Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
-
FinalBaton
- Posts: 4461
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:38 pm
- Location: Québec City
Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
Does anyone own one of these?
I usually steer clear of handheld emulators and GB clones, but this is the first one that's tempting me.
-it has emulators for NES, SMS, GB, GBC and GG
-it has a 320x240 pixel LCD and you can select the pixel perfect real resolution for each system (so noscaling at all. this is pretty awesome, no other clone system like this prior, that I've seen, has this feature. they all had higher resolution screens)
-the buttons are apparently good
-you can program stuff for it using the arduino suite
-latency seems on the low side from reviews I've seen, but I can't say for sure since I haven't tried it myself nor seen any serious test. Take this one with a grain of salt
-it only costs $37 USD ($32 when bought directly from them)
Now there's some room for improvment still, for a start it runs at 60Hz and there's no adjustment possible, so say 60.08Hz systems like NES and GB/GBC run a hair too fast, etc. And it takes 10 seconds to load the bigger ROMs, and performance, while generally good, seems to have some hiccups here and there.
But for that price, I gotta say : I'm very tempted to pick one up for christmas. Or maybe I'll wait a bit so that the product gets improved some more? anyway, thought I'd share to bring this product to peple's attention, It seems to have potential
I usually steer clear of handheld emulators and GB clones, but this is the first one that's tempting me.
-it has emulators for NES, SMS, GB, GBC and GG
-it has a 320x240 pixel LCD and you can select the pixel perfect real resolution for each system (so noscaling at all. this is pretty awesome, no other clone system like this prior, that I've seen, has this feature. they all had higher resolution screens)
-the buttons are apparently good
-you can program stuff for it using the arduino suite
-latency seems on the low side from reviews I've seen, but I can't say for sure since I haven't tried it myself nor seen any serious test. Take this one with a grain of salt
-it only costs $37 USD ($32 when bought directly from them)
Now there's some room for improvment still, for a start it runs at 60Hz and there's no adjustment possible, so say 60.08Hz systems like NES and GB/GBC run a hair too fast, etc. And it takes 10 seconds to load the bigger ROMs, and performance, while generally good, seems to have some hiccups here and there.
But for that price, I gotta say : I'm very tempted to pick one up for christmas. Or maybe I'll wait a bit so that the product gets improved some more? anyway, thought I'd share to bring this product to peple's attention, It seems to have potential
-FM Synth & Black Metal-
-
SNK-NEO-GEO
- Posts: 541
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:58 pm
- Location: zip code 20151 USA
-
FinalBaton
- Posts: 4461
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:38 pm
- Location: Québec City
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
A review(I haven't seen them all so maybe there's a better one out there :SNK-NEO-GEO wrote:Link???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC5TS1INeNY
Purchase link from a distributor @37$ USD :
https://ameridroid.com/products/odroid-go-game-kit
Purchase link directly from them(no paypal though and it's an import I think?) @32$ USD
https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-go/
-FM Synth & Black Metal-
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
Is this the one that looks nice first, but then only has an internal composite connection to the display?
-
FinalBaton
- Posts: 4461
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:38 pm
- Location: Québec City
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
oh damn, is this how it's wired??? if so that's disapointing native res is great but composite is a huge letdown...Fudoh wrote:Is this the one that looks nice first, but then only has an internal composite connection to the display?
-FM Synth & Black Metal-
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
no, maybe not. I just recalled watching a video review recently and that unit had the issue - don't recall if that was the Odroid one though...
-
FinalBaton
- Posts: 4461
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:38 pm
- Location: Québec City
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
It'd be important to know regardless, thanks for bringing this potential issue to my attention. Let's see if we can figure this out...Fudoh wrote:no, maybe not. I just recalled watching a video review recently and that unit had the issue - don't recall if that was the Odroid one though...
-FM Synth & Black Metal-
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
OK, the one with the internal composite connection seems to be this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgLqqToDxsA&t=812s
The Odroid screen looks WAY better.
The Odroid screen looks WAY better.
-
- Posts: 873
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2014 3:37 pm
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
My first thought from watching a few of those YouTube clips is that the 2.4" screen is far too small, even for a handheld. I have vivid memories of playing my Master System games on my gamegear as a kid and it's 3.2" screen was barely big enough to play at all (for games designed to run on larger screens).
Take a look at how small 2.4" is on a ruler and tell me if you would be happy playing bubble bobble or Mario on a screen that small...
Given that you can buy a Raspberry PI 3 and a 3.2" 240 x 320 screen for very little money, I would judge all handhelds with this info in mind.
Also, just because the screen is 240 x 320, doesn't necessarily mean it is being fed native res and refresh rates. I haven't watched all the clips yet though. Did they mention if the hardware was outputting 15khz with native refresh rates?
It's a shame the Neo Geo Mini has such a horrible analog thumb stick because they would have made a great emulator handheld.
