Guides
From getting started with your new retro handheld to installing a new custom firmware, we’ve got you covered.
The Latest
How to Install GammaOS Core
Gamma released the beta version of GammaOS Core in early September. It supports a variety of low-powered consoles, bringing Android to devices once only able to run Linux. Table of Contents Introduction What You'll Need GammaOS Core Install Guide Step 1: Set Up Step...
Powkiddy V10 Setup Guide
The Powkiddy V10 is only one of a few devices that are made almost specifically for the GBA. With its 3:2 screen at 480 x 320 resolution, it's the perfect device for playing GBA at 2x integer scaling. However, the device is a worthwhile device for numerous other retro...
Miyoo A30 Setup Guide
The Miyoo A30 arrived as something of a stop-gap measure in handheld releases. While Anbernic has been churning out devices almost monthly throughout 2024, Miyoo has remained fairly quiet. The A30 emerged in April 2024 as a direct competitor to the Anbernic RG28XX....
R36S Setup Guide and Tutorial
The R36S is a clone console that you've likely purchased for its capabilities and extremely budget-friendly pricing. Here, we hope to help you navigate the various CFW options available for the system. Table of Contents Preparation Backing Up Original Firmware Using...
How to Play PICO-8 on Android Handhelds
It would appear that the market is shifting towards more devices with a 1:1 aspect ratio. While the RGB30 and RGB20SX are still running Linux firmware, the RG Cube and ZPG A1 Unicorn provide an Android-based experience. The problem with this is that there hasn't been...
How-to Fix ‘This Device Isn’t Play Protect Certified’ Message
So you just got your brand new Android handheld and you're ready to get it set up. You go through the initial setup process, open the Google Play Store, and are met with a message saying "This device isn't Play Protect certified." Well, that's strange, because it's...
How To Backup Cartridge Saves on an Analogue Pocket
One of the best-unmarketed features of the Analogue Pocket is that it can back up save files from cartridges. You don't need any additional hardware, nor do you have to do anything all too involved, it's simply a feature of the Pocket that is unmarketed, unadvertised,...
How to Change Boot Video on Steam Deck
Despite our primary focus being on retro handhelds from the likes of Anbernic, Miyoo, and others, there's no denying that the Steam Deck holds a special place in our hearts. This is simply because it really offers the best "all-in-one" solution for gaming on the go....
How to Upgrade ROG Ally X SSD
With the ASUS ROG Ally X, there are more than a few meaningful upgrades that have been implemented to improve the experience. One such example is the ability to use a traditional 2280 M.2 NVMe drive, as opposed to the 2230 form factor from the original Ally. With...
How to Emulate the N64 Transfer Pak
Greetings friends and fellow enthusiasts! This is Mikhailov from Team Retrogue, where we like retro games and the devices that bring them to us. In my younger days, I was in awe of the N64 Transfer Pak. Utilizing this controller attachment, one could plug in their...
3 Ways to Pause Elden Ring
This is a ‘Git Gud’ Safe Zone Prepared by Joe We’ve all been there when you are untethered by Radahn area attacks in phase II and you are completely telegraphed into his move set, torch in hand, ready to pounce once your 1-2 second attack window is achieved and...
Emulated Games in Armoury Crate!
Gary's Note: This article is intended as a companion piece to the video tutorial located here. One of the best parts of a Linux handheld, be it a Steam Deck or something like the RG351P, is the unified front-end experience. It's one of the things people comment the...
WiiMote Light Gun Tutorial
If you were fortunate enough to be around to experience arcades back in their 80s and 90s glory days, you'll know that light gun games were an essential part of any respectable arcade's collection. The zapper was part of what Nintendo said elevated the NES beyond that...
How to Install Balatro on Android and iOS
Balatro has already become one of this year’s most cherished indie games within the short span of time that it's been released. Originally released in February 2024, it has seen releases for PC, Mac, PS4 and 5, Xbox One and Series, and the Nintendo Switch. The...
Making Batocera (& Knulli) Better: Customize Hotkey Shortcuts
When you’re the sort of retro gamer who uses Batocera as the preferred Retro Handheld operating system of choice, every year begins with the traditional silent prayer of the underdog: “Maybe this year will be our year” For Batocera though, there’s actually a chance...
Odin 2 Mini Setup Guide
After the Odin 2 captured the hearts of many retro handheld enthusiasts, we wondered about what AYN could possibly follow it up with. The answer came in May 2024, as the Odin 2 Mini was first teased before it was officially unveiled. A few of us here at RH...
Avoid Getting Burned: Handheld Safety PSA
Even if you aren't walking around every day with a pocketable handheld by your side, chances are you still have a combustible rectangle somewhere on your person at any given time. Lithium-ion battery-powered devices have become so entrenched into our everyday lives...
MinUI on Miyoo A30: Setup Guide
Ever since the Miyoo A30 was released, we've been hoping to see custom firmware options made available. It's immediately apparent that Miyoo has a lot of work to do on the software side of things, as it's just an underwhelming out-of-box experience....
muOS Setup Guide for Anbernic Handhelds
While it's definitely possible to buy a new handheld, load up some games, and start playing, you might run into a few issues here and there. Some companies seem to be committed to introduce new features and updates for the custom firmware, but there are still dragons...
This Mod Saved My Powkiddy RGB20SX
This post has been a long time coming. I pre-ordered the RGB20SX back when it was first announced and managed to spend a little bit of time with it. Since then, there's been an onslaught of new devices that have held me back from talking about it more. Before you run...
Steam Deck OLED: Fix Your Stick Drift
“God, I love Magnets!” - Jesse Pinkman Prepared by Joe What’s good gamers? I bet you're currently spamming “ASUS? more like A-SUS” on ASUS Ally X reviews or reasoning with the demons in your head over whether or not to buy the RG Cube. But if you’re like me, I play...
How to Play Majora’s Mask on Android, Steam Deck, and Windows
There are some games that immediately invoke a sense of nostalgia as soon as you hear the name. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one, as is Majora's Mask, two incredible games from the Nintendo 64. While it's easy to play either of these with an emulator,...
RG28XX, Miyoo A30, vs. Mini V4: A 2.8-inch Shootout
When it comes to looking for a portable handheld you’ve really had a couple of category options. The ever-popular 3.5” scene, with your 350Ms or your RGB20 or if you’re really feeling it your Retroid Pocket 2+. Outside of that, it was always really small devices....
RG35XX SP Shell Shock: Modding Guide
The new Anbernic RG35XXSP has finally arrived. The year of the clamshell emulator is upon us and this first release is a doozy. A love letter to the GBA SP expertly recreated with a whole host of quality-of-life improvements over the hardware that inspired its...
Knulli on TrimUI Smart Pro: Setup Guide
When it launched, the TrimUI Smart Pro was an intriguing device, offering a bit of competition to Retroid's Pocket 3. However, the biggest difference is that the Smart Pro runs on a custom Linux interface as opposed to Android. Unfortunately, the "stock" interface...
How the Make the RG35XX SP Buttons Quieter
So you just bought the new Anbernic RG35XX SP and the loudness buttons are annoying you or you are waking up your family in the middle of the night playing. Or maybe you read our reviews here and here and just the talk of the button clickyness is turning you off....
Knulli Set Up Guide for RG28XX
The CFW options for the Anbernic RG28XX just keep on coming! We just had MinUI make it over the other day, read about that here. Now Knulli is up next to bat with another great experience that enhances the use of the RG28XX. Check out our review of the 28XX here or...
Install Epic Games on Steam Deck with Junk-Store
While the Steam Deck arguably remains the Pound-for-Pound champ when it comes to x86 gaming, we still have limitations to deal with. Just one example is being able to enjoy titles from the Epic Games Store, which relies on a separate launcher and anti-cheat methods....
Batocera Starter Guide for RG35XX
As of this writing, Batocera is probably the most performant CFW available for the 35XX series from Anbernic. There is a case to be made for MuOS, but Batocera plays nice with the 35XXP, 35XXH, the 35XX 2024 and hopefully the Clambernic coming down the pike. Batocera...
V90 Miyoo CFW: You’ve Got a Perfectly Good Clamshell at Home
If you've followed the news in the retro handhelds scene at all this year, you know that 2024 has been deemed "Year of the Clamshell" by many, including us. Before we dive all in on the upcoming Miyoo Flip or Anbernic RG35XX SP, we should take a moment to appreciate...