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The dependable way to play modern PC games on a Raspberry Pi running RetroPie is to stream them from another computer. The Windows or Linux gaming PC runs the game, while the Raspberry Pi displays the video and sends controller, keyboard, and mouse input back to the PC.
For a Steam library, use Steam Link. For Steam, Epic, GOG, Xbox app games, emulators, standalone software, or the entire desktop, use Moonlight on the Pi with Sunshine on the host PC. RetroPie provides the living-room interface; it does not turn an ARM Raspberry Pi into an x86 Windows gaming computer.
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What “playing PC games on Raspberry Pi” actually means
There are three possible approaches:
- Remote streaming: Recommended. The host PC renders the game and the Pi acts as a low-power client.
- Native ARM/Linux games: Some games have compatible Raspberry Pi or Linux versions, but the selection is limited and game-specific.
- x86 translation: Tools such as Box86, Box64, Wine, and Proton can run selected x86 software on ARM Linux. Compatibility and performance vary considerably, so this is an advanced experiment rather than a dependable RetroPie setup.
Most Windows and Steam games cannot simply be installed into RetroPie and launched locally. The Pi 4 and Pi 5 are best treated as streaming endpoints for a more powerful computer.
What you need
Raspberry Pi setup
- Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 recommended.
- RetroPie installed on a compatible Raspberry Pi OS setup.
- MicroSD card, reliable power supply, HDMI cable, and a TV or monitor.
- USB or Bluetooth controller.
- Ethernet connection preferred; strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi is the fallback.
- Optional keyboard and mouse for setup, desktop streaming, and mouse-heavy games.
- Heatsink, active cooler, or a fan-equipped case for sustained sessions.
RetroPie’s official documentation covers the basic hardware and installation requirements: RetroPie first installation. Raspberry Pi 4 is a sensible existing device. If buying new, Raspberry Pi 5 is the stronger general-purpose choice, but verify the current RetroPie image or manual-installation status for your exact setup in the RetroPie-Setup release information.
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Gaming PC setup
- A Windows 10/11, Linux, or supported macOS computer that can run the games.
- The games installed on that computer.
- Steam and Remote Play enabled for Steam Link.
- Sunshine installed and configured for Moonlight.
- Ethernet from the host PC to the router is strongly recommended.
Steam Link or Moonlight and Sunshine?
| Method | Best for | Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Link | Primarily Steam games | Simplest mainstream setup | Less convenient for non-Steam libraries |
| Moonlight + Sunshine | Mixed libraries and desktop streaming | Streams Steam, Epic, GOG, Xbox app games, emulators, and custom applications | Requires two applications and more configuration |
| Native ARM/Linux ports | Compatible lightweight games | No network or host PC required | Small, game-specific catalog |
| Box86/Box64/Wine/Proton | Experimenters | Can run selected x86 software locally | Unpredictable compatibility and setup |
Choose Steam Link if nearly everything you play is in Steam and you want the shortest path from RetroPie to your library. Choose Moonlight and Sunshine if you need non-Steam games, custom launchers, desktop access, or host-side emulators.
Prepare RetroPie
Install RetroPie using the official instructions for your Raspberry Pi model and operating-system combination rather than copying an image intended for a different board. The exact support status, package names, and menu layout can change between RetroPie-Setup releases.
After the first boot, connect the controller, configure the display and network, and update RetroPie-Setup if appropriate. RetroPie-Setup supports installing packages from prebuilt binaries when available; binary installation is generally preferable to compiling a package from source. See the RetroPie-Setup project for current package and installation details.
Method 1: Play Steam games with Steam Link
Install Steam Link through RetroPie-Setup
- Boot into EmulationStation.
- Open RetroPie Setup.
- Choose Manage packages.
- Check the available package categories for Steam Link.
- Install the binary package if it is available for your installation.
- Return to EmulationStation and restart it or reboot the Pi.
- Look under Ports for Steam Link.
Steam’s official Raspberry Pi support starts at Raspberry Pi 3 or later: Steam Link on Raspberry Pi. However, package availability in RetroPie can differ by image, model, operating-system base, and RetroPie-Setup version. If Steam Link is not listed, do not assume the Pi or network is faulty; the module may not be available in that particular installation.
