Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Batocera.linux VS EmulationStation

Compare Batocera.linux VS EmulationStation and see what are their differences

Batocera.linux logo Batocera.linux

Batocera.linux is an open-source and completely free retro-gaming distribution that can be copied to a USB stick or an SD card with the aim of turning any computer/nano computer into a gaming console during a game or permanently.

EmulationStation logo EmulationStation

a graphical emulator front-end
  • Batocera.linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-27
  • EmulationStation Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-20

Batocera.linux features and specs

  • Wide Emulation Support
    Batocera.linux supports a vast range of gaming consoles from retro to current-gen, making it a comprehensive solution for emulation.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The system’s user interface is designed to be intuitive and accessible, which makes it suitable for users of all technical skill levels.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Batocera.linux allows users to contribute to its development and customize it to suit their preferences.
  • Active Community
    Batocera.linux has an active community that provides support, tutorials, and updates, helping users troubleshoot issues and stay informed about new features.
  • Plug and Play
    The system is easy to set up and can be run from a USB stick or SD card without requiring extensive installation, making it accessible to beginners.
  • Regular Updates
    Batocera.linux frequently receives updates that add new features, improve performance, and fix bugs, ensuring a continually improving user experience.
  • Multi-Platform
    Batocera.linux can be installed on various devices, including PCs, Raspberry Pi boards, and more, making it versatile for different hardware configurations.

Possible disadvantages of Batocera.linux

  • Limited Hardware Compatibility
    While Batocera supports a range of hardware, there are instances where certain devices might not be fully compatible, leading to suboptimal performance or lack of support.
  • Resource-Intensive
    Some of the more advanced emulators can be quite resource-intensive, requiring more powerful hardware to run smoothly.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Users
    While the basic setup is straightforward, advanced configurations can be complex and might require a deep understanding of emulation and Linux systems.
  • Potential Legal Issues
    Emulating certain games might lead to legal issues, especially if users don’t own the original copies of the games they are emulating.
  • Lack of Official Support
    As an open-source project, Batocera might not offer the same level of official support that users might expect from commercial software.
  • Occasional Bugs
    As with many open-source projects, Batocera.linux might have occasional bugs or stability issues, which can impact the gaming experience.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may face a learning curve when first using Batocera.linux, especially if they are unfamiliar with Linux-based systems.

EmulationStation features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    EmulationStation provides a clean and intuitive user interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage their game libraries across various platforms.
  • Platform Agnostic
    EmulationStation is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to run it on their preferred systems.
  • Highly Customizable
    Users can customize themes, add metadata, and organize their game libraries in a way that suits their preferences and enhances the overall experience.
  • Community Support
    The open-source nature of EmulationStation ensures a strong community presence, providing support, themes, and plug-ins to enhance functionality.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    EmulationStation supports multiple consoles and emulators, making it a flexible choice for retro game enthusiasts who play games from various systems.

Possible disadvantages of EmulationStation

  • Requires Technical Setup
    Initial setup and configuration may be challenging for users with limited technical knowledge, as it involves setting up scripts and managing emulator paths.
  • Limited Native Features
    EmulationStation itself does not include emulators or ROMs, so users must find and configure these separately, which can be a complex process.
  • Dependent on External Emulators
    It relies on third-party emulators for actual gameplay, meaning any issues or limitations with these emulators can affect the overall experience.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users may encounter bugs or crashes, especially when using unofficial builds or integrating multiple emulators and scripts.
  • Lack of Built-in Networking
    EmulationStation does not natively support online multiplayer or networking features, limiting the ability to play games with remote friends.

Batocera.linux videos

Turn a USB Flash Drive into a Portable Gaming "System"!

EmulationStation videos

Playing Classic Games with EmulationStation & RetroArch

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Batocera.linux and EmulationStation)
Gaming
71 71%
29% 29
Emulators
69 69%
31% 31
Gaming Tools
69 69%
31% 31
Online Games
63 63%
37% 37

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Batocera.linux and EmulationStation

Batocera.linux Reviews

  1. Very difficult to configure.

    While it has the potential to be amazing, like most linux-based options, it falls apart in the area of user experience, with automatic misconfigurations, failure to recognize supported devices and the requirement to SSH into the host system from yet another system (that you may not even have). in order to enter complicated commands just to turn basic supported features on and off. If you do spend a few days getting it to a basic level of functionality, it may be worthwhile, but the problem is that you shouldn't have to. Extra layers of unnecessary complexity seem to have been added simply to maintain that unapproachable aura that most Linux distros have.

