Are there any sub-$200 handhelds out there that smoothly run Game Cube games?

Submitted ⁨⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨lemmy_acct_id_8647@lemmy.world⁩ to ⁨retrogaming@lemmy.world⁩

I’ve been REALLY wanting to play LoZ: Wind Waker again and I keep seeing mixed things about hardware capabilities. Can anyone recommend a handheld under $200 that can smoothly handle Game Cube games? I know there are more expensive ones but I really can’t afford them. I mean. I can’t afford a $200 one, but I might be able to rationalize it to myself.

source

Comments

Sort:hotnew top

Console_Modder@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
I’m not too familiar with emulation handhelds, but I think finding one that is $200 and can run GameCube games is a pretty big ask… I think your best bet would be a used Steam Deck. Looks like the older models can go for around $300 on eBay and some of the ones I saw had a 1TB upgrade already unstalled

source
- Oka@sopuli.xyz ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
  +1 for steam deck
  
  source
  - Thwompthwomp@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
    Steam deck is insane for emulation. I ran wind walker at higher res and full screen and it was great. The best part is the instant sleep button to just pause things down at any point.
    
    Op wants a steam deck.
    
    source
    -> View More Comments
- YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
  Both sales put the lcd low mem model at $330
  
  source
jacksilver@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
If you have specific games in mind you can check out this site emuready.com. That let’s you filter by device or cpu to see how well games play, sorta like ProtonDB for Linux emulation.

I think the biggest issue is, are you looking sub $200 before shipping+tax or after. For example I think the Retroid Pocket 5 is supposed to handle gamcube pretty well, but thats $200 just for the device.

source
usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
You can just use your phone and a Bluetooth controller. You might even already own both so it’s basically free

source
- caseyweederman@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
  I dunno if my phone could run GameCube games
  
  source
  - usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
    It’s probably only the newer flagship phones that can do it, but that’s quite a few people.
    
    I personally only emulate up to PSX and have no issues with my older phone.
    
    source
Noodle07@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
A used Wii U ? Lol

source
hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
used android phones are pretty powerful, you may need to adjust graphics quality but it wouldn’t be so noticeable on such small screen imo.

source
gravitywell@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
You should be able to run wind waker and a lot of other GC titles one something like anbernic RG405V which is around $150.

You will want to avoid the cheaper H700 based handhelds, i have a cubexx and it geta about 5fps in wind waker, but i didnt really expect it to work at all.

Android based devices tend to be better for gc from what ive seen. I dont know what the best option for under $200 is at the moment but there should be several around that price that will handle GC well.

source
Elkenders@feddit.uk ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
I have a retroid pocket 3 that does windwaker fine.

source
toxicbubble@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
I’d also like to recommend the BetterWW hack that adds qol to the game

source
BootLoop@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
You might be able to find a used Android phone that can run it in an emulator. That is going to depend on your region and your definition of smooth. I know some GameCube games like Smash Bros emulate fine on midrange Android devicee but more graphically demanding games like Metroid Prime run poorly. I’m not sure where Wind Waker falls in that scope.

source
DaMummy@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
If you go just above the $200 price point, Retroid will release a new handheld in January that can handle everything an AYN Odin 2 can. Well worth the asking price of that. For less than $100, you have the Magmi Air which might work for you. A 3rd option would be, Magmi will release their second handheld, a Magmi Pocket. That will likely be under $200, and will likely handle NGC just fine.

source