diff --git a/retro/mini-arcade-handheld-roundup/index.njk b/retro/mini-arcade-handheld-roundup/index.njk index c818cea..9a2feba 100644 --- a/retro/mini-arcade-handheld-roundup/index.njk +++ b/retro/mini-arcade-handheld-roundup/index.njk @@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ parent: "/retro/"

For retro gaming away from a screen, I use three handheld emulation devices. Each one covers a different sweet spot in the trade-off between size, power and convenience. The key difference is what systems each one can actually emulate well, and how much effort it takes to get there.

ODROID-GO

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The ODROID-GO by Hardkernel is a DIY handheld built around an ESP32 microcontroller. It has a 2.4-inch 320x240 TFT display, a speaker, D-pad, face buttons, shoulder buttons, a Micro SD card slot, and a built-in rechargeable battery. The whole thing runs on Retro-Go firmware, which loads everything from the SD card. The ESP32 is a dual-core chip running at 240 MHz with 4 MB of PSRAM, which is enough for 8-bit systems but starts to struggle with anything heavier.

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What it plays well: NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, PC Engine, ColecoVision, Atari Lynx, Game and Watch. DOOM also runs on it, including mods.

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What it does not play well: SNES is slow and often unplayable. Game Boy Advance is out of reach. No 16-bit console emulation beyond what the SNES situation shows.

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The ODROID-GO by Hardkernel is a DIY handheld built around an ESP32 microcontroller. It has a 2.4-inch 320x240 TFT display, a speaker, D-pad, face buttons, shoulder buttons, a Micro SD card slot, and a built-in rechargeable battery. It runs the stock firmware, which loads games from the SD card. The ESP32 is a dual-core chip running at 240 MHz with 4 MB of PSRAM, which is enough for 8-bit systems but starts to struggle with anything heavier.

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What it plays well: NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear.

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What it does not play well: SNES is slow and often unplayable. Game Boy Advance is out of reach.

Game packs: Full game packs for all supported systems are on the SD card. No need to pick and choose.

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Why use it: It is the smallest and cheapest of the three, and for pure 8-bit gaming it is surprisingly capable. The Retro-Go firmware is clean, boots fast, and the battery lasts a long time. It is the grab-and-go option when you just want to play some NES or Game Boy games on the couch.

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Why use it: The killer feature is instant-on. The ESP32 boots in literally no time, you switch it on and the game is right there. A stopped game can be picked up again straight away. No other device in the collection comes close to this. It is the smallest and cheapest of the three, and for pure 8-bit gaming it is surprisingly capable. It is the grab-and-go option when you just want to play some NES or Game Boy games on the couch.

ODROID-GO system selection screen

The ODROID-GO showing the Retro-Go system selection screen.

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Which One for What

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DeviceBest forGames loadedScreen
ODROID-GONES, Game Boy, 8-bit on the couchAll systems2.4" TFT
ODROID-GONES, Game Boy, instant-on 8-bitAll systems2.4" TFT
PocketGoGame Boy Advance, 16-bit on the goAll systems2.4" IPS
RG35XXPlayStation, arcade, everything at homeMajor platforms only3.5" IPS