Mini PCs are perfect gaming emulators

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Key findings

  • Mini PCs are portable, versatile and cost-effective, making them perfect for emulators.
  • Emulators like RetroArch, PPSSPP and DOSBox-X work well on mini PCs for gaming nostalgia.
  • Due to their energy efficiency, compatibility and nostalgic gaming fun, mini PCs are a great option for emulators.



As mini PCs become more and more popular, there are also some great uses for them. Many of them even have pretty good hardware. One of the areas where mini PCs do pretty well is gaming. While they can't play the latest and greatest AAA titles, they can play older games (and many other modern ones) just fine. This is where emulators come in, as they don't require the best hardware and can provide nostalgic fun.


Why are mini PCs advantageous as emulators?

Versatility, price, portability and more


One of the first things that comes to mind is their size. Mini PCs, as the name suggests, are usually quite small. This makes them ultra-portable and easy to take anywhere. Of course, you'll need a monitor, peripherals, and other accessories to use your mini PC, but the PC itself is easy to transport.

Not only are they easy to carry, but they are also very versatile. You can use a mini PC with your desktop monitor, a portable monitor, or even your TV. Their small size means they can be placed almost anywhere and used with any compatible devices you may have.


The lower cost of mini PCs also makes them a great option, as they are cheaper than a regular desktop PC. Saving money on a mini PC means you have more money left over for the accessories you need to use it. While you don't need anything too fancy, it's nice not to have to buy the cheapest accessories you can find.

Thanks to their size, mini PCs are also more energy efficient than standard PCs. But they offer more benefits than just saving pennies on your electricity bill. Mini PCs also generate less heat than standard PCs and can therefore be much quieter. This makes for a more pleasant gaming experience.

Which emulators are best for a mini PC?

Running Animal Crossing GameCube on Batocera and displaying it on a TV


This will depend on your personal preference and the type of games you want to play, but there are quite a few different emulators that are a good place to start if you're new to the game. EmuDeck is worth checking out first. No longer just for handhelds, EmuDeck offers a number of different emulators that you can use all in one place. However, if you want individual emulators, there are some options below to get you started.

RetroArch – This is probably one of the most well-known emulators. It lets you run a range of classic and retro games on numerous different devices, making it a one-stop shop. It offers automatic controller configurations, achievements, and a straightforward interface. It also lets you record your gameplay and stream it on sites like YouTube and Twitch.


StartBox – LaunchBox was originally developed as a frontend for DOSBox and now supports numerous retro games. LaunchBox also lets you organize your game collections and will even import your Steam library for you so all your games are in one place. Of course, you can also customize everything to your own liking.

PPSSPP – This is one of my personal favorites as the PSP was ahead of its time. I don't have one anymore so it's nice to be able to play these games every now and then. PPSSPP is an open source project and like the others it's free, but there is an option to purchase a Gold membership which is essentially the same as a donation.


DOSBox-X – Yes, there's even an emulator for those of us old enough to remember DOS. DOSBox-X is compatible with a number of operating systems, including DOS itself, which is fun. It lets you run both DOS games and programs, and really takes you back in time.

Create retro gaming with your mini PC

Since you can use your mini PC at home and also take it with you wherever you go, emulation is a great investment. Since mini PCs also offer a more energy efficient gaming experience, they are perfect for emulators. Plus, emulators don't require the latest and greatest hardware, making mini PCs a great option.

Most emulators also support different operating systems and offer wide compatibility with mini PCs. In fact, many emulators can run on Windows and macOS as well as Linux. Some can even be used with Android, but that's a topic for another day.


I wouldn't just go out and buy a mini PC specifically for emulators, especially if you already have another PC or laptop. But if you have a mini PC and are looking for another use for it, emulators can be an effective way to use it.

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