You’ve got your PortMaster handheld. You’ve got it all set up with your favorite OS. Whether that’s ArkOS, Crossmix, or Rocknix; it’s running and you can get your game fix in now. But when you boot up PortMaster and look through games you realize there’s a lot that need game files you simply don’t have. You could put on the pirate hat, or you could delve into a number of the great ready-to-play games. So join in as I talk the talk about some of the ready-to-play games that I enjoy wasting time on across a number of different devices.
Celeste Classic
The first one coming from me is obvious. Celeste Classic is simply a port of the Pico-8 version of Celeste from Maddy Makes Games. While to most it’s a challenging platformer, to me it’s become a way to test out d-pads on handhelds. It’s also become a way for me to test my skills and complete my game as fast as possible.
Working through the game, you can boost or wall jump to get further and higher than before. If you hit any spikes or fall through the floor you get reset to the start of that level. If you 100% the game you’ll need to collect all 18 Strawberries, but they won’t be obvious. My best 0 Strawberries run is about 3:30, but I know I can get it lower. But could you?
Apotris
Following on from an obvious platformer, comes an obvious block drop puzzler. Developed by Akouzoukos, you’re looking at a Tetris clone that I prefer to play over the real thing. Originally a GBA rom, its port to PortMaster has been a major game changer, and the 4.0 update has added even more replayability than it already had.
While there are 14 different game modes in Apotris, there are 3 that I really try to stick with. Marathon, Zen, and Death. Marathon is that classic neverending run of Tetris where your goal is to survive as long as possible while the game gets faster. Death is very similar, but it starts out real quick. This one is just a great challenge for those who are used to standard gameplay. Zen on the other hand is the opposite. When I want to just drop blocks, I go into Zen mode and just play the game.
And if you’re looking for that Tetris Effect feeling, I recommend turning on Zone mode in Marathon. It gives you that 20 seconds to get in the zone and grab as many lines at once as possible. Another big recommendation.
Feather Park
Now let’s talk about a game that’s pretty perfect for the fall, and that’s Feather Park from Jon Topielski. Originally from the Cozy Autumn Game Jam in 2022, you’re getting a great port of a simple game. You’re a bird exploring a small Autumn Park. You can play some games, explore the area, and even fight a scarecrow or two.
This is probably one of the shortest games on the list, but at the same time, it’s done so well that I can’t help but make a recommendation for it. The atmosphere is cozy, and the game is short and sweet, but you can still have a good bit of fun with it. Even replay the game a few times if you’d really like. If you want something small, this is a definite recommendation.
HELP! NO BRAKES
Help! No Brake; developed by Edgar Mendoza, is another simple game that has gained a lot of playtime thanks to its port over to PortMaster. It’s a game that’s as simple as it sounds. You’re driving a car fast, and it has no brakes. The goal is to get to the finish line without crashing your car into spikes, walls, or holes. And if you can do that, you’ve really won the game.
The big pull for me was that this is a game that’s incredibly reminiscent of the browser-based games that I would play when I was younger. The difference between then and now? Originally I was just trying to park the poorly controlled car as fast as I could. Now, I’m trying to get where I’m going as fast as physically possible. I guess some things don’t really change. This is certainly a game that I recommend checking out if you haven’t already.
VVVVVV
Hitting back with great simple platformers, you can check out VVVVVV. Originally developed by Terry Cavanagh (check Dicey Dungeons on Steam. It’s also by him), the port of VVVVVV feels just like the original. A gravity-flipping platformer where you attempt to rescue your crewmates isn’t exactly what I had in my bingo box, but it fills it out really well.
With who knows how many rooms you could find, this isn’t a quick game, but it also isn’t a battery-draining long game. It controls well, it has some lovely music, and it covers the role of a “different” 2D Platformer. If you haven’t tried it out yet I highly recommend it. This one is also a port for the Miyoo Mini if that’s more your style.
Sonic SMS Remakes
This one is pretty simple, and I don’t want to get too in-depth as everyone should know what this is, but I do enjoy the Sonic SMS remakes in PortMaster. All three Sega Master System games have their own remake in PortMaster, and as a collection, I feel they were done really well. It looks and feels a little bit better than the originals, and I prefer to use these over the original SMS roms when given the chance.
And if you’re looking for even more, you can grab the Tail’s Adventure remake for just a little bit extra Master System gameplay.
Final Thoughts
The sheer amount of ready-to-play games you can play in PortMaster is an incredible resource and expands the capability of these handhelds by a long shot. If someone handed me a device and said “You can only use this for PortMaster”, I’d still be satisfied with what I could find.
At the moment there are a few other games that I want to play again, or actually start playing. Whether that’s simple games like Neverball or Freejewels, or platformers/adventure games like Nothing and Smoothie Galaxy. There’s a lot out there to pick up on. So either pick up your PortMaster portable and start playing, or maybe wait till I talk about the bigger ports I play to see if you need to pick a few things up off of Steam as well.
What did you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.