
#filter_wall                   1
#filter_floor                  1
#filter_sprite                 1
#filter_z                      1
#filter_patch                  1
#filter_threshold          49152
#sprite_edges                  0
#patch_edges                   0
#render_stretchsky             1
#r_wiggle_fix                  1

## Mouse settings
#mouse_sensitivity_horiz      40
#mouse_sensitivity_vert       40
#mouseb_fire                   0
#mouseb_strafe                 1
#mouseb_forward                2
#mouseb_backward              -1
#movement_mouselook            0
#movement_mouseinvert          0
#movement_maxviewpitch        32

## Key bindings
#key_right                 0xae
#key_left                  0xac
#key_up                    0xad
#key_down                  0xaf
#key_menu_right            0xae
#key_menu_left             0xac
#key_menu_up               0xad
#key_menu_down             0xaf
#key_menu_backspace        0x7f
#key_menu_escape           0x1b
#key_menu_enter            0xd
#key_setup                 0xc7
#key_strafeleft            0x2c
#key_straferight           0x2e
#key_fire                  0x9d
#key_use                   0x20
#key_strafe                0xb8
#key_speed                 0xb6
#key_savegame              0xbc
#key_loadgame              0xbd
#key_soundvolume           0xbe
#key_hud                   0xbf
#key_quicksave             0xc0
#key_endgame               0xc1
#key_messages              0xc2
#key_quickload             0xc3
#key_quit                  0xc4
#key_gamma                 0xd7
#key_spy                   0xd8
#key_pause                 0xff
#key_autorun               0xba
#key_chat                  0x74
#key_backspace             0x7f
#key_enter                 0xd
#key_map                   0x9
#key_map_right             0xae
#key_map_left              0xac
#key_map_up                0xad
#key_map_down              0xaf
#key_map_zoomin            0x3d
#key_map_zoomout           0x2d
#key_map_gobig             0x30
#key_map_follow            0x66
#key_map_mark              0x6d
#key_map_clear             0x63
#key_map_grid              0x67
#key_map_rotate            0x72
#key_map_overlay           0x6f
#key_reverse               0x2f
#key_zoomin                0x3d
#key_zoomout               0x2d
#key_chatplayer1           0x67
#key_chatplayer2           0x69
#key_chatplayer3           0x62
#key_chatplayer4           0x72
#key_weapontoggle          0x30
#key_weaponcycleup         0x6d
#key_weaponcycledown       0x6e
#key_weapon1               0x31
#key_weapon2               0x32
#key_weapon3               0x33
#key_weapon4               0x34
#key_weapon5               0x35
#key_weapon6               0x36
#key_weapon7               0x37
#key_weapon8               0x38
#key_weapon9               0x39
#key_screenshot            0x2a

## Chat macros
#chatmacro0                "No"
#chatmacro1                "I'm ready to kick butt!"
#chatmacro2                "I'm OK."
#chatmacro3                "I'm not looking too good!"
#chatmacro4                "Help!"
#chatmacro5                "You suck!"
#chatmacro6                "Next time, scumbag..."
#chatmacro7                "Come here!"
#chatmacro8                "I'll take care of it."
#chatmacro9                "Yes"

## Automap settings
#mapcolor_back             0xf7
#mapcolor_grid             0x68
#mapcolor_wall             0x17
#mapcolor_fchg             0x37
#mapcolor_cchg             0xd7
#mapcolor_clsd             0xd0
#mapcolor_rkey             0xaf
#mapcolor_bkey             0xcc
#mapcolor_ykey             0xe7
#mapcolor_rdor             0xaf
#mapcolor_bdor             0xcc
#mapcolor_ydor             0xe7
#mapcolor_tele             0x77
#mapcolor_secr             0xfc
#mapcolor_exit             0x0
#mapcolor_unsn             0x68
#mapcolor_flat             0x58
#mapcolor_sprt             0x70
#mapcolor_item             0xe7
#mapcolor_hair             0xd0
#mapcolor_sngl             0xd0
#mapcolor_me               0x70
#mapcolor_enemy            0xb1
#mapcolor_frnd             0x70
#map_secret_after              0
#map_point_coord               0
#automapmode               0x0

