If you own one of our sets you can skip this step since the joystick configuration is done by default for any set that has the software installed.

On first boot, you will be prompted to configure a controller in EmulationStation. Once you finish configuring your controller, multiple configuration profiles will be automatically generated for most of the systems in RetroPie.

In the case where extra configuration is required please visit the controller’s page and select your product there. In the description, you will be able to find the correct key mapping of the controller

Controller Configuration

1. On first boot this menu in EmulationStation will configure your controls for both Emulationstation and RetroArch Emulators:

2. Hold down any button on your keyboard or gamepad and the name will appear at the bottom and then open up into a configuration menu:

3. Follow the onscreen instructions to configure your gamepad- if you run out of buttons just hold down a button to skip each unused button. When you get to OK press the button you have configured as “A”.

If you wish to configure more than one controller, you can do so from the start menu of the emulation station. For more details on the manual controller, configurations see this page here.

See the following diagrams for reference

SNES Controller

Megadrive/Genesis (6 Button)

PS3 Controller

XBox 360 Controller

Hotkey

The Hotkey button enables you to press it in combination with another button to access functions such as saving, loading, and exiting in emulators. It is suggested to use the Select button as the hotkey. Please refer to the table below to see the possible combinations when the hotkey is set.

Note: Hotkey combinations are specific to the retroarch/libretro based emulators. Visit this page for more information.