Freedom251 › Emulation Frontends
KRetro
What KRetro is
KRetro is a free Libretro frontend for playing games for retro consoles with a ROM and a Libretro core. Written in Qt/Kirigami, it is designed for Plasma Desktop, Plasma Mobile and Plasma Bigscreen, and is listed for Linux. The product page shows game library and player views on mobile and desktop, as well as a save slots manager for both. KRetro includes emulators, supports importing a game library and offers controller navigation; metadata scraping is not supported. Linux installation is available through Discover, other AppStream application stores or a distribution’s package manager. The listed release is version 0.0.1, marked as the first alpha release and dated 2025-10-05. The software is licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later. For help, the KRetro page links to the KDE Forum, and it links to KDE’s bug tracker for reporting bugs. KDE e.V. is a registered non-profit organization representing the KDE Community in legal and financial matters. KDE’s software privacy policy says KDE software generally does not transfer information from users’ devices except as a result of explicit user action. The policy also notes that third-party distributors may modify software so that it no longer follows the policy.
Who it suits
KRetro suits Linux users who want a Libretro frontend for retro-console games and use Plasma Desktop, Mobile or Bigscreen. Its library import, controller navigation and save-slot manager may suit people who want those functions alongside game browsing and playback.
What it does well
- Free to use and licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later.
- Designed for Plasma Desktop, Mobile and Bigscreen.
- Includes emulators and supports library import.
- Provides controller navigation and a save-slot manager.
- Linux installation is available through app stores or package managers.
What to know first
- Listed only for Linux.
- Metadata scraping is not supported.
- The listed release is the first alpha release.
Getting started
- Visit the KRetro page on the KDE apps website.
- Install it through Discover or another AppStream application store.
- Alternatively, install it through your distribution’s package manager.
- Use a ROM and Libretro core to play retro-console games.
Verdict
Pick KRetro if you use Linux and want a free Libretro frontend designed for Plasma environments, with library import, controller navigation and save slots. Consider another option if metadata scraping is important, or if you need a platform other than Linux.
Questions
Is KRetro free?
Yes. KRetro is listed as free and licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later.
Which platforms does KRetro support?
KRetro is listed for Linux and designed for Plasma Desktop, Plasma Mobile and Plasma Bigscreen.
Does KRetro support library import and metadata scraping?
It supports importing a game library. Metadata scraping is not supported.
How can I install KRetro?
The page lists installation through Discover and other AppStream application stores, or through a distribution’s package manager.
Where can I get help or report a bug?
The KRetro page links to the KDE Forum for help and KDE’s bug tracker for bug reports.
What does KDE’s privacy policy say?
It says KDE software generally does not transfer information from users’ devices except as a result of explicit user action. Third-party distributors may modify software so that it no longer follows the policy.
Facts from KRetro's own pages
- Availability
- The page lists Linux installation through Discover and other AppStream application stores, or through a distribution’s package manager. · apps.kde.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Designed for
- KRetro is designed for Plasma Desktop, Mobile, and Bigscreen. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1996 · apps.kde.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Game library
- The product page shows a game library on mobile and desktop. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Game player
- The product page shows a game player on mobile and desktop. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The page lists Linux and says installation works with Discover and other AppStream stores or a distribution package manager. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The page lists KRetro under the GPL-2.0-or-later license. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Maker
- KDE e.V. is a registered non-profit organization representing the KDE Community in legal and financial matters. · ev.kde.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Maker organization
- KDE e.V. is a registered non-profit that represents the KDE Community in legal and financial matters. · ev.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- KDE's software privacy policy says its software generally does not transfer information from users' devices except as a result of explicit user action. · kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Privacy scope
- KDE’s software privacy policy notes that third-party distributors may modify software so it no longer follows the policy. · kde.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- KRetro is a Libretro frontend for playing retro console games with a ROM and Libretro core. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The listed 0.0.1 release, dated 2025-10-05, is described as the first alpha release. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Save slots
- The product page shows a save slots manager on mobile and desktop. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The page links to a KDE forum for help and KDE's bug tracker to report bugs. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Technology
- KRetro is written with Qt and Kirigami. · apps.kde.org, 3 Oct 2026
Where KRetro stands on Freedom251
- Emulation Frontends#19 of 25