Igir

Igir is a ROM collection manager for people maintaining libraries across consoles and arcade sets. It suits users who are comfortable with command-line tools and want collection cleanup, patching, and reporting in one free utility. Its breadth is a strength; the CLI requirement is a real barrier for anyone seeking a graphical workflow.

Overview

Igir scans DATs, ROMs, and patches—including files inside archives—and organizes ROMs by console with consistent names. It can filter duplicates and unwanted titles, batch-apply patches, reshape MAME sets, and report which ROMs are present or missing. That makes it useful for both routine library maintenance and more involved set rebuilding.

Despite being described as zero-setup, every installation option assumes baseline command-line knowledge. Users can download an executable or install through npm, Homebrew, or Scoop; documentation also covers running Igir through a Node.js Docker image, but there is no officially published Docker image. Downloaded executables do not update automatically, so users wanting updates need to use an installation method such as npm, Homebrew, or Scoop.

The project says Igir uses non-destructive defaults and will not delete files unless users supply relevant commands and options. It also says the tool should make no network requests beyond those users request, including no usage or telemetry data. Its license is GNU General Public License version 3.

Key features

• Scanning and organization: Igir scans DATs, ROMs, and patches, even inside archives, then organizes ROMs by console and gives them consistent names. This is a broad maintenance workflow rather than a simple file renamer.
• Filtering and verification: It can identify duplicates, exclude unwanted ROMs such as titles in languages the user does not understand, and verify hashes. These tools help keep a collection focused and consistent.
• Playlists and patching: Igir can create multi-disc playlists and apply patches to ROMs in batches, useful for users who need to handle repeated collection tasks together.
• MAME set management: It can build or rebuild arcade sets by un-merging, splitting, or merging them. That makes it a stronger fit for MAME collection work than a utility limited to console libraries.
• Reports and fixdats: Reports show which ROMs are present or missing for each console, and fixdats can be created for missing ROMs. These outputs help identify gaps without relying on memory or manual checking.
• Frontend guidance: Documentation includes configuration guides for Batocera, LaunchBox, RetroArch, OpenEmu, and RomM. That is useful for users connecting collection management to an existing frontend, though it does not remove the command-line setup requirement.

Pricing

There is no paid tier or free trial to weigh against the free plan. The absence of a stated collection cap makes Igir an option for large libraries without a subscription cost, though users still need to be comfortable operating it from the command line.

Platforms

Igir supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and other operating systems supported by Node.js. Its documented distribution routes include an executable, npm or npx, Homebrew, Scoop, and running through a Node.js Docker image. The project says there is no officially published Docker image, so Docker users should expect to supply that environment themselves.

Who it's for

Igir is best for CLI-comfortable collectors who need to organize ROMs, inspect archives, filter duplicates, patch batches, or rebuild MAME sets. Its reports and fixdats also suit anyone trying to track missing items across multiple console libraries. It is not the right choice for users who need a graphical-first manager or automatic updates for a downloaded executable.

Pros and cons

• Pro: One tool covers collection scanning, consistent naming, duplicate filtering, batch patching, MAME set restructuring, and reports, reducing the need to split those tasks across utilities.
• Pro: Non-destructive defaults and the project's no-telemetry, user-requested-network policy are reassuring for users who want local collection management with explicit control over deletion.
• Pro: No stated usage or collection-size limit makes the free plan suitable for large libraries.
• Con: Every installation method requires baseline CLI understanding, excluding users who expect a conventional desktop interface.
• Con: Downloaded executables have no automatic updates, so staying current requires a different installation approach or manual upkeep.
• Con: There is no officially published Docker image, which makes container-based setup less direct.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see ROM Management Software.

• Retrom is another free option with Linux, macOS, Windows, self-hosted, and web platforms; choose it if those platform options matter more than Igir's stated collection-maintenance scope.
• OxyROMon is free, has no stated usage limits or paid tiers, and supports API, web, self-hosted, and desktop platforms; consider it if those deployment options better fit your setup.
• RomM is free forever, has no paid features, and supports Android, iOS, web, API, self-hosted, and desktop platforms. Pick it if mobile or web access is the priority.
• romlm is another free option for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
• ROMSorter is free and MIT-licensed, but its current release is Win-x64 only; choose it if that narrower platform fit works for you.
• RomVault offers a free plan and supports Linux and Windows; consider it if you want an alternative with a free offering on those systems.
• ClrMamePro is free and supports Linux and Windows, making it another option for users on those platforms.
• EzRO is a free option for Windows users.

Verdict

Choose Igir if you are comfortable with command-line tools and want a free, broad utility for organizing, filtering, patching, and reporting on ROM collections, including MAME sets. Its main reason to look elsewhere is equally clear: users who want a graphical workflow or automatic updates for a downloaded executable will be better served by another option.