--- description: Lakka makes hosting a retro-gaming console easy with out-of-the-box support for joypads, LAN multiplayer, & an original PlayStation-Esque GUI title: "How-To: Setting up Retro Gaming on a Thin Client" image: https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Retro-Gaming-1-1024x693.png --- [![Storage Review]()](https://storagereview.com/) --- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/@storagereview) [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.twitter.com/storagereview) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/storagereview/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storagereview-com) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/storagereview?sub_confirmation=1) [Email](mailto:info@storagereview.com) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1y6VnznABhHeOSMOmbDTz0) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/StorageReview/) [Discord](https://discord.gg/TwMHb4azdC) [RSS Feed](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@storagereview) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/@storagereview) [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/storagereview) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/storagereview/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storagereview-com) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/storagereview?sub_confirmation=1) [Email](mailto:info@storagereview.com) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1y6VnznABhHeOSMOmbDTz0) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/StorageReview/) [Discord](https://discord.gg/TwMHb4azdC) [RSS Feed](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@storagereview) [![StorageReview.com](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Storage-Review-2x.png)](https://www.storagereview.com) ≡ Menu - [Home](https://www.storagereview.com/) - [Storage Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/review) - [End User Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/consumer) - [Enterprise Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/enterprise) - [Ubiquiti Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/best/ubiquiti-reviews) - [SR Merch](https://store.storagereview.com) - [Leaderboards](https://www.storagereview.com/best) - [Best Storage Arrays](https://www.storagereview.com/best/storage-arrays) - [Best Enterprise SSDs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/enterprise-ssds) - [Best Servers](https://www.storagereview.com/best/servers) - [Best Enterprise GPUs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/enterprise-gpus) - [Best Desktops for Local AI](https://www.storagereview.com/best/desktops-local-ai) - [Best Laptops for Local AI](https://www.storagereview.com/best/laptops-local-ai) - [Best Local LLM Tools](https://www.storagereview.com/best/local-llm-tools) - [Agentic AI Hardware](https://www.storagereview.com/best/agentic-ai-hardware) - [Best SSDs & Hard Drives](https://www.storagereview.com/best_drives) - [Best Portable SSDs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/portable-ssds) - [Best Business Laptops](https://www.storagereview.com/best/business-laptops) - [Best Mobile Workstations](https://www.storagereview.com/best/mobile-workstations) - [Best Desktop Workstations](https://www.storagereview.com/best/desktop-workstations) - [Best Mini PCs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/mini-pcs) - [Best Laptop Battery Life](https://www.storagereview.com/best/laptop-battery-life) - [Storage Reference Guide](https://www.storagereview.com/storage-reference-guide) - [About SR](https://www.storagereview.com/about-storagereview) - [StorageReview.com Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations](https://www.storagereview.com/storagereview-com-sweepstakes-rules-and-regulations) Search [Home](https://www.storagereview.com/) » [Review](https://www.storagereview.com/review) » How-To: Setting up Retro Gaming on a Thin Client # How-To: Setting up Retro Gaming on a Thin Client by Guest Author on February 25, 2021 [End User](https://www.storagereview.com/consumer)  ◇  [Software](https://www.storagereview.com/consumer/client-software) Thin Clients aren’t known for their gaming performance, at least when running a game locally, but compared to the classic consoles such as the Atari, SNES, DOS, N64, etc. Lakka makes hosting a retro-gaming console easy with out of the box support for joypads, LAN multiplayer, and an original PlayStation-esque GUI. Lakka is a linux distro built on Libreto and running RetroArch, it is supported on ARM and x86 PCs. Installing Lakka is very straightforward, follow the installation instructions on the Lakka website for your device. For the thin client, I will select the generic x86 option. Installing Lakka on a Raspberry Pi is just as simple, just choose the correct model of raspberry Pi in the installation walkthrough. ![](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_20210223_131148.jpg)![](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_20210223_131246.jpg)![](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_20210223_131254.jpg)         ![](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_20210223_131313.jpg) ![](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_20210223_131304.jpg)![]() Once Lakka is installed you will need to find and download some ROMs. A quick search should find a few websites hosting ROMs for download just be careful of malware and malicious websites Lakka will take care of the unarchiving process so just leave them archived. Once I had a few ROMs I copied them to a USB drive and plugged it into the thin client. ![Doom ROM]() RetroArch may not recognize the ROMs immediately so a restart is in order. After the restart is complete navigate to the Import Content tab and select Scan Directory. In this list you should see the name of your USB drive, opening the directory will give you the option to \. If the scan successfully completes a new tab in the main menu should appear with all the ROMs listed under it. To play one of these ROMs select the ROM then set the core association to the correct emulator from the list. If the ROM runs slowly or runs into errors, try a different core emulator. If it doesn’t work at all you might need a new ROM. ![HP thinclient lifestyle]() To upload ROMs through LAN locate the Services option under the Settings tab. From here you can enable SSH or SAMBA, I choose to enable SAMBA. To access the files of your retro gaming client on Windows use the File Explorer to navigate to \\\\client-ip-address\\. You can find the IP of the client by locating the Information option under the Main Menu tab then selecting Network Information. It is recommended to drop your ROM archives into the \\ROMS\\Downloads folder. ## **Conclusion** So if you have an old thin client that has passed its life expectancy and is no longer