A new Linux handheld game console based on ODROID-N2(forum.odroid.com)
forum.odroid.com
A new Linux handheld game console based on ODROID-N2
https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?t=45143
108 comments
It's amazing how gestures like this can have such positive impact people years later.
I know I've had moments where people have made unnaturally kind gestures towards me, and I still remember years later.
I know I've had moments where people have made unnaturally kind gestures towards me, and I still remember years later.
Fixed link: http://replicaisland.blogspot.com/2010/01/fragmentation-more...
Can't edit on HN anymore?
Can't edit on HN anymore?
Is there a place that collects info on all these sorts of projects and allows you to compare specs and software? I bought a Retroid 2 on a whim but I'm wondering if it's the best out there.
Obscure Handhelds does a good job: https://obscurehandhelds.com/
Thank you. Ive been looking for a site like this.
This is my go-to resource for retro handhelds: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1irg60f9qsZOkhp0cwOU7...
In addition to the sources others have mentioned, https://retrogamecorps.com/ and his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroGameCorps are pretty great, especially the in-depth guides.
https://www.youtube.com/c/ETAPRIME and https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePhawx are also good YouTube channels, although they tend to stick to higher end systems.
Finally, https://www.reddit.com/r/SBCGaming/ has a pretty active community. There are also a couple of good discord servers that I could track down if you're interested.
https://www.youtube.com/c/ETAPRIME and https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePhawx are also good YouTube channels, although they tend to stick to higher end systems.
Finally, https://www.reddit.com/r/SBCGaming/ has a pretty active community. There are also a couple of good discord servers that I could track down if you're interested.
I don't know of a site, but Taki Udon on YouTube follows them very closely.
Retro Dodo does as well.
"The best" is very subjective unfortunately. And the answer will change based on what you're looking for.
IE I've searched for "the best" and ended up with an android phone in a telescopic controller before getting a Steam Deck.
Retro Dodo does as well.
"The best" is very subjective unfortunately. And the answer will change based on what you're looking for.
IE I've searched for "the best" and ended up with an android phone in a telescopic controller before getting a Steam Deck.
> We will start selling and shipping the ODROID-Go Ultra in early October 2022 at a price of $111.
I really hope the production will keep with the sales...
I bought a miyoo mini because I heard from a friend from a friend, that it's great before it got popular, and got it for cheap... then it became popular, and it's practically impossible to get at "normal" prices, only through resellers at 2x the price.
I really hope the production will keep with the sales...
I bought a miyoo mini because I heard from a friend from a friend, that it's great before it got popular, and got it for cheap... then it became popular, and it's practically impossible to get at "normal" prices, only through resellers at 2x the price.
From what I've seen, the ODROID handhelds (Advance, Super) prices remained relatively constant due to brands like Anbernic typically having better build quality.
Personally, I've tried both the ODROID Go Advance and the Anbernic equivalent RG351M. The build quality and controls on the Anbernic are definitely better. However, I ultimately stuck with the ODROID as it was cheap enough not to worry about damaging or losing.
Personally, I've tried both the ODROID Go Advance and the Anbernic equivalent RG351M. The build quality and controls on the Anbernic are definitely better. However, I ultimately stuck with the ODROID as it was cheap enough not to worry about damaging or losing.
They should auction the stuff, selling it with a fixed price but mostly not selling at all is just incredibly stupid way to distribute IMO
Or they should just make more, after the first and second batches sold out.
Or they should charge higher to meet demand, and take those funds to scale up manufacturing.
The main selling point of miyoo mini was the low price. For $60 you got s/nes, gb/c/a and sega handhelds plus a lot of PS1 games.
If they made the price eg $90, I'd add $10, $20 more, and buy a better device (or maybe I wouldn't buy anything at all, because it's above the $100 mental barrier, and it's not "cheap" anymore).
If they made the price eg $90, I'd add $10, $20 more, and buy a better device (or maybe I wouldn't buy anything at all, because it's above the $100 mental barrier, and it's not "cheap" anymore).
