RetroArch Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to RetroArch for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux alternative is PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to RetroArch and loads of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to RetroArch are DuckStation, Lakka, Super ZSNES and PPSSPP.

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RetroArch alternatives are mainly Game Emulators, but if you're looking for Game Library Managers or Compatibility Layer Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Linux, Android and iPhone. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to RetroArch.
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Alternatives
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Alternatives list

  1. PlayOnLinux is a graphical frontend for the Wine software compatibility layer which allows Linux and Mac users to install Windows-based video games, Microsoft Office (2000 to 2010), Microsoft Internet Explorer, as well as many other applications.

    45 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD
    Good alternative?
     
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  2. DuckStation icon
     55 likes

    DuckStation is an simulator/emulator of the Sony PlayStation(TM) console, focusing on playability, speed, and long-term maintainability.

    15 DuckStation alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    Good alternative?
     
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  3. Lakka icon
     38 likes

    Lakka is the official Linux distribution of RetroArch and the libretro ecosystem. Each game system is implemented as a libretro core, while the frontend RetroArch takes care of inputs and display.

    38 Lakka alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Cubieboard
    • HummingBoard
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Odroid
    Good alternative?
     
  4. Super ZSNES icon
     13 likes

    GPU-powered SNES emulator offering advanced CPU, audio, and PPU accuracy, high-res Mode 7, redesigned high-definition interface, fast forward, rewind, cheats, save states, and a Super Enhancement Engine for game-specific enhancements, available on multiple platforms.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Good alternative?
     
  5. PPSSPP icon
     92 likes

    Run PSP games across platforms in crisp HD, enjoy sharper textures, post-processing effects, anisotropic filtering, save or restore progress, customize input controls, transfer existing saves, play on low-spec devices with JIT-optimized performance, and more features.

    9 PPSSPP alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Windows Mobile
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Symbian S60
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Blackberry 10
    • Flathub
    • Maemo
    • F-Droid
    • Android TV
    • MeeGo
    • Nintendo Switch
    • visionOS
    • Xbox
    • Meta Quest
    • Nintendo Wii / Wii U
    • OpenAPK
    Good alternative?
     
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  6. Ludo icon
     21 likes

    Ludo is an Emulator Frontend able to run retro video games. Ludo does not emulate the consoles itself, but does it through emulator plugins called libretro cores. Libretro cores are well known emulators (like Snes9x or Genesis Plus GX or PCSX) stripped from their user interface.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  7. CrossOver icon
     78 likes

    Cross-platform utility enables seamless installation and execution of Windows applications on macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS. No Windows license required—facilitates easy app management with a few clicks, eliminates the need for virtual machines and reboots, delivering efficient compatibility layer operation.

    47 CrossOver alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    Good alternative?
     
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  8. ScummVM icon
     129 likes

    ScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical point-and-click adventure games, provided you already have their data files.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Windows Mobile
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Good alternative?
     
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  9. VisualBoyAdvance icon
     158 likes

    VisualBoyAdvance (VBA) is a free software (GNU GPL) emulator targeted for the Game Boy, Super Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance handheld game consoles sold by Nintendo.

    44 VisualBoyAdvance alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Good alternative?
     
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  10. mGBA icon
     37 likes

    mGBA is an open source emulator of the Game Boy Advance. The goals are speed and accuracy.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • US flagUnited States
    mGBA screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
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  11. Snes9x icon
     150 likes

    Snes9x is a portable, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) emulator. It allows you to play most games designed for the SNES and Super Famicom Nintendo game systems on your PC.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Source Available

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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  12. ZSNES icon
     198 likes

    ZSNES is a Super Nintendo Entertainment System emulator. Aside from emulation accuracy, many interface features first introduced in ZSNES have been adopted by other emulators. ZSNES interface features include: Smoothing and dynamic image scaling; screenshot capture; state...

    25 ZSNES alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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