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Lakka VS Retropie

Compare Lakka VS Retropie and see what are their differences

Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Lakka logo Lakka

Lakka is the official Linux distribution of RetroArch and the libretro ecosystem.

Retropie logo Retropie

RetroPie allows you to turn your Raspberry Pi or PC into a retro-gaming machine.
  • Lakka Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-30
  • Retropie Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-06

Lakka features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Lakka provides an easy-to-navigate user interface that is simple for users of all experience levels, making it accessible to a wide audience.
  • Supports Multiple Systems
    Lakka can emulate a wide variety of game consoles, offering support for systems like PlayStation, Nintendo, Sega, and more, all in one package.
  • Lightweight
    Being a lightweight Linux distribution, Lakka can run on less powerful hardware, making it ideal for revitalizing older machines or using on single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi.
  • Open Source
    Lakka is open source, allowing users to modify and improve the software according to their needs, fostering a community of collaboration.
  • Network Support
    It supports network features like multiplayer gameplay over the internet, netplay, and streaming from a Lakka device to other screens.

Possible disadvantages of Lakka

  • Limited Non-Gaming Applications
    Lakka is primarily designed for retro gaming, meaning it lacks the capabilities and features for other types of applications found in full-fledged operating systems.
  • Complexity for Advanced Features
    While basic setup is straightforward, configuring more advanced features can be complex and may require technical knowledge and experience.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Although Lakka runs on a wide range of devices, certain hardware components might not be fully supported, and users may encounter compatibility issues.
  • Performance Limitations
    Running Lakka on very low-end hardware might lead to performance issues, particularly with resource-intensive emulation cores.
  • Limited Official Support
    Reliance on community support may be necessary as Lakka does not offer commercial support options, which could be a drawback for some users seeking professional assistance.

Retropie features and specs

  • Wide Compatibility
    RetroPie supports a vast number of retro gaming consoles and platforms, making it a versatile choice for retro gaming enthusiasts who want to emulate different systems.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The system offers a fairly intuitive user interface that is accessible even to those who are not highly tech-savvy, simplifying the process of setting up and playing games.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize their setups extensively, including themes, control schemes, and other settings, to create a personalized gaming experience.
  • Active Community
    There is a large and active community surrounding RetroPie, which means users can find support, tutorials, and a wealth of resources easily online.
  • Cost-Effective
    Running RetroPie on inexpensive hardware like Raspberry Pi offers a low-cost way to enjoy retro gaming without needing to buy old consoles and cartridges.

Possible disadvantages of Retropie

  • Setup Complexity
    While the interface is user-friendly, initial setup can be complex for complete beginners, requiring some technical know-how particularly around installing and configuring ROMs.
  • Limited Performance
    Running on Raspberry Pi, particularly older models, might not offer the best performance for more demanding games or systems, leading to lag and reduced emulation accuracy.
  • Legal Issues
    The use of ROMs and copyright-protected games can involve legal risks, as users must ensure they own the original game media to comply with copyright laws.
  • Hardware Limitations
    Depending on the model of Raspberry Pi or other hardware used, there might be limitations in terms of the number of USB ports, processing power, and support for modern display standards.
  • Software Updates
    Keeping the system updated can be less straightforward than on more mainstream platforms, potentially leading to security or compatibility issues if not maintained properly.

Lakka videos

+ Add

Lakka Emulator Frontend Running On Raspberry Pi 3 Emulation Station Alternative

More videos:

  • Review - What Is Lakka ? Retro Game System Explained
  • Tutorial - How to make a Retro Emulator Machine - Lakka OS Guide + Review

Retropie videos

+ Add

Review: RetroPie - Raspberry Pi 3

More videos:

  • Review - What Retropie Can Do
  • Review - RetroGamingBox | Raspberry Pi 3 | Retropie | Quick Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Lakka and Retropie)

Lakka

Retropie

Gaming
52 52%
Gaming
48% 48
Gaming Tools
65 65%
Gaming Tools
35% 35
Emulators
61 61%
Emulators
39% 39
Gaming Distribution
100 100%
Gaming Distribution
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Lakka and Retropie

