Saving games in Batocera does not always work the same way as it did on original consoles. Instead of relying on in-game save menus, Batocera uses emulator save states, which allow you to save and load your game at almost any moment.
In this blog post, we will walk through how to save and load games in Batocera using the default emulator controls, including how to choose and manage save slots.
- Starting a Game
- The Hotkey Button
- Saving a Game (Quick Save)
- Loading a Game (Quick Load)
- Choosing a Save Slot
- Example Process
- Important Notes About Save States
- Final Thoughts
Starting a Game
Begin by launching any game from your Batocera system. Once the game is running, all save and load actions are handled through the emulator hotkeys.
The Hotkey Button
Batocera uses a designated Hotkey button on your controller. This is usually mapped during initial controller setup and is commonly:
- The Select button on many controllers
- Or a dedicated hotkey button if configured
All save and load actions are performed by holding the Hotkey button and pressing another button.
Saving a Game (Quick Save)
To quickly save your game:
- Hold the Hotkey button
- Press X
This creates a save state in the currently selected slot. Batocera will briefly indicate that the game has been saved.
Loading a Game (Quick Load)
To load a previously saved game:
- Hold the Hotkey button
- Press Y
The game will immediately load from the current save slot.
Choosing a Save Slot
Batocera supports multiple save state slots, allowing you to keep different progress points.
To select a save slot:
- Hold the Hotkey button
- Press A to open the emulator menu
- Navigate to State Slot
- Select the desired slot (for example, Slot 0 or Slot 1)
- Go back to the game
Once selected, all saves and loads will use that slot until you change it again.
Example Process
A typical save and load workflow looks like this:
- Start the game
- Open the menu with Hotkey + A
- Select State Slot 1
- Return to the game
- Save progress with Hotkey + X
- Later, load that save with Hotkey + Y
You can switch between slots at any time using the same menu.
Important Notes About Save States
- Save states are emulator-specific
- They may not be compatible across different emulators or versions
- They are separate from in-game saves
For best results, avoid mixing save states between different emulator cores.
Final Thoughts
Save states are one of the most powerful features in Batocera. Once you understand the hotkey combinations and save slot system, saving and loading games becomes fast and effortless.
Whether you are playing casually or experimenting with different progress points, Batocera’s save state system gives you full control over your gameplay experience.
