Batocera
Batocera is a free, open-source Linux distribution for turning compatible computers and small devices into retro-gaming systems.
What Batocera is
Batocera is a free, open-source Linux distribution for turning compatible computers and small devices into retro-gaming systems. It can run from a USB stick or SD card without changing the computer, or be installed permanently. Builds are listed for desktop PCs, laptops, Intel-based Apple computers, handheld PCs, Raspberry Pi, Odroid boards, and other devices. Batocera supports many consoles, platforms, emulators, and emulation-related applications through a front end based on a modified version of EmulationStation. Its built-in content downloader offers freely distributed ROMs, bezels, music themes, and other enhancements, with packages handled by pacman. The project documents Netplay for supported games and features or integrations such as Kodi, RetroAchievements, The Bezel Project, Syncthing, NAS storage, and a web server. The installation guide sets 16 GB as the minimum storage and recommends 32 GB; automatic updates are unavailable with only 16 GB. Batocera focuses on retro gaming and will not implement emulators for current-generation consoles. It requires compatible hardware and user-provided games or BIOS for many systems. The project points users to its wiki and Discord for documentation and community support.
Good
- Can run from USB or SD without modifying the computer.
- Builds cover PCs, handhelds, Raspberry Pi, and Odroid.
- Includes a downloader for freely distributed enhancements.
- Documents Netplay for supported games.
Watch out
- Automatic updates are unavailable with only 16 GB.
- The project will not implement current-generation console emulators.
- It is not designed as a secure operating system.
- Many systems require user-provided games or BIOS.
Who it suits
Batocera suits people who want a retro-gaming system on compatible computers or small devices. It is less suited to anyone seeking emulators for current-generation consoles.
Verdict
Batocera offers a free route to a dedicated retro-gaming setup with several install options and documented integrations. Review its storage guidance and security warning before connecting it to a network.
Plans and prices
From Batocera's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Batocera Linux | Free | Free, open-source retro-gaming distribution · requires compatible hardware and user-provided games/BIOS for many systems |
The facts
Each one read from Batocera's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Boot and install
- It can be copied to a USB stick or SD card and used without modifying the computer, or installed permanently.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- Batocera focuses on retro gaming and says it will not implement emulators for current-generation consoles.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Content downloader
- The built-in content downloader offers freely distributed ROMs, bezels, music themes, and other enhancements, with package management handled by pacman.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Emulation
- Batocera supports many consoles, platforms, emulators, and emulation-related applications.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Front end
- Its front end uses a modified version of EmulationStation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation lists Kodi, RetroAchievements, The Bezel Project, Syncthing, NAS storage, and a web server among available features or integrations.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Online play
- Batocera includes Netplay documentation for playing supported games with other users.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Batocera Linux is a free, open-source retro-gaming distribution that can turn a computer or nano computer into a gaming console.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- Batocera says it is not designed as a secure operating system and warns users not to expose it to the open internet; its security option can change the root password and require credentials for network shares.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Storage requirement
- The installation guide says 16 GB of storage is the minimum and 32 GB is recommended; automatic updates are unavailable with only 16 GB.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project points users to its wiki and Discord for documentation and community support.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Supported hardware
- Download builds are listed for desktop PCs, laptops, Intel-based Apple computers, handheld PCs, Raspberry Pi, Odroid boards, and other devices.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Updates
- The documentation says major Batocera releases arrive semi-regularly with bug fixes, new features or systems, and performance upgrades.checked 5 Oct 2026
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