For the uninitiated, EmuELEC is a standalone Linux-based operating system designed specifically for retro gaming. It is a fork of the popular CoreELEC (which is itself based on LibreELEC). Unlike Lakka or RetroPie, which are often designed for PC hardware or Raspberry Pi boards, EmuELEC is optimized for Amlogic chipsets.
These chipsets power some of the most popular budget TV boxes on the market, such as devices with the S905W, S905X, S905X2, S905X3, and S922X processors. By installing EmuELEC, you essentially transform a cheap $30–$50 Android TV box into a dedicated retro gaming console capable of running thousands of classic games.
Since 3.8 is a slightly older build, keeping it lean is important.
Follow this guide to get EmuELEC 3.8 running on your microSD card or USB drive. emuelec 38 top
To achieve the "EmuELEC 3.8 top" experience, you need the right hardware. Not all boxes are equal. After testing dozens, here are the five best performers:
| Rank | Model | Chipset | RAM | Best For | Price Range | |------|-------|---------|-----|----------|--------------| | 1 | Beelink GT-King | S922X | 4GB | Dreamcast, PSP, N64 | $$ | | 2 | X96 Max Plus | S905X3 | 2/4GB | PS1, N64, MAME | $ | | 3 | H96 Max X3 | S905X3 | 4GB | Multi-core RetroArch | $ | | 4 | ODROID-N2 | S922X | 4GB | Arcade perfect | $$$ | | 5 | Tanix TX3 Mini | S905W | 2GB | 8-bit/16-bit era | $ |
Top Tip: Avoid boxes with "S905W" if you want N64. Go for at least S905X2 or higher. For the uninitiated, EmuELEC is a standalone Linux-based
In the ever-evolving world of retro gaming emulation, software updates often bring minor bug fixes or obscure compatibility patches. However, every so often, a release arrives that represents a true maturation of a platform. EmuELEC 3.8 is precisely such a release. For owners of Amlogic-based TV boxes (such as the S905X, S912, and S922X generations), EmuELEC 3.8 is widely regarded by the community as the “top” or gold-standard version—a perfect balance of stability, performance, and feature completeness. This essay explores why version 3.8 stands out, its key features, and how to get the most out of it.
Here is the definitive "top" ranking of emulators you should run on this version.
| Rank | Console | Core Name | Performance | Notes | |------|---------|-----------|-------------|-------| | 1 | Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) | fceumm | Flawless | Zero lag | | 2 | Super Nintendo (SNES) | snes9x | Flawless | Use run-ahead | | 3 | Sega Genesis | genesis_plus_gx | Flawless | Supports 32X | | 4 | PlayStation 1 | pcsx_rearmed | Perfect | Multi-disc support | | 5 | Game Boy Advance | mgba | Excellent | Fast-forward works | | 6 | Arcade (MAME) | mame2003_plus | Excellent | 2000+ ROMs | | 7 | Nintendo 64 | mupen64plus-next | Good (80%) | Requires per-game tweaks | | 8 | PlayStation Portable | ppsspp | Good (70%) | 2x resolution on S922X | | 9 | Dreamcast | flycast | Good (65%) | V-Sync must be off | | 10 | Nintendo DS | drastic | Acceptable | Touchscreen via mouse | Top Tip: Avoid boxes with "S905W" if you want N64
Top Warning: Do not attempt PS2, GameCube, or Wii. EmuELEC 3.8 has zero support for these.
One of the unique selling points of EmuELEC 3.8 is that it usually includes Kodi installed directly within the system. This allows users to dual-purpose their device. You can play retro games, reboot, and immediately use Kodi to watch movies or streaming content. This hybrid functionality makes it a top choice for media center enthusiasts who want an all-in-one box.