What Lakka does

Lakka is a community-driven open-source Linux distribution that transforms affordable single-board computers (most prominently Raspberry Pi, plus Odroid, Cubieboard, Banana Pi, and standard PCs) into full-featured retro gaming consoles. It is built on top of LibreELEC and the RetroArch frontend, with each gaming system implemented as a libretro core, and it is the official Linux distribution of the RetroArch and libretro ecosystem. Lakka supports emulation of more than 50 gaming systems — including NES, SNES, PlayStation, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, MAME, and DOS — across more than 30 hardware platforms, and exposes features such as automatic joypad recognition, wireless controller support, savestates, netplay, rewind, shaders, and live USB mode.

The project distributes its OS as free downloadable disk images via lakka.tv, GitHub releases, and nightly builds, and is also bundled into NOOBS for Raspberry Pi, giving beginners a low-friction install path. Lakka explicitly states that it is not a company and does not sell any hardware; the software is provided at no cost, and revenue is not generated. Its go-to-market is entirely community-led, with users self-serving downloads and engaging through Discord, IRC, and the libretro forums; contributors include testers, documentation writers, database curators, system developers, C developers, UX designers, and themers. Target users are Retro Gaming Enthusiasts and DIY Hobbyists/Makers, served globally, with no enterprise or paying customer base.

Name

Lakka

Legal name

Lakka

Website

https://lakka.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Lakka is a free, community-driven open-source Linux distribution that transforms affordable single-board computers into retro gaming consoles by bundling RetroArch and the libretro ecosystem. It serves retro gaming enthusiasts and DIY hobbyists worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retro Gaming Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Gaming Consoles (Home & Hybrid) (HDACANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console) (MPAFABAB), PC & Console Game Distribution Platforms (BPAMAKAA)

Keywords

• Retro gaming console
• Open source software
• Gaming operating system
• Homebrew emulation
• Linux distribution

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Free Software Distribution: Lakka is completely free and open-source. The project does not generate revenue. Users download the software at no cost and purchase their own hardware. There is no company behind Lakka.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lakka is a free, open-source Linux distribution that transforms small single-board computers and PCs into full-featured retro gaming consoles. It is built on top of RetroArch and the libretro ecosystem, ships more than 50 gaming system emulators out of the box, and runs on 30+ hardware platforms including Raspberry Pi, ODROID, Orange Pi, and standard x86 PCs.

Product overview

Lakka is a single unified product offering: a free, open-source DIY retrogaming emulation console OS. It is distributed as downloadable disk images (img.gz or tar formats) that users flash to SD cards or USB drives. The product transforms affordable single-board computers (Raspberry Pi series, Odroid devices, and generic x86 PCs) into complete retro gaming systems. Lakka bundles the RetroArch frontend with libretro cores, providing emulation for 50+ gaming systems including NES, SNES, Game Boy, PlayStation, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, and arcade games. The OS is community-driven and available at no cost; Lakka does not sell hardware or commercial products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lakka

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• RetroArch/libretrocoreTechnology or IntegrationLakka is built on top of RetroArch and is the official Linux distribution of the libretro ecosystem. Each gaming system is implemented as a libretro core, with RetroArch handling inputs and display. This partnership provides the core emulation functionality.
• LibreELECcoreTechnology or IntegrationLakka is based on LibreELEC (Linux Embedded Entertainment Center), a lightweight Linux distribution designed for media center devices. This provides the foundation for Lakka's embedded system architecture.
• Raspberry Pi FoundationcoreTechnology or IntegrationLakka is the easiest way to setup emulators on Raspberry Pi. The project provides optimized builds for all Raspberry Pi models and is included in NOOBS. Raspberry Pi is the most popular and recommended hardware platform for Lakka.
• GitHubcoreTechnology or IntegrationLakka hosts its source code and releases on GitHub. The project uses GitHub for version control, issue tracking, and distributing release files. Lakka's website is also generated from GitHub wiki content.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• HyperSpin: HyperSpin is a Windows-based retro gaming frontend historically popular for arcade cabinet builds, using HyperLaunch to launch emulators. It addresses the same DIY retro gaming and arcade cabinet maker segment as Lakka on the PC platform.
• Recalbox: Recalbox is a free retro gaming distribution built on RetroArch and EmulationStation, focused on ease-of-use and an out-of-the-box console-like experience. It targets the same DIY hobbyist and family retro gaming audience as Lakka with a similar product proposition.
• RetroPie: RetroPie is the most widely used Raspberry Pi-focused retro gaming Linux distribution, combining RetroArch with the EmulationStation frontend. It directly competes with Lakka for the same DIY-on-SBC retro gaming use case and overlapping hobbyist/maker audience.
• Batocera: Batocera is a free, open-source retro gaming Linux distribution supporting dozens of emulators and a wide range of hardware including PCs and SBCs. It is the closest direct functional competitor to Lakka, targeting the same plug-and-play retrogaming console use case.
• LaunchBox: LaunchBox is a Windows-based game launcher and frontend with a strong emphasis on retro and arcade gaming, including Big Box mode for客厅-style console experiences. It serves the same retro gaming enthusiast use case as Lakka but on a different host platform.
• RetroArch: RetroArch is the reference libretro frontend that Lakka is built on top of and packages as a Linux distribution. While RetroArch itself is a cross-platform application (not a Linux distribution), it is the core emulation engine underneath Lakka and shares the same target users.
• EmulationStation: EmulationStation is the open-source game launcher frontend used by RetroPie and Recalbox to provide a console-style browsing UI. It is functionally adjacent to the role Lakka plays as a unified retro gaming frontend, and competes for inclusion in DIY retro distributions.

Broad incumbents

• Anbernic: Anbernic manufactures low-cost dedicated retro gaming handhelds and consoles, often running modified Linux/Android firmware with built-in emulators. It overlaps with Lakka's value proposition of affordable retro gaming but substitutes the SBC DIY approach with turnkey hardware.
• Analogue: Analogue makes premium FPGA-based retro gaming consoles (Analogue Pocket, Mega Sg, etc.) that play original cartridges at the hardware level. It serves the same retro gaming enthusiast market as Lakka but via a premium hardware-first model rather than software emulation on commodity SBCs.
• Miyoo: Miyoo produces budget retro gaming handhelds (e.g., Miyoo Mini) preloaded with curated emulation firmware. It targets the same price-sensitive retro gaming enthusiast audience as Lakka's Raspberry Pi builds but via dedicated, ready-to-play hardware rather than a software distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/libretro/Lakka-LibreELEC
• Xx.com/lakkatv
• Facebookfacebook.com/lakkatv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lakka