Docker containers have revolutionized self-hosting by offering lightweight, portable, and isolated environments for running applications, including game servers. For gamers and homelab enthusiasts, self-hosting game servers with Docker provides a cost-effective, customizable, and efficient way to enjoy multiplayer gaming with friends or communities. Whether you’re running a server on your Synology NAS for Minecraft, or retro emulators, Docker simplifies setup, management, and scaling while keeping your host system clean. Below, we explore some of the best Docker containers for self-hosting game servers, highlighting their features, ease of use, and why they’re ideal for your gaming needs. These containers are chosen for their popularity, active maintenance, and compatibility with modern homelab setups.
RetroAssembly is a browser-based retro game collection cabinet that lets you relive classic gaming moments from consoles like NES, SNES, Genesis, GameBoy, and Arcade. Accessible via Docker image, it offers a sleek, intuitive interface with spatial navigation for easy browsing using a keyboard or gamepad. Users can upload their own ROMs to create a personal game library, with auto-detected box art, save state synchronization, and gameplay rewind features on supported emulators. The app enhances the experience with retro-style shaders, a virtual on-screen controller for mobile play, and a dark/light theme toggle. Note: Install Invoice RetroAssembly on Your Synology NAS.
RomM is a self-hosted application for organizing and playing retro game collections through a clean, responsive web interface, ideal for emulator enthusiasts. It scans and enriches your game library with metadata from IGDB, Screenscraper, and MobyGames, supporting over 400 platforms, and fetches custom artwork from SteamGridDB. You can play games directly in the browser using EmulatorJS and RuffleRS, share your library with customizable permissions, and manage games (view, upload, update, delete) from any modern browser. RomM supports multi-disk games, DLCs, mods, patches, manuals, and custom tags for filtering. It integrates with Playnite and muOS, and displays RetroAchievements. RomM is an alternative to RetroAssembly. Note: Install RomM on Your Synology NAS.
Gameyfin is a simple, fast, and free open-source application designed to manage your video game library. Inspired by Jellyfin, it automatically scans and indexes your game collection, allowing you to access and download games directly through a web browser. Note: Install Gameyfin on Your Synology NAS.
Palworld is an upcoming action-adventure, survival, and monster-taming game created and published by Japanese developer Pocket Pair. The game is set in an open world populated with animal-like creatures called “Pals”, which players can battle and capture to use for base building, traversal, and combat. Note: Install Palworld Server on Your Synology NAS.
Minecraft servers allow players to play online or via a local area network with other people. Internally, the game runs a server for single-player games. If you want to run a Minecraft multiplayer server by yourself, then you have come to the right place. After many requests from Minecraft fans, I’ve created installation instructions for Synology NAS.. Note: Install Minecraft Java Server on Your Synology NAS.
Minecraft Bedrock is a game where players place blocks and go on adventures. This includes anything from crafting simple items like containers or weapons, to building structures like houses, castles, and cities, or even making complex mechanical-devices, all within the game’s world. Minecraft Bedrock servers allow players to play online or via a local area network with other people. What is the difference between Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition? Minecraft Java Edition is only available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Minecraft Bedrock Edition is available on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire OS/TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile and Samsung Gear VR. Note: Install Minecraft Bedrock on Your Synology NAS.
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This post was updated on Friday / September 12th, 2025 at 11:10 PM