I really love HardKernel's openness, but there are a few things I'd really like to see them work on:
* Build quality. I'd prefer a slightly higher BOM of it led to a significantly better experience. Everyone complains about the controls on Odroid Go devices, meanwhile the Chinese clones come and improve this and get a ton of sales that could have gone to HK. The 3-headed charging cable that comes with this device is another example. That thing is an abomination and likely a fire hazard too. They don't have to go full USB-PD, it could just follow the much simpler and cheaper-to-implement BC 1.2 standard. But instead they do their own wired thing, presumably for some minor cost savings.
* Their shipping / checkout process. First, you have to sign up for an account. Then it estimates some ridiculous amount for shipping (e.g. $60 shipping for a 10-oz $80 item.) Then the address form is in a different language (Korean?) despite the rest of the site being in English. It switches to English after you find the right control, but it's just confusing and the whole process almost certainly costs them some sales.
* Their forum members can be oddly aggressive sometimes, e.g. defending that crazy charging cable. One of the arguments boiled down to "it's safe to use if you're an electrical engineer". They also attack any mention of a competitors product. And the moderators support this behavior.
All of this combines to keep me from buying an Odroid so far, despite it being the kind of thing I'd really like to support.
* Build quality. I'd prefer a slightly higher BOM of it led to a significantly better experience. Everyone complains about the controls on Odroid Go devices, meanwhile the Chinese clones come and improve this and get a ton of sales that could have gone to HK. The 3-headed charging cable that comes with this device is another example. That thing is an abomination and likely a fire hazard too. They don't have to go full USB-PD, it could just follow the much simpler and cheaper-to-implement BC 1.2 standard. But instead they do their own wired thing, presumably for some minor cost savings.
* Their shipping / checkout process. First, you have to sign up for an account. Then it estimates some ridiculous amount for shipping (e.g. $60 shipping for a 10-oz $80 item.) Then the address form is in a different language (Korean?) despite the rest of the site being in English. It switches to English after you find the right control, but it's just confusing and the whole process almost certainly costs them some sales.
* Their forum members can be oddly aggressive sometimes, e.g. defending that crazy charging cable. One of the arguments boiled down to "it's safe to use if you're an electrical engineer". They also attack any mention of a competitors product. And the moderators support this behavior.
All of this combines to keep me from buying an Odroid so far, despite it being the kind of thing I'd really like to support.
I like everything about it but:
- the weird power cable (did they cheapen out on PD? for just 7.5W there's no need to do something like that)
- the lack of exposed GPIO header (no hacking, they could have just left in unpopulated)
- the bigger size (the Odroid Go Advance was just the right size)
- the lack of option for a 10000 mAh battery
Hopefully, the framework laptop starts a new trend of devices where you can keep the shell and screen (just replacing the inside) and new motherboards can be swapped-in, with the old one returned and resold or recycled.
A subscription-basis model for motherboard upgrade or damaged case replacement could help a big reduce the waste from people updating their phone every year.
- the weird power cable (did they cheapen out on PD? for just 7.5W there's no need to do something like that)
- the lack of exposed GPIO header (no hacking, they could have just left in unpopulated)
- the bigger size (the Odroid Go Advance was just the right size)
- the lack of option for a 10000 mAh battery
Hopefully, the framework laptop starts a new trend of devices where you can keep the shell and screen (just replacing the inside) and new motherboards can be swapped-in, with the old one returned and resold or recycled.
A subscription-basis model for motherboard upgrade or damaged case replacement could help a big reduce the waste from people updating their phone every year.
> did they cheapen out on PD?
For this question I think I know the answer: USB PD chips are hard to obtain right now. So they probably left it out just due to a lack of general (reliable) availability.
For this question I think I know the answer: USB PD chips are hard to obtain right now. So they probably left it out just due to a lack of general (reliable) availability.
Agree woth you on the power cable.
It does have exposed GPIO, though! You can see the connector above the CPU and other microchips in the first motherboard picture. This is in keeping with the Odroid Go Super design, which also had exposed GPIO in that location.
The bigger size allows for a much better screen. But I agree that you loose something in pocketability.
