macOS
Homebrew Caskverified · 100%
brew install --cask retroarch-metallocal Homebrew cask metadata
cask
Install retroarch-metal with Homebrew Cask
Frontend for emulators, game engines and media players (Metal graphics API). Version 1.22.2 via Homebrew Cask; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
overview
Package summary
Frontend for emulators, game engines and media players (Metal graphics API)
Project links
Commands and aliases
No executable aliases were found in the local package database.
history
Project history and usage
RetroArch is the free, cross-platform reference frontend for the libretro API. It loads emulator, game-engine, and other implementations as modular cores and presents them through a shared interface.
Project history
RetroArch originated in 2010 as a free-software frontend and became the reference implementation for the libretro API. Libretro defines common audio, video, input, and lifecycle callbacks; emulator and game-engine implementations are loaded as cores.
The project evolved into a broad cross-platform interface for emulation, game engines, and some media workloads. Its macOS distribution historically became known as the Metal build, but the current universal build includes Vulkan, OpenGL, and experimental Metal video drivers.
Adoption history
RetroArch became the reference frontend for the libretro API and was ported across desktop operating systems, mobile platforms, game consoles, handhelds, single-board computers, and browsers.
Its distribution spans official stable and nightly builds, operating-system stores, Steam, direct downloads, and package managers. The macOS Metal build is distributed through the Homebrew cask `retroarch-metal`.
How it is used
Users install RetroArch, obtain suitable libretro cores, configure controllers and directories, and load legally obtained game or media content.
Stable builds prioritize tested releases, while nightly builds expose recent commits. On macOS, official documentation recommends the Vulkan or OpenGL drivers for most users because the Metal driver remains experimental.
Why package nerds care
RetroArch separates a portable frontend from dynamically loaded libretro cores, allowing one interface, configuration model, and input stack to drive many emulators and game engines.
Package maintainers must distinguish the frontend from its independently sourced cores and account for platform-specific graphics drivers, assets, firmware, controller profiles, and content. The macOS artifact retains the `Metal` name for historical reasons even though it now includes Vulkan and OpenGL drivers as well.
Timeline
- 2010: Copyright history in the official source identifies the beginning of RetroArch development.
- 2014: Libretro published a technical brochure describing the RetroArch/libretro architecture.
- 2026: The universal macOS build continued to carry the historical Metal name while bundling multiple video drivers.
Related projects
- libretro
- Lakka
- RetroAchievements
- individual libretro cores
Sources
security posture
No protected-tool coverage found yet
No matching local secret-handling manifest was found for retroarch-metal. Package metadata is still published here so future coverage has a stable package URL.
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- No Homebrew bottle metadata was recorded.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
local files
Configuration and credential file locations
These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.
Configuration files
Config paths the tool may read or write during local use.
- Unix
$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/retroarch/retroarch.cfg~/.config/retroarch/retroarch.cfg~/.retroarch.cfg/etc/retroarch.cfg
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| No executable data was present. | |||
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-11-04
manager version1.22.2
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
- infoRelease/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories.https://www.retroarch.com/none confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | cask:retroarch-metal |
|---|---|
| Version | 1.22.2 |
| Package manager | Homebrew Cask |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/retroarch-metal |
| Homepage | https://www.retroarch.com/ |
| Upstream docs | https://www.retroarch.com/ |
| Source archive | https://buildbot.libretro.com/stable/1.22.2/apple/osx/universal/RetroArch_Metal.dmg |
| SHA-256 | no_check |
| Bottle | not recorded |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew cask API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/cask |
| Full Token | retroarch-metal |
| Names |
|
| Conflicts With | |
| Artifacts | |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated configuration and credential file locations
- curated package history
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment