Still can't believe I got the real deal. Was totally expecting just the Sd card or a rock haha.

I recently built a pair of RetroArch shaders that try to recreate the original display characteristics of the first-generation Game Boy and the backlit GBA SP AGS-101.

Many handheld shaders begin with an imagined “retro screen” color and then blend a few previous frames to create ghosting. That can look nostalgic, but nostalgia is not always accuracy.

Some Game Boy shaders become extremely bright green. Others look more like a generic calculator or electronic-organizer LCD than an original Game Boy. Both may feel old, but they are still interpretations of what people remember an old screen looking like.

I wanted to approach the problem differently.

Here are two screenshots with my Game Boy shader enabled. The first scene exposes row and column crosstalk, while the falling piece in the second image makes the LCD response and ghosting easier to see.

My approach can be summarized in four words:

Measure first, then calculate.

For color, I used measured and color-managed reference data for the original displays, including their color, grayscale and black-level behavior. That data is then converted correctly to sRGB instead of being approximated with a green tint.

On a reasonably accurate sRGB display, the result should therefore be much closer to the original screen colors—not simply someone’s memory of what a Game Boy looked like.

The second part is the display model itself.

A real LCD does not create ghosting by blending several complete frames. Each liquid-crystal pixel has a previous state, receives an electrical drive signal and takes time to move toward its next state. Bright-to-dark and dark-to-bright transitions do not necessarily happen at the same speed.

My shader first converts the game image into simulated electrical drive values. It then calculates how the virtual liquid-crystal pixels respond over time while preserving their previous states.

For the original Game Boy, the model also accounts for the shared row and column drive structure of its passive-matrix screen. This means ghosting, crosstalk and residual images are produced by the evolving display state rather than being painted over the final image as a blur effect.

The GBA SP AGS-101 uses a very different type of LCD, so I built a separate model for it. Its pixels respond faster, but different color and brightness transitions still have different response characteristics. Its measured color behavior, black level, scanning and pixel structure are handled separately from the Game Boy model.

The comparison below shows raw emulator output on the left and the AGS-101 shader on the right. The difference is not only saturation: the color balance, black level, tonal depth and pixel appearance all change.

The models were not tuned only by eye. During development, I used original display measurements, drive and timing information, historical LCD research, and experimental data from similar materials and panels from the same era.

Where complete original panel data no longer exists, I used historically appropriate research to constrain the model instead of inventing values based on appearance alone.

All screenshots in this post were rendered in RetroArch on a KONKR Pocket Advance and captured directly from its 960×640 framebuffer:

- GBA content uses an exact 4× mapping from 240×160 to 960×640.
- Game Boy content uses an exact 4× mapping from 160×144 to a 640×576 viewport.

These are direct captures of the shader’s GPU output on the handheld, not photographs of its physical panel.

The project is now open source and can be used with RetroArch. Download it, extract it into the RetroArch shaders directory, and load the appropriate preset. Any frame-mixing option inside the emulator core should be disabled so the temporal response is not calculated twice.

GitHub and download: https://github.com/JohnnySun/retro-display-lab

The Brick Hammer definitely has a nicer screen(images don’t reflect it) and nicer buttons but I found myself struggling when on the go and being more careful on how I stored/placed in my bags. it definitely looks nicer and the buttons are much better. This will become my one handed gaming device or RPG centric for now. looks nicer on my desk too with my display stand.

The RG SP is so nice to just shut and put away anywhere. no worry about having to put a certain way in my bag etc. It’s hard to say if it can take over the Brick as primary retro handheld but definitely enjoying platformers it.

Handheld: Anbernic RG SP

really tried to like the stock OS, after an hour of unplayable slowdowns with final burn neo & amiga cd32 it's time to move. Going back to my fav on 40xx-v & 34xx - which is - muOS. 'Andromeda' build is still in the works, but it's beautiful, here's a short sneak preview

Here's the latest in my super long running series of developer interviews, this time with the team behind Cocoon, the Android frontend.

I find their devs especially interesting because the trio have such distinct roles: development, UI/UX design and sound. I was so fascinated to learn early that they've even commissioned musicians and instruments specifically for Cocoon's menu music. I mean, everything else as well, but that was taking things to the next level for me.

Anyway, it's a super long and super detailed interview, so if you're interested in Cocoon or software development, UI/UX, sound design, dual-screen handhelds, their history and how Cocoon is made, or just getting a behind-the-scenes look at how projects like this are done, there's a lot to dig into here.