I suppose technically you could upgrade the battery yourself. Although a larger battery is at ods with that size constraint.
Eyeballing it, I would guess that you can swap the motherboard out from the previous generation Odroid Go Super, so that may actually be an option.
I don't think I'd want a subscription, but sure some people might go for that.
It does have exposed GPIO, though! You can see the connector above the CPU and other microchips in the first motherboard picture. This is in keeping with the Odroid Go Super design, which also had exposed GPIO in that location.
The bigger size allows for a much better screen. But I agree that you loose something in pocketability.
I suppose technically you could upgrade the battery yourself. Although a larger battery is at ods with that size constraint.
Eyeballing it, I would guess that you can swap the motherboard out from the previous generation Odroid Go Super, so that may actually be an option.
I don't think I'd want a subscription, but sure some people might go for that.
I had an ODROID Advance and the buttons and sticks were so miserable that I gave it away and replaced it with a RG351V, on the same chipset and 4:3 DMG Game Boy-style layout, and the difference in actually USING it was night and day.
I wish ODROID actually just sold these as kits like they used to for folks to just install better sticks and buttons on their own if they want them, and especially if it retained some hackability. Clones offering better gaming experiences - better controls, less wonky charging, more solid cases, integrated wireless, video output - are only going to come out faster and faster.
I wish ODROID actually just sold these as kits like they used to for folks to just install better sticks and buttons on their own if they want them, and especially if it retained some hackability. Clones offering better gaming experiences - better controls, less wonky charging, more solid cases, integrated wireless, video output - are only going to come out faster and faster.
For anyone thinking about picking one up explore buying a used vita. It can do everything this does (sans GameCube) but it can play vita games as well. Sd card adapters are <$10
Worth mentioning Vita is pretty finnicky. SD card adapters use the game card slot not the memory card slot and and so aren't the simpliest to configure and get going. Official cards that use the memory card slot are capped at 64GB and 64GB cards were only sold in Asia and have only gotten even more stupid expensive over time.
It's a decent handheld but Sony's paranoia really kneecapped it. And it doesn't quite have the ease of use as a lot of the retro handhelds available today.
It's a decent handheld but Sony's paranoia really kneecapped it. And it doesn't quite have the ease of use as a lot of the retro handhelds available today.
I also have never had a problem with my oled model. Also hard to think other companies can match the vita’s build quality. Or spare parts supply.
Honestly, vita is life!
Honestly, vita is life!
I recently breathed new life into my Vita with Adrenaline and a whole bunch of old PSX games. It really is a fantastic device, great build quality is exceptional and perfect handheld hardware for anything below 2012-era AAA games.
It really was let down by the business folks at Sony. I guess the upside is that it paved the way for the Switch and Nintendo really learned from Sony's mistakes (but even then, my Vita sees a lot more usage than my Switch).
It really was let down by the business folks at Sony. I guess the upside is that it paved the way for the Switch and Nintendo really learned from Sony's mistakes (but even then, my Vita sees a lot more usage than my Switch).
The ps vita is the one console I keep taking out of storage periodically. It's such a great handheld console with a great library of indie games and amazing for emulation.
I haven't had any issues with mine (OLED model) FWIW. If you have an OLED model I think there is a way to put the card in the PSVSD, which might be more reliable.
Only the 3G models support the PSVSD. You do have to fiddle with the drive setup, some of the adapters don't work with some FW versions, etc. It's just more of a pain IMO than dropping ROMs on an SD card like other handhelds.
The sd2vita is pretty easy to setup these days. I find that it can all be done with gui apps on the vita itself.
Also I just ftp and drop roms on the sd card too.
Also I just ftp and drop roms on the sd card too.
Yeah but it's a 30+ step process to even to be able to use the sd2vita and emulators. Modern retro handhelds have an ease of use convenience factor. Proper SD card support, USB C charging, TV out, literally drag and drop ROMs, etc.
This is very true, modding any console can be quite the effort and a huge challenge for non technical people.
