F5F Stay Refreshed Software PC Gaming Can you play games from a USB stick?

Can you play games from a USB stick?

Can you play games from a USB stick?

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iron_finder1
Posting Freak
750
03-25-2026, 10:24 PM
#1
When trying to get gaming ROMs from the web, where do you save them on your PC before copying them onto a USB stick so you can run them on a Raspberry Pi 4?
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iron_finder1
03-25-2026, 10:24 PM #1

When trying to get gaming ROMs from the web, where do you save them on your PC before copying them onto a USB stick so you can run them on a Raspberry Pi 4?

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Ghaida
Junior Member
16
03-25-2026, 11:10 PM
#2
You can find a guide online if you really want one. I'm too scared to tell you how to do it because most games on my phone or computer are against the law here, and I need to own the original copy before I can get started without breaking rules.
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Ghaida
03-25-2026, 11:10 PM #2

You can find a guide online if you really want one. I'm too scared to tell you how to do it because most games on my phone or computer are against the law here, and I need to own the original copy before I can get started without breaking rules.

S
Silvinha10
Senior Member
694
03-28-2026, 12:12 AM
#3
Sure, maybe you won't get much out of this specific question, but can you play games from a USB stick on the Kodi main menu (Game add-on)? I know there are some Rom games, but is that all? It seems like I found one type called ROMs and another kind of game that isn't a ROM.
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Silvinha10
03-28-2026, 12:12 AM #3

Sure, maybe you won't get much out of this specific question, but can you play games from a USB stick on the Kodi main menu (Game add-on)? I know there are some Rom games, but is that all? It seems like I found one type called ROMs and another kind of game that isn't a ROM.

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Razlorus
Posting Freak
976
03-28-2026, 02:37 AM
#4
I still haven't got the ROM ready. Should I make a folder on the USB stick, plug it into the Raspberry Pi 4, and then connect it back to my PC? From there, can I put the files inside those new folders?
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Razlorus
03-28-2026, 02:37 AM #4

I still haven't got the ROM ready. Should I make a folder on the USB stick, plug it into the Raspberry Pi 4, and then connect it back to my PC? From there, can I put the files inside those new folders?

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LOVAC13
Member
108
04-03-2026, 01:27 AM
#5
Kodi isn't designed for games even though I think it can run emulators. You need to check the manual yourself. Usually, each program needs specific folders with files from different emulators in separate places. From what I've seen, Kodi just asks you to go find where your ROMs are and load them there. If you see a USB stick, you might be able to put a game on it. But if you use library addons that check whole folders for compatible games, things get complicated. Since you have a Pi Go and install RetroPie, searching Google for "Retropie full" shows many pictures of all the games available. That could break the law because ISPs know what you download and keep notes about it. This applies to single game files too. These files can be just simple .rom files or even .bin, but they always contain the whole memory content of a cartridge. For disc systems like PS2 or Xbox, the files are usually .iso or something similar instead.
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LOVAC13
04-03-2026, 01:27 AM #5

Kodi isn't designed for games even though I think it can run emulators. You need to check the manual yourself. Usually, each program needs specific folders with files from different emulators in separate places. From what I've seen, Kodi just asks you to go find where your ROMs are and load them there. If you see a USB stick, you might be able to put a game on it. But if you use library addons that check whole folders for compatible games, things get complicated. Since you have a Pi Go and install RetroPie, searching Google for "Retropie full" shows many pictures of all the games available. That could break the law because ISPs know what you download and keep notes about it. This applies to single game files too. These files can be just simple .rom files or even .bin, but they always contain the whole memory content of a cartridge. For disc systems like PS2 or Xbox, the files are usually .iso or something similar instead.

H
HakanReis
Member
77
04-03-2026, 06:39 AM
#6
years ago I bought some games on cd, but now I forgot where they are. How do I find those cds so I can put them into my retroPie system?
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HakanReis
04-03-2026, 06:39 AM #6

years ago I bought some games on cd, but now I forgot where they are. How do I find those cds so I can put them into my retroPie system?

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Killa_Dx
Senior Member
645
04-03-2026, 08:19 AM
#7
What system? If you're playing Windows games, skip that one. For DOS games, you can install them on your virtual hard drive and enable sound in PC settings before running them inside Dosbox, then move them to RetroPie and let it handle them—that's a lot of work if you don't have to do it yourself. If they are console CDs, just turn them into .iso files using ImgBurn and put them in the right folder.
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Killa_Dx
04-03-2026, 08:19 AM #7

What system? If you're playing Windows games, skip that one. For DOS games, you can install them on your virtual hard drive and enable sound in PC settings before running them inside Dosbox, then move them to RetroPie and let it handle them—that's a lot of work if you don't have to do it yourself. If they are console CDs, just turn them into .iso files using ImgBurn and put them in the right folder.

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RockstarNZ
Junior Member
42
Yesterday, 09:02 PM
#8
yeah, they pc games alright. i was looking at the front of the disc with a magnifier glass and yeah, they say windows on the. The one i'm looking at now is a twin pack Sega PC they Sonic and pac man pc collection Here's one of the disc https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/FPIAAOSwg...s-l400.jpg
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RockstarNZ
Yesterday, 09:02 PM #8

yeah, they pc games alright. i was looking at the front of the disc with a magnifier glass and yeah, they say windows on the. The one i'm looking at now is a twin pack Sega PC they Sonic and pac man pc collection Here's one of the disc https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/FPIAAOSwg...s-l400.jpg