WaveShare GamePi20

The WaveShare GamePi20 is a horizontal gaming handheld launched in 2019, built around the Broadcom BCM2835 SoC with a single ARM1176JZF-S core at 1.0 GHz, a Broadcom VideoCore IV GPU at 250 MHz and 512 MB of DDR RAM. It is a modest device in terms of power, clearly aimed at emulating classic systems.

In practice, 8-bit and 16-bit consoles such as the NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Sega Master System, Game Gear and Mega Drive are its natural territory. Most SNES games run at 60 FPS, but titles using the FX chip or Mode 7 suffer from slowdown. Many 2D PlayStation games run fine, though not all at a full 60 FPS, while 3D games on that platform lag. The supported list also covers Atari systems, PC Engine, Neo Geo Pocket, MSX, ZX Spectrum, MS-DOS and ScummVM.

The 2-inch IPS screen offers QVGA 320 x 240 resolution, a 4:3 aspect ratio, 200 ppi and a 60 Hz refresh rate, a good match for retro games designed around this format. There is no dedicated lens, only a screen protector.

Controls include a d-pad made of separated buttons placed in the upper position, four face buttons and L1 and R1 shoulder buttons. There are no analog sticks and no rumble. The face buttons can rotate, so their letters may end up upside down or sideways. Measuring 108 x 50 x 20 mm and weighing 150 g, the plastic body is highly portable.

Power comes from a swappable 14500-type battery that is easy to replace, and charging uses two Micro USB ports. The handheld offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a microSD slot, Mini HDMI video output, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a single rear-facing mono speaker. Volume and brightness are adjusted via button combinations, and power is handled by a switch.

The operating system is Linux with RetroPie support, providing a familiar interface and plenty of flexibility for configuration and customization.

Ideal for: retro fans who want a small, lightweight device for 8-bit and 16-bit titles, with a replaceable battery and the freedom of RetroPie.