Enable Remote Play and pair the Pi
- Open Steam on the gaming PC.
- Go to Steam > Settings > Remote Play.
- Enable Remote Play.
- Launch Steam Link on the Pi.
- Select the host PC. If Steam Link displays a PIN, enter it in Steam when prompted.
- Run the connection test, then start Steam or a game.
Steam’s support page is the authority for the current pairing flow because Steam’s labels and screens can change.
Useful Steam Link starting settings
Begin at 1080p/60 if the Pi, host, display, and network handle it. If the stream stutters or feels delayed, try 720p/60, lower the streaming quality from “Beautiful” toward “Fast,” and reduce the frame rate or bitrate. Change one setting at a time so you can identify the cause.
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Method 2: Stream almost any PC application with Moonlight and Sunshine
Install Moonlight Qt on Raspberry Pi 4 or 5
The current official Moonlight Qt instructions require Raspberry Pi 4 or later and Raspberry Pi OS 12, also called Bookworm, or newer. They document this installation command:
curl -1sLf 'https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/moonlight-game-streaming/moonlight-qt/setup.deb.sh'
| distro=raspbian codename=$(lsb_release -cs) sudo -E bash
sudo apt install moonlight-qtLaunch it from the desktop or with:
moonlight-qtSee the official Raspberry Pi Moonlight Qt instructions for current requirements. The guide notes that running the client directly from a console or TTY can perform better than running it inside a full desktop environment, but that approach is less beginner-friendly.
This is not a universal one-click RetroPie menu installation. On a RetroPie system, you may run Moonlight separately from Raspberry Pi OS, or create a custom EmulationStation port entry after confirming the executable path and graphical session used by your particular image. Do not copy a launcher script or es_systems.cfg example without checking that it matches your installation.
Install Sunshine on the gaming PC
- Install Sunshine from its current official documentation or release page.
- Open Sunshine’s web configuration interface.
- Create or confirm the host credentials.
- Make sure Steam and any required applications are available.
- Start Moonlight on the Pi and select the host PC.
- Enter Moonlight’s PIN in Sunshine.
- Test Steam, a game, or the desktop.
Moonlight’s current setup guide recommends Sunshine for modern AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel GPUs rather than relying on the discontinued NVIDIA GameStream route. Sunshine can expose Steam, the desktop, and manually added applications. This makes it suitable for Epic, GOG, Xbox app games, standalone Windows games, and emulators running on the host PC. Start with the Moonlight setup guide.
Launch non-Steam games
If a game is not listed automatically, add it as a custom application in Sunshine or Moonlight. Alternatively, stream the desktop and launch the game manually. Desktop streaming is also useful for launchers that need a click, games with unusual startup behavior, and applications that cannot be detected automatically.
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Installing a streaming client and adding it to RetroPie’s front end are separate tasks.
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Steam Link may create a launcher under Ports when RetroPie-Setup installs the package successfully. Restart EmulationStation if the entry does not appear immediately.
For Moonlight, first verify that moonlight-qt launches successfully from the desktop or terminal. Then, if desired, create a custom launcher under the installation’s RetroPie ports directory using the actual executable path and display environment. Test the shell script from a terminal before assigning it to EmulationStation, then restart EmulationStation and verify controller input. Paths and session behavior vary too much between RetroPie images for one untested launcher recipe to be reliable everywhere.
Network setup determines the experience
Streaming quality depends more on the network path than on the Pi rendering the game. The preferred arrangement is:
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- Raspberry Pi connected by Ethernet.
- If Wi-Fi is necessary, use a strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 connection.
- Avoid weak 2.4 GHz signals, congested channels, guest networks, repeaters, and powerline links that introduce jitter.
Bandwidth affects image quality and stalls. Latency affects controller responsiveness. Jitter and packet loss cause uneven delivery and stuttering even when a speed test reports a high download rate. Moonlight’s documentation recommends a good 5 GHz router and a wired host connection: Moonlight network guidance.
