Software:Batocera OS

Batocera.linux

Developer	The Batocera Dev Team
OS family	Linux (unix-like)
Source model	Open Source
Initial release	26 December 2016 (2016-12-26)
|Final release|Latest release}}	Batocera.linux 34 / 05/24/2022
Marketing target	Retro-gaming-focused
Update method	fixed release
Package manager	Pacman, Flatpak, Steam
Kernel type	Monolithic Linux kernel
Influenced by	Recalbox and RetroPie
Default user interface	EmulationStation
License	Lesser GNU General Public License v3.
Official website	https://batocera.org

Batocera.linux is an independently developed open-source and completely free retro-gaming Linux distribution (distro). Batocera is intended to turn any computer/nano computer into a gaming console, and can be copied onto a USB stick or SD card rather than installed to an actual computer.

In terms of a graphical frontend, it has the overall look and feel of a gaming console start page, powered by an altered version of EmulationStation which is the front-end also used for the RetroPie operating system.

The designated package manager for Batocera is the Pacman package manager, although it is only used for installing Batocera-specific downloads including freely distributed ROMs, Batocera bezels, graphical themes, music themes, and other enhancements.

Batocera utilizes a fixed release model, meaning it releases new images when there are significant updates to the operating system.

History

Batocera.linux was originally forked off of Recalbox by the original development team in 2015.

Originally developed under the name "recalbox.remix," Batocera released its first version on December 26th, 2016. At the time, only x86_64 architectures (laptops and PCs), Raspberry Pis, and some Odroids were supported.

Batocera, in the length of time since the first release, has come to support over 45 different architectures

Design

Batocera GUI French Edition

Batocera.linux has a user interface that is very similar to Recalbox. which, like RetroPie, uses the EmulationStation front-end. This front end is intended to be very customizable. Additional themes for EmulationStation can be easily installed through the Batocera "Store"

Also, for additional theming while games are being played, Batocera has the option to use bezels:

In the 80s and 90s, most video game screens had a 4:3 aspect ratio. Nowadays, screens mostly use a 16:9 ratio, which means that they provide extra space on the sides compared to a 4:3 aspect ratio. Rather than stretching out the 4:3 image to fit into a 16:9 model, you can fill the extra space with a background image that provides an even more immersive experience. You can simulate the looks of an old TV set, or even a background that matches the game you are playing. We call this type of decoration a bezel.

Software & Game Installation

The Batocera Content Downloader GUI

There are multiple different methods for installing software and games on Batocera.linux.

Pacman, the package manager for Arch Linux, is used strictly as a content downloader and can be used in the GUI form on the EmulationStation front-end. The content that it downloads are game ROMs and visual upgrades.

Other options are shipped with Batocera including:

• Flatpak: A tool for installing Native Linux software such as the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), Telegram messaging software, or Discord communication platform.

• Steam: A client for installing and running games. It was created by the Valve corporation.

Architectures & Devices

Batocera.linux for PC

Intel NUC Mini PC

Architecture	Devices
x86_64	Laptops & PCs
x86_64	Intel-based Apple Computers
x86_64	All Intel NUC devices

Batocera.linux for Handheld Consoles

Odroid Go Advance Handheld Console

Architecture	Devices
odroidgoa	Anbernic RG351P/RG351M
odroidgoa	Odroid Go Advance
odroidgoa	Odroid Go Super
odroidgoa	Powkiddy RGB10/RGB10M/RGB10 Max
odroidgoa	RK2020/RK2020-M
rpi1	GPi Case
gameforce	Gameforce
rk3399	RG552
rk3128	ps5000
rk3128	PS7000

Batocera.linux for Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi 4 Mpdel B Single-Board Computer (SBC)

Architecture	Devices
rpi1	Raspberry Pi 0 W/WH
rpi1	Raspberry Pi A/A+
rpi1	Raspberry Pi B/B+
rpi2	Raspberry Pi 2 B
rpi3	Raspberry Pi 3 A+
rpi3	Raspberry Pi 3 B/B+
rpi3	Raspberry Pi CM3/CM3+
rpi4	Raspberry Pi 4 B
rpi4	Raspberry Pi 400
rpizero2	Raspberry Pi Zero 2

Batocera.linux for Odroid and Beelink

Odroid C4 SBC

Architecture	Device
odroidxu4	Odroid XU3/XU4/XU4Q
s905	Odroid C2
s905gen3	Odroid C4
s922x	Odroid N2/N2+
s922x	Beelink GTKing/GTKing Pro

