KNULLI
KNULLI is custom firmware for retro-gaming devices such as handhelds and bartops.
What KNULLI is
KNULLI is custom firmware for retro-gaming devices such as handhelds and bartops. It is a fork of Batocera and targets devices whose kernel sources are unavailable or outdated, whose GPU support is limited, or that its team chooses to support. Included software includes EmulationStation or Simplemenu/Simplermenu+ frontends, RetroArch, and multiple libretro cores. Gaming features include RetroAchievements, netplay, and cover art and thumbnail scraping from ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, and ArcadeDB.
Wireless and Bluetooth features, including audio, depend on the device; external USB wireless adapters are also supported. Syncthing can synchronize saves among KNULLI devices or back them up to a NAS, but there is no cloud sync. Userdata is available over SMB for transfers on a local network. Setup requires a device-specific image flashed to an SD card or internal storage. Games, BIOS files, saves, and themes must follow a strict case-sensitive folder structure. The project warns that devices have no root password by default, leaving device data accessible on the local network unless additional security is enabled.
Good
- Includes RetroArch and multiple libretro cores.
- Supports RetroAchievements and netplay.
- Scrapes cover art and thumbnails from named sources.
- Syncthing can back up saves to a NAS.
- Userdata can transfer over SMB on a local network.
Watch out
- No cloud save synchronization.
- Installation requires flashing a device-specific image.
- Default devices have no root password.
- Some included components are non-commercial only.
Who it suits
KNULLI suits owners of supported retro-gaming handhelds or bartops who are comfortable installing device-specific firmware and organizing files in its required folder structure. It is not a general release for devices absent from its downloads.
Verdict
KNULLI provides emulation and library features for the devices it supports, with local-network file access and save synchronization options. Check device support and security settings before installation.
Plans and prices
From KNULLI's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| KNULLI | Free | Custom firmware for supported retro-gaming devices |
The facts
Each one read from KNULLI's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- The project focuses on devices with unavailable or outdated kernel sources, limited GPU support, or devices its team chooses to support.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Emulation
- KNULLI includes EmulationStation or Simplemenu/Simplermenu+ frontends, RetroArch, and multiple libretro cores.checked 30 Sep 2026
- File sharing
- KNULLI makes userdata available over SMB for wireless file transfers on a local network.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Gaming features
- Features include RetroAchievements, netplay, and cover art and thumbnail scraping.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Installation
- Installation requires downloading a device-specific image and flashing it to an SD card or the device's internal storage.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Library requirement
- Games, BIOS files, saves, and themes must follow KNULLI's strict, case-sensitive folder structure.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Licensing
- KNULLI combines open-source components under their respective licenses and includes some components licensed for non-commercial use only.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Metadata sources
- The built-in scraper can fetch metadata and media from ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, and ArcadeDB.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- KNULLI is custom firmware for retro-gaming devices such as handhelds and bartops, developed as a fork of Batocera.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Save synchronization
- Syncthing is pre-installed and can synchronize savegames across KNULLI devices or back them up to a NAS; it does not use a cloud.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- The site warns that KNULLI devices have no root password by default, making device data accessible on the local network, and recommends enabling additional security.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project uses Discord for discussions and provides a wiki with setup and troubleshooting guides.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Wireless
- It supports wireless and Bluetooth, including audio, when the device supports them, and can use external USB wireless adapters.checked 30 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Device support limit
- If a device is not listed among the installation package downloads, the site says there is no public release for it and warns against using another device's package.checked 30 Sep 2026
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