RetroDECK

RetroDECK is a powerful all-in-one retro gaming platform designed for handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck, full Linux desktops, Linux HTPC setups, and Linux-based PC consoles such as the Steam Machine.

Delivered as a self-contained Flatpak app, it gives you everything you need for retro gaming right out of the box, no manual setup required.

By integrating a wide range of components such as emulators, game engines, ports, and built-in tools, RetroDECK brings all your favorite games together in one streamlined, easy-to-use package.

RetroDECK categorizes all software inside the platform as distinct components, organized into the following groups:

Clients

A client is a system or application that connects to a server or online service to access multiplayer features, streaming, or remote content.

Emulators

An emulator is a software application designed to replicate the hardware and behavior of a specific system—whether it is a physical device (such as a game console or arcade board) or a virtual/fantasy platform.

Multi-Emulators

A multi-emulator (or multi-system emulator) is a platform capable of running multiple system cores or modules, allowing users to emulate a wide variety of consoles and hardware through a single interface.

Engines

Engines are game engines or runtime environments designed to run games built specifically for them.

Systems

Systems are non-gaming platforms or software environments supported within RetroDECK. These may include tools, utilities, frontends, media systems that enhance functionality but are not games themselves.

Ports

Ports are individual games that have been adapted to run natively through a specific engine, framework, or platform. They do not require emulation since the game has been reworked or recompiled to run directly on modern systems.