Sega Saturn Update for ArkOS and RetroOZ

Sega Saturn Update for ArkOS and RetroOZ

Last updated: 30JAN2022

Thanks to new updates to their emulators, you can get greatly improved Sega Saturn performance on RG351V, RG351MP, RGB10, ODROID Go Advance, ODROID Go Super, and RGB10 Max devices running ArkOS and RetroOZ. In this guide I’ll show you how to install the new update, configure the emulator, and we’ll take a look at some gameplay, too.

Note that 351ELEC support is planned but not implemented yet.

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Stardew Valley on Retro Handhelds

Stardew Valley on Retro Handhelds

Last updated: 13JUL2022 (see Changelog for details)

UPDATE: PortMaster has recently created a one-stop shop for all things related to running ports on retro handhelds. I recommend checking out their website and my most recent PortMaster guide instead of the guide below; I’m leaving this page up for posterity’s sake only. To get started, head over to their Games tab, find the game you want to run, and check out their instructions on that page. If you run into any issues, their discord server is also a great place to start.

The beloved farming simulator Stardew Valley has now been ported to RK3326 devices such as the Anbernic RG351 series, PowKiddy RGB10 series, ODROID Go Advance/Super, and the GameForce Chi. This game also works on other devices that work with PortMaster, such as the Anbernic RG552, RG353P, and RG503.

Setting up this game is similar to other ports such as Shovel Knight, Undertale, and Iconoclasts. Mad props to developer JohnnyOnFlame for getting this port running; please consider buying him a coffee for his hard work.

IMPORTANT NOTE: since making my installation video below, the game has been updated which affects that installation. From now on, it’s important to download the “Compatibility” version of the game in order for the process to work. The written instructions below will walk you through that process.

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PowKiddy RGB10 Max (and Max 2) Starter Guide

PowKiddy RGB10 Max (and Max 2) Starter Guide

Last updated: 02MAR2022 (see Changelog for details)

The PowKiddy RGB10 Max is my favorite of the current “budget” (sub-$150) retro handheld devices. Most of that has to do with its lovely 5″ display, plastic shell, and internal WiFi. There are some definitely flaws with the device (underwhelming quality assurance, mono speaker, a weird rubber coating), but it ticks enough boxes that I recommend it as a good starting device for anyone looking to play retro games on a handheld device.

So in this guide I’m going to walk you through the entire process of buying the device, getting oriented with its user experience, and customizing the firmware to suit your needs. Note that the video guide was made before the RGB10 Max 2 was announced, but the process will be the same.

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Guide: Moonlight on Retro Handhelds

Guide: Moonlight on Retro Handhelds

Last updated: 04SEP2023

Moonlight is a game streaming tool designed to allow you to stream your screen (and games) from a PC to a connected device. This means you can stream games that wouldn’t normally run on your device, such as GameCube, PS2, PC games, and so on. This is an excellent option if you want to play a few games while in bed, or on the couch, or maybe at the dinner table.

For this guide, we will focus on Moonlight support for custom Linux-based firmwares on the following handheld devices:

Anbernic RG351P (ArkOS final, AmberELEC) — requires WiFi dongle
Anbernic RG351M (ArkOS final, AmberELEC)
Anbernic RG351V (ArkOS, AmberELEC)
Anbernic RG351MP (ArkOS, AmberELEC)
PowKiddy RGB10 (ArkOS) — requires WiFi dongle
PowKiddy RGB10 Max (RetroOZ) — requires WiFi dongle for 5GHz
GameForce Chi (ArkOS)
RK2020 (ArkOS) — requires WiFi dongle
ODROID Go Advance (ArkOS) — may require WiFi dongle
ODROID Go Super (RetroOZ) — requires WiFi dongle

Update: Moonlight is now available via the PortMaster app, so any of the many devices and OS options that run PortMaster will run Moonlight, and some custom firmwares (like JELOS) have Moonlight integrated directly into the OS. Elements of the written guide below may be a little out of date!

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Guide: Widescreen Dreamcast on Retro Handhelds

Guide: Widescreen Dreamcast on Retro Handhelds

Last updated: 29MAY2021 (see Changelog for details)

The sixth generation of video game consoles, which included the PS2, Nintendo Gamecube, Xbox, and Sega Dreamcast, was a transformative period for both gaming and televisions. Standard (4:3 aspect) TVs were eventually replaced by widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio displays during this time, and many console accommodated this shift. A few Dreamcast games, such as Rayman 2, natively supported widescreen televisions upon release — all you have to do is go into the game settings and change it to 16:9 instead of 4:3. Most other games were natively scaled to 4:3, but many 3D titles on the Dreamcast can be altered to stretch into anamorphic widescreen. This is possible because these games render the 3D environment beyond the 4:3 displayed on a typical TV, and through various hacks we can unlock widescreen Dreamcast for over 100 titles.

These instructions are primarily written for the RetroOZ firmware on the ODROID Go Super or RGB10 Max in particular, since it has a lovely 16:9 screen, but the RetroArch widescreen hack cheats can be implemented in other firmwares such as EmuELEC, ArkOS, and 351ELEC for RG351P/M devices (or other devices with screens wider than 4:3). There are three basic methods:

  1. Use the built-in RetroRun widescreen hack or cheats options
    • Available for RetroOZ firmware only
    • Supported platforms: OGS, RGB10 Max
  2. Use widescreen hack cheats in RetroArch
    • Available for EmuELEC, 351ELEC, and ArkOS firmwares
    • Supported platforms: OGS, RGB10 Max, or any 3:2 device like RG351P/M, RGB10, OGA, RK2020, etc.
  3. Hex edit your games for permanent widescreen
    • Available for ArkOS firmware only (351ELEC may be possible with shell script creation)
    • Supported platforms: RG351P/M, RGB10, OGA, RK2020
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Guide: CD-Based Systems on Retro Handhelds

Guide: CD-Based Systems on Retro Handhelds

Last updated: 09JUL2021

Today we’re going to discuss systems like PlayStation 1, Dreamcast, Sega CD, and TurboGrafx-CD (PC Engine CD). Let’s organize your files and learn how to switch discs in multi-disc games, too.

This guide applies to any RK3326 retro handheld system, such as the RG351 series, PowKiddy RGB10, ODROID Go Advance/Super, and so on. This will also apply to any device that runs an EmulationStation frontend, such as the Super Console X. The video primarily focuses on the 351ELEC firmware for the RG351 devices, but can be applied to ArkOS, EmuELEC, RetroOZ, or any other EmulationStation-based operating system that runs on these devices.

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