RetroArch is the reference frontend for the libretro API. Popular examples of implementations for this API includes videogame system emulators and game engines, but also more generalized 3D programs. These programs are instantiated as dynamic libraries, or "libretro cores". libretro is an API that exposes generic audio/video/input callbacks. A frontend for libretro (such as RetroArch) handles video output, audio output, input and application lifecycle. A libretro core written in portable C or C++ can run seamlessly on many platforms with very little/no porting effort. RetroArch attempts to be small and lean, while still having all the useful core features expected from an emulator. It is designed to be very portable and features a gamepad-centric UI. It also has a full-featured command-line interface.
WWW: https://www.libretro.com/