arkos – Retro Game Corps

ArkOS Starter Guide

March 27, 2023April 11, 2023by Russ8 Comments

Last updated: 11APR2023 (see Changelog for details)

ArkOS is a custom operating system that is available for many retro handheld devices. It features optimized performance, a simple user interface, online updates, and a very stable experience thanks to years of development work.

This guide will help you get set up with ArkOS, to improve your handheld device in just about every way. Don’t worry, it’s pretty easy.

If you would like to support the developer and their work, please consider leaving them a donation for their time and effort over the years.

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GameForce Chi, Guides, ODROID Go Super, RG351

Sega Saturn Update for ArkOS and RetroOZ

January 29, 2022January 2, 2023by Russ1 Comment

Last updated: 30JAN2022

Thanks to new updates to their emulators, you can get greatly improved Sega Saturn performance on RG351V, RG351MP, RGB10, ODROID Go Advance, ODROID Go Super, and RGB10 Max devices running ArkOS and RetroOZ. In this guide I’ll show you how to install the new update, configure the emulator, and we’ll take a look at some gameplay, too.

Note that 351ELEC support is planned but not implemented yet.

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GameForce Chi, ODROID Go Super, ports, RG351

Stardew Valley on Retro Handhelds

November 30, 2021September 11, 2022by Russ36 Comments

Last updated: 13JUL2022 (see Changelog for details)

The beloved farming simulator Stardew Valley has now been ported to RK3326 devices such as the Anbernic RG351 series, PowKiddy RGB10 series, ODROID Go Advance/Super, and the GameForce Chi. This game also works on other devices that work with PortMaster, such as the Anbernic RG552, RG353P, and RG503.

Setting up this game is similar to other ports such as Shovel Knight, Undertale, and Iconoclasts. Mad props to developer JohnnyOnFlame for getting this port running; please consider buying him a coffee for his hard work.

IMPORTANT NOTE: since making my installation video below, the game has been updated which affects that installation. From now on, it’s important to download the “Compatibility” version of the game in order for the process to work. The written instructions below will walk you through that process.

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Guides, ports, RG351

Guide: Iconoclasts on Retro Handhelds (via PortMaster)

November 27, 2021September 11, 2022by Russ10 Comments

Today we’re going to set up the indie game Iconoclasts to work on RK3326-powered retro handheld devices such as the RG351MP and the RG351V, as well as the RG552, RG503, and RG353P devices running PortMaster-friendly custom firmware. This port is available thanks to the PortMaster platform, which is available on the ArkOS, Retro Arena, JELOS, and AmberELEC firmwares.

Some notes

The video guide shows you how to set up the device on ArkOS, but the process will be the same for the other firmwares.
This game isn’t meant to play on low-resolution screens, and so the text is mostly illegible on 480×320 displays like on the RG351P, RG351M, and RGB10. In general, I would recommend this game for the RG351MP, RG351V, and the Chi GameForce.
As of making this video, the port doesn’t work on RetroOZ, so there is no option to play this on the RGB10 Max or ODROID Go Super.

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GameForce Chi, Guides, ODROID Go Super, RG351

Guide: Moonlight on Retro Handhelds

September 23, 2021November 28, 2021by Russ12 Comments

Last updated: 28NOV2021

Moonlight is a game streaming tool designed to allow you to stream your screen (and games) from a PC to a connected device. This means you can stream games that wouldn’t normally run on your device, such as GameCube, PS2, PC games, and so on. This is an excellent option if you want to play a few games while in bed, or on the couch, or maybe at the dinner table.

For this guide, we will focus on Moonlight support for ArkOS and RetroOZ firmwares on the following handheld devices:

Anbernic RG351P (ArkOS final, 351ELEC) — requires WiFi dongle
Anbernic RG351M (ArkOS final, 351ELEC)
Anbernic RG351V (ArkOS, 351ELEC)
Anbernic RG351MP (ArkOS, 351ELEC)
PowKiddy RGB10 (ArkOS) — requires WiFi dongle
PowKiddy RGB10 Max (RetroOZ) — requires WiFi dongle for 5GHz
GameForce Chi (ArkOS)
RK2020 (ArkOS) — requires WiFi dongle
ODROID Go Advance (ArkOS) — may require WiFi dongle
ODROID Go Super (RetroOZ) — requires WiFi dongle

UPDATE! As of 28NOV2021, Moonlight streaming is now working on 351ELEC firmware via PortMaster!

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Guides, ports, RG351

Guide: Streets of Rage Remake on Retro Handhelds

August 8, 2021September 11, 2022by Russ8 Comments

Last updated: 30NOV2021

Streets of Rage Remake is a beloved game among emulation and homebrew fans. First released in 2011 after eight years of development, this fan-made game mashes together the first three Streets of Rage games and adds in over 100 stages, 15+ playable characters, and an epic soundtrack. Sadly, the game was pulled down from official release at the request of SEGA, but has remained available on various websites over the years.

Porting SoRR to a device is a right of passage for any true retro handheld, so today let’s walk through how to play this game on RK3326 devices running PortMaster. The following devices will work:

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)

Note that the video below will show you how to install the port using specific files. This process has been simplified significantly, and you can now set everything up via PortMaster.

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RG351

Guide: ArkOS Final Release for RG351P and RG351M

May 2, 2021May 2, 2021by Russ1 Comment

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.

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Guides, ODROID Go Super, RG351

Guide: CD-Based Systems on Retro Handhelds

April 22, 2021October 25, 2022by Russ3 Comments

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.

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RG351

RG351V Custom Firmware Guide (351ELEC, ArkOS, TheRA)

April 15, 2021September 21, 2022by Russ17 Comments

If you’re looking to improve the user experience for the Anbernic RG351V, custom firmware is the way to go. Let’s look at the three new options available to you, how to install them, and figure out which one is best for you.

Buy an RG351V here!

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Miscellaneous

Fix the “Format Disk” Windows 10 Error (EmuELEC, ArkOS, 351ELEC)

March 23, 2021March 22, 2021by RussLeave a Comment

Do you get an error that says “You need to format the disk in drive [letter] before you can use it” when putting in a multi-partition SD card? This video will show you how to remove drive letters from your SD card partitions so you just see the partitions you want. Additionally, I’ll show you how to make unassigned partitions appear.

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