Floating IPS (Flips) review
A free IPS/BPS patcher with GUI, command-line, and multi-patch workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Floating IPS (Flips) is an open-source desktop and command-line utility for creating and applying IPS and BPS patches to ROM files. It suits users who want a focused patching tool with both graphical and terminal-based operation, including people working across Windows, macOS, and Linux. The feature set covers the core ROM patching workflow: create a patch, apply a patch, or process several patches through the graphical interface.
Flips is free and has an open-source pricing model, so there are no paid tiers or plan distinctions to weigh. Its platform coverage includes Windows, macOS, and Linux. The Windows version provides a graphical interface, while GTK graphical interfaces support GTK-based systems; a standalone command-line program is also available. For more involved workflows, the GUI can apply multiple patches to the same ROM and launch another program after patching. That combination gives the utility a practical fit for users who alternate between visual controls and scripted or terminal-oriented tasks.
The main trade-off is focus. Flips handles IPS and BPS formats, but it is not presented as a broader multi-format patching suite. The project is also in maintenance mode, and its GitHub repository was archived on May 21, 2025, although releases remain available on GitHub. Choose Flips if you need a free, open-source tool for IPS/BPS creation and application with GUI and CLI options. Consider an alternative if you need active project development, a wider patch-format range, or graphical interfaces tailored uniformly to every supported operating system.
Floating IPS (Flips) pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Creates and applies both IPS and BPS patches
- Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Applies multiple patches to one ROM through its GUI
- Where it doesn't
- Supports IPS and BPS rather than a broader patch-format range
- Graphical interfaces are provided for Windows and GTK-based systems
- The project is in maintenance mode and its GitHub repository was archived
Floating IPS (Flips) fact sheet, pricing and score →
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