Customizing controls in RetroArch can make or break your gaming experience. If you’re running a custom arcade setup, you’ll find that some games need different button layouts—especially if you use arcade joysticks, trackballs, spinners, or fight sticks.
But BE CAREFUL when saving control changes! If you save settings globally, you might ruin your controls for every game. This guide will show you exactly how to change controls for just ONE game so you don’t mess up your entire RetroArch setup.
🚨 Important Warning Before You Start!
🔥 ONLY SAVE CONTROLS PER GAME! 🔥 DO NOT SAVE TO CORE SETTINGS! 🔥 DO NOT SAVE GLOBAL SETTINGS!
Why?
If you save to Core Remap File, EVERY GAME in that emulator (MAME, SNES, NES, etc.) will be affected.
If you save to Global Settings, ALL GAMES in RetroArch will use the new controls.
Instead, you must save settings per game to avoid ruining your setup.
🕹️ How to Change Controls for a Single Game in RetroArch
Follow these steps to change controls for a specific game only:
Step 1: Load the Game in RetroArch
Navigate to the game you want to play and boot into it.
Step 2: Open the Quick Menu (Coin + X Shortcut)
📌 On your arcade setup:Hold Coin + Press X to open the Quick Menu. 📌 On a keyboard:Press F1 to bring up the Quick Menu.
Step 3: Adjust Controls for the Game
In the Quick Menu, scroll down and select Controls.
You will see the Controller Remap Configuration screen, where you can reassign button functions.
Adjust controls to match your joystick, fight stick, trackball, or spinner setup.
Scroll down and select “Save Game Remap File” (✅ This saves controls only for this specific game).
DO NOT select “Save Core Remap File” (❌ This will apply changes to ALL games using the same emulator core).
DO NOT select “Save Global Settings” (❌ This will apply changes to EVERY game in RetroArch).
🔧 Special Instructions for MAME Games (Press TAB)
For MAME arcade games, you can also change controls inside MAME instead of using RetroArch.
How to Change Controls in MAME Without Affecting Other Games
Load the game in RetroArch.
Press TAB on your keyboard (This opens the MAME input menu).
Select “Input (This Game)” (✅ This changes controls ONLY for this game).
Reassign buttons as needed and exit the menu.
✅ MAME will automatically save these changes for this game only!
🚀 Final Thoughts
If you’re running a custom arcade build, per-game control settings are a MUST to keep everything running smoothly. Never save Core or Global remaps unless you want every game to use the same controls (which can cause major problems).
For MAME arcade games, the best method is pressing TAB on your keyboard and using “Input (This Game)” to modify settings. For console and other games running RetroArch, always use the Quick Menu (Coin + X) and save as a per-game remap.
🎯 Need More Help?
📌 Check out our other guides for RetroArch, MAME, and arcade gaming optimizations! 📌 Leave a comment if you run into issues with joystick mappings, button remaps, or input lag fixes!
