Alternatives to KNULLI
Batocera-based custom firmware that turns retro gaming handhelds into emulation devices with RetroArch and standalone emulators. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
KNULLI
Batocera-based custom firmware that turns retro gaming handhelds into emulation devices with RetroArch and standalone emulators.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as KNULLI.
ROCKNIX
An immutable Linux distribution for handheld gaming devices, focused on retro game emulation.
ROCKNIX is an open-source immutable Linux distribution for many handhelds, with Syncthing and rclone save sync, RetroAchievements and per-device power profiles, and it also replaces or bypasses stock firmware.
MustardOS
Custom firmware for retro gaming handhelds that is configurable, themeable and aimed at minimal setup.
MustardOS is handheld custom firmware focused on extensive theming and minimal setup, with regular numbered releases, but it also replaces the stock firmware on supported devices only.
Batocera.linux
A free, open-source retro gaming Linux distribution that boots from a USB stick or SD card.
Batocera.linux is the open-source distribution KNULLI is based on, booting PCs and single-board computers from USB or SD with more than 250 systems, rather than targeting handhelds.
Recalbox
A retro gaming operating system that turns a Raspberry Pi or other hardware into a multi-system console.
Recalbox is a retro gaming OS for Raspberry Pi and other hardware supporting more than 100 systems, installed through Raspberry Pi Imager, rather than firmware for retro handhelds.
Lakka
A lightweight Linux distribution built on RetroArch that turns small computers into retro gaming consoles.
Lakka is an open-source, lightweight Linux distribution built on RetroArch for Raspberry Pi and old PCs, but it is tied to RetroArch cores without standalone emulators.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
RetroArch
One front end for dozens of emulators, with unified settings, shaders and a controller setup you only do once.
RetroPie
Raspberry Pi-focused distribution that turns a single-board computer into a retro gaming machine.
EmuDeck
An installer that sets up and configures emulators on Steam Deck, SteamOS, ROG Ally and Windows.
RetroDECK
An all-in-one retro gaming Flatpak for Linux that bundles emulators with the ES-DE frontend.
PPSSPP
A PSP emulator that needs no BIOS file and runs handheld games in HD on phones and PCs.
