Table of Contents

Choose a handheld

If you were after the more powerful (and expensive) x86-based handhelds, click here.

If you're after a more general introduction to handhelds, I strongly recommend giving https://retrogamecorps.com/ or https://www.rghandhelds.com/ a visit. Do note those websites focus more on handhelds in general, not Batocera, so the software included there is not supported here. This wiki page focuses solely on Batocera's compatible handhelds.

Console generations are referenced a lot throughout this. In no particular order:

Gen Consoles Handhelds
3rd NES, Sega Master System, Atari 7800 Not yet, unless you count Game & Watch.
4th SNES, Sega Genesis/Megadrive, Philips CD-i, Neo Geo, PC-Engine/TurboGrafx/SuperGrafx Game Boy, Sega Game Gear
5th Sony PlayStation, N64, Sega Saturn, Atari Jaguar Game Boy Color, Sega Genesis Nomad
6th Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Gamecube, Sega Dreamcast Game Boy Advance, Nokia N-Gage, Neo Geo Pocket Color
7th Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 Nintendo DS, Sony PSP

There's more but that's the gist. In terms of power required to run, consider handhelds to be a generation and a half behind consoles.

Ayn Odin Base/Pro

See AYN board details

This device is not supported (yet).

The Ayn Odin Base/Pro is a Snapdragon-powered Android-based gaming handheld. Explicitly not the Odin Lite, as that uses a different CPU which is incompatible with Batocera.

Features

Pro-specific features indicated after the slash.

Performance

FIXME

Anbernic RGxx3

A collection of devices using the Rockchip RK3568 in various form-factors.

Supported devices:

Devices running Android on the internal EMMC storage will no longer be supported with Batocera v42 or later.

The installed bootloader is not compatible with later Linux Kernels.

Therefore you will need to wipe the Android partition to boot into Batocera.

Instructions

WARNING - This will remove Android completely from your device.

Note: Support also includes Powkiddy branded devices using the same image:

Anbernic RG552

Anbernic ships this device with a “Linux” operating system that may or may not be an outdated, customized, broken version of Batocera packed with stolen ROMs. It is ill-advised to use this version, as it attempts to connect to Anbernic's non-existent servers for the content downloader, bezels, RetroAchievements, etc. which all obviously fail. Also, most of the emulators aside from the defaults are completely broken.

A premium (for ARM at least) handheld using the next gen RK3399 ARM CPU. Is capable of running both Android and Linux operating systems, using an active fan to keep the system cool (this can be disconnected if you prefer silence ;-)). It features high-quality build materials and is around the same form-factor as the Odroid Go Super.

Features

Performance

Identical to the RockPro64, as that's what it is essentially.

Piboy DMG 3/4

Add more info.

Although no official build supports this device yet, an unofficial build is available at this Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/PiBoy/comments/ncepzh/batocera_proof_of_concept/

The uploader has been maintaining this image for a while year so far as of writing.

Anbernic RG351MP

This device is not supported (yet).

This entry is under construction.

The culmination of the RG351P and RG351M, using a superior 640×480 screen. Has an operating system with EmulationStation installed by default so moving to Batocera's EmulationStation should feel familiar. Praised for its superb build quality.

Features

FIXME

Performance

FIXME

GameForce

Neo Geo Pocket-inspired form-factor. Has some minor build quality issues (non-OCA screen, wobbly face buttons) but those issues can largely be ignored. Supported since v32. Plastic shell; comes in tan, green or orange.

Features

Performance

The 4:3 aspect screen lends itself to the systems it does well. Performs nearly identically to the Odroid Go Advance. It is capable of 5th gen and below well, though N64 has issues with specific games. Has very limited PSP support, some 2D games run well but 3D games are hit-or-miss. Dreamcast is “playable”, but sub 40FPS.

Powkiddy RGB10 Max/Max 2

The upgraded version of the Powkiddy RGB10, featuring the same CPU. Build quality is great. Comes in black, orange or black-with-white-buttons.

A later model with a new shell (noticeably higher build quality) and refined buttons (notably stacked shoulder buttons instead of aligned ones) was released, called the RGB10 Max 2.

Features

Performance

3x integer scale for GBA games uses the entire height of the screen. Despite switching to a 16:9 screen, performance is the same as the RGB10 non-Max. Most systems you run will be 4:3, you can use “core-provided” aspect ratio to use black borders. It is capable of 5th gen and below well, though N64 has issues with specific games. Has very limited PSP support, some 2D games run well but 3D games are hit-or-miss. Dreamcast is “playable”, but sub 40FPS. Here's a demonstration video by Sonic Love Emulation.

