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Recalbox
What it is
Recalbox is a free, open-source retro gaming system for replaying games from consoles and computers. It advertises support for more than 100 systems and lists online play, save-anytime, and rewind features. Other home-page features include instant save, scraping, overlays, shaders, a virtual keyboard, and multi-system search. Users can build their own system or buy a ready-to-play kit. Downloads cover Raspberry Pi, handhelds, PCs, and ODROID boards. The PC page lists Steam Deck and PC builds at version 10.1.1, plus a 32-bit PC build at 7.2.2-Reloaded. Recalbox is designed to be easy to use, including for beginners. Tutorials, community documentation, a forum, and an FAQ provide support. Patreon supporters can receive early releases, automatic scraping, exclusive playlists and themes, and partner discounts; the project says these features are intended for future free releases. The supported-systems database identifies compatible systems, but does not establish compatibility with every game or device.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Supports more than 100 systems
- Includes online play and rewind
- Offers builds for several hardware types
- Provides tutorials and community support
Against
- Runs only on compatible hardware
- Database does not guarantee every game or device
- Patreon benefits are separate supporter features
The verdict
Recalbox combines broad system support with save, rewind, search, and presentation features for retro gaming. Check the compatibility database and hardware-specific download before choosing a setup.
Who it suits
Recalbox suits people who want a retro-gaming system on compatible Raspberry Pi, handheld, PC, or ODROID hardware. Its stated beginner-friendly design may help first-time users.
Plans and prices
Recalbox
Free and open source; runs on compatible hardware
Read 8 Oct 2026 · recalbox.com
On the record
- Additional features
- The home page lists instant save, rewind, scraping, overlays, shaders, a virtual keyboard, and multi-system search.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Compatible systems
- Recalbox advertises support for more than 100 systems.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page offers versions for Raspberry Pi, handhelds, PCs, and ODROID boards.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Hardware choices
- Users can build their own Recalbox or buy a ready-to-play kit.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Limits
- The Recalbox site says its supported-systems database covers compatible systems; it does not establish compatibility with every game or device.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Recalbox says it will remain free and open source for everyone, and that patron features are intended for future free releases.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Patron benefits
- Patreon supporters can receive early releases, automatic scraping, exclusive playlists and themes, and partner discounts.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- PC versions
- The PC download page lists Steam Deck and PC builds at version 10.1.1 and a 32-bit PC build at 7.2.2-Reloaded.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Play features
- The site lists online play, save-anytime, and rewind features.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Recalbox is a retro gaming system for replaying games from consoles and computers.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site links to tutorials, community documentation, a forum, and an FAQ.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Target users
- The site describes Recalbox as designed to be easy to use, including for beginners.recalbox.com · read 8 Oct 2026
