Rocknix is an immutable Linux distribution for handheld gaming devices
17 comments
·June 20, 2025freeqaz
heavyset_go
It's a form of JELOS picked up by contributers in the wake of the project getting dropped after Nintendo went after Citra. JELOS shipped with it by default.
Source: I've contributed to Rocknix and was around for the dissolution of JELOS and the fork.
udia
Nice to see another alternative to the Linux gaming ecosystem. Bazzite also states handheld device support: https://bazzite.gg/
lawrencegripper
I’m running bazzite on amd kit and it’s blown me away how nice it is, everything so far has ”just worked”
kadoban
Cool!
Is the name inspired by https://www.rockbox.org/ by any chance? That's what it reminded me of, especially given the ~similarities in purpose.
Dwedit
I think it's because the SoC hardware is made by Rockchip.
c9fc42ad
Excited to use this on the Retroid Pocket 5. Currently using https://knulli.org/ on an RG35XX-H and found it to be really nice also
DevKoala
Any true benefit benefit of using this over Bazzite or SteamOS coupled with EmuDeck? I am not an expert in the space, but I am about to build a machine and install Bazzite.
flylikeabanana
I don't believe there's Bazzite or SteamOS available for ARM devices, which make up most of the "portable handheld" market in terms of device variety
joseda-hg
You're right, but I'll mention there's already work in place for getting some of the Ublue images on ARM, so Bazzite ARM is a future possibility
https://universal-blue.discourse.group/t/bluefin-lts-alpha-f...
HelloUsername
Installing SteamOS on other devices:
https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1B71-EDF2-EB6D-2B...
ninetyninenine
Anybody recommend the best (anecdotally) device to run this on?
I have a steam deck but I want something smaller and less power hungry for retro emulation but can run everything.
freeqaz
I've got a few from PowKiddy. They're all based on the Rockchip RK3566 SoC.
There are some other chips coming out that have decent Linux support too, but the majority of devices will have that one still.
heavyset_go
What system do you want to emulate up to?
If most PS2 games and Gamecube games are good enough, you can grab an Odroid Go Ultra cheaply. It's what I used and suited my needs.
corysama
Keep SteamOS on your SteamDeck and come join the SBC debate and in https://old.reddit.com/r/SBCGaming/
First you need to define “everything”. It’s easy to get a device that runs every 2D retro game ever. But, moving up the 3D emulation ladder can move right past the SteamDeck into more power hungry devices.
daneel_w
Most RK3566-devices are a good bet. I have the Powkiddy RGB10 MAX 3 which runs Rocknix great.
This distro seems like a fork of JELOS based on it literally saying "Just Enough Linux Operating System (ROCKNIX)" on the front page. That spells out JELOS, not ROCKNIX lol.
I believe JELOS did die, so this is cool to see. I'll try flashing it to a new SD card and seeing what's up! Does anybody see info on what's difference? Also, is there any indication that this is a fork anywhere?