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Importing Games
Drag and drop a ROM file onto the OpenEmu library window. OpenEmu detects the system automatically and adds it to the correct library.
Exceptions:
- CD-based games (PlayStation, Sega CD, Saturn, Dreamcast, TurboGrafx-CD): follow the CD-Based Games guide — they require CUE sheets or M3U files.
-
.binfiles: these are ambiguous (many systems use.bin). If OpenEmu can't identify the system, use the Import Issue Resolver (bottom-left of the library window) to assign it manually.
| System | File Extensions |
|---|---|
| Atari 2600 |
.a26, .bin
|
| Atari 5200 |
.a52, .bin
|
| Atari 7800 | .a78 |
| Atari Jaguar |
.j64, .jag
|
| Atari Lynx | .lnx |
| ColecoVision |
.col, .rom
|
| Famicom Disk System | .fds |
| Game Boy / Game Boy Color |
.gb, .gbc
|
| Game Boy Advance | .gba |
| Game Gear | .gg |
| Intellivision |
.bin, .int, .intv, .rom
|
| MSX |
.rom, .mx1, .mx2
|
| Nintendo (NES) / Famicom | .nes |
| Nintendo 64 |
.n64, .v64, .z64
|
| Odyssey² / Videopac+ | .bin |
| PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 | .pce |
| PC Engine CD / TurboGrafx-CD |
.cue, .ccd, .m3u
|
| Pokémon Mini | .min |
| Sega 32X |
.bin, .32x
|
| Sega CD / Mega-CD | .cue |
| Sega Dreamcast |
.cdi, .gdi
|
| Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
.bin, .gen, .md, .smd
|
| Sega Master System | .sms |
| Sega Saturn |
.cue, .ccd, .m3u
|
| Sony PlayStation |
.cue, .ccd, .m3u
|
| Sony PSP |
.iso, .cso
|
| Super Nintendo (SNES) |
.sfc, .smc
|
| Vectrex |
.bin, .gam, .vec
|
| Watara Supervision | .sv |
| WonderSwan |
.ws, .wsc
|
| 3DO |
.iso, .cue
|
- Single ROM files inside a ZIP can be imported — OpenEmu will extract and import the ROM.
- Multiple files per ZIP cannot be imported.
- ZIP files are not supported for CD-based games — extract them first with The Unarchiver.
A file with this path is already in your library. OpenEmu does not import duplicates.
You previously deleted the game file outside of OpenEmu. Do not manually delete game files from your library folder — always remove games through the app. To fix, use OpenEmu's library management to properly remove the broken entry, then re-import.
The file doesn't match any supported system, or the correct system core isn't installed. Check that the core is installed under OpenEmu → Preferences → Cores.
A ZIP or archive contains multiple files or a disc image. Extract with The Unarchiver and import the extracted file(s).
The file is empty (0 bytes). Re-download it.
The disc descriptor (CUE/M3U) points to a file that doesn't exist in the same folder. Get a complete, properly-organized dump. Archive.org's Redump sets are reliable.
The CUE or M3U file is not saved as plain text (it may have Word formatting or smart quotes). Open it in a plain text editor (TextEdit with Format → Make Plain Text) and save.
macOS can't read the file. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Files and Folders and grant OpenEmu the needed access, or move your ROMs to a folder OpenEmu can reach (e.g., inside your home folder).
The CUE file is malformed. Get a clean dump — Archive.org Redump sets are the most reliable source.
- Redump sets from Archive.org are the most reliable source for CD-based game dumps — they use verified, well-structured CUE+BIN format.
- If a
.binfile isn't being recognized, use the Import Issue Resolver (the small icon at the bottom-left of the library window) to manually assign it to the correct system. - Large game collections can be dragged in as a folder — OpenEmu will recursively scan and import supported files.