REG Linux is a free, open-source operating system built for one thing: playing retro games on real hardware. Flash it to an SD card, boot, and you’re in a game within seconds. No desktop, no package manager, no configuration — just emulators, your ROMs, and a controller.
What it runs on
REG Linux supports 186+ devices across four architectures: ARM, AArch64, RISC-V, and x86_64. That covers everything from $30 Anbernic handhelds to Raspberry Pi boards, TV boxes, and full x86 PCs like the Steam Deck.
The device list spans 49 brands. If you bought a budget retro handheld in the last two years — an RG35XX, a Powkiddy X55, a Retroid Pocket — there’s a good chance it’s supported. Check the full device catalog or the per-device compatibility matrix to see exactly what works.
How it works
REG Linux is built on Buildroot, the same framework used by many embedded Linux systems. The root filesystem is immutable — read-only at runtime, so a bad shutdown or power loss won’t corrupt your OS. User data (ROMs, saves, configs) lives on a separate partition.
On boot, you land in EmulationStation, a game-console-style frontend. Browse your library by system, pick a game, and play. Controllers are auto-configured. WiFi, Bluetooth, and HDMI are set up at first boot.
Under the hood, REG Linux ships RetroArch plus standalone emulators for systems that benefit from them: Dolphin for GameCube/Wii, PPSSPP for PSP, Flycast for Dreamcast, and dozens more. The full emulator list covers arcade, consoles, handhelds, home computers, and game engines.
What makes it different
Device breadth. 186+ devices is a lot. REG Linux adds support for new hardware fast — sometimes within days of a device hitting the market. Budget handhelds get first-class treatment, not just the flagship boards.
RISC-V support. REG Linux is the only retrogaming OS that runs on RISC-V hardware. The Milk-V Mars, Milk-V Meles, StarFive VisionFive 2, and SpacemiT-based boards are all supported. Read more in our RISC-V post.
Live compatibility matrix. At compat.reglinux.org, every device has a feature-by-feature status page: boot, WiFi, Bluetooth, display, GPU acceleration, suspend, audio, USB. Real test data from real hardware, not guesswork. Devices can even self-report their compatibility status automatically.
Minimal and fast. No systemd, no bloat. Boot times are measured in seconds on most devices. The system image is small enough to fit on a 2GB SD card with room to spare.
Getting started
- Find your device on the download page
- Download the image (
.img.gz) - Flash to an SD card with balenaEtcher or
dd - Insert, power on, play
That’s it. No installer, no configuration wizard. If something goes wrong, reboot into rescue mode.
Need help? Join the Discord, check the wiki, or open an issue on GitHub.
Free and open source
REG Linux is community-built and free to use. The source code is on GitHub. Contributions, bug reports, and device testing are all welcome.
If you want to see how your device performs before flashing, start with the compatibility matrix. If your device is listed and the features you care about work — grab the image and try it.