ES-DE Frontend Free plan 9.2 Visit KNULLI
knulli.org
What it is
KNULLI is free, open-source custom firmware for supported retro-gaming devices, including handhelds and bartops. It runs on Linux and self-hosted setups, with supported platforms including Anbernic RG series, GoRetroid Pocket 5 and Mini, Miyoo Flip, Powkiddy RGB30 and X55, Orange Pi Zero 2w, and TrimUI Brick and Smart Pro. The system provides EmulationStation or Simplemenu/Simplermenu+ frontends, RetroArch, and multiple libretro cores. It adds RetroAchievements, netplay, cover art, and thumbnail scraping through ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, and ArcadeDB. Wireless and Bluetooth features depend on the device, while external USB wireless adapters are supported. Syncthing synchronizes saves between KNULLI devices or backs them up to a NAS, not a cloud. Installation requires a device-specific image flashed to an SD card or internal storage. Games, BIOS files, saves, and themes must use a strict case-sensitive folder structure.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- KNULLI is custom firmware for retro-gaming devices such as handhelds and bartops, developed as a fork of Batocera.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Audience
- The project focuses on devices with unavailable or outdated kernel sources, limited GPU support, or devices its team chooses to support.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- 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.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Support
- The project uses Discord for discussions and provides a wiki with setup and troubleshooting guides.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- 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.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Emulation
- KNULLI includes EmulationStation or Simplemenu/Simplermenu+ frontends, RetroArch, and multiple libretro cores.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- File sharing
- KNULLI makes userdata available over SMB for wireless file transfers on a local network.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Gaming features
- Features include RetroAchievements, netplay, and cover art and thumbnail scraping.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Installation
- Installation requires downloading a device-specific image and flashing it to an SD card or the device's internal storage.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Library requirement
- Games, BIOS files, saves, and themes must follow KNULLI's strict, case-sensitive folder structure.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Licensing
- KNULLI combines open-source components under their respective licenses and includes some components licensed for non-commercial use only.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Metadata sources
- The built-in scraper can fetch metadata and media from ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, and ArcadeDB.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- 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.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
- Wireless
- It supports wireless and Bluetooth, including audio, when the device supports them, and can use external USB wireless adapters.Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
Plans and prices
KNULLI Free Custom firmware for supported retro-gaming devices Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source
- Includes multiple emulation frontends and cores
- Supports RetroAchievements and netplay
- Scrapes cover art and metadata
- Syncthing backs up savegames to NAS
Limits
- No cloud synchronization
- Wireless features depend on device support
- Installation requires device-specific flashing
- Strict case-sensitive folder structure required
Who it suits
KNULLI suits retro-gaming device owners whose hardware is listed among its supported downloads. It is also intended for users comfortable flashing firmware and organizing files in its required structure.
Verdict
KNULLI provides a focused firmware environment for supported retro-gaming hardware, with emulation, metadata, networking, and save-management tools. Check the device list carefully before installation, and review the local-network security warning about the default lack of a root password.
Where Specifiction places it
- Emulation Frontends#14 of 257.7
