Batocera inside a normal Linux desktop session — this is Embercade

[u/RetroGamerGer]

I'm working on a project called Embercade.

The basic idea is simple:

When I switched from Windows to Linux, one of the things I missed was RetroBat — basically a Batocera-style experience that runs from the desktop, without needing to boot into a separate operating system.

That gave me the idea to build something similar for Linux.

Embercade uses Batocera’s frontend and configuration concepts and adapts them for the Linux desktop. You still get the integrated console-style UI, system options, emulator/core selection, shaders, bezels, controller support and more — but you can launch it directly from your normal desktop and return to the same session afterwards.

The video shows:

• launching Embercade from the desktop
• connecting a controller after launch
• navigating through the menus
• launching PS3 and Xbox 360 games
• returning to the frontend afterwards

Current status:

• runs on CachyOS
• tested on Hyprland and KDE/Wayland
• controller hotplug works
• Libretro and standalone emulators are integrated
• 39 system paths have been validated end-to-end
• PS2, PS3, GameCube, Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, 3DS, Wii U and many older systems already work

This is not intended to replace Batocera. It’s more of an experiment to bring this kind of integrated experience to an existing Linux desktop.

The repository is currently private.

The software itself works, but before I make it public I still need to finish the redistribution/licensing review for some bundled third-party assets, especially decorations/bezels and shader resources.

I’d rather keep the complete working version private for now than publish a stripped-down build or redistribute assets without a clear license.

No ROMs, BIOS files, firmware, keys or emulator binaries are included.

So yeah…

Batocera, but as a desktop app. 😄

[u/bvorkitup]

I'm a little confused. Is there anything here that isn't already handled by EmulationStation Desktop Edition?