For certain systems, you’re going to need BIOS files to properly emulate them. For others, they’re mostly for nostalgic reasons, to get the intro music and jingle. Here’s the list of BIOS names, to help you in your search, as I cannot legally provide them to you. (hint: Google the filename)
Most of the below BIOS files are for the USA region only unless specified. If your ROMs are EU, or another region, you’ll need those regions BIOS files.
Where do BIOS files go?
For RetroArch, BIOS files go into the RetroArch/system folder unless specifically mentioned to be in a different spot for any below system.
Directly inside, no subfolders, right inside of the system folder.
This applies to any platform, Windows, Android etc.
Ayari Lynx – Required
- File: lynxboot.img
Famicom Disk System – Optional
- File: disksys.rom
Microsoft Xbox – Required
- File(s): mcpx_1.0.bin, xbox_hdd.qcow2, Complex_4627.bin, Complex_4627v1.03.bin
Microsoft Xbox 360 – Optional
- Xbox 360 does not require any BIOS files.
Neo Geo CD – Required
- File: neocd_f.rom
- Note: This BIOS file goes into the RetroArch/system/neocd folder if using RetroArch.
Nintendo DSi – Required
Nintendo DS does not require BIOS, but Nintendo DSi does.
- File(s): firmware.bin, bios7.bin, bios9.bin
Nintendo Game Boy – Optional
- File: gb_bios.bin
Nintendo Game Boy Advance – Optional
- File: gba_bios.bin
Nintendo Game Boy Color – Optional
- File: gbc_bios.bin
Nintendo GameCube – Optional
The only benefit to a GameCube BIOS file is seeing the startup logo.
After putting your BIOS file in the right spot, open Dolping, Settings, GameCube and uncheck Skip Main Menu.
- File: IPL.bin
- Note: This BIOS file goes into the Dolphin/GC/USA folder for Dolphin standalone. You can place it in the other regions too if you’re using them.
Nintendo Wii – Optional
The Nintendo Wii does not require any BIOS files, but you can have Dolphin download some files if you want.
- In Dolphin, head to Tools then select Perform Online System update.
Sega CD/32X – Required
- FIle: bios_CD_U.bin (USA)
- FIle: bios_CD_E.bin (EUR)
- FIle: bios_CD_J.bin (JPN)
Sega Dreamcast – Required
- File: dc_boot.bin
- Note: This BIOS file goes into the RetroArch/system/dc folder if using RetroArch.
Naomi – Required
- File: naomi.zip
- Note: This BIOS file goes into the RetroArch/system/dc folder if using RetroArch.
Sega Saturn – Required
- File: mpr-17933.bin (USA/EUR)
- File: sega_101.bin (JPN)
Sony PlayStation – Required
- File: PSXONPSP660.bin (Region free)
Sony PlayStation 2 – Required
- File: ps2-0230a-20080220.bin (USA)
- File: ps2-0230e-20080220.bin (EUR)
- File: ps2-0230j-20080220.bin (JPN)
Sony PlayStation 3 – Required
You can find the PS3 BIOS here, on Sony’s website.
Scroll down to Update using a computer and then click Download PS3 Update.
- File: PS3UPDAT.PUP
Sony PlayStation Portable – Optional
- PSP does not require a BIOS file.
The PSP bios is not mentioned here, does anyone know the name?
PSP doesn’t require bios.
Is it that Xbox 360 doesn’t need BIOS or is it that there isn’t one?
I dont understand what how to use the MD5 (mcpx_1.0.bin) = d49c52a4102f6df7bcf8d0617ac475ed I have found the others but where/what do i do with this?
does game cube need Bios to run??
I have the same question.
GametechWiki shows these three, all listed as optional:
GameCube IPL BIOS file, DSP-LLE plugin, Wii WC24 network SSL certificates.
It also lists Dolphin as the only emu.
BIOS for Gamecube and Wii is optional, it’s only for the startup screen.
It does not.
Hey,
I installed the ps2 biofile but when i try to play (Sly racoon) it’s awfully slow.. what is going on ? Can you help me ?
I just had de anbernic rg406v, i did everything you explained, thanks a lot by the way, and for retroarch, everything works perfectly but for nether sx2 it’s too slow and the controls do not react well..
Hey, BIOS has no connection to performance. You just have a device that is not powerful enough for that game or most PS2.
I’m giving up. I’ve watched your video a dozen times, and I cant figure out how to get different systems in the main Knulli menu like you have in your video. I’m missing several, and I’ve tried installing bios files from at least ten different sites. I get that you aren’t allowed to help for legal reasons, and I get what you said about the first paragraph. It just isn’t working. I’m giving up.
Have you tried just doing a couple of consoles, like Nintendo NES and Sega Genesis? I haven’t gotten my ROMS and BIOS yet, but at least the best thing I think of is just starting out small.
I’m trying so hard to figure this out…
I have a rgcube from Anbernic. Ive installed Knulli, and several games for NES, SNES, etc.. They’re working fine. I’d like to get some Sega CD games, so I need bios files. Everywhere I look, I’m getting different answers. I see codes like yours here on this very website that says “bios_CD_U.bin” and I have no idea what that means. So I google it, and I get a bunch of links for Sega cd bios files. Fine. Then I click on one, and it has another code similar to yours… Am I supposed to just type that code into the bios folder in Knulli? Everywhere I look, it says to add bios files into the bios folder. Fine. Do I download these files? Or just look them up to find the code to type? What am I not doing? And is a Sega CD section supposed to just appear when I start my console? How do I make any of this work?
Hey! The first paragraph of the page sort of explains it, but let me know if I can do a better job of it.
But yes, these are filenames on this page since I cannot legally provide the files, so find the files and put them into whichever operating system or emulators bios folder you’re using.
This helped, big thanks on clarification!
Don’t you need a bios for Nintendo switch in one