4 retro gaming projects that transform dusty old hardware into a nostalgia machine - XDA

What the report says

XDA Developers published a guide by João Carrasqueira on July 19, 2026, highlighting four ways to repurpose older PCs and Android phones for retro gaming rather than leaving them unused. The article frames aging hardware as still capable of running classic games through lightweight software, especially when newer titles may be too demanding for older systems.

The first option discussed is ES-DE, also known as EmulationStation Desktop Edition, which acts as a customizable front end for organizing a user’s game library across major desktop operating systems. XDA notes that ES-DE can display game descriptions, artwork, screenshots and trailers through its scraper tools. The article also points to EmuDeck and RetroDeck as related projects that build on ES-DE by helping install emulators and themes, with RetroDeck described as Linux-only and EmuDeck listed for Windows, Linux and Android.

For users who want a dedicated retro-gaming machine, XDA highlights Batocera, a lightweight Linux-based operating system centered on ES-DE and emulator use. The guide says it may suit low-power machines or living-room setups where the computer is not needed for browsing or productivity tasks. For Android phones, it recommends iiSU, an early-alpha front end with a Wii U-inspired interface, Discord and RetroAchievements integrations, and support for user-selected emulators.

The final project, RetroAssembly, is described as a Docker-based server option for making a retro game library playable through a browser on devices within a home network, including shared save data. As general context, retro-gaming setups often require users to supply their own legally obtained game files and consider the technical limits of older hardware.