Retro Gaming on Kodi 19 with IAGL add-on [2023]

Kodi can run a wide variety of vintage games using Retroplayer, an internal player core based on Libretro that allows Kodi to play games in addition to video and audio.

You’ll need three things to play retro games on Kodi: a game ROM image, an emulator to run the game, and a gamepad or controller.

Retroplayer (which is included with Kodi) will help you select and install the appropriate emulator from the official Kodi repository. In fact, if you already own ROMs of your favorite games, you can run them on Kodi without the need for external add-ons.

To get game ROMs on Kodi we’ll use Internet Archive Game Launcher (IAGL), an add-on that allows you to browse and download ROMs from the Internet Archive, a non-profit library containing millions of free books, movies, software, music, and more.

In this guide, we are going to install IAGL on Kodi. Let’s get started!

If this is the first time you install add-ons on Kodi, you’ll have to allow the installation of unofficial add-ons. Please read How to allow 3rd-party add-ons on Kodi and come back here when you’re ready.

1. Downloading the repository zip file

First, let’s download the repository zip file for IAGL from its official source on zachmorris’ GitHub page.

1. Using a web browser, visit zackmorris GitHub page. Scroll down and download the repository zip file. download zach-morris repository on GitHub

2. Installing zachmorris repository

The repository is responsible for installing and updating the add-on. Let’s use the file we’ve just downloaded to install the repo on Kodi.

2. Press the cog icon near the top left corner of the Home Screen. Open System menu on Kodi using the cog icon

3. Select Add-ons. Kodi Add-on Browser on System Menu

4. Press Install from zip file. install kodi add-on from zip file

You’ll see a message about the auto-update feature. Press Yes to continue.

5. Locate the recently downloaded file and click on it to install the repository. install IAGL repository on Kodi

3. Installing IAGL on Kodi

Now that the repository is installed, let’s use it to install Internet Archive Game Launcher on Kodi.

6. Select Install from repository. Install add-on from repository on Kodi

7. Click on Zack Morris Add-ons to open the repository. Zach Morris Kodi repository

8. Select Video add-ons. video add-ons category on zach-morris repository

9. Now select Internet Archive Game Launcher. IAGL Kodi add-on on zach-morris repository

10. Press the Install button. Install IAGL kodi add-on

11. You’ll see a list of dependencies to be installed with the add-on. Press OK and wait for the installation process to finish. list of dependecies for Internet Archive Game Launcher (IAGL)

You’ll be prompted to run the YouTube setup wizard, press No to use the default settings on the YouTube add-on, you can change YouTube’s settings later.

12. Go back to the Home Screen, highlight the Add-ons tab, and select Internet Archive Game Launcher. Kodi Internet Archive Game Launcher (IAGL) add-on

4. Setting up Internet Archive Game Launcher

By default, IAGL will use RetroPlayer, the internal Kodi game engine. In order to run games for different platforms, Retroplayer uses a set of game emulator add-ons, also known as cores.

On Windows, macOS, Android, and LibreElec, these game emulator add-ons are already available in the official Kodi repository. Go to Add-ons > Install from Repository > Kodi Add-on Repository > Game Add-ons > Emulators to see all the available emulator add-ons.

Linux users must manually install the game emulator add-ons from the official Kodi PPA. On debian based distros, open the terminal and run the following commands before running IAGL’s setup wizard.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install kodi-game*
sudo apt-get install game.libetro*
sudo apt-get install kodi-peripheral*

For more information about setting up IAGL on different platforms, using external emulators, or installing experimental Libretro cores, please read the IAGL wiki.

Now we are going to configure IAGL using its setup wizard. Open the add-on and accept the Terms of use.

13. Press Yes to execute the Setup Wizard. execute IAGL setup wizard

14. Now press OK. Internet Archive Game Launcher setup wizard

15. Some game lists require an archive.org account. Press Yes to enter your account info, or No to continue without an account. set up your archive.org account on IAGL

Using an archive.org account is not required, but some game lists may not work without one. You can always create an account and enter the corresponding data later.

16. Now select Kodi Retroplayer as a launcher. using IAGL with Kodi Retroplayer

17. You’ll be prompted to install the emulators. Press Choose on launch (Auto). installing emulators on Kodi with IAGL

There are many emulators for many platforms, installing all of them can be time-consuming. Pressing Choose on launch will let you select and install the emulators before launching a game.

18. Press OK. Retroplayer setup complete with IAGL and Kodi

5. Playing games on Kodi with IAGL

Now that we installed and configured Internet Archive Game Launcher on Kodi, let’s play some retro games!

19. Select Browse all Lists from the IAGL main menu.Browse all lists category on IAGL's main menu

20. The list is organized by platform. Let’s select Internet Archive Best of – NES.IAGL list of platforms

21. Select One Big List.selecting games on IAGL Kodi add-on

22. Choose a game.selecting a game with Internet Archive Game Launcer

23. Press Launch.launching games with Kodi and IAGL

24. Now select an emulator.select an emulator

IAGL will download the ROM from the Internet Archive and Retroplayer will install the emulator from the official Kodi repository. After the process is finished, the emulator will launch.

