Batocera vs ClassicBoy Pro

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.

ClassicBoy Pro is an Android emulator for retro games, with a ROM scanner and game database. Its maker describes about twenty built-in emulation cores for systems including PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, NES, Super NES, Sega systems, arcade games, and Atari 2600. External plugins extend support to systems such as Nintendo DS, MAME, Sega Saturn, and PC Engine/CD. The app can scan selected files or directories to identify games for a browsable library, where users can locate or favorite them. Controls include touchscreen buttons, external gamepads, customizable layouts, gestures, and accelerometer input; the maker lists gesture and sensor controls as premium features. Other listed tools include adjustable game speed, cheat codes, save and load states, and game-data import and export. Wireless controllers can connect over Bluetooth. The free version includes on-screen buttons and gamepad mapping. The app is listed for Android and Windows through Google Play Games, but the listing does not show in-app purchase prices. It does not include ROMs, and users must have the right to play each ROM.