HardKernel Odroid Go Advance

The HardKernel Odroid Go Advance is a horizontal handheld launched in 2020 that quickly became a reference point for emulation fans and anyone who enjoys DIY projects. Inside sits the Rockchip RK3326 SoC, with four Cortex-A35 cores running at 1.3 - 1.5 GHz, paired with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU at 650 MHz and 1 GB of DDR3 RAM.

When it comes to emulation, the device runs SNES FX games and 3D PlayStation titles at 60 FPS. 2D PSP games are mostly playable, while 3D PSP titles need frameskip, and Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast are mostly playable for the easier-to-emulate games. The supported platform list is huge, ranging from Atari 2600, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum to Game Boy Advance, Neo Geo, MAME, ScummVM and PICO-8.

The 3.5-inch TFT screen has an HVGA resolution of 480 x 320 pixels, a 3:2 aspect ratio, around 165 ppi and a 60 Hz refresh rate, protected by a plastic lens. It suits retro games well, even if it does not match IPS panels.

Controls include a cross D-pad placed up top, a single analog stick in the lower position, four face buttons, L1 and R1 shoulder buttons, and six function buttons, F1 - F6. There are no L2/R2 buttons, though they can be mapped to the front function buttons. At 155 x 72 x 20 mm and 170 g, the handheld is light, and the body comes in plastic or aluminum. There is no rumble.

The 3000 mAh battery charges through a DC barrel connector. Connectivity includes a USB-A host port, a 10-pin port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and WiFi support via a USB dongle. Audio comes from a single front-facing mono speaker, while volume and brightness are adjusted with button combinations.

The stock operating system is Ubuntu, and storage is handled by a microSD card, making it easy to install custom systems such as RetroArena. Its open platform and active community make it an excellent device for tinkering and modding.

Ideal for: budget-minded retro enthusiasts, DIY and Linux fans, and players who want solid emulation up to PlayStation in a compact format.