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KNULLI review

Free#10 of 25 in Emulation Frontends

A focused handheld frontend with broad emulator, metadata, collection, and synchronization features.

8.3/10Editor score
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

KNULLI is open-source custom firmware and an EmulationStation frontend for supported retro-gaming handhelds and bartops. It combines RetroArch with multiple libretro cores, standalone emulators, ports through PortMaster, game-library organization, controller navigation, themes, and bezel decorations. The supported hardware list includes Anbernic RG series, GoRetroid Pocket 5 and Mini, Miyoo Flip, Powkiddy RGB30 and X55, Orange Pi Zero 2w, and TrimUI Brick and Smart Pro. It is intended for users who want a device-focused emulation environment rather than a conventional desktop or hosted application.

Setup is tied to the target hardware. Installation uses a device-specific image flashed to an SD card or internal storage, while games can be added through SMB, USB, or SD-card methods. Once configured, KNULLI supports USB and Bluetooth controllers, dynamic and custom collections, and metadata and media scraping from ScreenScraper, TheGamesDB, and ArcadeDB. This makes it suitable for organizing libraries across supported devices, but the device-specific firmware model means hardware compatibility should guide the purchase decision before installation.

KNULLI’s feature set extends beyond basic emulator launching. Netplay and RetroAchievements add connected play and achievement support, while Syncthing can synchronize save games through a local network or NAS. The synchronization approach is explicitly not cloud-based, and the platform specification lists cloud sync as false. Choose KNULLI if you own compatible Linux handheld hardware and want an open-source frontend with multiple emulator paths, scraping, collections, and local save synchronization. Choose an alternative if you need broad desktop support, hosted access, or cloud-based synchronization.

KNULLI pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Supports RetroArch, multiple cores, standalone emulators, and PortMaster
    • Scrapes metadata and media from three databases
    • Adds collections, netplay, RetroAchievements, and Syncthing sync
  • Where it doesn't
    • Device-specific installation requires flashing an image to storage
    • Hardware support is limited to selected handhelds and boards
    • Syncthing sync is local or NAS-based, not cloud-based

KNULLI fact sheet, pricing and score →

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