Last updated: 01FEB2025 (see Changelog for details)
Here’s a quick rundown of what I did with the stock OS that came with my GKD Pixel to improve its overall look and feel. This is all totally subjective, and is likely to change as new versions of the Pixel’s IUX firmware are developed.
Continue reading “How to Make the GKD Pixel II Software Suck Less”
Last updated: 24JUL2024 (see Changelog for details)
It’s been a few years since I made a proper PortMaster guide, and there have been lots of updates to the platform since then. PortMaster started as a way for the ArkOS developer to easily collect various PC port options on their OS, but it has now grown to its own platform independent of any particular OS. This guide will help you get started with PortMaster on your favorite handheld device.
Continue reading “PortMaster Starter Guide”
Last updated: 29APR2024 (see Changelog for details)
Let’s imagine you have a child you’d like to introduce to your favorite retro games — but maybe they can’t read yet, or navigating through a complex interface is overwhelming for them. Or maybe you have a friend (or parent!) who can barely change the input signal on their television, let alone understand the difference between EmulationStation and RetroArch. Going even further, maybe you want a SUPER simple interface for yourself that focuses on the games while curating the look and feel of the box art. In this guide I’m going to show you how to perfectly curate a retro handheld to transform it into a foolproof handheld console of their dreams.
Before we get started, let’s clear the air — this is not an effortless project. It requires some work to get everything dialed in perfectly, and YOU are the one who is going to do that work. I’ve tried to make it as painless as possible with this guide, an accompanying video, and a pre-configured software image, but it’s still going to take a little work to dial everything in. The joy in this project comes from a job well done, and from easing the recipient’s gaming experience. So, is this process easy? Not really. But is it worth it? Yes.
Continue reading “Setting up a Handheld for Children (or Adult Children)”
Last updated: 18JUL2024 (see Changelog for details)
ArkOS is a custom operating system that is available for many retro handheld devices. It features optimized performance, a simple user interface, online updates, and a very stable experience thanks to years of development work.
This guide will help you get set up with ArkOS, to improve your handheld device in just about every way. Don’t worry, it’s pretty easy.
If you would like to support the developer and their work, please consider leaving them a donation for their time and effort over the years.
Continue reading “ArkOS Starter Guide”
The world of Retro Handhelds can be intimidating, there are so many choices out there! In this video we’ll take a look at my four favorite devices for under $150 that are available today.
Buy a Miyoo Mini
or via KeepRetro
Buy a Retroid Pocket 2+ (or 3)
Retroid Pocket 2+ starter guide
Buy an Anbernic RG531V
or via Anbernic.com
RG351V starter guide
Buy an Anbernic RG353P
or via Anbernic.com
RG353P review and guide
The Analogue Pocket is the first FPGA handheld, promising cycle accurate gameplay for your beloved Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges with a brilliant display and modern features. But does this experience warrant its hefty price tag?
More info here (ships in 2023): https://www.analogue.co/pocket
Other devices featured in this video:
Miyoo Mini
Anbernic RG351V
Anbernic RG552
Last updated: 13JUL2022
AmberELEC is the new custom firmware that replaced 351ELEC for devices such as the Anbernic RG351P, RG351M, RG351V, RG351MP, and RG552. This video and guide will walk you through its setup as well as showcase new features in this release.
AmberELEC webpage
AmberELEC discord server
Last updated: 11FEB2024 (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.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge has become a massive hit, and for good reason. It’s a perfect mixture of old-school beat-em-up and modern control schemes, and it has plenty of fun stuff to unlock, too. In this guide we’ll get the game running on various handhelds so you can play this game anywhere.
This should work in any PortMaster-compatible retro handheld. For best results, make sure you are running the most recent version of ArkOS, AmberELEC, or JELOS, and that you have installed the latest version of PortMaster. Here is my PortMaster guide.
Note that the “Final” version of ArkOS for the RG351P and RG351M will not support the game due to an outdated SDL2 library. However, wuMMLe’s fork of ArkOS has been updated to support it, but there are some script changes needed (see the notes below). If you want the latest for those devices, I recommend using JELOS or AmberELEC, since they are in active development.
Setting up this game is similar to other ports such as Celeste, Shovel Knight, Undertale, Timespinner, and Iconoclasts. Big thanks to developer JohnnyOnFlame for getting this port up and running; please consider buying him a coffee for his hard work.
Continue reading “TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge on Retro Handhelds”
Well, it’s certainly cute. The new PowKiddy RGB20S sports a lovely 3.5″ 480p (4:3) display, a nice compact design, and everybody’s favorite chipset, the RK3326. So does its unique features (and a few hidden surprises) make it worth $80? Let’s find out.
Other devices mentioned in the video:
Anbernic RG351V
Anbernic RG280V
Miyoo Mini
PowKiddy RGB10 Max 2
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 indie classic game Timespinner has recently been ported to various handheld devices, thanks to community developers and the awesome PortMaster tool. Here are the systems that can run the game as of making this guide:
Anbernic RG351P (ArkOS final, TheRA, AmberELEC, JELOS)
Anbernic RG351M (ArkOS final, TheRA, AmberELEC, JELOS)
Anbernic RG351V (ArkOS, TheRA, AmberELEC, JELOS)
Anbernic RG351MP (ArkOS, TheRA, AmberELEC, JELOS)
Anbernic RG552 (AmberELEC, JELOS)
PowKiddy RGB10 (ArkOS)
GameForce Chi (ArkOS)
RK2020 (ArkOS)
ODROID Go Advance (ArkOS)
ODROID Go Super (The RetroArena, RetroOZ)
PowKiddy RGB10 Max (The Retro Arena, RetroOZ)
Setting up this game is similar to other ports such as Shovel Knight, Undertale, and Iconoclasts. Big thanks to developer JohnnyOnFlame for getting this port up and running; please consider buying him a coffee for his hard work.
Note that you will need to have PortMaster installed and updated on your device. Here is my PortMaster guide.
Continue reading “Guide: Timespinner on Retro Handhelds (PortMaster)”
Retro Game Corps 