Start on the home network. Internet streaming may require port forwarding, IPv6, a VPN, or an overlay network, and should be attempted only after local pairing works. Never expose a service casually just to make remote streaming work.
Performance and comfort checklist
- Use Ethernet for the host PC whenever possible.
- Use Ethernet for the Pi or stable 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
- Start at 1080p/60 and drop to 720p/60 when necessary.
- Use a moderate bitrate, increasing it only after the connection is stable.
- Keep the Pi cool and use a reliable, correctly rated power supply.
- Pair the controller with the Pi when using the Pi as the client.
- Keep a USB controller available for Bluetooth troubleshooting.
- Use a wireless keyboard and trackpad for strategy games, simulators, launchers, or desktop applications.
- Test the desktop and one game before building a large custom launcher setup.
- Do not assume 4K, 120 Hz, HDR, or low latency: every part of the chain—host GPU, encoder, client, codec, network, display mode, and game—must support the feature.
Troubleshooting by symptom
The PC does not appear
Put both devices on the same ordinary home LAN, not a guest network. Check guest-network or mesh client isolation, confirm Steam or Sunshine is running, and allow the application through the host firewall on the private network. Avoid disabling the firewall globally.
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Pairing is rejected
Pair locally before attempting internet access. If credentials or pairing data became stale, remove the client from the host and pair it again. Confirm that the PIN is entered in the correct Steam or Sunshine prompt.
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Test the desktop before the game. Update the host GPU driver, restart Steam or Sunshine, and try with the host display active. Multiple monitors, a powered-off monitor, dummy display adapters, and unusual display modes can produce an incorrect resolution or a black stream. Lower the client resolution and test again.
The stream stutters
Use Ethernet, move the Pi closer to the 5 GHz access point, and eliminate repeaters or congested wireless links. Reduce bitrate, resolution, or frame rate. Look for packet loss and jitter rather than relying only on an internet-speed test.
Controls feel delayed
Prefer wired networking, lower the stream quality from “Beautiful” toward “Fast,” and reduce resolution or frame rate. Connect the controller directly to the Pi and check both the client mapping and Steam Input. Do not leave unnecessary Bluetooth devices competing for the connection.
The controller is not detected
A controller paired with the Pi is not automatically paired with the host PC. Test a wired USB controller, configure it in RetroPie, then confirm the game’s or Steam Input’s mapping. Some games apply their own controller profiles.
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There is no audio
Check the Pi’s HDMI audio output, the display’s selected audio path, and the streaming application’s audio settings. Test the desktop as well as the game to determine whether the problem is host-side or game-specific.
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The game is missing or will not launch
Launch it locally on the PC first. In Moonlight, add a custom application or stream the desktop. Some launchers, anti-cheat systems, DRM checks, administrator prompts, and elevated-permission windows do not behave well through streaming. Compatibility is game-dependent.
The resolution is wrong
Set a deliberate client resolution and test with one display active on the host. Host display-mode switching can cause black screens, scaling problems, or an image that does not match the TV. Treat HDR and advanced display features as optional rather than part of the basic setup.
Can the Pi run PC games locally?
Sometimes, but this is a different project. Raspberry Pi processors use ARM architecture, while most Windows and traditional Linux PC games target x86 or x86-64. Native Linux or ARM ports can work without a host PC, but the compatible catalog is limited.
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What to buy for a dedicated setup
If the existing Pi and PC already meet the requirements, no paid subscription is required for Steam Link or Moonlight/Sunshine. If buying hardware, prioritize reliability over expensive accessories:
- Raspberry Pi 5 for a new general-purpose box, after confirming the current RetroPie installation route.
- An official or properly rated Raspberry Pi power supply.
- An active cooler or cooled case for sustained Pi 5 use.
- A reputable, quality microSD card; see Raspberry Pi’s storage guidance.
- An Ethernet cable.
- A wired or well-supported Bluetooth controller. Steam Input information is available on Steam Link’s official page.
The host PC remains the performance bottleneck. A faster Raspberry Pi cannot make a weak host GPU run a demanding game faster; it can only provide a better client experience when the client, network, and display are configured well.
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