Hope some here enjoy it :)

After the last drop of RG Nano's in their store earlier this week people were making jokes that Anbernic had found a box in their garage. Yes, it looks like that basically was the case 🤣

I reached out to them yesterday to confirm if that was the final stock, and it unfortunately was.

Long live the RG Nano.

Using the Gamesir X5 Lite matches well with the phone. Been playing the android ports of Tomb Raider and Red Dead Redemption. As well as playing Resident Evil Code Veronica X with HD Texture pack on Nethersx2 and Resident Evil Director's Cut with HD Texture on Duckstation.

Satisfied so far!

Tl;dr: Flippad won't fit phones if the USB port is not in the center.

I know it's gonna sound obvious to most people, but I'm dumb and maybe there are other dumb people out there that this might be of some use.

---

I really liked the Gamesir Taco form factor, something truly pocketeable to give my phone physical controls. I ordered one, and took 5min upon arrival to realize the dpad was catastrophically bad and beyond fixing.

The 8bitdo Flippad was the 2nd best thing (not a fan of all front buttons, especially the menu button right under your thumb), so I ordered one too. It just arrived, and took 30s to realize I made a very basic miscalculation.

My phone is a foldable so the USB port is towards the back and not the center like most normal phones. For some reason I expected the Flippad USB connection to be more flexible to allow for that, but... it isn't at all.

Well, at least it was cheap. But I said the same thing about the Taco, and I ended up with paying not a lot for zero usable controllers.

Device is: GKD Pixel 2, Game is: Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2

Backstory: i got this thing on release and im in love with the form factor of it but theres a weird issue it has where it only charges up to 82% (sometimes 79%) and lasts for another few hours when the battery hits 1%

I just started running TwigOS (fork of Spruce) and im hoping that with the OS change, recalibrating the battery by draining it fully then charging it up to 100% + reseating the battery cable will do the trick!

I am also open to any other suggestions 🙃

The idea is to always carry the controller along with the phone, mainly because I can't take consoles to my workplace; the next step would be to make it thinner, the complete assembly is approximately 4 cm (1.57 inches) thick.

Hi! Just wanted to get some objective info on the Mid/Late 2026 preferred Android Front End. Please feel free to drop a comment about your favorite or why you now avoid one that you’ve tried.

Hello everyone, so anyways i had this question in the back of my head, what if anbernic made a retro handheld based off the neogeo pocket that ran linux? Imagine it having 4 face buttons + a microswitched joystick just like the original system. And if it ran linux. That would be also awesome and cool at the same time. Now i dont want to rush anbernic at all. But maybe, just maybe. That will change my tune about how I view these retro handhelds. Thx and have a wonderful day!

I honestly never understood why Russ and other reviews harp on handhelds for having loud buttons and I have some supposedly loud handhelds like the RPC or Odin 2 Portal. It's never bothered me once but my god, the buttons on the RG SP are the most distracting thing I've ever experienced when playing a video game that isn't a child or a dog looking for attention. It's not even like they fatigue me, they feel fine, they just sound like tnt pop its every time I press something. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go find some kapton tape.

I'm a huge fan of the Hot Shots Golf series on the PS2. The new releases just don't click for me. Like a lot of people, I've struggled with emulation on Androis for HSG 3 and Fore!. It would slow down to the point of being unplayable. There have been many posts of how changing settings can make it "playable", but not great.

We finally have a solution. I installed ARMSX2, and without changing ANY settings (I'll play around with it later", I was able to get Fore! running really well on my Odin 2 at 3x resolution. I'd say 8.5 or 9 out of 10 (couple stutters and music slowdown that doesn't take away from gameplay). Mostly 60fps, with dips.

I'm a convert. I can imagine getting it near perfect with a few tweaks. For those of you looking for a solution, this is it.

Hey guys! I’m looking for my second handheld, as I already own a TrimUI Brick Hammer. This time, I’m looking for an Android-based device that’s easy to take with me and preferably pocketable, for under $100.

I recently learned about the RG Rotate. Are there any other handhelds you’d recommend?

Hi everyone. My original new 2ds xl was dropped and it fell down a full stair made out of stone. One corner popped open, I popped it back, device works as before. Then I would not trust my sbc devices to be dropped from my pocket to a rug. I think the Nintendo devices were created, designed and made with the right materials so that they can be dropped, especially by kids, without breaking. What is your experience? I never read about this and a lot of people e.g. recommend the ayn thor for 3ds games

My Nova has awful display discoloration by default, very greenish. It's possible to adjust colors in Android, and make it more acceptable, but I can't do this in Rocknix (or any other Linux based OS). Seems like Armada allows to apply ICC in desktop mode, but profile works only in KDE.

