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, VisualBoyAdvance and Ludo.

filter to find the best alternatives

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

  1. PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac

     248 likes

    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.

    44 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Brouware
    Negative
    7

    PlayOnLinux is a compatibility layer to play Windows games (or other software) on Linux. Retroarch is a multi-platform emulator frontend. They are not at all similar.

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

    • This alternative is disputed. PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is a legitimate RetroArch alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  2. DuckStation icon

    DuckStation

     49 likes

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

    13 DuckStation alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    Silent Hill
     
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    1
    Comments about DuckStation as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Douze
    Negative
    4

    DuckStation is an emulator, whereas RetroArch is a front-end for multiple emulators and the games using them.

    DuckStation icon
    DuckStation icon

    • Some users think DuckStation is a great RetroArch alternative, some don't.

    • DuckStation is Free and ProprietaryRetroArch is Free and Open Source
    • DuckStation is LightweightRetroArch is not according to our users
  4. Lakka icon

    Lakka

     37 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.

    37 Lakka alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Cubieboard
    • HummingBoard
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Odroid
    Splash screen
     
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    9
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  6. VisualBoyAdvance icon

    VisualBoyAdvance

     156 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.

    41 VisualBoyAdvance alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    VisualBoyAdvance screenshot 1
     
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    2
    7
    Comments about VisualBoyAdvance as an Alternative to RetroArch
    DifferentDance8Real
    Negative
    1

    VBA is specifically for the GBA console, whereas RetroArch can handle any console

    Guest
    Negative
    -14

    Retroarch is for ios VBA is for windows

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    VisualBoyAdvance icon
    VisualBoyAdvance icon

    • Some users think VisualBoyAdvance is a great RetroArch alternative, some don't.

    • VisualBoyAdvance is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  7. Ludo icon

    Ludo

     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
    Ludo's user interface is distraction free and configuration is always optional.
     
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    8
  8. Snes9x icon

    Snes9x

     149 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.

    30 Snes9x alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Snes9x screenshot 1
     
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    1
    10
    Comments about Snes9x as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Guest
    Negative
    8

    Retroarch is not an emulator. Retroarch is a frontend for Libretro, which is a backend in which "cores" can be implemented and then run through a frontend(RA in this case.) These cores are emulators, and are what do most of the work of emulating systems. The vast majority of Libretro cores are simply preexisting emulators (like Snes9x!) ported into the Libretro API.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Snes9x icon
    Snes9x icon

    • Most users think Snes9x is a great RetroArch alternative.

    • Snes9x is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  10. ScummVM icon

    ScummVM

     125 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.

    13 ScummVM alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Windows Mobile
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Myst: Masterpiece Edition (Windows/German)
     
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    1
    Comments about ScummVM as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Douze
    Negative
    2

    ScummVM is an emulator, whereas RetroArch is a front-end for multiple emulators and the games using them.

    ScummVM icon
    ScummVM icon

    • Some users think ScummVM is a great RetroArch alternative, some don't.

    • ScummVM is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  12. PPSSPP icon

    PPSSPP

     85 likes

    PPSSPP is a PSP emulator written in C++, and translates PSP CPU instructions directly into optimized x86, x64 and ARM machine code, using JIT recompilers (dynarecs).

    10 PPSSPP alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Meta Quest
    Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
     
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    1
    8
    Comments about PPSSPP as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Douze
    Negative
    5

    PPSSPP is an emulator, whereas RetroArch is a front-end for multiple emulators and the games using them.

    PPSSPP icon
    PPSSPP icon

    • Most users think PPSSPP is a great RetroArch alternative.

    • PPSSPP is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  13. Mame icon

    Mame

     94 likes

    MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. When used in conjunction with images of the original arcade game's ROM and disk data, MAME attempts to reproduce that game as faithfully as possible on a more modern general-purpose computer.

    24 Mame alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Mame screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Mame as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Douze
    Negative
    0

    Mame is an emulator, whereas RetroArch is a front-end for multiple emulators and the games using them.

    Mame icon
    Mame icon

    • Some users think Mame is a great RetroArch alternative, some don't.

    • Mame is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  14. ZSNES icon

    ZSNES

     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...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    ZSNES screenshot 1
     
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    7
  15. mGBA icon

    mGBA

     33 likes

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

    39 mGBA alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    mGBA screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about mGBA as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Douze
    Negative
    3

    mGBA is an emulator, whereas RetroArch is a front-end for multiple emulators and the games using them.

    mGBA icon
    mGBA icon
    • mGBA is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
    • mGBA is LightweightRetroArch is not according to our users
12 of 67 RetroArch alternatives