Guide: Widescreen Dreamcast on Retro Handhelds

Guide: Widescreen Dreamcast on Retro Handhelds

Last updated: 29MAY2021 (see Changelog for details)

The sixth generation of video game consoles, which included the PS2, Nintendo Gamecube, Xbox, and Sega Dreamcast, was a transformative period for both gaming and televisions. Standard (4:3 aspect) TVs were eventually replaced by widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio displays during this time, and many console accommodated this shift. A few Dreamcast games, such as Rayman 2, natively supported widescreen televisions upon release — all you have to do is go into the game settings and change it to 16:9 instead of 4:3. Most other games were natively scaled to 4:3, but many 3D titles on the Dreamcast can be altered to stretch into anamorphic widescreen. This is possible because these games render the 3D environment beyond the 4:3 displayed on a typical TV, and through various hacks we can unlock widescreen Dreamcast for over 100 titles.

These instructions are primarily written for the RetroOZ firmware on the ODROID Go Super or RGB10 Max in particular, since it has a lovely 16:9 screen, but the RetroArch widescreen hack cheats can be implemented in other firmwares such as EmuELEC, ArkOS, and 351ELEC for RG351P/M devices (or other devices with screens wider than 4:3). There are three basic methods:

  1. Use the built-in RetroRun widescreen hack or cheats options
    • Available for RetroOZ firmware only
    • Supported platforms: OGS, RGB10 Max
  2. Use widescreen hack cheats in RetroArch
    • Available for EmuELEC, 351ELEC, and ArkOS firmwares
    • Supported platforms: OGS, RGB10 Max, or any 3:2 device like RG351P/M, RGB10, OGA, RK2020, etc.
  3. Hex edit your games for permanent widescreen
    • Available for ArkOS firmware only (351ELEC may be possible with shell script creation)
    • Supported platforms: RG351P/M, RGB10, OGA, RK2020
Continue reading “Guide: Widescreen Dreamcast on Retro Handhelds”

Quick Guide: File Transfer Options on Retro Handheld Devices

Quick Guide: File Transfer Options on Retro Handheld Devices

Let’s look at the four ways you can transfer files to and from your device. This guide applies to all RK3326-based devices, like the Anbernic RG351 series, PowKiddy RGB10/20, ODROID Go Advance/Super devices, and so on.

Continue reading “Quick Guide: File Transfer Options on Retro Handheld Devices”

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on Retro Handheld Devices

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on Retro Handheld Devices

Last updated: 30NOV2021 (see Changelog for details)

UPDATE: PortMaster has recently created a one-stop shop for all things related to running ports on retro handhelds. I recommend checking out their website and my most recent PortMaster guide instead of the guide below; I’m leaving this page up for posterity’s sake only. To get started, head over to their Games tab, find the game you want to run, and check out their instructions on that page. If you run into any issues, their discord server is also a great place to start.

Let’s figure out how to play Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on various retro handheld devices. We will primarily focus the install guide on the RG351P and RG351M, but additional instructions for other RK3326 devices are also found below.

Anbernic RG351P (ArkOS final, TheRA, 351ELEC)
Anbernic RG351M (ArkOS final, TheRA, 351ELEC)
Anbernic RG351V (ArkOS, TheRA, 351ELEC)
Anbernic RG351MP (ArkOS, TheRA, 351ELEC)
PowKiddy RGB10 (ArkOS)
GameForce Chi (ArkOS)
RK2020 (ArkOS)
ODROID Go Advance (ArkOS)
ODROID Go Super (The RetroArena, RetroOZ)
PowKiddy RGB10 Max (The Retro Arena, RetroOZ)

I’ve been playing this game for a few days now and I really love it. It reminds me of a cross between the Duck Tales and Mega Man NES games, with some lite RPG elements. Fair warning, the games are pretty difficult, but there are cheat codes available if that’s your thing.

Big shoutout to developer JohnnyonFlame for getting this port up and running on these devices. He’s also the developer who made all of those awesome Super Mario 64 ports possible! If you have the means to do so, please consider donating a coffee to show your support for his work.

Continue reading “Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on Retro Handheld Devices”

Guide: ArkOS Final Release for RG351P and RG351M

Guide: ArkOS Final Release for RG351P and RG351M

Last updated: 02MAY2021

The ArkOS custom firmware final release has now arrived for the Anbernic RG351P and RG351M devices. Now that development has stopped for these platforms, here is a definitive guide to set up and tweak this powerful operating system to meet your needs.

Continue reading “Guide: ArkOS Final Release for RG351P and RG351M”

351ELEC Final Update: What You Need to Know

351ELEC Final Update: What You Need to Know

351ELEC has closed its project for future updates. Let’s take a look at this final build of the operating system, the legacy it leaves behind, and where we go from here.

UPDATE: As of May 2021, 351ELEC has been resurrected under new leadership! Here is my latest video on their most recent release.

Continue reading “351ELEC Final Update: What You Need to Know”

Guide: CD-Based Systems on Retro Handhelds

Guide: CD-Based Systems on Retro Handhelds

Last updated: 09JUL2021

Today we’re going to discuss systems like PlayStation 1, Dreamcast, Sega CD, and TurboGrafx-CD (PC Engine CD). Let’s organize your files and learn how to switch discs in multi-disc games, too.

This guide applies to any RK3326 retro handheld system, such as the RG351 series, PowKiddy RGB10, ODROID Go Advance/Super, and so on. This will also apply to any device that runs an EmulationStation frontend, such as the Super Console X. The video primarily focuses on the 351ELEC firmware for the RG351 devices, but can be applied to ArkOS, EmuELEC, RetroOZ, or any other EmulationStation-based operating system that runs on these devices.

Continue reading “Guide: CD-Based Systems on Retro Handhelds”