ES‑DE (EmulationStation Desktop Edition) is a modern, cross‑platform frontend that enables users to browse and launch games from diverse emulation libraries. It provides a polished UI, extensive controller support, and a flexible configuration system.
Development of core ES‑DE functionality is performed by the upstream ES-DE team. The Light Fork contributes only the necessary patches for Flatpak integration and UI refinements. The RetroDECK team have good cooperation with the ES-DE team.
The RetroDECK Light Fork builds upon the upstream ES‑DE codebase, adapting it for seamless operation within a Flatpak sandbox. Key adaptations include:
| Aspect | RetroDECK Light Fork Modification |
|---|---|
| Flatpak Compatibility | Adjusted paths, permissions, and runtime dependencies to conform to Flatpak’s confined environment. |
| Menu Structure | Reorganized entries to expose RetroDECK‑specific tools such as the RetroDECK Configurator. |
| Feature Set | Disabled features that conflict with Flatpak restrictions or that are not available in RetroDECK. |
| Upstream Integration | All new features and bug fixes originate from the upstream ES‑DE project; the fork merges these changes regularly. |
All the changes are done under #if defined(RETRODECK) definition in the C++ files, so compiling the application without that flag makes the build identical to the original, with the exception of course of es_systems.xml and es_find_rules.xml that are hardly customized for RetroDECK only.
- Official ES‑DE Website: https://es-de.org