Quick Answer: The main RetroPie alternatives for a Raspberry Pi are Batocera, Recalbox and Lakka. As of October 2026 each lists a Raspberry Pi 5 image on its download page. RetroPie's newest ready-made image is version 4.8 from March 2022, and it has no Pi 5 build. You need legally owned copies of the games you play, and none of these projects supplies them.
RetroPie turns a Raspberry Pi into a retro console, but it is not the only choice, and newer boards have changed the picture. This post compares RetroPie with three other systems, using each project's own pages checked in October 2026. If you already run RetroPie, our guide to updating RetroPie covers keeping it current. New to the hardware? Start with what a Raspberry Pi is.
What is RetroPie, and what does it run on?
RetroPie is a setup script and a set of ready-made images that add emulators and the EmulationStation front end to a Raspberry Pi. Its documentation calls the SD image a ready-to-go system built on top of Raspberry Pi OS, and says advanced users can install it by hand instead. The RetroPie-Setup releases page lists version 4.8, from March 2022, as the newest tagged release. Its images cover the Pi 1 and Zero, the Pi 2, Pi 3 and Zero 2 W, and the Pi 4 and 400. None covers the Pi 5.
What are the main RetroPie alternatives?
Batocera, Recalbox and Lakka each give you a ready-made system image that you flash to a card. Batocera describes itself as an open-source, completely free retro-gaming distribution, and its download page showed version 43.1. Recalbox calls itself free and open source, and its stable images were at version 10.1.1. Lakka is a lightweight Linux distribution built on RetroArch, at version 6.1.
The difference from RetroPie is what sits underneath. RetroPie builds on Raspberry Pi OS, so you keep a normal Linux system. The others ship as complete systems of their own, so there is no Raspberry Pi OS install to manage underneath.
Which Raspberry Pi models does each one support?
The table follows each project's download page in October 2026. Listing is not a performance claim, so check what each system says about the consoles you want to play.
| Board | RetroPie image | Batocera | Recalbox | Lakka |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pi 5 | None | Listed | Listed, marked recommended | Listed |
| Pi 4 and 400 | Image 4.8 | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| Pi 3 | Image 4.8 | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| Zero 2 | Image 4.8 | Listed | Listed | Listed |
Can you still use RetroPie on a Raspberry Pi 5?
Possibly, by installing the setup script on Raspberry Pi OS yourself, but there is no official Pi 5 image. The RetroPie-Setup code treats the Pi 5 as its own platform, and the repository showed commits in October 2026. That is evidence the script knows the board, not a promise that every emulator runs well. Read RetroPie's own installation page before you start. The Pi 5 itself is covered in Pi 5 versus Pi 4, and the starter kit checklist lists what to buy.
What about games and BIOS files?
You need legally owned copies of the games you play. Batocera's wiki says BIOS files are copyrighted and are not included, so you must supply your own. Its site says you must own the games you play to comply with the law. This post does not link or name any site that offers game or BIOS files, and you should not go looking for one.
When is switching away from RetroPie the wrong choice?
Do not switch if your RetroPie already works for you. Moving means flashing a new card and setting up controllers and menus again. Plan to copy your own game files and saves across, and to set up controllers and menus again. Our RetroPie themes guide shows what you would be rebuilding, and the arcade machine build post covers a cabinet project.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best RetroPie alternative?
There is no single best. Batocera, Recalbox and Lakka all offer images for current Raspberry Pi boards. Pick by which one lists your board, and read its page for the systems you want.
How do Batocera and RetroPie differ?
RetroPie is built on Raspberry Pi OS and has no Pi 5 image. Batocera is a self-contained system whose download page lists the Pi 5, Pi 4, Pi 3 and Zero 2.
Does Recalbox work on a Raspberry Pi 5?
Yes. Its download page lists the Raspberry Pi 5 as recommended, and its February 2026 Recalbox 10 announcement named Pi 5 support. The announcement says some newer systems need 4GB.
Can RetroPie run on a Raspberry Pi 5?
Not from an official image. The setup script recognizes the Pi 5 as a platform, so a manual install on Raspberry Pi OS is the route to check.
Is Lakka a RetroPie alternative?
Yes. Lakka is a Linux distribution built on RetroArch, and its Raspberry Pi page lists images for the Pi 5, Pi 4, Pi 3 and Zero 2.
Can I run RetroPie on Armbian or LibreELEC?
RetroPie's README lists Raspberry Pi OS, OSMC on the Vero4K and Ubuntu on the ODroid-C1 or a PC. It does not list LibreELEC. Its setup code does check for Armbian.
Do these systems come with games?
No. You supply legally owned game files and, where needed, BIOS files from your own hardware.