Before you begin
Raspberry Pi 5, hardware information and release availability.
Start hereGuides
Clear help, one step at a time.
Prepare your game files, start playing and find help with common problems.
Prepare your game files
Linux and Windows versions, folders, archives and game names.
Prepare your filesFrom preparation to play
Starting a game, controller support and what game status means.
Playing your gamesFind help
Missing artwork, preparation errors and games that stop before gameplay.
Find a problemBefore you begin
Hardware and installation
Check the hardware requirements and recommendations before choosing equipment.
See Release information for availability. Installation and first-start instructions will accompany the public image.
Your games
Use your own legally acquired, DRM-free PC game files. EMBRIS does not include commercial games. Supported file formats do not guarantee game compatibility; check the Compatibility page for verified titles and their test details.
Game Source & Add Game
Prepare your game files
Choose the right game version
Linux game versions are the primary focus; selected Windows games are also supported. Use the operating-system version listed for your game on the Compatibility page.
Use the complete game folder
Find the complete game folder from an existing installation or an extracted download. Keep every game file and subfolder together.
You can provide the same complete game files in either of two ways:
| How to provide your game | Accepted input |
|---|---|
| As a folder | The complete installed or extracted game folder |
| As an archive containing those game files | .zip, .tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.xz, .txz |
You do not need to compress the folder. An archive simply stores the same game files in one file.
Example: Already installed a DRM-free game on your computer? Copy its complete game folder to your Game Source. You can use the folder directly or pack those same files into a supported archive.
Use the actual game files, not just a setup installer or a single executable. Putting an installer inside a ZIP does not make it a ready-to-build game source.
Copy it to your Game Source
Copy the folder or archive to your Game Source, such as a USB drive or network storage, then select the game in Add Game. Keep your original copy as a backup.
Use a clear game title
Name the folder or archive after the official game title to help artwork matching. Keep the archive extension and the files inside unchanged.
Playing your games
After preparation
Select a prepared game from your library to start it. Ready to Play means preparation succeeded; Verified records a separate physical gameplay test.
Controllers and the first session
EMBRIS is designed around a controller-friendly library. Controls inside a game depend on that game. Where available, check its controller settings and test movement, menus and essential actions during your first session.
During your first session, check the controls and audio in gameplay as well as the menus.
Ending a session
Use the game's own save and quit options where available, and allow it to finish saving before shutting down. Do not assume every game saves automatically.
What does Verified mean?
Verified means the exact game build has been physically tested according to the EMBRIS verification process. It does not promise that every other version of the same game will work.
Help with common problems
Troubleshooting
Select a question to show its answer.
Missing game artwork?
Check the game title for spelling, punctuation and unnecessary extra words. Artwork matching can be sensitive to differences in names.
Keep the archive extension and the game's internal filenames unchanged. Artwork may not be available for every title. Missing artwork alone does not show whether a game can run.
Preparation failed or Needs Attention?
Keep the exact error message. Check that your source contains the complete game, that you chose the intended operating-system version and that there is enough free storage.
Do not repeatedly rebuild unchanged files expecting a different result. Some games are not yet supported.
About compatibilityThe menu works, but gameplay does not?
Note exactly where it stops: after selecting New Game, during loading or at another point. Include the game title, version and any message shown when reporting the problem.
Controller works in the library, but not in the game?
Check the game's own input settings where available. Some games require controller mode to be selected or have limited controller support.
Record which controls fail and whether the problem happens in menus or during gameplay.
Preparing or loading takes a long time?
Storage speed and game size affect preparation and loading. A long loading screen alone does not prove that a game has frozen.
Note how long you waited and whether any progress or error message appeared.
Using PCIe NVMe? Learn about optional Gen 3 and loading times.
Hardware and storage recommendationsGameplay feels slow or uneven?
If the game offers these settings, try one change at a time:
- Reduce the resolution from 1080p to 720p.
- Set the frame-rate limit to 30 FPS.
- Turn off anti-aliasing.
Test gameplay after each change. Results vary; these adjustments do not guarantee compatibility.
Not enough storage?
Preparation needs space for the finished package and temporary files. A compressed archive may expand substantially.
Check available space and back up anything you want to keep before removing files.
Describe what happened
Useful feedback includes:
- Game title and version, including Linux or Windows.
- EMBRIS version, if known.
- What you tried and what happened.
- The exact error or a screenshot, without personal information.
- Whether you reached a menu or actual gameplay.
Do not send game files, passwords or access keys.
General questions and feedback are welcome at contact@embris.io. EMBRIS is maintained by one person; individual technical support is not currently available.
NVMe and shorter loading times
If your prepared games are stored on a PCIe-connected NVMe SSD, enabling PCIe Gen 3 can reduce loading times when reading game data is the bottleneck. The benefit depends on the game, SSD and adapter; faster disk reads do not translate directly into equally faster loading or higher frame rates.
Raspberry Pi 5 uses PCIe Gen 2 by default. Gen 3 is optional and requires compatible hardware. It does not speed up USB SSDs, microSD cards or network storage.
Raspberry Pi 5 is not certified for Gen 3, and some setups may be unstable. If problems appear after enabling it, return to Gen 2 and restart. See the official Raspberry Pi PCIe guidance for configuration details.