How downloading works on Arcade Punks

Every build on Arcade Punks has a download box at the bottom of its post. This guide explains exactly what you will see in it and what to click.

Step 1: log in

Download links are only shown to registered users. If you are not logged in, the download box says “You need to be logged in to see the download links” with two buttons: Login and Register free. Registering costs nothing and only takes a minute. Once you are logged in, come back to the build post and the links appear. Logged in and still nothing? See I cannot see the download links.

Step 2: scroll to the bottom of the build post

The download box sits below the description, video and instructions. Read those first: they tell you the device, the size and any setup notes. See Finding the right build.

What is in the download box

The release name

At the top is a RELEASE NAME banner. This is the build’s exact name. It is handy if you ever need to search for it in a downloader, report a broken link through the contact form, or ask about it on Discord.

The NZB button (recommended)

The first and biggest option is the NZB button. An NZB is a tiny file that tells a Usenet downloader where to fetch the build from. Usenet is the method we recommend: it downloads at your full internet speed, does not rely on other people sharing the file, and is private and encrypted. Under the button you will see two short steps:

1. Step 1: download the NZB file. Click the button and save the small .nzb file.
2. Step 2: get a Newshosting account. Usenet needs a provider. Our deal with Newshosting gives 70% off plus 3 free months, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a zero-log VPN included.

There is also a link to the Quick Start guide, which takes you through setup in three steps. New to Usenet? Read Usenet and NZB for beginners.

The other options (icons)

Below the NZB button are the other download methods, shown as icons. Depending on the build, you may see:

• Torrent: free, peer-to-peer. Needs a torrent client like Tixati. See Torrents for beginners.
• NZB: the same Usenet route as the big button.
• Google Drive: quick when it works, but popular files hit Google’s download limits. See Google Drive quota errors.
• Mega.nz: simple browser downloads with a free transfer allowance. See Downloading from Mega.
• RapidGator: fast direct downloads, with waits for free users. See RapidGator and other file hosts.
• Dropbox, MediaFire, 1fichier: other direct file hosts.
• Other: follow the link and the on-page instructions.

Not every build has every option. Older builds especially may only have some of them, and links on third-party hosts can expire.

Usenet Share

Some builds also offer Usenet Share. Instead of downloading the whole build, you can stream, mount or write it straight from Usenet. See Usenet Share explained.

Which one should I click?

Short version: NZB if you want speed and reliability, torrent if you want free and do not mind waiting, Mega or RapidGator if you want a simple browser download. The full comparison is in Which download option should I pick?

What you end up with

Most methods give you a set of RAR archive parts (.part01.rar, .part02.rar and so on). Usenet downloaders like NZB Grab can repair and unpack them for you. With other methods you will need to:

1. Make sure every part has downloaded into the same folder.
2. Extract the first part with WinRAR or 7-Zip. See Extracting RAR and 7z files.
3. Write the image or install the build. See Writing an image to an SD card or Installing PC builds.

A few tips

• Check you have enough free disk space for the archives and the unpacked build.
• If your antivirus deletes parts mid-download, read Antivirus false positives.
• Please share the article link with friends, not the download links. It keeps everything in one place and helps keep the site free.

Still stuck? See My download is slow, My download failed or ask on our Discord.