Take a look at how small 2.4" is on a ruler and tell me if you would be happy playing bubble bobble or Mario on a screen that small...
Given that you can buy a Raspberry PI 3 and a 3.2" 240 x 320 screen for very little money, I would judge all handhelds with this info in mind.
Also, just because the screen is 240 x 320, doesn't necessarily mean it is being fed native res and refresh rates. I haven't watched all the clips yet though. Did they mention if the hardware was outputting 15khz with native refresh rates?
It's a shame the Neo Geo Mini has such a horrible analog thumb stick because they would have made a great emulator handheld.
-
FinalBaton
- Posts: 4461
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:38 pm
- Location: Québec City
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
The screen size is important to consider indeed when thinking about buying this! I agree. It might turn some people off
there is an option to display all consoles at native resolution, as reported by many owners in various review videos' comment sections.
Also as I pointed out in first post, it all runs at 60Hz, so nothing run at the perfect speed
Regarding the screen's hookup(composite? RGB?), a reviewer wrote "The screen on it uses the ESP32’s SPI bus". whatever that means
EDIT : I searched info on "how to hook up screen to ESP32 via SPI bus" and I can find no mention of composite anywhere. only RGB is ever mentionned
there is an option to display all consoles at native resolution, as reported by many owners in various review videos' comment sections.
Also as I pointed out in first post, it all runs at 60Hz, so nothing run at the perfect speed
Regarding the screen's hookup(composite? RGB?), a reviewer wrote "The screen on it uses the ESP32’s SPI bus". whatever that means
EDIT : I searched info on "how to hook up screen to ESP32 via SPI bus" and I can find no mention of composite anywhere. only RGB is ever mentionned
-FM Synth & Black Metal-
-
SNK-NEO-GEO
- Posts: 541
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:58 pm
- Location: zip code 20151 USA
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
Thanks for the link..For the asking price you can not ask for much..The GCW-Zero is my favorite emulators handheld due to the 4:3 screen.. it is not perfect out of the box but put a bit of lube inside the dpad and you are good to go.. I do wish for a successor with a bigger 4:3 screen and with the Open Pandora dpad. There are a lot of handhelds emulators devices out there but they just don't deliver what we need.
The Future Is Now
-
- Posts: 873
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2014 3:37 pm
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
I don't know much about these guys but they claim to build to order retro gaming handhelds with 4:3 low res screens of a decent size:
https://www.retromodding.com/products/b ... eeplay-cm3
The prices are a good bit higher but for me, it's either done right or not at all. I find no saving in paying less for something I wouldn't use because it doesn't work like I want.
With that said, I would probably go with a PI 3 / 3.2" 4:3 320x240 screen diy option to save the cash. They sell cases to build your own PI handheld on eBay.
I also have to think about how often I would really use such a device. I rarely travel without a laptop and at home I can play old console and arcade games through Groovymame on a large crt monitor at correct refresh with no tearing or missing detail.
I keep having to have that honest conversation with myself about whether these are cool novelty items or something I might use sometimes. My old PSP is in a draw somewhere unused for years.
https://www.retromodding.com/products/b ... eeplay-cm3
The prices are a good bit higher but for me, it's either done right or not at all. I find no saving in paying less for something I wouldn't use because it doesn't work like I want.
With that said, I would probably go with a PI 3 / 3.2" 4:3 320x240 screen diy option to save the cash. They sell cases to build your own PI handheld on eBay.
I also have to think about how often I would really use such a device. I rarely travel without a laptop and at home I can play old console and arcade games through Groovymame on a large crt monitor at correct refresh with no tearing or missing detail.
I keep having to have that honest conversation with myself about whether these are cool novelty items or something I might use sometimes. My old PSP is in a draw somewhere unused for years.
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
Hmm, that "warranty void if you open the console" thing. I guess they're not US-based, 'cuz that's not legal here. Also that price.
-
bobrocks95
- Posts: 3473
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:27 am
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
Is it not? I've seen that on every modern game console though, including definitely US-based Microsoft. A recent ruling?Ed Oscuro wrote:Hmm, that "warranty void if you open the console" thing. I guess they're not US-based, 'cuz that's not legal here. Also that price.
PS1 Disc-Based Game ID BIOS patch for MemCard Pro and SD2PSX automatic VMC switching.
-
FinalBaton
- Posts: 4461
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:38 pm
- Location: Québec City
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
It looks like you are not in the market for/not interested by these type of handhelds!Classicgamer wrote:I don't know much about these guys but they claim to build to order retro gaming handhelds with 4:3 low res screens of a decent size:
https://www.retromodding.com/products/b ... eeplay-cm3
The prices are a good bit higher but for me, it's either done right or not at all. I find no saving in paying less for something I wouldn't use because it doesn't work like I want.
