Guides
From getting started with your new retro handheld to installing a new custom firmware, we’ve got you covered.
The Latest
Retroid Pocket 5 Setup Guide (and Mini!)
Two of the most exciting handhelds of the year finally arrived in late 2024. The Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Mini were announced with much fanfare, offering some rather impressive upgrades over the Retroid Pocket 4 series. If your new handheld just landed on your...
Spruce 3.0 on the Miyoo A30: Layers of an Onion
The Spruce Dev team released a new version of spruce for the Miyoo A30, find out below why I think this release is the “Game Changer”, which will stop A30 owners from dreaming of an OnionOS port. I’m a relatively new A30 owner, I got it with the hope that, when...
Save Time with This Easy Hack to Install Batocera on Your Retroid Pocket 5!
Much like a sizable portion of the Retro Handheld community, my gateway was the Retro Game Corps channel. One thing I noticed, both on Russ’ recent video showcasing Linux on the RP Mini and in our own Team Retrogue’s written guide, is the expectations are that the...
Best Handhelds Under $50: Late 2024
Fifty Dollars; you could buy a lot with that. You could grab an 8BitDo Ultimate controller, a copy of Sonic X Shadow: Generations, or even 25 Cheesy Bean and Rice burritos from Taco Bell. Wait — didn’t I do this before? The answer is yes. In October 2023 I shared a...
RP5 and RP Mini: Batocera and ROCKNIX Linux Install Guide
Greetings friends and fellow enthusiasts! This is Mikhailov from Team Retrogue, where we like retro games and the devices that bring them to us. The Retroid Pocket Mini is here, and the Retroid Pocket 5 is on the horizon. While these Snapdragon devices run Android,...
How to Use ROM Hacks
A good portion of ROM hacks are made using tools made by other retro community members. These tools aim to simplify the process involved in editing palettes, changing text, or simply moving things around. These tools are making it easier for your average person to...
Anbernic “XX” Handheld Starter Guide
Greetings friends and fellow enthusiasts! This is Mikhailov from Team Retrogue, where we like retro games and the devices that bring them to us. I'm a fan of Anbernic's "XX" family of devices. The devices receive some amazing support from community developers and...
How to Setup Obtainium on Android
Obtainium is an app that allows users to update and track apps distributed via GitHub, official websites, and other non-Play Store locations. This is an incredibly useful tool for retro handhelds running Android since a good portion of suggested apps and emulators are...
Building a Budget Customised PSP Go ‘BigBoi’
When I first discovered Retro Handhelds, one of the first questions I ever asked was “Can I play Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lions War on a pocket-sized handheld”. Considering this was back in the days of the RG351P, the answer always came back, “Just Buy a PSP Go”. So...
TrimUI Smart Pro Setup Guide
So you've shopped around and wisely decided that the TrimUI Smart Pro is the budget device for you, now what? The Smart Pro arrived in 2022 and has maintained a loyal fan base ever since. Multiple CFW options along with some very nice hardware and design choices make...
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....
How to Install AmberELEC on the SZDiiER D007
The SDZiiER D007 has been the face of "cheap emulation handhelds" for years. The product releases are sometimes deceptive at best, and its build quality leaves a lot to be desired when paired next to newer handhelds from the likes of Retroid and Anbernic. Installing...
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,...
RetroArch Setup Guide for iOS Devices
Greetings friends and fellow enthusiasts! This is Mikhailov from Team Retrogue, where we like retro games and the devices that bring them to us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbPgbh5kRxY&t=4s RetroArch became available on iOS devices through the Apple App Store...
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....
Anbernic RG40XXV First Impressions
I am going to be honest. The Anbernic fatigue has been setting in at this point of the year for me. I felt little excitement from the RG40XXH despite the 4:3 screen being enjoyable to use. When I heard the news of yet another XX device releasing, I felt like I had...
The Actual Best Way to Play Majora’s Mask
Reddit will argue over these. by Joe This article is a sequel. And not just any sequel, but one that reuses the same assets and flips them to save on development costs and time and recontextualizes the entire experience. Yes, I know what you're thinking, just like...
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...