Native Pico-8 on Android (Guide)

Native Pico-8 on Android (Guide)

Last updated: 21JUN2024 (see Changelog for details)

Pico-8 is an awesome fantasy console, and one of its biggest strengths is that it works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and any number of Linux-based handhelds with ease. Unfortunately, getting it to run natively on Android devices is not as simple; there are some excellent Pico-8 emulator cores available for RetroArch, but none of them replicate the thrilling experience of navigating the Splore menu and downloading/playing carts directly within that native environment.

In this guide we’re going to trick our Android devices into running a Windows environment that will launch Splore. Once set up, it takes a couple extra taps to get running, but it’s pretty neat.

Note that this will require a somewhat powerful Android device to run, I would recommend something like the Retroid Pocket 3+ or higher. Also note that running Pico-8 through a Windows container on Android like this is inherently buggier than running it natively on Windows, Mac, or Linux. There will simply be some moments where the app or controls will freeze. It’s not perfect!

This guide was inspired by redditor jtischer1979’s post; thanks for the tips!

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Guide: How to load games onto the RG350 (Native Apps and Games)

Guide: How to load games onto the RG350 (Native Apps and Games)

Last updated 24FEB2021 (see Changelog for details)

One of the most fundamental aspects of owning an RG350 (or any emulation device, really) is to learn how to load your game files onto it. In this guide I will walk you through how to install ports, which are games and apps that run natively on the RG350 and similar devices. I will also highlight any unique configurations that are needed to make sure your games are running perfectly.

My comprehensive RG350 install guides:

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Guide: How to load games onto the RG350 (Classic Home Computer Systems)

Guide: How to load games onto the RG350 (Classic Home Computer Systems)

Last updated 05NOV2020 (see Changelog for details)

One of the most fundamental aspects of owning an RG350 (or any emulation device, really) is to learn how to load your game files onto it. In this guide I will walk you through how to install all of the home computer emulators, load their game files, plus highlight any unique configurations that are needed to make sure your games are running perfectly.

My comprehensive RG350 install guides:

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Guide: How to play Pico-8 games on the RG350

Guide: How to play Pico-8 games on the RG350

Update 18OCT02020: The Tac08 emulator has yet another great update, and rather than keep two different articles going, I’ll just continue to make updates (with a Changelog) over at my Home Computer Installation Guide. Check out all things Pico-8 over there!

GitHub user Lee Witek has recently created an updated Pico-8 emulator that runs really well on the RG350. Here is a quick guide on how to get it running on your RG350 (shout out to Reddit user isotropy for the tip).

Continue reading “Guide: How to play Pico-8 games on the RG350”