Quake

• Emulators: RetroArch (TyrQuake), vkQuake
• Folder: roms/quake/
• Accepted ROM formats: .quake

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

You need the original Quake game data files. You can purchase the game from Steam or GOG.com. Copy the id1 folder and its contents into /userdata/roms/quake/. Then create an empty file with a .quake extension in /userdata/roms/quake/.

/userdata/roms/quake/
               ├── id1/
               |    ├── pak0.pak
               |    └── pak1.pak
               └── Quake.quake

Mission Pack 1 (Scourge of Armagon) and Mission Pack 2 (Dissolution of Eternity) are supported automatically. Place their game files in the corresponding directories and create a launch file:

/userdata/roms/quake/
               ├── id1/
               |    ├── pak0.pak
               |    └── pak1.pak
               ├── hipnotic/
               |    └── pak0.pak
               ├── rogue/
               |    └── pak0.pak
               ├── Quake.quake
               ├── Quake Mission Pack 1 - Scourge of Armagon.quake
               └── Quake Mission Pack 2 - Dissolution of Eternity.quake

The mission packs are auto-detected based on the launch file name — vkQuake checks for “scourge” or “dissolution” in the file name.

The original Quake had a soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails. The Steam version does not include the soundtrack files (the 2021 re-release music should work out of the box). GOG-provided files may need conversion. Place music files in the music subfolder of each game directory:

• /userdata/roms/quake/id1/music/ for the base game
• /userdata/roms/quake/hipnotic/music/ for Mission Pack 1
• /userdata/roms/quake/rogue/music/ for Mission Pack 2

Files must be named trackNN.ogg or trackNN.mp3 (e.g. track02.ogg).

Save location saves/quake/

RetroArch is a ubiquitous frontend that can run multiple “cores”. RetroArch offers a Quick Menu accessed by pressing [HOTKEY] + which can be used to alter various settings. Standardized features available to all libretro cores: quake.videomode, quake.ratio, quake.smooth, quake.shaders, quake.pixel_perfect, quake.decoration, quake.game_translation

TyrQuake is a conservative Quake source port focused on accuracy and bug fixes.

vkQuake is a Vulkan-based Quake source port with enhanced graphics, higher resolutions and modern rendering features. Requires Vulkan support on your system. Standardized features available: quake.videomode, quake.padtokeyboard, quake.bezel, quake.bezel_stretch, quake.hud, quake.hud_corner, quake.bezel.tattoo, quake.bezel.tattoo_corner, quake.bezel.tattoo_file, quake.bezel.resize_tattoo

Here are the default Quake controls shown on a Batocera Retropad. Controls depend on the emulator used — vkQuake uses pad-to-keyboard mapping, while TyrQuake uses RetroArch's built-in controller support.

• Make sure the id1 folder exists and contains the .pak files.
• Ensure all file names are lowercase.
• vkQuake requires Vulkan support — if your system does not support Vulkan, use the TyrQuake libretro core instead.

For further troubleshooting, refer to the generic support pages.