Anbernic RG351V

anbernic_rg351v.jpg

The Batocera build for this handheld is still in alpha and may have severe bugs/compatibility issues. You have been warned!

The build for this device has gone MIA. It is not compatible with Batocera at the moment.

Not to be confused with the RG351P/M, which use an entirely different form factor. The long-awaited upgrade to the original RG300, uses the Game Boy-inspired shell with the internals of the RG351P. Slightly larger than a Game Boy Color. Has an operating system with EmulationStation installed by default so moving to Batocera's EmulationStation should feel familiar. Praised for its superb build quality. Plastic shell; comes in translucent grey, white or with a wood grain pattern.

Features

Performance

Its 4:3 aspect ratio display lends itself well to 2x upscaling PS1 games. Performs nearly identically to the Odroid Go Advance. It is capable of 5th gen and below well, though N64 has issues with specific games. Has very limited PSP support, some 2D games run well but 3D games are hit-or-miss. Dreamcast is “playable”, but sub 40FPS.

Anbernic RG351P/RG351M

Not to be confused with the RG350P/RG350M, as it uses different architecture internally. Has an operating system with EmulationStation installed by default so moving to Batocera's EmulationStation should feel familiar. Praised for its superb build quality. The P (plastic) version comes in three colors, whereas the M (metal) version comes in silver or metallic red.

Features

Performance

Its 3:2 aspect ratio screen perfectly upscales GBA at 2x integer resolution, but other systems may have black borders, shrinking the screen size a little. Performs nearly identically to the Odroid Go Advance. It is capable of 5th gen and below well, though N64 has issues with specific games. Has very limited PSP support, some 2D games run well but 3D games are hit-or-miss. Dreamcast is “playable”, but sub 40FPS.

Odroid Go Super

A larger revision of the Odroid Go Advance, still using the same CPU at the same clock. Around the same size as the Switch Lite. There are still some minor build quality issues, but they can be largely ignored. Plastic shell; comes in translucent or grey.

Features

Performance

Despite switching to a 16:9 screen ratio and adding a right stick, the device still performs nearly identically to the Odroid Go Advance. It is capable of 5th gen and below well, though N64 has issues with specific games. Has very limited PSP support, some 2D games run well but 3D games are hit-or-miss. Dreamcast is “playable”, but sub 40FPS. Here's a demonstration video by LOE TECH.

Powkiddy RGB10/RGB10M

Basically a more polished version of the Odroid Go Advance/RK2020. Build quality is great. The metal shell comes in metallic black. The plastic shell comes in black, grey or yellow.

Features

Performance

Performs nearly identically to the Odroid Go Advance. It is capable of 5th gen and below well, though N64 has issues with specific games. Has very limited PSP support, some 2D games run well but 3D games are hit-or-miss. Dreamcast is “playable”, but sub 40FPS. Here's a demonstration video by Sonic Love Emulation.

RK2020/RK2020-M

Basically a pre-assembled version of the Odroid Go Advance. Some would say a “clone”. First production units had a battery issue, but this was resolved in later manufacturing runs. Build quality is kind of crummy (visible seams, no passive heatsink) but is slightly better than that of the Odroid Go Advance. The plastic shell comes in translucent indigo or translucent black. The metal shell comes in black.

Features

Performance

Performs identically to the Odroid Go Advance. It is capable of 5th gen and below well, though N64 has issues with specific games. Has very limited PSP support, some 2D games run well but 3D games are hit-or-miss. Dreamcast is “playable”, but sub 40FPS.

Odroid Go Advance v1/Black

A do-it-yourself assembly case for the Odroid Go Advance board. Not to be confused with the Odroid Go, which uses a much weaker board and a Game Boy inspired form-factor. The original had a translucent case that could be easily dyed, the later v2 revision only came in black (and thus is referred to as the “Black” edition). The build quality of the original is kind of crummy (visible seams, no passive heatsink), but was improved with Black edition. The easiest handheld to physically modify due to compatibility with other button sets/ease of dyeing.

Features

LED Control

Some people find the constantly flashing LEDs to be very intrusive. Here's how to turn them off:

This command will turn the blue LED to MicroSD card access:

echo mmc0 > /sys/bus/platform/drivers/leds-gpio/gpio_leds/leds/blue:heartbeat/trigger

and following one will turn it off completely:

echo none > /sys/bus/platform/drivers/leds-gpio/gpio_leds/leds/blue:heartbeat/trigger

To execute this code automatically at each startups, just put it on a text file and save it as /userdata/system/custom.sh

Credit to neko on the forums for this tip.

