Recalbox
Recalbox is a free, open-source retro gaming system for replaying games from consoles and computers.
What Recalbox is
Recalbox is a free, open-source retro gaming system for replaying games from consoles and computers. It advertises support for more than 100 systems and lists online play, save-anytime, and rewind features. Other tools include instant save, scraping, overlays, shaders, a virtual keyboard, and multi-system search. Users can build their own Recalbox or buy a ready-to-play kit. Downloads are available for Raspberry Pi, handhelds, PCs, and ODROID boards; the PC download page lists Steam Deck and PC builds at version 10.1.1, plus a 32-bit PC build at 7.2.2-Reloaded. The project describes the system as easy to use, including for beginners. Support resources include tutorials, community documentation, a forum, and an FAQ. Patreon supporters can receive early releases, automatic scraping, exclusive playlists and themes, and partner discounts; these benefits are intended for future free releases. Recalbox says it will remain free and open source for everyone. Its supported-systems database covers compatible systems, but does not establish compatibility with every game or device.
Good
- Free and open source.
- Advertises support for more than 100 systems.
- Offers online play, save-anytime, and rewind.
- Downloads cover Raspberry Pi, handhelds, PCs, and ODROID boards.
- Has tutorials, documentation, a forum, and an FAQ.
Watch out
- Compatibility is not established for every game or device.
- Some patron benefits are intended for future free releases.
Who it suits
Recalbox may suit people who want to replay console and computer games on compatible hardware, including beginners. It offers downloads for several hardware types and the option to build a system or buy a kit.
Verdict
Recalbox brings retro gaming features to several hardware types and remains free and open source. Check its supported-systems information for compatibility rather than assuming every game or device will work.
Plans and prices
From Recalbox's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Recalbox | Free | Free and open source; runs on compatible hardware |
The facts
Each one read from Recalbox's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Additional features
- The home page lists instant save, rewind, scraping, overlays, shaders, a virtual keyboard, and multi-system search.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Compatible systems
- Recalbox advertises support for more than 100 systems.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page offers versions for Raspberry Pi, handhelds, PCs, and ODROID boards.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Hardware choices
- Users can build their own Recalbox or buy a ready-to-play kit.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Limits
- The Recalbox site says its supported-systems database covers compatible systems; it does not establish compatibility with every game or device.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Recalbox says it will remain free and open source for everyone, and that patron features are intended for future free releases.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Patron benefits
- Patreon supporters can receive early releases, automatic scraping, exclusive playlists and themes, and partner discounts.checked 8 Oct 2026
- PC versions
- The PC download page lists Steam Deck and PC builds at version 10.1.1 and a 32-bit PC build at 7.2.2-Reloaded.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Play features
- The site lists online play, save-anytime, and rewind features.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Recalbox is a retro gaming system for replaying games from consoles and computers.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site links to tutorials, community documentation, a forum, and an FAQ.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Target users
- The site describes Recalbox as designed to be easy to use, including for beginners.checked 8 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Recalbox
- 1
Manic EMU
Free planOpen sourceiOSmacOSSelf-hosted8.2Free plan - 2
Provenance
Free planOpen sourceiOSmacOS8.2From $39.99 a year - 3
webЯcade
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebLinux7.9Free plan - 4
RetroArch
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux7.7Free plan - 5
ares
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.5Free plan - 6
OpenEmu
Free planOpen sourcemacOS7.3Free plan