Retro gaming Linux-based OS Lakka 5.0 released with RetroArch 1.17, new cores, and more

Lakka, a lightweight Linux distribution designed to transform small computers into retro gaming consoles, has released version 5.0 with several enhancements and bug fixes. The latest release is built on the LibreELEC 11.0 build system and incorporates RetroArch version 1.17.0 and Mesa version 24.0.4.

The 5.0 update brings several core updates to their latest versions and introduces new cores. These include dirksimple for Dragon’s Lair player, dosbox-core for DOSBox, ep128emu supporting Enterprise 64/128, Videoton TVC, Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum, geolith for Neo Geo AES and MVS Cartridge Systems, jaxe for XO-CHIP/S-CHIP/CHIP-8, numero for TI-83, thepowdertoy for The Powder Toy, vice_xpet for Commodore PET, vircon32 for Virtual Game Console inspired by 16/32-bit systems, and vitaquake2 for Quake II.

In addition to software updates, Lakka 5.0 also features updated Linux kernels, with mainline at 6.1.84, raspberry at 6.1.77, and amlogic at 6.1.38. The update also adds images for various devices, including Raspberry Pi 5, Raspberry Pi Zero, OrangePi Zero, various BananaPi devices, among others.

Lastly, Lakka 5.0 includes Retrorama, a theme with custom icons and dynamic backgrounds, made for Retroarch XMB and Lakka.