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Yes—you can browse and play a retro-game library through Jellyfin with the Moonbase plugin and Moonfin clients. Moonbase exposes selected ROM folders as a game library; Moonfin can play supported titles in a web player or certain native apps. Remote play is a separate networking task: installing the plugin does not make your server reachable from outside your home.
How the Jellyfin retro-game setup works
Jellyfin remains the self-hosted server. Its ordinary media-library scanner is not designed to index ROMs as movies or TV episodes. Moonbase adds game-specific library routes, and Moonfin clients use those routes to browse games and launch supported emulators.
The path is: organize game files on the server, enable and configure Moonbase, connect a compatible Moonfin client, then make the Jellyfin server reachable to that client. Jellyfin’s own discovery feature only finds servers on the same subnet; away from home, a client needs a reachable server address and a separately configured network path.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSet up the game library
- Install and enable Moonbase. In the plugin’s Games tab, enable “retro games.” Follow the project’s instructions for the Moonbase version compatible with your Jellyfin installation.
- Select the game libraries. Choose the folders Moonbase should expose. Keep ROMs organized beneath a system-named folder for each platform, using recognizable system names.
- Add game files and any required BIOS files. Moonbase can read configured ROM folders; some systems require BIOS files. The Moonfin guide describes placing BIOS files loose in the relevant system folder. Use game files and firmware you are entitled to use; legality depends on the files and jurisdiction.
- Connect with a Moonfin client. Open the game library in a supported Moonfin app or web player. Moonfin says it fills game metadata and artwork from public databases.
ROMs, system folders, emulator cores, BIOS files, and save states serve different purposes. Jellyfin’s standard movie-and-TV organization and scanner are not a substitute for Moonbase’s game-specific setup. Moonfin does not provide ROMs or BIOS files.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Supported Operating System】The Game Controller is specifically designed for playing classic old school retro snes games on computer or laptop. Compatible with Windows 98 / ME / Vista / 2000/2003 / XP / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10/11, Mac OS X/ OS X 10.0 and beyond, Raspberry Pi, Raspberry PI 2 model B,Model A, Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 2,Raspberry Pi OS, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi Zero.
- 【Simple USB Plug and Play】If your program or application accepts USB controller input, this classic game controller do not need install drivers or patches. 1.5 meter external cable(approx. 5 ft. Long). Notice: Please download the game emulator first before start the games, and then you must manually set the buttons and directionals within the emulator you're using, and the controller not automatically assigns buttons/directional axes. If on the Steam platform, you need to first enable Steam's "Universal Controller Configuration Support" and then restart Steam. After entering the game, you also need to manually bind key positions in the game
- 【High Sensitivity without Delay】Super sensitive buttons for precision control: 6 fire buttons, a 'Start' button and a 'Select' button, motion control cross. Play your favorite old school games with classic retro feel. Fits perfectly in the hand and also perfect for two player action.Note: Not applicable to Switch/PS games. Not Compatible with TV/ TV Box, third Mini Games Box and Tesla Model 3
- 【Supported Game Emulators】The game controller works with most emulators. Download any emulator you wish to download and use from Google and do the same with ROMS. Notice:Third party controller, not original controller. But it works phenomenal with the Raspberry Pi game emulation and so on
- 【Product Service】If you have any problem during use, send message to us and we will help you to solve the problem soon
Choose a playback method that fits the client
Moonfin documents two approaches, but availability and compatibility depend on the app, platform, game system, and project version. Check the project’s current client guidance for the device you intend to use rather than assuming every Jellyfin client can play ROMs.
| Playback method | How it works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Web player (EmulatorJS) | The emulator runs in a web view, with web cores loaded from a public CDN by default. | Moonfin’s Admin Guide says PSP games in Moonfin Web on Jellyfin require cross-origin isolation. If you want to avoid a runtime dependency on the CDN, the guide describes installing the core bundle locally; it estimates the bundle at about 290 MB. |
| Native cores | Selected Moonfin applications run native emulator cores; Moonfin describes these as faster than the web approach. | Confirm that the chosen app and system are supported. Native and web-player save states use separate formats. |
Moonbase supports ROM streaming with range requests. It can also extract ZIP or 7z archives on the fly when an archive contains one ROM. These features do not remove system-specific emulator or BIOS requirements.
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- Hall Effect Joystick Update.
- Compatible with Switch/Switch 2, Windows, Apple, Android, Steam Deck, and Raspberry Pi.
- Compatible with iPhone, iPad, macOS and Apple TV now. (Officially Supported)
- Full-featured retro controller- clickable joysticks, rumble vibration, motion controls, wireless Bluetooth, rechargeable battery, home and screenshot Buttons and a USB-C connector
- Perfect classic d-pad.
Make the server reachable away from home
Game support and remote networking are separate. Jellyfin streams over HTTP(S), but its local auto-discovery does not work outside the subnet. Jellyfin also does not require an internet-facing server: its documentation says, “You do not have to make your server accessible through the internet.” If you do want remote play, configure a safe, reachable route to your server and enter the appropriate server address in the remote client.
There is no single router, VPN, or reverse-proxy recipe that applies to every home network, and enabling Moonbase does not configure one. Choose a network design appropriate to your setup, secure it, and verify that the chosen client can connect from outside your home before relying on remote play.
Rank #3
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
Know what syncs—and what does not
Moonfin’s guide says save states sync per user through the server. They are distinct from local cartridge battery saves, and web-player save states cannot be assumed to work with native cores because the formats are separate. The guide also lists a 32 MB cap for each save-state blob; check the documentation for the release you run.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When PC game streaming is the better fit
Moonbase and Moonfin serve ROM files from Jellyfin and emulate them on the client. If instead you want to play a game installed and running on a gaming PC, Moonlight with Sunshine is a different approach: Moonlight streams the PC’s game to supported devices, and its project recommends Sunshine as the host. That is PC game streaming, not a ROM library inside Jellyfin.
Rank #4
- Wide Compatibility – Compatible with Nintendo Switch (Switch 1 only), Windows PC, Mac OS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, RetroPie, Recalbox and more. Perfect for retro gaming, emulators, and classic game systems. Not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.
- Advanced 2.4GHz Wireless Connection Stable 2.4GHz RF wireless technology provides a fast and responsive gaming experience with up to 10 meters (32 ft) of range. No lag, no drops — just smooth gameplay.
- Simple Plug & Play Setup: No drivers or software required. Just plug the USB receiver into your device and start playing instantly. Compatible with most programs and emulator platforms that support standard USB game controllers.
- Classic Retro Design with Precision Controls Features a familiar SNES-style layout with super-sensitive buttons for accurate, responsive control. Ideal for NES, SNES, Genesis, GBA, RetroArch, BSNES, OpenEmu, and more.
- Rechargeable Battery with Long Life Built-in 240mAh rechargeable battery provides up to 3 hours of continuous gameplay. Fully charges in about 1 hour. Includes battery level indicator for convenient monitoring.
Useful extras
A Bluetooth game controller can make play more comfortable on a client device that supports gamepads, but a controller is optional and compatibility varies by device and app. Verify support for your intended client rather than assuming a particular controller will work.
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