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SPECIFICTION
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Holani

github.com

WindowsLinux
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Spec score 6.6 #22 of 25 in Atari Emulators

What it is

Holani is a free, open-source Atari Lynx emulator for Linux and Windows, released under GPL-3.0. Its cycle-stepped 65C02S emulation began from the design idea of chips’ 6502. The project can also operate as a library for other frontends and links to a libretro core for official games and homebrews. Holani-retro works with libretro frontends such as RetroArch, providing save and load states plus RetroArch cheats. Holani-gtk is a GTK4 frontend for loading cartridges and overriding ROMs. Holani-min provides a command-line interface with button mapping, display filtering, mute, and Comlynx options; multiple instances can connect through Comlynx. The project also lists holani-debug, an Atari Lynx debugger. Holani embeds the Free Lynx Boot ROM and BLL uLoader blobs, so no BIOS is required. GTK builds require Rust, Cargo, and GTK4; Windows libretro use requires the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable.

Spec sheet

Product
Holani is a cycle-stepped Atari Lynx emulator.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository is licensed under GPL-3.0.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build requirements
The GTK frontend build instructions require Rust, Cargo, and GTK4.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Comlynx
The command line frontend README says multiple instances can connect through Comlynx.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command line frontend
The project links to holani-min, a command line frontend.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
CPU emulation
Its 65C02S cycle-stepped emulation is initially based on the idea and design of chips’ 6502.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Debugger
The project links to holani-debug, an Atari Lynx debugger built around Holani.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Embedded ROMs
Holani embeds the Free Lynx Boot ROM and BLL uLoader binary blobs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
GTK frontend
The project links to holani-gtk, a GTK4 frontend.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Library
The repository describes Holani as a library.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Libretro
Holani-retro is a libretro implementation that can be used with a libretro frontend such as RetroArch.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Libretro core
The project links to holani-retro, a libretro core for playing official games and homebrews.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Libretro features
The libretro implementation supports save and load states and RetroArch cheats.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Windows requirement
The libretro README says Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable is required on Windows.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source under GPL-3.0
  • Linux and Windows support
  • Save/load states and RetroArch cheats
  • Comlynx connections between instances
  • No BIOS required

Limits

  • GTK frontend requires Rust, Cargo, and GTK4
  • Windows libretro requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable

Who it suits

Holani suits Linux or Windows users who want an Atari Lynx emulator, a libretro core, or reusable emulation library. It also fits developers needing GTK, command-line, or debugger tooling.

Verdict

Holani offers several ways to run Atari Lynx software, from GTK and command-line frontends to libretro integration. Its library, debugger, save states, and Comlynx support make the project useful beyond a single emulator interface.

Where Specifiction places it

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