Performance

It is capable of 5th gen and below well, though N64 has issues with specific games. Has very limited PSP support, some 2D games run well but 3D games are hit-or-miss. Dreamcast is “playable”, but sub 40FPS. Most current handhelds use the same chipset at this board and thus has very similar performance to it.

Retroflag GPi Case

This case is essentially a Raspberry Pi Zero inside of a Game Boy-inspired case, and its performance is identical to the Raspberry Pi Zero. The first handheld supported officially by Batocera! Keep in mind that you will need to either buy one with a Pi Zero already installed or provide the Pi Zero yourself (without soldered pins)! May also be compatible with the CM3+ mod, but that has yet to be implemented/tested. Build quality is exceptional. The plastic shell comes in grey.

You can install the script to be able to use its power button by following the instructions on this page.

Features

Performance

Performance is identical to the Raspberry Pi Zero, ie. it can do up to 4th gen consoles at full speed (with the help of some lesser-than-accurate emulators). 5th gen consoles is a stretch but possible with optimization of settings. Unfortunately it's missing some buttons/sticks for all later the systems it can run, but that can be worked around on a per-game basis or it might not matter at all if you only intend on playing 5th gen portable handheld games and below.

You won't need a backlight mod for this!

Retroid Pocket 5 / Retroid Pocket Mini

This is one of the most capable ARM-based handhelds, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon SM8250 SoC.

Features

ABL Installation and Device Selection

* Important: for Batocera v43 you need an updated bootloader *

  1. On your Retroid device on Android or another device / OS.
  2. Download SM8250-ABL.zip and extract it to an sdcard.
  3. Boot Android ensure the you insert the sdcard with the extracted files.
  4. Using the file manager (Files) copy the files off your sdcard onto the Android file system into a directory called odin2_custom_abl (this directory name is important).
  5. To ensure you're using the correct location to create the odin2_custom_abl directory. In the File app, hit the hamburger symbol on the top right (three lines) and then choose your device (i.e. Retroid Pocket 5)
  6. Go to Android settings, at the bottom in the Handheld settings → Advanced → Run script as Root and select the backup_and_flash.sh script from the directory called odin2_custom_abl.
  7. The script will run quickly and back up the original boot loader to /sdcard/backup/ directory.
  8. Keep this as a backup in case you want to rollback.
  9. Power off, you're ready to install Batocera

Batocera Installation

  1. Download the Batocera SM8250 image and burn it on an micro SDCard. Warning: make sure you have a high quality SDcard.
  2. Enter the bootloader fastboot menu by pressing [vol -] and [power] and switch the Boot Mode to Linux (use volume buttons and power to navigate and select).
  3. Then navigate to Set device model (You only have to do this once). There you can choose your device from the list. Finally navigate back to 'START' and press power to boot.
  4. If you want to go back to Android, remove the SDCard (optional), boot while pressing [vol -] and [power] and change the Boot Mode back to Android.

Performance

You can emulate up to 6th gen consoles. The screen of the RPMini with its 4:3 aspect ratio is particularly comfortable for older systems.

Retroid Pocket 6

This is a new capable ARM-based handhelds, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon SM8550 SoC.

Features

ABL Installation and Device Selection

* Important: for Batocera v43 you need an updated bootloader *

  1. On your Retroid device on Android or another device / OS.
  2. Download SM8550-ABL.zip and extract it to an sdcard.
  3. Boot Android ensure the you insert the sdcard with the extracted files.
  4. Using the file manager (Files) copy the files off your sdcard onto the Android file system into a directory called odin2_custom_abl (this directory name is important).
  5. To ensure you're using the correct location to create the odin2_custom_abl directory. In the File app, hit the hamburger symbol on the top right (three lines) and then choose your device (i.e. Retroid Pocket 6)
  6. Go to Android settings, at the bottom in the Handheld settings → Advanced → Run script as Root and select the backup_and_flash.sh script from the directory called odin2_custom_abl.
  7. The script will run quickly and back up the original boot loader to /sdcard/backup/ directory.
  8. Keep this as a backup in case you want to rollback.
  9. Power off, you're ready to install Batocera

Batocera Installation

  1. Download the Batocera SM8550 image and burn it on an micro SDCard. Warning: make sure you have a high quality SDcard.
  2. Enter the bootloader fastboot menu by pressing [vol -] and [power] and switch the Boot Mode to Linux (use volume buttons and power to navigate and select).
  3. Then navigate to Set device model (You only have to do this once). There you can choose your device from the list. Finally navigate back to 'START' and press power to boot.
  4. If you want to go back to Android, remove the SDCard (optional), boot while pressing [vol -] and [power] and change the Boot Mode back to Android.

Performance

You can emulate up to some lower end 7th gen consoles.