EmulationStation Frontend
REG ES, a bespoke EmulationStation build, delivers a slick nostalgic UI that is simple to tweak.
Retro Emulation Gaming Linux
Turn any device into a purpose-built retro console.
Founded by retro gaming enthusiasts and open source developers, REG Linux turns SBCs, handhelds, laptops, and desktops into polished gaming rigs with curated software grounded in Buildroot, systemd-free system, and official wiki documentation that guides every release.
- Immutable Buildroot-based root filesystem, optimized builds, and rescue workflows
- EmulationStation frontend tailored by the REG team with curated RetroArch cores
- Wiki documentation covering flashing, architecture, builds, and community resources
REG Linux blends a customized EmulationStation frontend with curated RetroArch cores on top of a rock-solid Linux foundation.
What makes REG special
Feature-rich out of the box
REG Linux ships with the pieces you expect from a dedicated retro rig—carefully tuned frontends, tested emulators, community-requested ports, and a focus on reliability.
Feature rich curation
An ever-growing catalog of native ports, engines, and tools sits alongside the default emulator stack.
Rock solid OS
Immutable Buildroot base plus an integrated rescue workflow keep experiments safe.
Open source forever
REG Linux is community-driven, transparent, and licensed for tinkering without restrictions.
Endless gaming possibilities
Play arcade, console, and computer classics, switching cores or ports with a single menu action.
Wide hardware support
From aging laptops to modern SBCs and handhelds, REG targets diverse devices with tuned kernels.
Pre-configured emulator stack
REG ships with the most requested emulators ready to play: RetroArch, MAME, and specialist cores for handhelds, arcades, and microcomputers. Inputs, shaders, and hotkeys are sensible by default, so you can jump straight into the fun.
- RetroArch (multi-system) with curated core presets
- MAME builds tuned for arcade accuracy
- Additional native ports for DOS, ScummVM, Pico-8–style engines, and more
Hardware coverage
Works where you play
REG relies on mainline LTS kernels whenever possible, making it easier to support SBC boards, handhelds, mini consoles, and desktops. The wiki installation guide lists coverage for ARM (Allwinner, Rockchip, Amlogic), AArch64 (RK3588, Snapdragon), RISC-V (K1, JH7110), and x86_64 mini PCs, so you can pick the profile that matches your hardware.
Single-board computers
From Raspberry Pi-style boards to RK3588 powerhouses, profiles ensure video, audio, and I/O just work.
Handhelds & mini consoles
REG keeps controls responsive and includes handheld-friendly themes plus suspend-safe defaults.
Laptops & desktops
Install on internal storage or boot from USB for a dedicated gaming partition that remains isolated.
Official wiki
Documentation built on GitHub Pages
The REG Linux wiki runs on MkDocs Material and mirrors every release, covering installation, architecture, developer builds, and community resources for hardware enthusiasts.
Getting Started
Choose an image, flash it safely, and get controller-friendly onboarding tips for EmulationStation.
Open guideInstallation
Supported platforms span ARM (Allwinner, Rockchip, Amlogic), AArch64 (RK3588, Snapdragon), RISC-V (K1, JH7110), and x86_64 mini PCs.
View devicesArchitecture
Immutable Buildroot layout with sysvinit, a squashfs root, and configurable /userdata partitions for game storage.
Explore architectureDeveloper Guide
Build from source with commands like make h700-build and tweak configurations inside the configs directory.
Boot and play
Getting started with REG Linux
- Choose the right image. Visit the download page, consult the wiki installation guide for supported devices, and grab the latest release that matches your hardware.
- Flash to storage. Follow the wiki's recommended tools—balenaEtcher, Raspberry Pi Imager, or plain `dd`—and verify the image on your SD card or SSD.
- First boot & setup. Power on, run through the EmulationStation onboarding, pair controllers, and reference the wiki for troubleshooting or controller mapping tips.
- Load your library. Add ROMs via network share, USB drive, or the built-in file manager, then refresh the gamelist per the wiki's guidance.
Need help?
Read the wiki, join Discord, or open a GitHub issue—contributors are active and eager to assist.
Open source & community
Build with the REG team
REG Linux is driven by volunteers. Whether you file bugs, port engines, design themes, or help with docs, every contribution keeps the project thriving.