Batocera vs GameEx
Batocera
batocera.org
GameEx
gameex.comSide by side
| Figure | Batocera | GameEx |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Game Library Managers | 8.0 (#9) | 9.1 (#3) |
| Spec score · Emulation Frontends | 7.9 (#10) | 9.1 (#3) |
| Spec score · Game launchers | 7.6 (#33) | 9.3 (#4) |
| Integrations | The documentation lists Kodi, RetroAchievements, The Bezel Project, Syncthing, NAS storage, and a web server among available features or integrations. | The feature list names Steam, EA Origin, Uplay, iTunes, Windows Media Player, GameBase, GameEx Arcade and TMDb API use. |
| Purpose | Batocera Linux is a free, open-source retro-gaming distribution that can turn a computer or nano computer into a gaming console. | GameEx is an arcade and emulator front end for MAME, GameBase, Daphne, PC games and command-line emulators, and also offers HTPC features. |
| Security | 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. | The setup guide warns that security experts have not examined GameExtender for security issues and advises using it over networks at the user's own risk. |
| Support | The project points users to its wiki and Discord for documentation and community support. | The maker says commercial support and customizations are available and in many cases provided free of charge. |
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.
GameEx
GameEx is an arcade and emulator front end for MAME, GameBase, Daphne, PC games and command-line emulators, with HTPC features. The site lists original GameEx, GameEx Arcade Edition and GameEx Evolution. Its feature list describes support for nearly any emulator, with advanced MAME support, and compatibility with arcade controls such as X-Arcade, Slik-Stik, JPAC and IPAC, as well as remotes and gamepads. Media features include video and DVD playback, picture viewing, internet radio, a jukebox, a news reader and a YouTube module. Named integrations include Steam, EA Origin, Uplay, iTunes, Windows Media Player, GameBase, GameEx Arcade and the TMDb API. GameEx Online and GameExtender add networked display, remote control and online game statistics. Its listed free plan costs nothing, but commercial use requires each copy to be registered or purchased. The listing includes Android, Linux, macOS and Windows; the maker describes Linux or Mac use through WINE as experimental, while the multiplatform alpha builds may lack features.