useful or has been replaced, instead of chucking it or recycling it, you can leverage Lakka to turn it into a retro-gaming console. This gives old hardware a new use. The older crowd can wrap in a blanket of nostalgia, and the younger generations can see just how much fun (and how difficult) some of these games are. [Lakka](https://www.lakka.tv) **Engage with StorageReview** [Newsletter](https://www.storagereview.com/storage_newsletter) |  [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/StorageReview "Opens in a new window") | Podcast  [iTunes](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/storagereview-com-storage-reviews/id1060681115 "Opens in a new window")/ [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1y6VnznABhHeOSMOmbDTz0 "Opens in a new window") |  [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/storagereview/ "Opens in a new window") |  [Twitter](https://twitter.com/storagereview "Opens in a new window") |  [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@storagereview? "Opens in a new window") |  [RSS Feed](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) ![]() ### Guest Author Previous post: [NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 vs Quadro RTX 8000 Creative Professional Review](https://www.storagereview.com/review/nvidia-geforce-rtx-3090-vs-quadro-rtx-8000-creative-professional-review) Next post: [Intel SSD 670p Review (QLC)](https://www.storagereview.com/review/intel-ssd-670p-review-qlc) Trusted Vendors Products and solutions from our affiliate partners: - [ ![Ubiquiti Logo](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2-1.webp) Ubiquiti ](https://store.ui.com/us/en?a_aid=StorageReview "Opens in a new window") - [ ![Newegg Logo](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/newegg.webp) Newegg ](https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=g5terNMDhz0&offerid=1207190.18&subid=0&type=4 "Opens in a new window") - [ ![Amazon Logo](https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/amazon.webp) Amazon ](https://amzn.to/4fLJUEW "Opens in a new window") Newsletter Subscribe to the StorageReview newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and reviews. We promise no spam! 1 Leave this field empty if you’re human: ## Advertisement Content Categories [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/@storagereview) [X](https://twitter.com/storagereview) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/storagereview/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storagereview-com) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/storagereview?sub_confirmation=1) [Email](mailto:info@storagereview.com) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1y6VnznABhHeOSMOmbDTz0) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/StorageReview/) [Discord](https://discord.gg/TwMHb4azdC) [RSS](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@storagereview) Copyright © 1998-2025 Flying Pig Ventures, LLC Cincinnati, Ohio. All rights reserved. Manage your privacy To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen. Functional Functional Always active The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Preferences Preferences The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Statistics Statistics The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Marketing Marketing The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Statistics Marketing Features Always active Special features Special purposes Always active - Manage options - Manage services - Manage {vendor\_count} vendors - [Read more about these purposes](https://cookiedatabase.org/tcf/purposes/) Accept Deny Manage options Save preferences Manage options - {title} - {title} - {title} Manage your privacy To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Functional Functional Always active The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Preferences Preferences The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Statistics Statistics The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Marketing Marketing The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Statistics Marketing Features Always active Special features Special purposes Always active - Manage options - Manage services - Manage {vendor\_count} vendors - [Read more about these purposes](https://cookiedatabase.org/tcf/purposes/) Accept Deny Manage options Save preferences Manage options - {title} - {title} - {title} Manage consent Manage consent ```json {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review\/how-to-setting-up-retro-gaming-on-a-thinclient","url":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review\/how-to-setting-up-retro-gaming-on-a-thinclient","name":"How-To: Setting up Retro Gaming on a Thin Client - StorageReview.com","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review\/how-to-setting-up-retro-gaming-on-a-thinclient#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review\/how-to-setting-up-retro-gaming-on-a-thinclient#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Retro-Gaming-1.png","datePublished":"2021-02-25T17:13:25+00:00","dateModified":"2021-03-11T19:21:37+00:00","description":"Lakka makes hosting a retro-gaming console easy with out-of-the-box support for joypads, LAN multiplayer, & an original PlayStation-Esque GUI","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review\/how-to-setting-up-retro-gaming-on-a-thinclient#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review\/how-to-setting-up-retro-gaming-on-a-thinclient"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review\/how-to-setting-up-retro-gaming-on-a-thinclient#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Retro-Gaming-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Retro-Gaming-1.png","width":1582,"height":1070},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review\/how-to-setting-up-retro-gaming-on-a-thinclient#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Review","item":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/review"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How-To: Setting up Retro Gaming on a Thin Client"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/","name":"StorageReview.com","description":"StorageReview.com is a leading provider of news and reviews throughout the entire IT stack - from the datacenter to the edge, and all points in between.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/#organization","name":"StorageReview.com","url":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Storage-Reviews-2-2.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Storage-Reviews-2-2.png","width":344,"height":61,"caption":"StorageReview.com"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.storagereview.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/storagereview","http:\/\/youtube.com\/user\/storagereview"]}]} ```