With that said, I would probably go with a PI 3 / 3.2" 4:3 320x240 screen diy option to save the cash. They sell cases to build your own PI handheld on eBay.
I also have to think about how often I would really use such a device. I rarely travel without a laptop and at home I can play old console and arcade games through Groovymame on a large crt monitor at correct refresh with no tearing or missing detail.
I keep having to have that honest conversation with myself about whether these are cool novelty items or something I might use sometimes. My old PSP is in a draw somewhere unused for years.
Last edited by FinalBaton on Wed Nov 28, 2018 8:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-FM Synth & Black Metal-
-
FinalBaton
- Posts: 4461
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:38 pm
- Location: Québec City
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
Well I just ordered one. if I end up not being super satisfied with it, it'll at least make a good stocking stuffer gift for my 5 year old nephew. it definitely won't go to waste.
I have a GBC in my nightstandt that has seen no use at all since I bought it, cause the screen is too dark and I have yet to pick any cartridges for that system. The Odroid Go is gonna be WAY more convenient : bright screen and can load games via SD cards. It'll allow me to enjoy lots of GB games right away. It should prove useful. Let's see how it fares
I'll let you guys know if it's decent, and how good(or not)is the compatibility with ROMs across all systems.
I have a GBC in my nightstandt that has seen no use at all since I bought it, cause the screen is too dark and I have yet to pick any cartridges for that system. The Odroid Go is gonna be WAY more convenient : bright screen and can load games via SD cards. It'll allow me to enjoy lots of GB games right away. It should prove useful. Let's see how it fares
I'll let you guys know if it's decent, and how good(or not)is the compatibility with ROMs across all systems.
-FM Synth & Black Metal-
-
- Posts: 873
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2014 3:37 pm
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
I am undecided. I definately don't want one with a screen that is too small to use properly.FinalBaton wrote:It looks like you are not in the market for/not interested by these type of handhelds!Classicgamer wrote:I don't know much about these guys but they claim to build to order retro gaming handhelds with 4:3 low res screens of a decent size:
https://www.retromodding.com/products/b ... eeplay-cm3
The prices are a good bit higher but for me, it's either done right or not at all. I find no saving in paying less for something I wouldn't use because it doesn't work like I want.
With that said, I would probably go with a PI 3 / 3.2" 4:3 320x240 screen diy option to save the cash. They sell cases to build your own PI handheld on eBay.
I also have to think about how often I would really use such a device. I rarely travel without a laptop and at home I can play old console and arcade games through Groovymame on a large crt monitor at correct refresh with no tearing or missing detail.
I keep having to have that honest conversation with myself about whether these are cool novelty items or something I might use sometimes. My old PSP is in a draw somewhere unused for years.
I have had an itch to build a mini something since I saw the Neo Geo mini and then found out I couldn't buy one because it had an analog joystick.
None of the ones I have seen to date are particularly exciting to me though.
-
FinalBaton
- Posts: 4461
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:38 pm
- Location: Québec City
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
Well just before putting in my order I decided to make one last bit of research. And I discovered that the screen is apparently hard capped at 30fps... so yeah I didn't order one in the end.
I don't know if it's possible to use another 60fps-capable screen on this or not but... to have it out of the box like this is very, very disapointing. Thought I'd let everyone know since it's crucial info
I'll wait until they come out with a new version of this(hopefully they'll make one with a bit more power to emulate 16-bit systems and add a couple buttons, and also have a 60Hz screen)
I don't know if it's possible to use another 60fps-capable screen on this or not but... to have it out of the box like this is very, very disapointing. Thought I'd let everyone know since it's crucial info
I'll wait until they come out with a new version of this(hopefully they'll make one with a bit more power to emulate 16-bit systems and add a couple buttons, and also have a 60Hz screen)
-FM Synth & Black Metal-
-
- Posts: 873
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2014 3:37 pm
Re: Odroid Go handheld(with 320x240 screen)
FinalBaton wrote:Well just before putting in my order I decided to make one last bit of research. And I discovered that the screen is apparently hard capped at 30fps... so yeah I didn't order one in the end.
I don't know if it's possible to use another 60fps-capable screen on this or not but... to have it out of the box like this is very, very disapointing. Thought I'd let everyone know since it's crucial info
I'll wait until they come out with a new version of this(hopefully they'll make one with a bit more power to emulate 16-bit systems and add a couple buttons, and also have a 60Hz screen)
That is quite a limitation. 60fps is an important requirement for gaming. It's hard enough trying to read blurry text on a large screen when they take 240p / 60fps games and make them 480i / 30fps. You just can't afford that loss in clarity on a screen that small.
It is increasingly obvious that diy is the only viable option. We clearly can not trust any of these companies to do it right. It's a shame.
Why is it so hard to make one that is capable of running old games at native res and refresh rates on a screen you can actually see and with a joystick with micro-switches....