AmberELEC vs Batocera
AmberELEC
amberelec.org
Batocera
batocera.orgSide by side
| Figure | AmberELEC | Batocera |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · TurboGrafx-16 Emulators | 8.0 (#9) | 7.9 (#11) |
| Spec score · Emulation Frontends | 8.0 (#8) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Compatibility limit | The download page lists stable downloads for RG351P/M, RG351V, RG351MP, and RG552, and warns users to choose the version for their device. | Batocera focuses on retro gaming and says it will not implement emulators for current-generation consoles. |
| Emulation | AmberELEC includes RetroArch and supports multiple emulator cores, with the latest site announcement highlighting new cores and emulators for the RG552. | Batocera supports many consoles, platforms, emulators, and emulation-related applications. |
| Integrations | The guides describe importing LaunchBox playlists, games, metadata, and media, and using RetroArch Netplay when players have the same AmberELEC version, ROM, and core. | The documentation lists Kodi, RetroAchievements, The Bezel Project, Syncthing, NAS storage, and a web server among available features or integrations. |
| Purpose | AmberELEC is open source firmware developed for the Anbernic RG351P/M/V/MP and RG552 handhelds. | Batocera Linux is a free, open-source retro-gaming distribution that can turn a computer or nano computer into a gaming console. |
| Security | The guide recommends changing the root password or disabling SSH when it is not in use. | Batocera says it is not designed as a secure operating system and warns users not to expose it to the open internet; its security option can change the root password and require credentials for network shares. |
| Support | The project directs general questions and help requests to its Discord community and asks users to submit bug reports and feature requests through issue templates. | The project points users to its wiki and Discord for documentation and community support. |
Plans
In their own words
Batocera
Batocera Linux is a free, open-source Linux distribution that turns compatible computers and small devices into retro-gaming consoles. It can run from a USB stick or SD card without changing the computer, or be installed permanently. Download builds are listed for desktop PCs, laptops, Intel-based Apple computers, handheld PCs, Raspberry Pi, Odroid boards, and other devices. Batocera supports many consoles, platforms, emulators, and related applications through a front end based on a modified EmulationStation. Its content downloader provides freely distributed ROMs, bezels, music themes, and other enhancements, with packages handled by pacman. Documentation covers Netplay for supported games and integrations including Kodi, RetroAchievements, The Bezel Project, Syncthing, NAS storage, and a web server. Installation requires at least 16 GB of storage; 32 GB is recommended. Batocera focuses on retro gaming and will not implement emulators for current-generation consoles.