Because there is no compositing window manager (unless you enable it), input latency is remarkably low. With runahead frames in RetroArch (configurable in advanced settings) and a good 120Hz monitor, Batocera can achieve input lag below 1 frame—better than original hardware in some cases.

On first boot, Batocera expands the partition to fill your storage, creates a SHARE partition (ext4 or Btrfs), and generates default configuration files. You are dropped directly into EmulationStation with no login prompt, no desktop environment, no visible terminal.

The default theme is great, but you can customize the look entirely.