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Getting Started

Let's get HyperHQ installed and your arcade setup on its way.

What You'll Need​

Before you start, make sure you have:

  • Windows 10 or newer (Windows 11 works great too)
  • An internet connection for downloading the app and media
  • A HyperSpin account (sign up at HyperSpin-fe.com)
  • Some games (ROM files) you want to play
  • Emulators for the systems you want to run (MAME, RetroArch, standalone emulators, etc.)

Don't worry if you don't have everything yet—you can add things as you go.

Installing HyperHQ​

  1. Download HyperHQ from HyperSpin-fe.com
  2. Run the installer and follow the prompts
  3. Launch HyperHQ from your Start menu or desktop shortcut

That's it! The app will open and guide you through the rest.

First Launch: The Setup Wizard​

When you first open HyperHQ, a setup wizard walks you through six quick steps. There's a progress indicator at the top so you always know where you are.

Step 1: Choose Your HyperSpin Folder​

First up—where should HyperHQ put everything?

Use the Default Location (Recommended)

  • C:/ProgramData/HyperSpin/
  • Clean, organized, works great for most folks

Pick Your Own Spot

  • Click the folder icon to browse
  • Good if you've got a bigger drive or specific location in mind
  • HyperHQ creates all the folders it needs
Storage Space

Themes, artwork, and videos eat up space fast. Got a secondary drive with room to spare? Use it!

Step 2: Install Core Plugins​

HyperHQ grabs the essential plugins automatically:

  • Core system plugins
  • Theme support
  • Utilities you'll need

A progress bar shows what's happening. Usually takes a minute or two.

Step 3: Sign In to HyperHQ​

Enter your HyperSpin forum credentials. This unlocks:

  • Theme and artwork downloads
  • The media library
  • Settings sync across devices
  • Community features

No account yet? Click Register to make one. It's free!

Forgot your password? There's a link for that.

Step 4: Connect EmuMovies (Optional)​

Got an EmuMovies account? Sign in here to unlock extra media downloads. Don't have one? Click Skip for now at the bottom—you can always add it later in Settings.

EmuMovies Access Tiers

EmuMovies has three tiers: free themes (no account needed), image media (free account), and premium stuff like video snaps (paid subscription). See Managing Media for the full breakdown.

Step 5: Media Preferences​

Pick what media types you want downloaded by default. This screen has everything—don't worry, you can tweak these per-system later.

Video Quality

  • High Definition (1080p) - Best looking, biggest files
  • High Quality (480p) - Good balance (recommended)
  • Standard Definition (240p) - Saves space

Premium Media (Paid EmuMovies Account)

  • Video Snaps
  • Game Music
  • Game Manuals

Artwork (Free EmuMovies Account)

  • Logos/Wheels
  • Backgrounds
  • Screenshots
  • Box art (2D, 3D, 2.5D, Spine, Back)
  • Marquees, Bezels, Cabinets, Control Panels
  • Overlays, Pointers, Game Media

Check what you want, leave the rest. You can always change this later.

Step 6: Name Your Machine​

Give your setup a name—"Living Room Arcade," "Game Room Cabinet," whatever fits. This shows up in HyperHQ and helps if you're running multiple machines.

It starts with your computer's hostname, but change it to whatever you want.

You're In!​

That's it! Click Get Started and you'll jump straight to adding your first system. Time to build your arcade!

What to Do Next​

Now that HyperHQ is installed, here's the typical flow:

1. Add Your First System​

Click the Add System button in the Systems section. This is where you tell HyperHQ what you want to play—arcade games, Sega, PlayStation, whatever you've got.

See the Managing Systems guide for details.

2. Import Your Games​

Once you add a system, HyperHQ can automatically scan for game files (ROMs) in the folders you specify. It'll find them and add them to your library.

Check out Working With Games for the full story.

3. Download Artwork​

Games look a lot better with artwork! HyperHQ makes it easy to download wheel images, backgrounds, videos, and more from the HyperTheme library.

Learn more in Managing Media.

4. Configure Controllers​

If you're using arcade controls, a gamepad, or other input devices, you'll want to map your buttons. HyperHQ's controller setup makes this painless.

See Controller Setup for instructions.

Understanding the Interface​

HyperHQ's interface is straightforward once you know where things are:

Sidebar (Left)

  • Your main navigation menu
  • Quick access to Systems, Collections, Media, and Settings
  • Shows your system list when you're in Systems view

Main Area (Center)

  • This is where all the action happens
  • Content changes based on what you're doing
  • Tabs let you switch between related sections

Search (Top)

  • Quickly find games or systems
  • Works across your entire library

Settings (Bottom Left)

  • Access app settings and preferences
  • Configure paths, display options, audio, and more

The Guided Tour​

After setup, HyperHQ offers a quick guided tour. It highlights the important stuff and shows you around.

Tour Phases​

The tour runs in two phases:

Phase 1: Main Navigation Shows you the primary tabs:

  • Systems - Your game systems
  • Collections - Custom game groupings
  • Platforms - Platform management
  • Media - Browse and download media
  • Plugins - Extensions and add-ons

This kicks off right after setup.

Phase 2: System Features Covers the good stuff—game management, media downloads, emulator config. Starts automatically after you add your first system.

Want to See It Again?​

Restart the tour anytime:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Find App Tour
  3. Click Start Tour
Worth Your Time

Let it run through at least once. Takes a minute, and you'll probably discover something useful.

Quick Tips for New Users​

Take It One System at a Time Don't try to set up everything at once. Add one system, get some games running, then move on to the next.

Start With What You Know If you're familiar with MAME or have a specific console in mind, start there. Success builds momentum.

Media Can Wait Your games will work without artwork. Get things running first, then come back and make it pretty.

Use the Search If you have hundreds of games, the search bar is your friend. It's faster than scrolling.

Check the Logs If something isn't working, Settings > View Logs can often tell you what's wrong. The error messages are actually readable.

The Community Helps Got stuck? The folks at HyperSpin-fe.com are friendly and know their stuff. Don't be shy about asking questions.

Common First-Time Questions​

Do I need to install HyperSpin separately? Nope! HyperHQ handles the HyperSpin setup for you. Just pick your installation folder and it takes care of the rest.

What emulators should I use? That depends on what systems you want to play. RetroArch is a great all-in-one option. MAME is perfect for arcade games. Check our Managing Systems guide for recommendations.

How much disk space do I need? Plan for at least 50-100GB if you want themes, artwork, and videos. More if you have a large game collection.

Can I move my HyperSpin folder later? Yes, but it's easier to pick the right location from the start. If you need to move it, you'll need to update paths in HyperHQ's settings.

Do I need an arcade cabinet? Not at all! HyperHQ works great on regular PCs. The cabinet features (LED lighting, marquee displays) are optional extras for folks who have them.

What's Next?​

Ready to add your first system and start playing? Head to Managing Systems to get started.

Need help? Check the Troubleshooting guide or visit the community forums.

Let's build your arcade!