Lakka 6.1 brings updated visuals and a new kernel to retro console gamers

Lakka 6.1 official thumbnail

Now built on LibreELEC 12.2, Lakka 6.1 is a new release of this retro console emulator for single-board computers. Back in April 2024, version 5.0 came out, and since then, the team has been working on revamping the core ecosystem and introducing several new features.

Codrut Nistor, Published 02/23/2026 🇩🇪

Available for over a decade now, Lakka is a community-driven, lightweight retro gaming distro that uses the RetroArch user interface and LibreELEC. Typically utilized on low-end single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi, Lakka also caters to older hardware platforms.

The new release uses LibreELEC 12.2 and is also integrating all required changes to provide the best reliability on the new LTS kernel series, specifically 6.18. Lakka 6.1 also ships with RetroArch 1.22.2, as well as the following updated components:

Mesa 25.1.9.
Mainline kernel 6.18.7, alongside 6.12.66 for Raspberry Pi, as 6.18.y is not stable enough for it yet, as well as 6.18.0 for AMLogic hardware.
Optimizations for CRT TVs in the Raspberry Pi images.
A new setup script.

The installation files and tutorial can be accessed via this page. In addition to the platforms mentioned earlier, the list of supported hardware is very rich, also including Nintendo Switch consoles, Allwinner-powered and Rockchip-driven SBCs, TV boxes, and home arcades, as well as generic desktop PCs and laptops, and more.

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Codrut Nistor - Senior Tech Writer - 6718 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2013

In my early school days, I hated writing and having to make up stories. A decade later, I started to enjoy it. Since then, I published a few offline articles and then I moved to the online space, where I contributed to major websites that are still present online as of 2021 such as Softpedia, Brothersoft, Download3000, but I also wrote for multiple blogs that have disappeared over the years. I've been riding with the Notebookcheck crew since 2013 and I am not planning to leave it anytime soon. In love with good mechanical keyboards, vinyl and tape sound, but also smartphones, streaming services, and digital art.

contact me via: @online_digi, online.digital.craft, LinkedIn

> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2026 02 > Lakka 6.1 brings updated visuals and a new kernel to retro console gamers

Codrut Nistor, 2026-02-23 (Update: 2026-02-23)

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