## Heads-up display settings
#hudcolor_titl                 5
#hudcolor_xyco                 3
#hudcolor_mesg                 6
#hudcolor_chat                 5
#hudcolor_list                 5
#hud_msg_lines                 1
#hud_list_bgon                 0
#health_red                   25
#health_yellow                50
#health_green                100
#armor_red                    25
#armor_yellow                 50
#armor_green                 100
#ammo_red                     25
#ammo_yellow                  50
#hud_mode                      0
#hud_showstats                 1
#hud_showkeys                  1
#hud_showweapons               1

## Weapon preferences
#weapon_choice_1               6
#weapon_choice_2               9
#weapon_choice_3               4
#weapon_choice_4               3
#weapon_choice_5               2
#weapon_choice_6               8
#weapon_choice_7               5
#weapon_choice_8               7
#weapon_choice_9               1

## Music
#mus_bunny                 "bunny.mp3"
#mus_e1m1                  "e1m1.mp3"
#mus_e1m2                  "e1m2.mp3"
#mus_e1m3                  "e1m3.mp3"
#mus_e1m4                  "e1m4.mp3"
#mus_e1m5                  "e1m5.mp3"
#mus_e1m6                  "e1m6.mp3"
#mus_e1m7                  "e1m7.mp3"
#mus_e1m8                  "e1m8.mp3"
#mus_e1m9                  "e1m9.mp3"
#mus_e2m1                  "e2m1.mp3"
#mus_e2m2                  "e2m2.mp3"
#mus_e2m3                  "e2m3.mp3"
#mus_e2m4                  "e2m4.mp3"
#mus_e2m5                  "e2m5.mp3"
#mus_e2m6                  "e2m6.mp3"
#mus_e2m7                  "e2m7.mp3"
#mus_e2m8                  "e2m8.mp3"
#mus_e2m9                  "e2m9.mp3"
#mus_e3m1                  "e3m1.mp3"
#mus_e3m2                  "e3m2.mp3"
#mus_e3m3                  "e3m3.mp3"
#mus_e3m4                  "e3m4.mp3"
#mus_e3m5                  "e3m5.mp3"
#mus_e3m6                  "e3m6.mp3"
#mus_e3m7                  "e3m7.mp3"
#mus_e3m8                  "e3m8.mp3"
#mus_e3m9                  "e3m9.mp3"
#mus_e4m1                  "e3m4.mp3"
#mus_e4m2                  "e3m2.mp3"
#mus_e4m3                  "e3m3.mp3"
#mus_e4m4                  "e1m5.mp3"
#mus_e4m5                  "e2m7.mp3"
#mus_e4m6                  "e2m4.mp3"
#mus_e4m7                  "e2m6.mp3"
#mus_e4m8                  "e2m5.mp3"
#mus_e4m9                  "e1m9.mp3"
#mus_e5m1                  "e5m1.mp3"
#mus_e5m2                  "e5m2.mp3"
#mus_e5m3                  "e5m3.mp3"
#mus_e5m4                  "e5m4.mp3"
#mus_e5m5                  "e5m5.mp3"
#mus_e5m6                  "e5m6.mp3"
#mus_e5m7                  "e5m7.mp3"
#mus_e5m8                  "e5m8.mp3"
#mus_e5m9                  "e5m9.mp3"
#mus_inter                 "inter.mp3"
#mus_introa                "intro.mp3"
#mus_intro                 "intro.mp3"
#mus_victor                "victor.mp3"
#mus_adrian                "adrian.mp3"
#mus_ampie                 "ampie.mp3"
#mus_betwee                "betwee.mp3"
#mus_count2                "count2.mp3"
#mus_countd                "countd.mp3"
#mus_ddtbl2                "ddtbl2.mp3"
#mus_ddtbl3                "ddtbl3.mp3"
#mus_ddtblu                "ddtblu.mp3"
#mus_dead2                 "dead2.mp3"
#mus_dead                  "dead.mp3"
#mus_dm2int                "dm2int.mp3"
#mus_dm2ttl                "dm2ttl.mp3"
#mus_doom2                 "doom2.mp3"
#mus_doom                  "doom.mp3"
#mus_evil                  "evil.mp3"
#mus_in_cit                "in_cit.mp3"
#mus_messag                "messag.mp3"
#mus_messg2                "messg2.mp3"
#mus_openin                "openin.mp3"
#mus_read_m                "read_m.mp3"
#mus_romer2                "romer2.mp3"
#mus_romero                "romero.mp3"
#mus_runni2                "runni2.mp3"
#mus_runnin                "runnin.mp3"
#mus_shawn2                "shawn2.mp3"
#mus_shawn3                "shawn3.mp3"
#mus_shawn                 "shawn.mp3"
#mus_stalks                "stalks.mp3"
#mus_stlks2                "stlks2.mp3"
#mus_stlks3                "stlks3.mp3"
#mus_tense                 "tense.mp3"
#mus_theda2                "theda2.mp3"
#mus_theda3                "theda3.mp3"
#mus_the_da                "the_da.mp3"
#mus_ultima                "ultima.mp3"

