Batocera vs Mednafen
Batocera
batocera.orgMednafen
mednafen.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Batocera | Mednafen |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Sega Genesis Emulators | 8.0 (#8) | 7.1 (#23) |
| Spec score · TurboGrafx-16 Emulators | 7.9 (#11) | 7.3 (#20) |
| Purpose | Batocera Linux is a free, open-source retro-gaming distribution that can turn a computer or nano computer into a gaming console. | Mednafen is a portable, command-line-driven multi-system emulator that uses OpenGL and SDL. |
| 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 documentation warns that specially constructed save states can lock up or abort the emulator, consume substantial CPU, and potentially execute host code. |
| Support | The project points users to its wiki and Discord for documentation and community support. | The official site links to a Mednafen forum and an FAQ. |
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.
Mednafen
Mednafen has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.