Frequently Asked Questions

Highlight a game and hold X. Hold X again to remove the game. Confirm the favourite marker changes. Hold Select in a game list to filter to favourites, and hold Select again to return to the full list.

From a game list, press Y to open Search. Use the joystick to highlight a letter and press B to enter it. Continue until enough of the title is entered, then press Start to search. Highlight the correct result and press B to open it.

Exit the current game, open the main menu with Start, choose Quit, then Shut Down System. Wait until the display and cabinet computer are fully off before switching external power.

No. Removing power while the system is running can damage settings or saved data. Use the software shutdown command first.

Hold Hotkey and press Start. This exits any active game or emulator on the shipped Mectura build. Wait for Batocera to return before selecting another game or shutting down.

In arcade games it commonly inserts a virtual credit. In menus it can open contextual or system-specific options.

Contact Mectura before changing the curated software image. You are responsible for ensuring you have lawful rights to any added game files.

Use only a Mectura-approved update procedure. General Batocera releases can change drivers, mappings, and cabinet-specific settings.

Yes, when the installed wireless hardware supports it. Open Network Settings, enable Wi-Fi, select your network, and enter its password.

Yes. Connect a network cable to the cabinet computer or designated cabinet port. Wired networking is preferred for large downloads and support sessions.

Yes. Pair supported Bluetooth controllers one at a time through Start, Controller & Bluetooth Settings. Enable Show Controller Activity to identify each upper-left icon, then use player order when a controller must become Player 1. Do not remap the cabinet controls.

Hold Hotkey and press Y to save the current state, then wait for the save confirmation in the lower-left corner of the screen. Hold Hotkey and press X to load it. D-pad slot shortcuts are intentionally excluded on Mectura builds.

Yes. PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Dreamcast use emulator-managed virtual memory cards; Dreamcast calls its device a VMU. Use the game's normal Save menu. Save states are separate emulator snapshots.

Some original arcade games were designed for short credit-based sessions. Emulator save-state support also differs by system and title.

Open the Last Played or Recent collection when available. It is updated automatically as games are launched.

Collections group games across systems by theme, player count, genre, favorites, or another useful attribute.

Batocera normally shows systems that contain recognized games. Filters, kid mode, or a library update can also affect visibility.

Scraping downloads descriptive metadata and artwork for recognized games. Do not start a large scrape without checking network and storage space.

Theme changes can affect performance and button prompts. Use themes supplied or approved by Mectura for the most predictable experience.

Bezels are decorative borders displayed around games whose original aspect ratio does not fill a modern widescreen display.

Shaders apply visual processing that can imitate CRT scanlines, soften pixels, or alter colour. They may increase graphics workload.

Advanced game options may offer alternatives, but changing the emulator can affect controls and saves. Record the original setting first.

The system may check storage, initialize services, or rebuild parts of the game list. A consistently slow boot should be reported to support.

Times vary with storage and software configuration, but the Mectura menu should appear without repeated restarts or error screens.

This depends on the model and configuration. Use the labelled lighting control if present and never disconnect internal lighting while powered.

Shut down, disconnect power, and use a clean microfibre cloth lightly dampened with a display-safe cleaner. Never spray liquid directly on the panel.

Use a soft microfibre cloth and an acrylic-safe cleaner. Avoid ammonia, abrasive paper, scouring pads, and dry rubbing of dusty surfaces.

Power off first. Wipe button caps with a barely damp cloth. Do not allow cleaner to run around the button into the control panel.

Do not add household oil or spray lubricant. If movement remains rough after external cleaning, contact Mectura for service guidance.

Use the game's or emulator's approved input settings. Change one value at a time and record the original setting.

Use the title-specific analog or emulator setting when available. Test small adjustments because spinner games can respond very differently.

The bright rectangular frame marks the game area so the gun can calculate its aim. The complete frame must remain visible on all four sides.

Use even room lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, reflections, and bright lamps beside the display, but do not make the room or television too dim. Test nearby decorative lights off and keep the TV out of Eco mode.

Normal use does not fire a projectile, but the gun should never touch or strike the display. Use the safety and handling guidance in the light-gun manual.

Only with adult supervision. Treat them as game controllers, never point them at people, and store them securely when not in use.

Check the cabinet volume control, confirm the game is not muted, and restart safely. If every game is silent, use the No Sound troubleshooting article.

For a button problem, first test the affected button on the Batocera main menu. If it fails there too, shut down and unplug the cabinet. From underneath the control panel, trace the two wires from that button and check for an accessible connector that has come loose. Press an obviously loose connector fully back onto the same terminal; never move a wire to a different terminal. If wiring is inaccessible, damaged, or uncertain, stop and contact Mectura. If the button works in the main menu but not the game, try another title in the same system. A game marked “(C)” requires an external controller rather than the cabinet controls.

Wait briefly, then try the safe exit combination. If the menu does not return, follow the controlled restart procedure and record the title.

The cabinet computer is configured as a dedicated appliance. Installing unrelated software can affect startup, performance, controls, security, and warranty support.

The cabinet is not intended as a general-purpose browser. Network access is provided for approved updates, metadata, and support features.

Yes. Use a certified, properly rated surge protector and replace it according to its manufacturer's guidance, especially after a significant surge.

A permanent installation should use a properly grounded nearby outlet. If an extension is temporarily necessary, use a grounded cord rated for the load and local electrical requirements.

Keep all vents clear and leave open space around exhaust areas. Do not place the cabinet against curtains, heaters, or inside an unventilated enclosure.

Use enough adults or professional movers for the cabinet's size and weight. Shut down, unplug, secure loose parts, protect the display, and keep the cabinet upright.

Choose a dry, temperature-stable indoor location. Avoid condensation, direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and high humidity.

Replaceable controls are serviceable, but contact Mectura first for compatible parts, wiring guidance, and warranty implications.

The serial appears on the Mectura identification label and on a serialized Launch Portal page reached from its QR code.

Open the Support section, provide the serial number, describe the issue and timing, list steps already tried, and attach clear photos when useful.

Covered cabinet construction and listed controls have a two-year limited warranty; listed display and internal electronic components have a one-year limited warranty. Exclusions and claim conditions apply.

Approved external checks do not. Do not open, rewire, modify, or repair internal parts unless Mectura has authorized the work in writing.