SIGIL is the 5th Episode for ULTIMATE DOOM. It was created by the creator of DOOM - John Romero and can be downloaded for free right here.

How to use?

Place the downloaded WAD to your prboom directory in roms. Now edit /userdata/saves/prboom/[DOOM1-EPISODE]/prboom.cfg and set the WAD next to be loaded to the main WAD in Files Section. I've only tested for ULTIMATE DOOM and it worked like a charme.

## Files
wadfile_1                 "SIGIL_v1_2.wad"
#wadfile_2                 ""
#wadfile_3                 ""
#wadfile_4                 ""
#wadfile_5                 ""
#wadfile_6                 ""
#wadfile_7                 ""
#wadfile_8                 ""
#dehfile_1                 ""
#dehfile_2                 ""

The Lost Episodes of Doom is a collection of three eight-level episodes for Doom by Christen Klie and Bob Carter. It takes place on the Jovian moons Callisto and Io, and on Jupiter itself. It was a commercial product.

Extract the two WAD files and then edit /userdata/saves/prboom/[DOOM1-EPISODE]/prboom.cfg and set the WAD next to be loaded to the main WAD in Files Section.

## Files
wadfile_1                 "JPTR_V40.WAD"
wadfile_2                 "Jptr_fix.wad"
#wadfile_3                 ""
#wadfile_4                 ""
#wadfile_5                 ""
#wadfile_6                 ""
#wadfile_7                 ""
#wadfile_8                 ""
#dehfile_1                 ""
#dehfile_2                 ""

No Rest for the Living was developed by Nerve Software for the release of Doom 2 on the XBLA. The episode consists of nine levels in all, eight standard levels and a single secret level, as a homage to the similarly structured nine-map episodes in the original Doom, particularly Knee-Deep in the Dead.

Extract the WAD file and then edit /userdata/saves/prboom/[DOOM2-EPISODE]/prboom.cfg and set the WAD next to be loaded to the main WAD in Files Section.

## Files
wadfile_1                 "NERVE.WAD"
#wadfile_2                 ""
#wadfile_3                 ""
#wadfile_4                 ""
#wadfile_5                 ""
#wadfile_6                 ""
#wadfile_7                 ""
#wadfile_8                 ""
#dehfile_1                 ""
#dehfile_2                 ""

The above methods got the disadvantage that you “lose” your original gameset. That means for DOOM-Sigil that you will the new launching screen ever and ever again. To get rid of this you can copy the main WAD and rename one to DOOM - Ultimate DOOM.wad and the other to DOOM - Sigil of Baphomet.wad now you edit /userdata/saves/prboom/DOOM - Sigil of Baphomet.wad/prboom.cfg and set it up like written above.

Now you edit gamedata and hide the added PWAD files (Sigil.wad), you now have a clean list.

PrBoom can let you add enhanced music, like back in the 90s when using a SC-55 synthesizer to render the music tracks. Some of these tunes have been recorded and can be found on the Internet (Google is your friend).

Once you downloaded the tracks that you want to add, you need to update the config file from the Doom game you want to change musics for. Its location follows always the same pattern, for example /userdata/saves/prboom/[DOOM1-EPISODE]/prboom.cfg/prboom.cfg for DOOM1. You need to add/modify the section:

## Music
#mus_bunny                 "bunny.mp3"
#mus_e1m1                  "e1m1.mp3"
#mus_e1m2                  "e1m2.mp3"
#mus_e1m3                  "e1m3.mp3"
...

Here are the default PrBoom's controls shown on a Batocera Retropad:

For further troubleshooting, refer to the generic support pages.