Batocera Linux: Free Open Source Retro Game Distribution
Today, we will explore a GNU / Linux Distro more, oriented to Gaming on Linux, that is, to the field of games and Play on GNU / Linux. And this is known by the name of "Batocera" Linux.
"Batocera" Linux stands out from others GNU / Linux Gaming Distros for enduring many console applications, platforms and applications related to emulation. Since, others choose to offer better support for Steam or include basic or advanced games, already installed or easily installable.
ChimeraOS: Ideal GNU / Linux Distro for computer games with Steam
For those interested in exploring some of our previous related posts with the themes of the Distros GNU / Linux Gamers and Games on GNU / Linux, you can click on the following links, after finishing reading this publication:
"ChimeraOS is un Operating system for computer games based on Steam Big Picture. That is, an Operating System that provides a computer gaming experience out of the box. Since, after installation, it starts directly into Steam Big Picture, thus allowing anyone to start playing their favorite games, modern or retro, supported by Steam". ChimeraOS: Ideal GNU / Linux Distro for computer games with Steam
Batocera Linux: Consoles, Platforms and Emulators
What is Batocera Linux?
"Batocera" Linux at their Official website, is briefly described as follows:
"Batocera.linux is a completely free, open source retro game distribution that can be copied to a USB stick or SD card with the aim of turning any computer / nanocomputer into a game console during a game or permanently. Batocera.linux does not require any modification on your computer. Please note that you must be the owner of the games you play to comply with the law."
Features
Among its main characteristics the following stand out:
- Excellent visual appearance: It has beautiful themes and visual effects.
- Powerful suite of gaming apps: Includes the best game emulators and kernels to play.
- Fully open source: It is 100% open source, so all its content is freely available.
- Ready to use and play: Does not require major or complex configurations. Basically, it comes ready to download, record, run, and play.
Current version
In addition, "Batocera" Linux currently going for his version 31 of 18/06/21, which includes among other changes, the following that have been added:
- Xemu, Xbox Emulator for x86_64
- Future Pinball (x86_64)
- Support for flatpak (x86_64)
- Watara Supervision Emulator
- Libretro-melonDS app in Odroid Go Advance / Odroid Go Super
- More overclocking options for the rpi4
- Independent Mame Bezels
- Shaders libretro for Vulkan and LR-Mupen64plus fixes in OpenGL.
- Gamecube adapter support
- Default configuration of the options of the independent emulators in Spanish language (Es)
For more information about you can explore your Official site en GitHub, Wiki, Blog.
"Batocera.linux is based on buildroot. You can see buildroot as a minimal Linux distribution while maintaining the base packages. However, it is a tool for building root file systems (like a firmware). Batocera.linux mainly includes extra packages not available in buildroot (emulators, front-end, additional device drivers…) and configuration." More information on Buildroot
Alternatives
Other GNU / Linux Distros known and useful for play on GNU / Linux, that is, created with the aim of offering a better quality experience when playing, are the following:
- Ubuntu Game Pack
- SteamOS
- Sparky Linux 5.3 Game Over
- Manjaro Gaming Edition
- Lakka
- Fedora Games
- game drift linux
- Solus
- Linux Console
- Miracles
Others recommended by "Batocera" Linux are:
Summary
In summary, "Batocera" Linux is another interesting option over Distros GNU / Linux suitable for Gamers, which among other things, avoids tedious and difficult installations, configurations and optimizations of the game apps to be able to play them.
Finally, we hope that this publication will be very useful for the entire «Comunidad de Software Libre y Código Abierto» and of great contribution to the improvement, growth and diffusion of the ecosystem of applications available for «GNU/Linux». And do not stop sharing it with others, on your favorite websites, channels, groups or communities of social networks or messaging systems. Finally, visit our home page at «DesdeLinux» to explore more news, and join our official channel Telegram from DesdeLinux.