To get the mod working I had to compile the software for macOS 10.13 as some libusb function wasn’t working correctly and wouldn’t inject the payload to the vita. This was well out of my comfort zone.
To get the mod working I had to compile the software for macOS 10.13 as some libusb function wasn’t working correctly and wouldn’t inject the payload to the vita. This was well out of my comfort zone.
More like 10 steps. But yes it takes a bit of knowledge.
The official flash cards also are very prone to corruption, especially the larger sized ones. Getting the SD card adapter is practically a requirement.
the PS Vita is an excellent console, especially give how old it is.
What's sad is that modding anything requires a level of technical knowledge and patience that most will not have. I fully agree with you though - i bought a used Vita and could not be happier with it as a handheld console.
What's sad is that modding anything requires a level of technical knowledge and patience that most will not have. I fully agree with you though - i bought a used Vita and could not be happier with it as a handheld console.
That reminds me of a video, “‘Why don't you just hack a Vita?’”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4MhnhqGeFI
What does the OS situation for these handhelds look like? Could they be usable with a pmOS or Mobian install? It might also be interesting to look into UX paradigms for a more general purpose use of this class of devices, as opposed to just gaming. E.g. they might supplement SBC's for some educational uses.
The Odroid N2+ which this device is based upon is well supported by Armbian, so chances are that it will only need some tweaking.
https://www.armbian.com/odroid-n2/
https://www.armbian.com/odroid-n2/
I got an odroid go super for porting postmarketOS but got stuck at not finding an actual kernel for the thing to build.
Do you still have the device? https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?f=194&t=40455 reports some success at booting a mainline kernel on the Go Super. Wiki page https://wiki.odroid.com/odroid_go_super/start has some info on the downstream kernel.
I have a previous model, the Odroid-go Advance. There are a bunch of canned distributions bassed around RetroArch and EmulationzStation, but it's just an ARM Linux box underneath, which can even be fitted with a USB keyboard.
From looking at a different forum on the submitted link https://forum.odroid.com/viewforum.php?f=194 it seems that mainline support for the Go Advance is still a work in progress, and quite a bit of stuff is not working properly. Once that's addressed however a pmOS build for that could be feasible. pmOS has a wiki page on the Odroid N2+ SBC, but this handheld comes with changes that might make it harder to support.
I love the use of un-rethemed phpBB as an ersatz CMS. Very web 1.0.
Can these things play native games, or are they locked in to emulating?
Can these things play native games, or are they locked in to emulating?
I think it's just a plain old web forum with a standard News/Announcement section.
In the before times (when WordPress was new and shiny, or even earlier) this was a run-of-the-mill setup and every community had a locked Announcement section where only moderators/admins could post.
In the before times (when WordPress was new and shiny, or even earlier) this was a run-of-the-mill setup and every community had a locked Announcement section where only moderators/admins could post.
Yes, they can play native games. The new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game has a Linux/arm build that works on previous generations of this device, Beats of Rage works, there are native builds of Super Mario 64, Another Metroid 2 Remake (AM2R), Half Life, etc.
They are targeted at emulation, but it's just a small ARM computer running Linux, so you can really do anything you want (within the limits of what the hardware can run, of course.)
They are targeted at emulation, but it's just a small ARM computer running Linux, so you can really do anything you want (within the limits of what the hardware can run, of course.)
Looks cool but be weary of cheap controllers.
There's a reason it costs Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo millions in R&D to finalise their controllers: it's hard to get right; and terrible if it's even slightly wrong.
This is clearly a budget option but I'd wish budget manufacturers tried to key into existing controllers more. Slide in ports for Nintendo JoyCons, for example. Or club together to fab a common input and ergonomics platform, just leave the computation, display and battery capacity variables.
There's a reason it costs Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo millions in R&D to finalise their controllers: it's hard to get right; and terrible if it's even slightly wrong.
This is clearly a budget option but I'd wish budget manufacturers tried to key into existing controllers more. Slide in ports for Nintendo JoyCons, for example. Or club together to fab a common input and ergonomics platform, just leave the computation, display and battery capacity variables.
