In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing Ares, a multi-system emulator, on your Chromebook. Ares is a powerful tool for retro gaming enthusiasts, allowing you to play classic games from various consoles on your modern device.

Compatibility Check

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial is specifically designed for Chromebooks with Intel or AMD CPUs that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs are not compatible with this method. If you're unsure about your Chromebook's processor, you can check our comprehensive lists of Intel Chromebooks and AMD Chromebooks.

Legal Considerations

It's crucial to understand that when using emulators like Ares, you must only use ROMs that you legally own. These ROMs should be properly extracted, compatible with Ares, and stored in your Linux Files directory in your file manager. Using unauthorized ROMs may infringe on copyright laws and is not recommended.

Installation Process

Now, let's dive into the installation process. We'll be using Flatpak, a universal package management system, to install Ares. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Open your Chromebook's terminal.
2. Update your package list by running:

   sudo apt update

3. Install Flatpak:

   sudo apt install flatpak

4. Add the Flathub repository:

   sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

5. Install Ares:

   sudo flatpak install flathub dev.ares.ares

6. Set the correct permissions for bwrap (bubblewrap), which is used by Flatpak:

   sudo chown root:root /usr/bin/bwrap && sudo chmod u+s /usr/bin/bwrap

These commands will download and install Ares on your Chromebook. The last command is particularly important as it sets the correct ownership and permissions for bwrap, which is essential for Flatpak to function properly.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide through this process, you can follow along with our video tutorial above. It provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the installation process, which can be particularly helpful if you're new to using the Linux terminal on your Chromebook.

Additional Resources

To help you get the most out of Ares and your Chromebook, here are some additional resources:

• Google Doc used in the tutorial
• Ares on Flathub
• Official Ares Website
• List of Chromebooks with Linux Apps Support
• Chromebook Comparison and Buyers Guide

Conclusion

Installing Ares on your Chromebook opens up a world of retro gaming possibilities. Remember to use it responsibly and legally. If you encounter any issues during the installation process, don't hesitate to reach out to us via a YouTube comment on the tutorial video. We're here to help you get your favorite classic games up and running on your Chromebook!

Enjoy your retro gaming experience with Ares on your Chromebook!