25. Press Select + X on your controller to open the in-game menu.press Select + X on the controller to open the in-game menu

Some games work better with certain emulators. If a game doesn’t start or work properly, try choosing another emulator from the list. Sometimes you’ll have to try a couple of emulators to find the one that works best for you.

6. Changing IAGL cache size

Game ROM files are stored in a temporary cache folder. By default, the allowed cache size is 0 so IAGL won’t keep any ROM in the cache. This means that you’ll have to download the ROM file every time you want to play a game.

Increasing the cache size allows IAGL to keep the files, the size of the folder depends on the kind of games you play. ROMs for older platforms are just a few KB, while some games for newer platforms can take hundreds of MB.

The cache folder path is <path_to_kodi>/userdata/addon_data/plugin.program.iagl/game_cache

I. Highlight (do not press) Internet Archive Game Launcher, open the Context Menu, and select Settings.opening IAGL settings

(Note: To open the Context Menu press C on the keyboard, long-press on touch devices, menu key on the remote, or right-click with the mouse)

II. Select the General tab, scroll down to Cache Size (MB) and increase the cache size to your needs. Press OK to save the changes.increase cache size

Now the ROM files will stay on the cache folder, just be aware that IAGL will clean the folder once the size limit is reached.

7. Adding games to the favorites list

Internet Archive Game Launcher has a favorites list, so you can bookmark your favorite games and create custom lists.

I. Open the Context Menu on a game and select Add to IAGL Favorites.adding game to IAGL favorites

II. Press Create New Favorite List.create a new favorite list on IAGL

III. Set a name for your list.setting a name for new list

The game will be added to your list. You can create many lists to organize your games to your liking.

VI. To access your favorite lists, use Favorites on the IAGL main menu.favorite games list on IAGL and Kodi

You’re ready to play some retro games on Kodi with Internet Archive Game Launcher.

IAGL offers many more ways to customize your experience like replacing Retroplayer with external emulators (like RetroArch, MAME, or Dolphin) and storing ROMS in folders outside the cache for offline gaming.

The IAGL wiki contains detailed information about all the add-on’s features, don’t forget to check it out.

More info:

Looking for more add-ons? These are some of our favorite Kodi add-ons for December 2023.

Please visit our list of the best Kodi add-ons for more information.

Seren Kodi Add-on featured imageSeren: Excellent add-on with great user interface and many innovative functions. (Premium sources)
Umbrella: Great add-on based on Venom. (Premium sources)
Fen Kodi Add-onFen: This add-on is very fast and offers many features. (Premium sources)
Elementum Kodi Addon featured imageElementum: An exceptional add-on that offers high-quality streams using torrents. (Free sources)
Scrubs: Great add-on specialized in free sources. (Free sources)
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Retro Gaming on Kodi 19 with IAGL add-on [2023]
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8 thoughts on “Retro Gaming on Kodi 19 with IAGL add-on [2023]

  • 7 months ago

    c est tres magnifique en vous remercie beaucoup…….bonne suivi

    Reply
  • 1 year ago

    I did all you explain, but no emulator works at all. When trying to run any game Kodi closes. Any help, please?

    Reply
  • 2 years ago

    Thanks for the info, i tried…lol.
    Im using a fs4k on the diggzxenon 19.3, and keep getting errs about “requesting exemption”(?)
    I cant find anything about it anywhere…
    In addition, i am a 40 yr old welder. I can weld up a mining tractor, cut through 3” plate like butter. Zip files? Apks? Coding? -Im about as useful as tits on a nun. In other words; simple wording with lots of curse words with your suggestions would be a bonus. it may be somthing obvious to anyone else, thanks in advance for any attempt you take.🍻

    Reply
  • 2 years ago

    I get failed to install at step 11, using kodi 19 on libreelec 🙁

    Reply
  • 2 years ago

    It would’ve been helpful to know what underlying OS is running Kodi 19.3 Matrix.

    I have installed Kodi 19.3 Matrix on Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Debian Bullseye 64bit and the lib.archive prevents IAGL add-on from being installed into Kodi because Bullseye does not have the lib.archive dependency available in repository.

    Reply
  • 2 years ago

    When I try to launch a game, I get an error that there are no emulators present for the game to use. When I try to select the “Install Default Emulators” option in setup, I get another error. When I check my game add-on list in Kodi, there are no emulators listed. Did I miss something? I am trying to make this work on Kodi on a Raspberry Pi 4. Thanks!

    Reply
    • 5 months ago

      Did you ever get your issue solved im facing a similar problem

      Reply
  • 2 years ago

    Is there a way to save my progress while playing a game, like Resident evil?

    Reply