sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop Resolved the issue, and PS2 appears in the EmulationStation frontend. .bash_history doesn't show any evidence of the desktop environment being removed - by way of shell command.

Awesome! I set up open box to start with 1280x720, verified it via the log, and it worked perfectly with the threading set false. Looks way better than it did set true, has better response/less lag, and of course the screensaver doesn't kill it after 10 minutes. Thanks so much for your help with my problem.

@marcoabm Raspbian on a pc is untested, but we can't help without more info. Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first You will need to provide a full log.