Batocera.linux for Rockchip Boards

Rockpro64 SBC

Architecture	Device
rk3288	Asus Tinkerboard
rk3288	MQmaker MiQi
rk3399	ROCKPro64
rk3399	NanoPi M4V2
rk3399	Rock960

Batocera.linux for Other Devices

LibreTech H5 SBC

Architecture	Device
s905	Amlogic S905/S905x
s905gen3	Amlogic S905 tvbox gen3
tritium-h5	Libretech H5
s912	Khadas VIM2
s922x	Khadas VIM3
orangepi-pc	Orangepi-pc
cha	Capcom Home Arcade
rk3128	Powkiddy A12/A13
s905gen2	S905gen2/Radxa zero
BETA	Unico Fun R1

Batocera.linux for Old Hardware

32 bit desktop computer

Architecture	Device
x86	Old Desktop/Laptop with a 32bit CPU
x86	Intel Atom and old low-powered devices (V5.25)
x86_64	64bit PC with Nvidia legacy drivers (pre-GTX 750 Ti)

Installation

Batocera installation, creation of partitions

The Batocera website provides ISO images that can be run on a USB stick or SD card.

Once a liveUSB has been created, the user should boot the USB on the desired machine. Upon boot, the image will automatically expand the partitions and reboot automatically.

The user should now boot the USB again and proceed to use their new system.

Built in Emulators and Ports

Arcade Emulators

Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is an included Emulator

System Short Name	Full Name/Alternative Names	Release Period	Manufacturer
mame	Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator	19?? - current	Various
fbneo	FinalBurn Neo	19?? - current	Various
daphne	DAPHNE(Laserdisc)	1978 - ????	Various
mame/model1	Sega Model 1	1992 - 1994	Sega
mame/model2	Sega Model 2	1994 - 1998	Sega
mame/model3	Sega Model 3	1996 - 1998	Sega
naomi	Sega NAOMI	1998 - 2001	Sega
gaelco	Gaelco	1998 - 2005	Gaelco
hikaru	Sega Hikaru	1999 - 2000	Sega
naomi2	Sega NAOMI 2	2000 - 2002	Sega
triforce	Triforce	2002 - 2007	Namco, Sega, & Nintendo
atomiswave	Sammy Atomiswave	2003-2009	Sammy
cave3rd	CAVE CV1000/CV1000-B/CV1000-D/3rd/SH-3	2004 - 2012	Cave/AMI

Emulated Home Consoles

An emulator is available for the Wii video game console

System Short Name	Full name/Alternative name	Release Date	Manufacturer
First/Second Generation (The Jank Era)
channelf	Fairchild Channel F	1976	Fairchild
atari2600	Atari 2600/VCS	1977	Atari
odyssey2	Magnavox Odyssey²/Philips Videopac G7000/Philips Odyssey/Odyssey²	1978	Magnavox/Philips
astrocde	Bally Astrocade/Arcade/ABA-1000	1978	Bally (Midway)
apfm1000	APF-MP1000/MP-1000/M-1000	1978	APF Electronics Inc.
intellivision	Intellivision	1979	Mattel
atari5200	Atari 5200	1982	Atari
colecovision	ColecoVision	1982	Coleco
advision	Adventure Vision	1982	Entex
vectrex	Vectrex	1982	Milton Bradley
crvision	CreatiVision/Educat 2002/Dick Smith Wizzard/FunVision	1982	VTech
arcadia	Arcadia 2001/et al.	1982	Emerson Radio
Third Generation (The 8-bit era)
nes	Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom	1983	Nintendo
sg1000	Sega SG-1000/SG-1000 II/SC-3000	1983	Sega
videopacplus	Philips Videopac+ G7400/G7420	1983	Philips
pv1000	Casio PV-1000	1983	Casio
scv	Super Cassette Vision	1984	Epoch Co.
mastersystem	Sega Master System/Mark III	1985	Sega
fds	Family Computer Disk System/Famicom	1986	Nintendo
atari7800	Atari 7800	1986	Atari
socrates	Socrates	1988	VTech
4th Generation (16-bit era)
pcengine	PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16	1987	NEC
megadrive	Sega Genesis/Mega Drive	1988	Sega
pcenginecd	PC Engine CD-ROM²/PC Engine Duo R/PC Engine Duo RX/TurboGrafx-CD/TurboDuo	1988	NEC
supergrafx PC Engine SuperGrafx/SuperGrafx	1989	NEC
snes	Super Nintendo Entertainment System	1990	Nintendo
neogeo	Neo Geo	1990	SNK
cdi	Compact Disc Interactive/CD-i	1990	Philips, et al.
amigacdtv	Commodore CDTV	1991	Commodore
gx4000	Amstrad GX4000	1991	Amstrad
segacd	Sega CD/Mega CD	1991	Sega
snes_msu-1	Super NES CD-ROM/SNES MSU-1	1992 (cancelled)	Nintendo
sgb	Super Game Boy	1994	Nintendo
supracan	Super A'Can	1995	Funtech Entertainment
Fifth Generation (the 32-bit/early 3D era)
jaguar	Atari Jaguar	1993	Atari
3do	3DO Interactive Multiplayer	1993	Panasonic
amigacd32	Amiga CD32	1994	Commodore
sega32x	Sega 32X	1994	Sega
psx	Sony PlayStation	1994	Sony
pcfx	NEC PC-FX	1994	NEC
neogeocd	Neo Geo CD	1994	SNK
saturn	Sega Saturn	1994	Sega
virtualboy	Virtual Boy	1995	Nintendo
satellaview	Satellaview	1995	Nintendo
sufami	SuFami Turbo	1996	Bandai
n64	Nintendo 64	1996	Nintendo
Sixth Generation (the streamlining era)
dreamcast	Sega Dreamcast	1998	Sega
n64dd	Nintendo 64DD	1999	Nintendo
ps2	Sony PlayStation 2	2000	Sony
gamecube	Nintendo GameCube	2001	Nintendo
xbox	Microsoft Xbox	2001	Microsoft
vsmile	V.Smile (TV LEARNING SYSTEM)	2005	VTech
Seventh Generation (the HD era)
wii	Nintendo Wii	2006	Nintendo
ps3	Sony PlayStation 3	2006	Sony
Eighth Generation
wiiu	Nintendo Wii U	2012	Nintendo
Fantasy Consoles
uzebox	Uzebox Open-Source console	2007	Uzebox
pico8	PICO-8 fantasy console	2015	Lexaloffle Games
tic80	TIC-80 fantasy console	2017	TIC-80

