RetroArch & Connect

Play GOG Neo Geo Sports Online

Own the DRM-free GOG master, install through Galaxy from PlayBound, then settle the match online with RetroArch netplay over PlayBound Connect — no port forwarding, no pirated ROMs.

How it works

Own the GOG title. Purchase Super Sidekicks, Baseball Stars 2, or Soccer Brawl on GOG if you do not already own it.
Install from PlayBound. In the PlayBound launcher, click Install. That opens GOG Galaxy on the owned product so you can install in one hop.
Wait for detection. PlayBound polls common GOG Galaxy Games paths (and ROM zip names like ssideki.zip). Use Locate if needed.
Create a Connect party. Invite your friend in PlayBound. Connect puts both PCs on the same virtual LAN — no port forwarding.
Host and join. The host clicks Play (RetroArch starts with netplay host). Friends click Join Game. Controllers work through RetroArch's native pad support.

Featured titles

Each catalog page links back here from its install steps.

Super Sidekicks

Neo Geo national-team soccer with aftertouch shots.

Open game

Baseball Stars 2

Create-a-team diamond drama and two-player showdowns.

Open game

Soccer Brawl

Five-a-side Neo Geo football with arcade contact.

Open game

BIOS and ROM names

Connect launches managed RetroArch with the FBNeo core. Neo Geo sets often need neogeo.zip under RetroArch's system/ folder. PlayBound looks for legal set names such as ssideki.zip, bstars2.zip, and socbrawl.zip inside your GOG install — we never redistribute them.

FAQ

Do I need to pirate a ROM?: No. Buy the DRM-free GOG release. PlayBound never hosts installers or ROMs. Connect launches RetroArch against the game data from your legal install.
Do I need GOG Galaxy?: Galaxy is the one-click Install path from the PlayBound launcher (goggalaxy://). You can also use GOG's offline installer; PlayBound still detects common GOG Games folders.
Why RetroArch instead of the Windows .exe?: The GOG Windows ports are excellent for local play, but online head-to-head uses RetroArch netplay (FBNeo) so both clients sync inputs over PlayBound Connect's virtual LAN.
What is neogeo.zip?: FBNeo needs the Neo Geo BIOS in RetroArch's system folder. GOG typically bundles what you need with a legal purchase. If a game will not boot in RetroArch, confirm system/neogeo.zip is present.
Is PlayBound Connect free?: Yes. Virtual LAN bridging and party play are free in the PlayBound desktop client.

Need the Connect overlay first?

Start with the LAN-over-internet guide, then come back for RetroArch netplay.

LAN guide

How it works

Own the GOG title. Purchase Super Sidekicks, Baseball Stars 2, or Soccer Brawl on GOG if you do not already own it.

Install from PlayBound. In the PlayBound launcher, click Install. That opens GOG Galaxy on the owned product so you can install in one hop.

Wait for detection. PlayBound polls common GOG Galaxy Games paths (and ROM zip names like ssideki.zip). Use Locate if needed.

Create a Connect party. Invite your friend in PlayBound. Connect puts both PCs on the same virtual LAN — no port forwarding.

Host and join. The host clicks Play (RetroArch starts with netplay host). Friends click Join Game. Controllers work through RetroArch's native pad support.

FAQ

Do I need to pirate a ROM?

No. Buy the DRM-free GOG release. PlayBound never hosts installers or ROMs. Connect launches RetroArch against the game data from your legal install.

Do I need GOG Galaxy?

Galaxy is the one-click Install path from the PlayBound launcher (goggalaxy://). You can also use GOG's offline installer; PlayBound still detects common GOG Games folders.

Why RetroArch instead of the Windows .exe?

The GOG Windows ports are excellent for local play, but online head-to-head uses RetroArch netplay (FBNeo) so both clients sync inputs over PlayBound Connect's virtual LAN.

What is neogeo.zip?

FBNeo needs the Neo Geo BIOS in RetroArch's system folder. GOG typically bundles what you need with a legal purchase. If a game will not boot in RetroArch, confirm system/neogeo.zip is present.

Is PlayBound Connect free?

Yes. Virtual LAN bridging and party play are free in the PlayBound desktop client.