Batocera vs emmd

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.

emmd is a free Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) emulator written in Go and targeting Model 1 hardware. Its desktop library can scan ROMs and organize games with artwork and metadata. It includes save-state management, rewind, fast-forward, shader effects, RetroAchievements integration and configurable settings. The emulator supports Motorola 68000 and Zilog Z80 CPUs, VDP rendering, YM2612 FM synthesis and SN76489 PSG audio. It handles two-player three-button and six-button controllers, battery-backed SRAM, and save states checked with CRC32 checksums and ROM CRC matching. NTSC and PAL can be detected from a ROM header or selected manually. A LibRetro core is available for compatible frontends, and a documented macOS build creates an application bundle with an icon and code signing. The stated scope is officially licensed, released Genesis games; unlicensed or homebrew games, prototypes, beta ROMs and non-controller peripherals are unsupported. Platforms listed are Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS. Building requires Go 1.25 or later, and the repository identifies the license as GPL-3.0.