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KNULLI
What it is
KNULLI is free, open-source custom firmware for supported retro-gaming devices, including handhelds and bartops. Developed as a Batocera fork, it focuses on devices with unavailable or outdated kernel sources, limited GPU support, or devices selected by its team. The firmware includes EmulationStation or Simplemenu/Simplermenu+ frontends, RetroArch, and multiple libretro cores. RetroAchievements, netplay, cover art, and thumbnail scraping are included. Metadata can come from ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, and ArcadeDB. Wireless and Bluetooth, including audio, depend on device support, with external USB wireless adapters also usable. Syncthing synchronizes savegames between KNULLI devices or backs them up to a NAS; cloud sync is not provided. Userdata is available over SMB on a local network. Installation requires a device-specific image flashed to an SD card or internal storage. Games, BIOS files, saves, and themes must use a strict case-sensitive folder structure. Devices without listed packages have no public release.
For and against
For
- Includes RetroArch and multiple libretro cores
- Supports RetroAchievements and netplay
- Scrapes media from three metadata sources
- Synchronizes saves with Syncthing
- Supports local SMB file transfers
Against
- No cloud synchronization
- Wireless features depend on device support
- Installation requires a device-specific image
- Unlisted devices have no public release
The verdict
KNULLI provides open-source firmware with emulators, metadata scraping, networking, and save synchronization for listed devices. Device compatibility, manual installation, file-structure rules, and local-only security considerations are central to using it.
Who it suits
It suits owners of supported retro-gaming devices who want open-source firmware and built-in emulation tools. It is also relevant to users comfortable flashing storage and organizing files in required folders.
Plans and prices
KNULLI
Custom firmware for supported retro-gaming devices
Read 30 Sep 2026 · knulli.org
On the record
- Audience
- The project focuses on devices with unavailable or outdated kernel sources, limited GPU support, or devices its team chooses to support.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Device support limit
- If a device is not listed among the installation package downloads, the site says there is no public release for it and warns against using another device's package.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Emulation
- KNULLI includes EmulationStation or Simplemenu/Simplermenu+ frontends, RetroArch, and multiple libretro cores.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- File sharing
- KNULLI makes userdata available over SMB for wireless file transfers on a local network.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Gaming features
- Features include RetroAchievements, netplay, and cover art and thumbnail scraping.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Installation
- Installation requires downloading a device-specific image and flashing it to an SD card or the device's internal storage.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Library requirement
- Games, BIOS files, saves, and themes must follow KNULLI's strict, case-sensitive folder structure.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Licensing
- KNULLI combines open-source components under their respective licenses and includes some components licensed for non-commercial use only.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Metadata sources
- The built-in scraper can fetch metadata and media from ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, and ArcadeDB.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- KNULLI is custom firmware for retro-gaming devices such as handhelds and bartops, developed as a fork of Batocera.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Save synchronization
- Syncthing is pre-installed and can synchronize savegames across KNULLI devices or back them up to a NAS; it does not use a cloud.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- The site warns that KNULLI devices have no root password by default, making device data accessible on the local network, and recommends enabling additional security.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project uses Discord for discussions and provides a wiki with setup and troubleshooting guides.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Wireless
- It supports wireless and Bluetooth, including audio, when the device supports them, and can use external USB wireless adapters.knulli.org · read 30 Sep 2026
