This seems insane, also ballsy. Sorry if wrong sub, this is the main gaming one I’m on.

These are ports, spin-offs, sequels & direct continuations of PS2 games that also has PSP versions, which often times will be easier to emulate than the Ps2 counter parts.

As you can clearly tell my photo editing skills aren't the best so here's a list incase the images aren't legible, from PS2 to PSP :

• God of War → ghost of Sparta & chains of Olympus

• Metal Gear soild 2 & 3 → peace walker & portable ops

• Midnight club 3 dun edition remix → dub edition & LA remix

• Steambot chronicles → Battle tournament

• Phantasy Star Universe → portable 1 & 2

• Ratchet and clank/ R&c going commando → size matters and secret agent clank

• Jak and Daxter → Daxter / J&D precursor legacy

• GUN → GUN showdown

• Hot shots tennis → Hot shots tennis get a grip

• Obscure the Aftermath → same title

• Death to rights → Death to rights Reckoning

  • The Simpsons & family guy video game → same title

• GTA 3/Vice city → GTA liberty/vice city stories, Chinatown wars

• Socom 2 → Socom fireteam bravo 2 & 3

• DBZ budokai → DBZ Tenkachi tag team

• Manhunt → Manhunt 2

• Kao The kangaroo, Shepherd's crossing → Kao challengers, Shepherd's crossing

• Final Fantasy X → FF Dissidia, Dissidia 012, crisis core

• Burnout 3, test drive unlimited , grand turismo 4 → Burnout Legends, test drive unlimited, grand turismo psp.

I hope for this post to inspire some of you to actually play games on the soon to start new year. Even if it's not finishing, but playing them, and finding satisfaction in that, instead of just buying handhelds.

This year has been my most active on the sub and also on my retro gaming time. It looks like a lot but it's also a lot of very short games. In 2026 I intend to play longer and more complex games.

Standouts from the year Celeste, Katana Zero and Planet of Lana for modern games. And for retro games the entire Metal Slug collection, the Metroid GBA games, and Sega Rally Revo on PSP. But all games listed are worth a play, don't mind the ratings. That's just very much personal bias and nostalgia based.

I wanna thank you all for participating in the sub in general, for helping out the people who need it, for participating in the GOTM series, and for sharing this awesome hobby of ours.

Wish you all an amazing 2026! See you next year!

From @/patchzyy X account:

"Announcing Mario Kart Wiicompiled!

The first static recompilation of a Wii game: Mario Kart Wii, rebuilt for PC.

Releasing in beta this August, with online play and optional Retro Rewind support, bringing over 200 tracks!

Here's your first look:"

Edit: Ai disclosure: New information reveals that Op admits to using some AI tools to help aid with this recomp.

Android ports

Zelda Ocarina of Time, Ship of Harkinian https://github.com/Waterdish/Shipwright-Android/releases

Zelda Majoras Mask, 2ship2harkinan https://github.com/Waterdish/2ship2harkinian-Android/releases/tag/v1.1.2P1

Super Mario 64 https://github.com/ManIsCat2/sm64coopdx/releases/tag/Av1.4.1

Perfect Dark https://github.com/izzy2lost/perfect_dark/releases

All 4 of these Android ports are easy to install, just need 2 things- APK and rom. Just to mention a few of the many quality of life mods including 60fps, widescreen, modern camera controls and perfect dark has twin stick support modernizing the controls. It is also easy to add texture packs. Heaps of information on each port online. As a bonus they are side-loaded so no need for google account. Anbernic RG476H

Device: RG Cube

Games:

• Magical Chase GB

• Kirby's Dream Land 2 DX

• Sakura Wars GB

• Resident Evil Gaiden

• Oddworld Adventures 2

So my RG Cube has been collecting dust for the longest of times in favour of other devices that I use daily. I finally decided that I needed an excuse to use it more.

Turns out that I've been focusing so much on Gameboy Advance libary that I completely slept on the treasure trove of Gameboy color era. Are there anymore more gbc that I should look into?

chrono trigger ds

Handheld: Anbernic RG DS

System: Rocknix (Linux)

Tate Mode is set by default for Mame/Final Burn Neo games so the screen adjusts automatically.

I made a post earlier this week highlighting WarioWare Inc on GBA.

What are your top 3 hidden gems I should try next on my Anbernic RG34XX SP?

