This is a screenshot from the commodore 64 game Beauty and the Beast. Image by System 3 Iran, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

PUAE

COMMODORE AMIGA EMULATOR CORE

PUAE

PUAE (libretro-uae) — a Libretro/RetroArch core implementing a port of the UAE family to the libretro API so Amiga software can be run inside RetroArch and other libretro frontends.

Jump to download ↓Jump to setup guide ↓

This is a screenshot from the commodore 64 game Beauty and the Beast. Image by System 3 Iran, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

Commodore AmigaPRIMARY SYSTEM

History documentedPROJECT BEGAN

Open sourcePROJECT MODEL

WHY IT MATTERS

Why this core exists

PUAE is a libretro-targeted port of the Unix Amiga Emulator (UAE) lineage that brings Amiga (500/1200/other) emulation into RetroArch and other libretro frontends. It exists so users of the libretro ecosystem can run Amiga images with a core that exposes common UAE options through RetroArch's core API.

BEST FOR

Best use case

Use PUAE when you want to run Amiga software inside RetroArch (or another libretro frontend) and you prefer a core that integrates with RetroArch features (online core updater, quick menu options, save states, input mapping and platform builds provided by libretro).

Gameplay from The Secret of Monkey Island on Amiga.

The people behind PUAE

History and upstream relationship

PUAE is a libretro-oriented build derived from the UAE family (UAE / E-UAE and related ports). The libretro project maintains a repository for the core (libretro-uae / libretro-uae on GitHub/GitLab) and documentation for its usage in the official Libretro docs. Multiple builds and forks of UAE have existed for many platforms; PUAE adapts that codebase to the libretro API so it behaves as a core within RetroArch and other libretro frontends. For current source, releases and platform-specific builds consult the libretro repository and the core listing/documentation pages.

What PUAE supports

RetroArch/libretro frontends on desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Android (RetroArch builds)
ARM single-board builds (Raspberry Pi / similar) where libretro cores are provided
Some console/embedded community builds (examples: Switch builds and other platform ports where libretro distributions include the core)

Download and availability

OFFICIAL DOWNLOADS

Get PUAE

The recommended way to get PUAE is via a libretro/RetroArch core distribution: use RetroArch’s Online Updater to download the core, or install a distribution (Linux packages, Batocera/RetroPie images) that includes libretro cores. If you prefer building or obtaining binary cores directly, the libretro project's repository and its core download guide list the official sources and build instructions; prebuilt core binaries may also be available from platform-specific builds.

Get PUAE ↗

DOCUMENTATION

Official documentation

Read the official configuration, compatibility, and troubleshooting material before changing advanced options.

Read official documentation ↗

Broken or missing download? Emulator projects move and official links sometimes change. Please contact Retro Replay so the source can be verified and updated.

PUAE setup guide

Setup note: This setup guide covers the practical steps required to run Amiga software with the PUAE libretro core in RetroArch (or another libretro frontend). It focuses on the core's required external files (Kickstart ROMs / firmware), typical image formats, core options you will need to set, and a minimal workflow for launching games.

1) Install RetroArch and obtain the PUAE core: Install RetroArch for your platform. Open RetroArch, go to Online Updater -> Core Updater and download the core listed as PUAE / libretro-uae (names vary by platform; recent builds are often labeled puae, puae2021, or libretro-uae). Alternatively, install a distribution (e.g. RetroPie, Batocera) that packages libretro cores and include the PUAE core there.
2) Acquire Amiga Kickstart ROMs (required): PUAE uses official Amiga Kickstart ROMs (Kickstart/ROM images) to emulate specific Amiga models. These ROM files are legally copyrighted and are not included with the core. Obtain the correct Kickstart ROMs yourself and place them in the location RetroArch / your frontend expects for libretro BIOS files (consult the libretro docs for the exact filename conventions PUAE requires). The core will only recognise ROM files if they are named and placed as documented.
3) Place ROMs and images in the right folders and naming: Follow the core documentation for the exact Kickstart filenames PUAE expects and the folder used by your frontend for BIOS. For game media, common Amiga formats are ADF (floppy images), HDF (hardfile images), and archives used by WHDLoad. Put game images where you normally keep ROMs and use the libretro frontend to browse to them. Some frontends and distributions have standardized paths for amiga images—check your platform's docs.
4) Load the core, then the content (recommended order): In RetroArch: load the PUAE core first (Load Core), then use Load Content to open an Amiga image. Loading the core first allows you to open the core Quick Menu and set model-specific options before launching content. Some frontends auto-load both; if you run into issues, try loading the core first and then the disk/hardfile image.
5) Configure model, Kickstart and hardfile options: Open the core Quick Menu (while the core is running) and choose the Amiga model (A500, A1200, etc.) and RAM configuration that matches the software you want to run. Point the core to the Kickstart ROM that matches the chosen model. If you use HDF hardfiles, set or mount them through the core options (many libretro builds expose a BootHD or similar option).
6) Loading WHDLoad or multi-file packages: WHDLoad packages and other archive formats sometimes require particular mounting or a prepared hardfile with WHDLoad installed. If a package fails to run as a floppy image, consult the core documentation and community guides: you may need to mount an HDF that contains WHDLoad or use a frontend preset that includes a proper filesystem/hardfile configuration.
7) Input and controller configuration: Configure input via the core Quick Menu's controls section. PUAE supports joystick/joypad mappings exposed via libretro. RetroArch allows per-core and per-core-per-game controller mappings. If you need keyboard input, ensure keyboard passthrough is enabled in your frontend and mapped correctly for the Amiga keyboard functions.
8) Save states, persistent configs and presets: Use RetroArch save states for quick saves; for long-term configuration save core presets or store a puae_[model].uae configuration in RetroArch's saves folder if supported. Some frontends append saves/uae files automatically; check the core docs for the naming convention (for example, some installs look for puae_libretro.hdf or puae_libretro_[model].uae).

Software reminder: PUAE requires external Amiga Kickstart ROM files which are not supplied with the core. Do not expect commercial Amiga games, Kickstarts or WHDLoad installers to be included. Follow legal means to obtain ROMs and firmware.

Sources and further reading

Detailed guides and tutorials

Explore step-by-step guides for PUAE as they are published.

Use PUAE on Android

An Android ARM64 Libretro build exists for PUAE. Run the core through RetroArch for Android; the standalone desktop download and Android core may have different menus and features.

Emulates: Amiga.

Verified Android core build ↗ · Browse all Android emulators →