Portable Game Consoles

There is an option to emulate the Atari Lynx Handheld console

Caption text

System Short Name	Full name/Alternative name	Release Date	Manufacturer
Handheld LCD Games
gameandwatch	Game & Watch	1980	Nintendo
lcdgames	Handheld LCD Games	19xx/20xx	Various
Fourth Generation
gb	Game Boy	1989	Nintendo
gb2players	Game Boy 2 Players	1989	Nintendo
lynx	Atari Lynx	1989	Atari
gamegear	Game Gear	1990	Sega
gamate	Gamate	1990	Bit Corporation
gmaster	Game Master/Systema 2000/Super Game/Game Tronic	1990	Hartung, et al.
supervision	Watara Supervision	1992	Watara
megaduck	Mega Duck	1993	Welback Holdings
Fifth Generation
gamecom	Game.com	1997	Tiger Electronics
gbc	Game Boy Color	1998	Nintendo
gbc2players	Game Boy Color 2 Players	1998	Nintendo
ngp	Neo Geo Pocket	1998	SNK
ngpc	Neo Geo Pocket Color	1999	SNK
wswan	WonderSwan	1999	Bandai
wswanc	WonderSwan Color	2000	Bandai
Sixth Generation
gba	Game Boy Advance	2001	Nintendo
pokemini	Pokémon Mini	2001	Nintendo
nds	Nintendo DS	2004	Nintendo
psp	PlayStation Portable	2004	Sony
3ds	Nintendo 3DS	2011	Nintendo