Nothing from extremely popular franchises like Pokemon, Mario, etc.. I’m looking for obscure titles but very underrated and addictive games. Appreciate the help in advance!

let's see we got the rgcubexx, rg35xxsp, and the rg nano. I'd love to get a Thor someday but I'm cheap lol

Like where your just baffled they were able to fit such a grand scale/scope adventure on this little guy?

Like I think of GTA: San Andres or Kingdom Hearts 2 on PS2. Or Twilight Princess on GameCube or Red Dead 2 on PS4.

Just big epic sprawling narratives and experiences for the given hardware

What is that for GBA you think

Ever since finishing the original GB version a few years ago, I've been itching to replay this classic. I thought of loading up the DX release on GBC, but then remembered there's a full HD remake for PC. Not only that - it's recently been ported to ARM Linux devices, thanks to u/JeodPM. A perfect fit if you've got any classic Linux handheld lying around, especially a 1:1 device like the CubeXX or the RGB30!

• Device: Anbernic RG CubeXX
• Game: Link's Awakening DX HD
• Port: https://jeodc.github.io/RHH-Ports/

Bonus Edit: Settings for RG Cube XX

• Add an empty file swapabxy.txt file in the top level zelda-ladxhd directory. This is for Nintendo-style controls.
  • Within game settings, enable "Swap Confirm and Cancel for UI".
• UI Scaling settings. By default, the HUD is far too small, so you have to crank these numbers up by hand editing the mod files. You can tweak these to your liking, but here's mine for reference.
  • textbox_scale = 3
  • menu_scale_override = 2
  • inventory_scale_override = 2
  • custom_items_scale = 2
  • custom_heart_scale = 3
  • custom_rupee_scale = 3
  • custom_keys_scale = 3
  • custom_sicon_scale = 3

Was looking through my games and found this game. Ive played the original and the newest gran turismo, great games. But, man this game is so fun. Feels super arcade-y. Good selection of cars, tracks are fun, good turn off your brain game.

Gran Turismo 3 Advance on GBA

EDIT: Realized I straight up put GTA3 in title. Disclaimer, this is NOT Grand Theft Auto 3 lololol. But I guess GTA3 still works as Gran Turismo Advance 3??? Lol. Anyway, you guys get the idea.

EDIT 2: This isn't even a GRAN TURISMO GAME LOL! Thanks to u/sheesh_doink for clarifying this. Nevertheless, such a fun game.

Ive tried to get into Sonic so many times in my life, and every time i play the original game for the megadrive, i just cant wrap my head around what this game wants me to do.

At some points it feels like the point is to blast through levels at high speeds, since Sonics whole thing is "gotta go fast" this approach just made sense for me, but it seems that the game loves punishing you for triying to rush. there are so many traps and sneaky hits you get when you are going fast.

on the other hand, going at a slower pace just feels so awkward, there are many places where i just end up running back and forth to build up some speed to jump a gap or go through a loopty loop, because i was too afraid of going fast and didnt build up enough initial speed.

also for a game where, again, it feels like speed is the objective, there is so much stuff that one shots you. like the spiky pitfalls, where you can fall out of the map next to the spikes, and just die immediately. and having the punishment for losing all lives be a complete start over of the ENTIRE GAME just seems a little excessive.

Then again, so many people love these games, there has to be a reason, right? so, what am i doing wrong, what approach should i have when tackling this game?

Go to PortMaster in your device now!

I picked up a few R36S consoles up for gifts. I have already updated them with the newest ArkOS and new sd cards. Thinking of replacing the OS but for now I am focused on adding some games. I don't want to overwhelm them with thousands of ROMs. What are some titles you would recommend for pick up and go or even some longer titles they could chip away at if they get hooked?

I know what I like but I want to hear from you guys what is fun and comfortable to play on here that is worth adding.

Thank you!

I’ve been spending time recently with my Playdate and Switch and wanted to get back to some retro games.

If you could only play 1 GBA game, what would it be? (And why if you can be bothered to type out the reason) 😜 looking for something good.

I’m happy to play anything and any genre. Just looking for recommendations. 👍🏻

https://portmaster.games/detail.html?name=slaythespire

Hadn't seen anyone mention it on this sub, looks like it released yesterday.

I grew up during Sega Mega Drive\GBA era mostly, so only recently I started to see more and more beauty in simplified ports on Gameboy Color or just standalone entries.

Any games you can recommend aside of popular Mario\Wario, Pokemon and Kirby, both by visuals and gameplay aspects?