Lakka Reviews

The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Lakka OS is a lightweight distribution that lets users convert old computers into retro game consoles. The operating system is based on LibreELEC and uses the RetroArch front-end. Once set up, Lakka OS works cross-platform and numerous old console games can be installed.
Source: www.ionos.com
13 Best Linux distros for gaming in 2022
All the emulators are compiled with the best optimizations possible and so Lakka OS runs the games more smoothly than the normal emulators. Most games will require very few hardware resource, except for the Playstation or Xbox games.
Source: edumotivation.com
Best Linux Distro for Gaming
Lakka is a lightweight Linux retro gaming distro that turns your computer into a retro gaming console. It’s so lightweight, it can even run on a mini-PC like a Raspberry Pi. It’s still being actively developed and worked on. Lakka uses the RetroArch emulator, so you can play all types of games on this distro, including running emulated N64, PlayStation, PSP, NES, Sega,...
Source: linuxstans.com
9 Best Linux Gaming Distributions in 2021
All the emulators are compiled with the best optimizations possible and so Lakka OS runs the games more smoothly than the normal emulators. Most games will require very few hardware resource, except for the Playstation or Xbox games.
Source: itsfoss.com

Retropie Reviews

We have no reviews of Retropie yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Retropie seems to be a lot more popular than Lakka. While we know about 87 links to Retropie, we've tracked only 5 mentions of Lakka. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Lakka mentions (5)

  • New RG351v owner, what should I do first?
    While it's not there, if you don't want to bother with emulationstation and would just like basic retroarch, there is also a build of Lakka (pure retroarch) available for the 351v. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Best console for emulation? Looking for something simple
    I think there'll be another providers of such kits in the USA, but I don't know them. Perhaps also on EBay. The Magic words are "lakka.tv", "recalbox" and "retropie" for ready-to-go and easy to use raspi emulations boxes. Source: over 3 years ago
  • MAME 0.242
    Maybe something like Lakka[1]? It supports many game consoles, but I believe MAME is part of it. [1]: https://lakka.tv/. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Planning on making an arcade machine from a pi zero w 2 and a crt tv, any tips?
    Most peoples go to package is RetroPie, and don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad option…. But in my experience, http://lakka.tv is a bit cleaner, more lightweight, and has less compatibility issues / hurdles that you need to jump through for some features…. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Help making emulator stick !
    You mean a USB to boot on a PC? Check out Lakka or Batocera. Source: about 4 years ago

Retropie mentions (87)

  • MicroMac, a Macintosh for Under £5
    You can do this with a Rasberry Pi 400, no problem. I have one running https://retropie.org.uk/ and it works great. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Super Mario 64 on the Web
    I agree! I picked up [RetroPie](https://retropie.org.uk/) again during the pandemic. I'm sure many did the same haha. That's when I learned [N64 emulation is difficult](https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Optimization-for-Nintendo-64/). Well done. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Plug and play retro home console suggestion?
    I would have thought a well set-up Raspberry pie running RetroPie in a nice case (e.g. https://thepihut.com/products/superpi-4-case-for-raspberry-pi-4) and a couple of decent controllers would be the best thing. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • My First Raspberry Pi Project: Portable Retro Game Console
    This website has step by step instructions on how to set up a RetroPie. It is really easy. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Gpu in emulator pc
    The most I am familiar with emulators of that era is retro pi https://retropie.org.uk/. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Lakka and Retropie, you can also consider the following products

Batocera.linux - Batocera.linux is an open-source and completely free retro-gaming distribution that can be copied to a USB stick or an SD card with the aim of turning any computer/nano computer into a gaming console during a game or permanently.

RetroArch - RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.

RetroBat - RETROBAT RetroBat is a software distribution designed for emulation and to be the easiest way to enjoy your game collection on your Windows computer.

LaunchBox - LaunchBox is a portable, box-art-based games database and launcher for DOSBox, emulators, arcade cabinets, and PC Games. Download it free!

Pi-hole - Pi-hole is a multi-platform, network-wide ad blocker.

Playnite - Source code generated using layoutit.com

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