RetroAssembly

RetroAssembly is a self-hosted web application that brings classic gaming to the browser. It lets you upload and organise a personal ROM collection spanning over 25 retro platforms — from 8-bit home consoles to portable handhelds and arcade cabinets — and play any title directly in the browser on desktop or mobile, without installing emulators or plugins on any device. Built with TypeScript and powered by Nostalgist.js, it combines a polished library interface with full emulation support and user account management, all running from a single Docker container backed by SQLite with no external database required.

Common Use Cases

RetroAssembly is built for anyone who wants a private, browser-accessible retro game collection. Collectors and enthusiasts use it to organise ROM libraries accumulated over years into a searchable, artwork-rich interface they can access from any device on their network. Parents set it up as a family game server so children can play classic titles on phones or tablets using the on-screen controller without needing additional hardware. Retro gaming communities run shared instances where members upload and play together through their own accounts with separate save states. Developers use it as a reference platform for testing browser-based emulator performance across different hardware. Travellers who keep a VPS running can access their game library from any browser anywhere in the world, with save states persisted server-side so progress is never lost between sessions.

Key Features

• Support for 25+ classic platforms including NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Arcade, Atari 2600, Virtual Boy, WonderSwan, and more
• Automatic box art and game metadata retrieval so the library displays covers and titles rather than bare filenames
• Save state system with manual and automatic snapshots, plus configurable limits per ROM
• Gameplay rewind on supported emulators, letting you undo mistakes without reloading a save state
• Retro CRT and shader visual effects that recreate the look of original hardware displays
• Virtual on-screen controller for mobile and tablet play without a physical gamepad
• Spatial navigation support for keyboard and gamepad browsing through the game library
• Multi-user accounts with per-user save states, preferences, favourites, and launch history
• SQLite-backed storage — no external database required, and all data lives in a single volume
• Built on Hono.js and Drizzle ORM with a React Router frontend for fast, modern performance

Why deploy RetroAssembly on Hostinger VPS

Running RetroAssembly on a Hostinger VPS gives you a private game library that is accessible from any browser on any device, without depending on cloud gaming services or local emulator installations. Because the application uses SQLite and stores everything in a single volume, backups are as simple as copying one directory — there is no separate database server to manage or snapshot. A VPS provides the persistent storage needed for a large ROM collection and the network bandwidth for smooth in-browser emulation, while Traefik handles HTTPS automatically so the library is reachable securely from outside your home network. Hostinger's one-click deployment has RetroAssembly running in under a minute, ready for you to start uploading your collection.