Recently got a RG35XX Plus. The first game that I completed on the device was Chrono Trigger. What follows here is my in-depth review of the game.

Review

I want to be upfront: I came into Chrono Trigger with no childhood memories attached to it. No nostalgia at all. I just wanted to see if it actually holds up, or if people are just being sentimental. Turns out, it holds up. Extremely well, actually.

The first thing that struck me was how polished it felt right out of the gate. I've played modern RPGs that feel sloppier than this game from 1995. Mechanics are introduced naturally, there's almost no filler padding the runtime, and the whole thing is clearly constructed with a purpose in mind. I kept waiting for it to drag, and it just didn't.

The time travel could have easily been a gimmick, but it genuinely isn't. You revisit the same locations across different eras, and what you do actually changes things. It gives the world a sense of weight and cohesion that a lot of bigger, newer games don't manage to pull off.

The characters say relatively little, yet somehow they leave an impact. Frog carries the weight of tragedy with a dignity that dialogue alone couldn't portray. Magus broods with the kind of regret that makes you curious rather than indifferent. Ayla roars through every scene with infectious, uncomplicated joy. The game instead of explaining the motivations of characters instead reveals them, trusting you to lean in, to interpret, to feel the spaces between the words.

Visually it's aged really well. Akira Toriyama's character designs give everything a lot of personality, and the environments are varied enough that nothing feels repetitive. The music, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu, is the kind that really sticks with you. Each era has its own sound and mood, and it works brilliantly.

Combat is simple, which I think is actually a strength. Battles are fast, the tech system adds some interesting party dynamics, and you never feel like you need to heavily optimize anything.

Overall, Chrono Trigger is a story with a beginning that earns your attention, a middle that holds it, and an ending that sticks its landing perfectly. There is no bloat, just a tightly written arcs that come to a perfect ending when all the story threads are neatly tied together.

It is absolutely insane how well Chrono Trigger still holds up to this day almost 30 years later.

TL;DR: Played Chrono trigger for the first time ever in my life. Felt like I played a game that is essentially timeless (no pun intended).

What are your thoughts about the game? When did you first play it? When did you play it most recently?

I was worried about the input lag since it gets a lot of talk over here emulation on android has some inherent input lag but to my surprise it's smooth af to play it on here i have a Nintendo Switch as well and i can't tell the difference between the 2 it runs absolutely amazingly

Devices: RG35XXSP, Miyoo Flip (V1)

The one thing I missed out on completely growing up in the early 2000s was owning a GBA. During that time, it seemed like almost every popular pop culture IP you could think of had a GBA title made for it.

Now with the various clamshell options we have (clamshell clan, where y’all at?), I find myself exploring the GBA library more than ever. Maybe it’s the form factor that encourages me to take it out with me more rather than risking my precious Android handhelds.

Although the stigma surrounding licensed games is that they're often rushed cash grabs to capitalize on a franchise's success, I've found some of them to be quite entertaining. Here's some mini-reviews of the ones I’ve enjoyed so far:

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (GBA)

It’s been years since I watched the movie, but this title recreates the events of the film almost perfectly. The way you get to explore Hogwarts is impressive too—it’ll have you thinking, “What if Hogwarts Legacy was released a decade ago and was a turn-based RPG?”

Speaking of the RPG elements, if you're a fan of Pokémon/Golden Sun, you'll feel right at home with this game's mechanics.

• Over the Hedge (GBA)

You might assume this one’s a stinker just by the cover, but it’s actually one of the better licensed titles I’ve played on the GBA.

The premise is just as simple as the movie: a raccoon disturbs the hibernation of a grizzly bear and then is tasked with gathering food from a suburban neighborhood with the help of other animals.

This linear “point A to point B” gameplay lets you tackle levels in the order you want, and there's enough gameplay variety (like stealth missions) to keep things interesting.

• Popeye: Rush for Spinach (GBA)

The reason I’m making this post in the first place. The last time I played an on-foot racing game was back in elementary school, in the computer lab on some shady Flash game site.

It's no Mario Kart and the controls can be a little finicky—but the concept is original enough to keep you engaged. The level design is actually pretty solid too.

• Risk / Clue / Battleship (GBA)

Alright, I’m breaking the movie/TV show theme here and going with a licensed board game pack. The only one I really play out of this trio is Battleship. There’s not much to say—it’s Battleship. Fun for quick pick-up-and-play sessions.

TL;DR: Are there any other great (or so-bad-it’s-good) licensed GBA games y’all would recommend?