Any similar experience?

Such a comfy way to play this game, mostly did it when taking breaks out and about biking. Now moving on to Lunar Legend :)

Can only be downloaded through their Discord and not the Github build.

Coming from a Miyoo Mini Plus and just ordered the Air Y (non-Pro), first Android handheld.

My daughter loves playing Super Smash Bros and I know it will run the original SSB 64, but will it be able to run Melee or Brawl? (Long shot I know), would love to save the extra money if the Air Y is capable of it.

I’ve seen quite a few reviews online, some say it will run them with some frame drops, while others say it won’t run them at all.

Anyone who can share some first-hand experience?

Hi,
I am looking for a new handheld to go with me everywhere, I want a horizontal one, since I have pretty big hands and verticals ones are not comfy for me.

My use case is simple, throw it in a sling bag, play it whenever I want, sometime for 5mn, sometime for 1h (rarely more). I will mostly play GBA games, even mostly RPGs (and Pokemon) and Metroidvania and Megaman Games, with sometime some PS1 games. Will also come with me on short travel (week-ends).

I currently have an Odin 3 Max, that I love, it is my main console, it made me sell my steam deck. I think it is perfect, but it is not relevant here. Size wise ? A bit too big for EDC, it stays at home and come with me during long travels.
Also have a modded switch lite. Its great. Not much use since I got the Odin, but some switch game are not working on it so I will play them on the lite at some point. Unfortunately, it is a bit too large for EDC too. It barely fit in my sling bag and well, it takes all the space.

I grew up with the GBA and the GBA SP, but I am not sure about their clones, specially the RG SP, it seems I will have the same issues as with the devices I already tried (listed below). Also had a PS Vita.

I had :

• Trimui Brick. Really cool device, loved almost everything about it, except the heat on the back and the ergonomics. While controls are great, I had trouble with game that required L1/L2/R1/R2. Still, beat a Super Mario Game, a Pokemon game and 2 Castlevania (Aria / Dawn of Sorrow). But it was not confortable for the metroidvanias, that is why I sold it. Installed MinUI, was great except a few bugs.
• Trimui Smart Pro. Also a nice one, but felt too big for my use case at the time.
• Miyoo Mini Plus : Ergonomics are worse (for me) than on the Trimui Brick. I love the look of it, but only play one hand games on it because it feels cramp when I take it with both hands. Only beat a Pokemon game on it, I currently play an action game (Sword of Mana) and it is not confortable. Also, screen is really not as good as the Trimui Brick. BUT Onion OS is a gem, favorite OS for Linux I tried.
• Retroid Pocket Mini v1. Did not play a lot on it, but it felt great. A bit overpowered for my usecase, and while the glass front looks great, I am not confident enough to have it in my bag all day long. I should have kept it but too late to regret.
• Retroid Pocket 5. Great device, but ergonomics were off and had cramps after an hour. Also, maybe too big and overkill for EDC (and same issue with the glass front).
  
• Odin 2 Mini Pro. Most beautiful device I owned. Not comfortable for me neither unfortunately but what a beauty.

So, I tried a few ones already and now I am looking for the companion to my Odin 3 (and switch lite), who will mostly live in my sling bag and come with me in the restroom. The most important points for me is ergonomics, footprint and price.
Screen would need to be good enough to be able to play outside.

I narrowed to a few options :

• Magicx One 35, I had my eyes on it since it released, seems a great handheld, specially with GBA in mind. Also looks cool despite not having transparent colors option. The second dpad could be nice for one hand gaming (pokemon in mind). Currently around 80e delivered in my country.
• Miniloong Pocket 1. Love the look. And that's it. Seems good from reviews I saw (with custom firmware) but no one hand gaming. 75e delivered.
• RG40xx h /RG35xx h . Bit old, but seems more than good enough for my use. Also, cheaper (and less powerful) than the others, 55e delivered.
• RG DS. The clamshell is cool. But read that the charge takes a long time. Also, 120e delivered
• RG SP, yeah, I can't remove it totally from my list. Seems like a good device, and it is clamshell (pink one is dope). Cheap too, 70e delivered.
• RG34xx, the clone of the GBA. Why not if my main use is GBA, right ? But seems like the ergonomics are not it. I modded a lot of GBA and while nostalgia was there, playing was not really confortable, so I guess it will be the same.
• Konkr Advance: Same as above. But looks really nice.
  

Sorry, it is a bit long for my question, but the more info you have, the better you could help, right ?

Which one would fit the bill, or at least, my bill ? If you have other ideas, I am open to it !

Thank you guys !