    🏁 Competitors: Lakka
    👍 Pros:    Good UI
    👎 Cons:    Confusing set-up|Complicated configuration|Vague instructions|Automatic mis-configurations|Cannot use standard installation methods|Supported devices require complex configuration

Best Linux Distro for Gaming
Batocera.linux is a lightweight distro that turns your computer into a gaming machine, similar to Lakka. Batocera is arguably better than Lakka considering the number of emulators, and the active community behind Batocera. Although it’s worth trying both distros. It’s still being actively developed, with new emulators and software being added to the distro. Instead of going...
Source: linuxstans.com

EmulationStation Reviews

We have no reviews of EmulationStation yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Batocera.linux should be more popular than EmulationStation. It has been mentiond 43 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Batocera.linux mentions (43)

  • Turn your old laptop into low-end gaming machine
    I thought this post would recommend Batocera, which I think is probably the better option: https://batocera.org/ It's a Linux distro that turns any ancient machine into a retro emulation box that's heavily optimized for old devices and retro handhelds. It also allows you to install Flatpaks so you can add Steam to it as well. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Intel N100 Radxa X4 First Thoughts
    Im validating it on a desktop pc at the moment, but have a minipc in the mail that should handle it fine (minisforum um790 pro). No links for pre-loaded if you mean roms, but batocera is a much more pre-loaded experience if you mean emulators and config. Its a much more rigid experience than retropie. You can get it at the homepage: https://batocera.org/ The nice thing is that it is designed to be run from a... - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Looking for input setting up emulation machine
    The OS you probably want is Batocera. I have a couple external SSDs that I use to run it on my VCSs, and they're great. It's definitely an easier setup than Windows with Launchbox, and you don't have to deal with licensing, forced updates, and all the other Windows garbage. Source: over 1 year ago
  • So I had an Arcade1UP Partycade modded with 12,000 games. I have no clue how to use this. I can only play a few games. I hope someone knows how to use this?!?
    This subreddit is for the completely free and open-source distribution that you would find at https://batocera.org/ which comes with absolutely no copyrighted ROMs(games). You will only get support here for that and that alone. Unfortunately if you bought a preconfigured system ("unofficial image"), your issues are with the people who sold it to you. Nobody here can help you with anything outside the scope of the... Source: over 1 year ago
  • MiSTer vs Super Nt for my needs?
    Alternatively, since you just built a nice PC, you can take the free options and just software emulate classic systems and run MAME. If you don't have time to set much up, look into a Batocera boot drive https://batocera.org/. Source: over 1 year ago
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EmulationStation mentions (13)

  • Anyone using a launcher?
    In my opinion the ideal situation would be a backend that any developer could build a frontend to that would suit their approach. For example there are many Retroarch frontends like Highscore, EmulationStation, etc. These all suit the needs for what some person may want. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • SteamDeck Windows 11 Guide - Installed Win 11 on the SteamDeck and don't know what to do next? This is for you.
    Replacement for the epic EmuDeck. It utilises EmulationStation. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is there a user interface that will load all roms from NES up through GameCube?
    I use EmulationStation on a lot of devices. It would cover what you're looking for. Other frontends I like are RetroArch and Daijisho. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Gifting an old pc to my handicapped grandson.
    If you want to piece meal and customize it RetroArch and Emulation Station is the way to go. Also have a robust wiki. Source: about 2 years ago
  • First ever “setup” im very poor
    Helpful link https://emulationstation.org/. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Batocera.linux and EmulationStation, you can also consider the following products

RetroArch - RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.

LaunchBox - LaunchBox is a portable, box-art-based games database and launcher for DOSBox, emulators, arcade cabinets, and PC Games. Download it free!

Playnite - Source code generated using layoutit.com

Lakka - Lakka is the official Linux distribution of RetroArch and the libretro ecosystem.

RetroBat - RETROBAT RetroBat is a software distribution designed for emulation and to be the easiest way to enjoy your game collection on your Windows computer.

HyperSpin - HyperSpin is an animated arcade frontend for Windows for use on Home Arcade Machines.