WaveShare Tiny GamePi15

The WaveShare Tiny GamePi15 is a tiny retro handheld launched in 2019 that puts size and portability first. Inside sits a Broadcom BCM2835 SoC with a single ARM1176JZF-S core at 1.0 GHz, Broadcom VideoCore IV graphics at 250 MHz and 512 MB of DDR RAM.

Performance comfortably covers Atari systems, ColecoVision, Intellivision, NES, Sega Master System, Game Gear, Genesis / Mega Drive, Game Boy and Neo Geo Pocket. Most SNES titles run at 60 FPS, but FX chip and Mode 7 games slow down. Many 2D PlayStation games play fine, though not all at a full 60 FPS, while 3D titles lag.

The 1.54-inch TFT screen has a 240 x 240 resolution, a square 1:1 aspect ratio and a density of 220.4 ppi. It is covered only by a protector rather than a lens, and its small size makes fine text hard to read. For longer sessions, the Mini HDMI output lets you connect to a TV.

Controls include a D-pad made of separated buttons in the upper position, four face buttons, L1 and R1, plus a Hot Key button. There are no analog sticks and no rumble. Volume is adjusted with a wheel, brightness via a button combination, and power is handled by a switch. At 65 x 35 x 23 mm and 60 g, the device is built on a bare PCB with no shell.

Power comes from a swappable 14500 battery charged over Micro USB. Connectivity includes WiFi and Bluetooth, storage is on microSD, and audio comes from a single top-facing mono speaker or the 3.5mm headphone jack.

On the software side, the handheld runs Linux and supports RetroPie, a popular and highly customizable emulation platform that suits users who like to set up their own library.

Ideal for: electronics hobbyists and makers who want a cheap pocket-sized retro gadget, collectors of miniature consoles, and players who prefer 8-bit and 16-bit titles in short sessions.