Various controllers have been de-facto standard over multiple platforms over the years. DE-9 joysticks¹ used to be standard, and you could buy your own favorite model to your microcomputer or console. Nowadays it seems that the Xbox controller² has occupied this niche.
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_joystick_port
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_controller
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_joystick_port
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_controller
Sony Dualshock is the standard, the Xbox one is on the same category as the Nintendo Switch, poor build quality, and prone to drift
Opposite in my experience. Went through multiple ps4 controllers yet all my Xbox one controllers still work and regularly use them to game on my pc.
I had some 360 controllers that lasted ~10 years, which seems pretty good for a controller. The rubber on the top of the joysticks wore away after maybe 7 or so years, and then they eventually became wobbly.
A ~4 year old Xbox one controller just got too much drift, surprisingly enough. I was kind of disappointed. But with these small sample sizes, could just be a fluke.
A ~4 year old Xbox one controller just got too much drift, surprisingly enough. I was kind of disappointed. But with these small sample sizes, could just be a fluke.
opposite for me. replaced many thumbsticks on 360 controllers, have had better luck with XBone. but, i kinda suspect the same cheapo parts are used on both, so...
DS4's have been solid for me, with the biggest issue being their rather disappointing battery life. Probably depends a lot on the types of games most often played, playstyles, etc though.
Firstly, I mistakenly wrote (and linked to) “Xbox controller” when I actually meant the Xbox 360 controller.
Secondly, you seem to have missed my point. I did not mean that the actual Xbox 360 controller is the best, I meant that for games and other similar applications, an Xbox 360 controller seems to be what most interfaces are designed for, and an Xbox 360 controller can also be plugged into anything with a USB port, which is everything. Therefore, you can choose to buy any good Xbox 360-compatible controller on the market and use it with most software and hardware.
Secondly, you seem to have missed my point. I did not mean that the actual Xbox 360 controller is the best, I meant that for games and other similar applications, an Xbox 360 controller seems to be what most interfaces are designed for, and an Xbox 360 controller can also be plugged into anything with a USB port, which is everything. Therefore, you can choose to buy any good Xbox 360-compatible controller on the market and use it with most software and hardware.
Xbox controller is a windows thing
DualShock is supported out of the box on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS
Wireless Xbox controller use proprietary tech, DualShock uses bluetooth
For these points, the sony's controller wins at the "designed to be plugged into anything" argument that you are trying to push
DualShock is supported out of the box on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS
Wireless Xbox controller use proprietary tech, DualShock uses bluetooth
For these points, the sony's controller wins at the "designed to be plugged into anything" argument that you are trying to push
I meant the USB Xbox 360 Controller, not the wireless one. Otherwise, I don’t know; you may be right that DualShock is taking over, I don’t really follow the space, I just know what I’ve seen in various games, but this might be changing in newer games; I wouldn’t know.
AFAIK they all use ALPS joysticks and they all drift. Gulikit is using hall effect joysticks in their KingKong Pro 2 controller which won't drift. The Dreamcast used hall effects as well (plus the 3D Saturn controller, I believe). They made replacement sticks for the Steam Deck, so hopefully they'll target a few other popular controllers next.
My CH mach III just died. It's about 30 years old, and one of the potentiometers finally gave out. I can't find anything comparable outside of industrial controls...
[deleted]
S922X is an old soc, but looks like they got new kernel for it. Wonder if Amlogic managed to update their proprietary blobs or odroid provide no hw acceleration and decoding whatsoever.
Used the N1 for about a year, and while I enjoyed the experience with it as a decent Linux machine, the video acceleration left a sour taste, especially the atrociously basic kplayer which is the only video player that had it.
"The GPU was changed from Mali G31 2xEE to Mali G52 6xEE."
What a shame I really hoped they with opt for the RK3588 instead .
I really had fun with their older hand held device but it really needed more power
What a shame I really hoped they with opt for the RK3588 instead .
I really had fun with their older hand held device but it really needed more power
Looks a little faster than the Anbernic Rg351. I'll have to see some gameplay footage of the Dreamcast and GameCube emulation to see if it's worth the upgrade.
