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REG Linux device image

Radxa Rock 5A

Radxa Rock 5A pairs the Rockchip RK3588 SoC with the REG Linux stack for a polished retro console. pairs the Rockchip RK3588 SoC with the REG Linux stack for a polished retro console.

More Radxa devices Official board page
  • Manufacturer: Radxa
  • SoC: Rockchip RK3588
  • Maintained on the REG Linux download channel
Radxa Rock 5A
Radxa Rock 5A running REG Linux.

Hardware specifications

Built for Radxa

REG Linux targets this hardware profile so you can flash and play without manual tweaking.

Manufacturer

Radxa

SoC

Rockchip RK3588

Image availability

Download the latest build from the REG Linux downloads hub (Radxa section).

Install notes

Flash Radxa Rock 5A and boot

Follow the workflow below; the official board page contains any extra quirks for the Rockchip RK3588 platform.

  1. Grab the image. Download the latest Radxa Rock 5A build from the downloads page or the official board entry.
  2. Flash to storage. Use balenaEtcher, Raspberry Pi Imager, or `dd` to write the image to an SD card or SSD. Make sure to verify the checksum before booting.
  3. First boot setup. Insert the media into your Radxa Rock 5A, power on, and let REG Linux expand the filesystem. Pair controllers inside EmulationStation once prompted.
  4. Troubleshoot with rescue tools. REG Linux ships with an immutable base and rescue partition—if something breaks, reboot into rescue or reflash without touching your ROMs.

Board family guidance

Rockchip SoCs

Rockchip support spans RK3128 through RK3588 boards, where each SoC directory brings `create-boot-script`, `genimage`, overlays, DTBs, and patch fragments plus shared wiring.

SoCs tracked: RK3128, RK3288, RK3326, RK3328, RK3399, RK3566, RK3568, RK3588

What to keep in mind

  • REG Linux keeps per-SoC trees (RK3128, RK3288, RK3326, RK3328, RK3399, RK3568, RK3588) with targeted kernel versions, overlays, and DTBs that stage scripts and update blobs before `genimage` packages the image.
  • Highlights cover Linux 6.10 for RK3128, 6.6 for RK3288, 6.12 for RK3326, and 6.1+ for RK3588, along with overlay helpers for temperature, ALSA cards, and Moonlight/GPU patches.
  • Helpful reminders remind maintainers to run each `create-boot-script.sh`, sync `linux-defconfig`/`linux_patches`, refresh overlays, and document new board layouts.

Learn more

Drill into the wiki board entry for scripts, overlays, and developer reminders.

View wiki guide

Need a refresher?

Cross-check kernel notes, device trees, or wiring tips on the Radxa Rock 5A board page.

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