Home Computer Emulators

An emulator for the Commodore 64 is available

System short name	Full name/alternative names	Release date	Manufacturer
apple2	Apple II	1977	Apple
pet	Commodore PET	1977	Commodore
atari800	Atari 800	1979	Atari
atom	Acorn Computers	1979	Acorn Computers
c20	Commodore VIC-20/VC-20	1980	Commodore
coco	TRS-80/Tandy Color Computer	1980	Tandy/RadioShack
pc88	NEC PC-8800	1981	NEC
ti99	TI-99/4 (TI-99/4A)	1979	Texas Instruments
zx81	Sinclair ZX81	1981	Sinclair
bbc	BBC Micro/Master/Archimedes	1981	Acorn Computers
x1	Sharp X1	1982	Sharp
zxspectrum	ZX Spectrum	1982	Sinclair
c64	Commodore 64	1982	Commodore
pc98	NEC PC-9800/PC-98	1982	NEC
fm7	Fujitsu Micro 7 (FM-7)	1982	Fujitsu
tutor	Tomy Tutor/Grandstand Tutor	1982	Tomy
electron	Electron	1983	Acorn Computers
camplynx	Camputers Lynx	1983	Camputers
msx1	Microsoft MSX1	1983	Microsoft
adam	Coleco_Adam	1983	Coleco
amstradcpc	Amstrad CPC	1984	Amstrad
thomson	Thomson MO/TO Series Computer	1984	Thomson
cplus4	Commodore Plus/4	1984	Commodore
atarist	Atari ST	1985	Atari
msx2	Microsoft MSX2	1985	Microsoft
c128	Commodore 128 (C128)	1985	Commodore
apple2gs	Apple IIGS	1986	Apple
archimedes	Archimedes FIXME	1987	Acorn Computers
xegs	Atari XEGS	1987	Atari
amiga500	Amiga 500/OCS/ECS	1987	Commodore
x68000	Sharp X68000	1987	Sharp
msx2+	Microsoft MSX2plus	1988	Microsoft
fmtowns	FM Towns/Towns Marty	1989	Fujitsu
samcoupe	SAM Coupé	1989	Miles Gordon Technology
amiga1200	Amiga 1200/AGA	1992	Commodore
msxturbor	Microsoft MSX turboR	1993	Microsoft

Ports & Engines

The ScummVM emulator is available for Batocera.linux

System Short Name	Full name/Alternative name	Description
abuse	Abuse SDL	A dark 2D side-scrolling platform game, now public domain and maintained by the community
cannonball	Cannonball	Enhanced OutRun Engine
cavestory	Cave Story	A free pixel styled 2D platformer
cdogs	C-Dogs	A classic overhead run-and-gun game, supporting up to four players in co-op and deathmatch modes
devilutionx	DevilutionX	Source port of Diablo and Hellfire
easyrpg	EasyRPG	RPG Maker compatible RPG engine
ecwolf	ECWolf	Source port for Wolfenstein 3D engine
eduke32	EDuke32	A cross-platform port of Duke Nukem 3D
fpinball	Future Pinball	Future Pinball allows playing community-made pinball tables
lutro	Lutro	A retro-inspired 2D game engine for Libretro
mrboom	Mr. Boom	8 player Bomberman clone
mugen	M.U.G.E.N	Game engine for fighting games
openbor	Open Beats of Rage	Open source port of Beats of Rage, a 2D beat-em-up game engine
openjazz	Openjazz	Open-source version of the classic Jazz Jackrabbit
prboom	PrBoom	a.k.a. Proff Boom, ports of classic Doom-based games to PrBoom (based on the source port Boom)
pygame	pygame	Python based engine designed for writing video games
raze	Raze	A fork of build engine games that combines Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, Redneck Rampage, Shadow Warrior and Exhumed/Powerslave in a single package
scummvm	ScummVM	Source port for adventure and role-playing games like Monkey Island series
sdlpop	SDLPoP	An open-source port of Prince of Persia, based on the disassembly of the DOS version
solarus	Solarus	A game engine for 2D Action RPGs
sonicretro	Star Engine/Sonic Retro Engine	Enhanced Sonic 1, 2 and Sonic CD (from Android/iOS versions)
tyrquake	TyrQuake	Source port of the Quake 1 engine including Addons
xash3d_fwgs	Xash3D FWGS	Source port for playing classic Valve games like Half-Life

Miscellaneous

The Flatpak Linux software collection is included in Batocera.linux

System short name	Full name/alternative names	Description
dos	DOSbox	x86 emulator DOSBox for old DOS games
flash	Flashpoint	Flash player for playing Adobe Flash based games
flatpak	Flatpak	Install native Linux software, grouped with ports
moonlight	Moonlight	Open source implementation of NVIDIAs GameStream protocol
ports	Native ports	Contains both manually install native Linux games, grouped for convenience
plugnplay	Plug 'n' Play/Handheld TV Games	Various “plug 'n play” TV games popular during 1995-2005
steam	Steam	Valve's PC game distribution store, grouped with ports
vgmplay	MAME Video Game Music Player	Play retro video game music using emulated sound chips
windows	WINE	Play Windows-only games using WINE, grouped with ports (WINE is not an emulator)
windows_installers	N/A, Batocera utility	Install windows software through WINE
Emulator: Demul	Demul	A multi-arcade machine and Dreamcast emulator
Emulator: Dolphin	Dolphin	An emulator for both GameCube and Wii.
RetroArch	RetroArch	The ubiquitous front-end that supports libretro cores.