Really love the detailed specs, schematics, and board shots. Open hardware projects have an aesthetic all to their own, and understanding how hardware is built and works together somehow makes these products more enjoyable (at least this is a principle we've adhered to while building the Simula One[1]).
[1] https://simulavr.com/
[1] https://simulavr.com/
I would love to have an MMORPG with a dedicated handheld console that would be only for that MMORPG and you could only play it on that handheld.
Ahh... Sweet dreams~
Ahh... Sweet dreams~
This would be kinda cool, but also kinda the most terrible idea I can think of. MMORPGs rely so heavily on network effects to gain and keep players that any barrier to entry - and the requirement to have dedicated hardware is a pretty huge barrier - can be utterly fatal.
That said, I've really been enjoying Final Fantasy XIV on my Steam Deck - being able to pick it it up at lunch time and do a quick half hour of crafting or gathering really does present a different way to enjoy the game.
That said, I've really been enjoying Final Fantasy XIV on my Steam Deck - being able to pick it it up at lunch time and do a quick half hour of crafting or gathering really does present a different way to enjoy the game.
This one will likely have two years of support and that's it, which is the common nature of these systems, especially made by ODROID.
It does not matter about the specs here, it's always about the games and all this is useful for is playing pirated games.
Consumers who love the Nintendo Switch are not missing out on anything here, given that they know that their Switch will be supported for longer than 2 years.
It does not matter about the specs here, it's always about the games and all this is useful for is playing pirated games.
Consumers who love the Nintendo Switch are not missing out on anything here, given that they know that their Switch will be supported for longer than 2 years.
I own ODROID hardware that I bought 7 years ago that still has official support and maintenance.
...it's running Linux. It will be supported until the sun dies.
It's also sad that you think I can't play games I own on this. As if I'm going to rip my mint copy of FFVII open when I can play it upscaled. It's just a sad backwards way to think about it.
It's also sad that you think I can't play games I own on this. As if I'm going to rip my mint copy of FFVII open when I can play it upscaled. It's just a sad backwards way to think about it.
It's an ARM SoC, those can't run vanilla Linux images and require someone, usually manufacturers or enthusiasts, to maintain SoC-specific Linux builds for the boards.
Do they make any comparisons to the Switch? It seems like a totally different type of device to me, other than the shape.
This looks like an awesome project, definitely curious to see how much actual graphics ability the processor has.
Oh hey, I had the ODROID C1 a while ago - though I lost it at some point. :(
Nice to see they are still around!
Nice to see they are still around!
whats the equivalent performance like? i mean if its linux and only $111, i will try it but what about availability? would it be available in say... india?
i would buy this just to support the linux part of the "whole package"...
i would buy this just to support the linux part of the "whole package"...
Could it be a simple solution for an ipad ssh linux server you can bring around?
We'll, it doesn't have built-in wi-fi, but I suppose it would work with a USB dongle.
However, an iPad is going to be significantly more powerful than one of these devices; you're probably not going to want compile code and whatnot on one of these.
But sure, it would do in a pinch.
However, an iPad is going to be significantly more powerful than one of these devices; you're probably not going to want compile code and whatnot on one of these.
But sure, it would do in a pinch.
Looking at the specs, I am slightly tempted to get this as Pi replacement.
Would it work?
Would it work?
It is based on the Odroid N2+, which can definitely replace a Pi.
I used some in the past and they are powerful alternatives.
The only downside is worse software support (the official images have only older linux versions), but there are alternative images. I had good experience using Armbian images instead of the official ones.
I used some in the past and they are powerful alternatives.
The only downside is worse software support (the official images have only older linux versions), but there are alternative images. I had good experience using Armbian images instead of the official ones.
yomkippur(4)
metadat(6)
HK earned a longtime fan with that move for sure, haha. :) This new handheld looks great, I hope they have their "mainstream moment."
[1] http://replicaisland.blogspot.com/2010/01/fragmentation-more...
(I've posted this comment a few times on HardKernel/ODROID stories. Just want to pay it forward to these guys.)