Device comparison

ClockworkPi GameShell vs. 8BCraft Retrostone 2

Compare specs, emulation support, community reviews, ownership, and play history.

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GameShell
Retrostone 2

Shown to scale from each device’s real-world dimensions.

Quick verdict

Best value
Retrostone 2
Better screen
Retrostone 2
More portable
GameShell
Newer model
Retrostone 2

Main differences

  • 8BCraft Retrostone 2 has similar emulation coverage to ClockworkPi GameShell.
  • 8BCraft Retrostone 2 is about $2 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • ClockworkPi GameShell is roughly 1% smaller and 35% lighter.
  • 8BCraft Retrostone 2 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on ClockworkPi GameShell.
  • 8BCraft Retrostone 2 runs Linux - RetrorangePi; ClockworkPi GameShell runs Clockwork OS.

ClockworkPi

GameShell

Details
Price
$159
OS
Clockwork OS
Released
Jan 2018
Up to
PS1
Screen
2.7 inch TFT
Weight
195 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

8BCraft

Retrostone 2

Details
Price
$157
OS
Linux - RetrorangePi
Released
Dec 2019
Up to
PS1
Screen
3.5 inch IPS
Weight
300 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecGameShellRetrostone 2
Price$159$157
OSClockwork OSLinux - RetrorangePi
Screen2.7 inch3.5 inch
Resolution320 x 240640 x 480
PanelTFTIPS
ChipsetAllwinner R16-JAllwinner A20
RAM1 GB DDR31 GB DDR
StorageInternal MicroSDExternal MicroSD
Battery1020 mAh BL-5C4000 mAh
Weight195 grams300 grams
Dimensions136 mm x 85 mm x 24 mm130 mm x 90 mm x 25 mm

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemGameShellRetrostone 2
Classic systems
Game Boy
NES
Genesis
GBA
SNES
PS1
Mid-generation systems
DS
N64
Dreamcast
PSP
Saturn
Sixth-generation systems
GameCube
Wii
PS2
Modern systems
3DS
Switch
Wii U
PS3

Emulation source notes

  • GameShell DS: Nintendo DS: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games This device does not have a touchscreen, so you won't be able to play DS games that rely heavily on the touchscreen
  • Retrostone 2 DS: Nintendo DS: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games This device does not have a touchscreen, so you won't be able to play DS games that rely heavily on the touchscreen
  • GameShell 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retrostone 2 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retrostone 2 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Retrostone 2 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retrostone 2 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retrostone 2 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retrostone 2 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retrostone 2 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Retrostone 2 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • GameShell Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retrostone 2 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retrostone 2 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retrostone 2 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Retrostone 2 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • GameShell Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retrostone 2 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retrostone 2 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retrostone 2 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retrostone 2 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Retrostone 2 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the ClockworkPi GameShell and the 8BCraft Retrostone 2?
8BCraft Retrostone 2 has similar emulation coverage to ClockworkPi GameShell. 8BCraft Retrostone 2 is about $2 cheaper based on catalog pricing. ClockworkPi GameShell is roughly 1% smaller and 35% lighter. 8BCraft Retrostone 2 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on ClockworkPi GameShell. 8BCraft Retrostone 2 runs Linux - RetrorangePi; ClockworkPi GameShell runs Clockwork OS.
Which is cheaper, the ClockworkPi GameShell or the 8BCraft Retrostone 2?
The 8BCraft Retrostone 2 is the cheaper of the two at around $157, roughly $2 less than the ClockworkPi GameShell based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the ClockworkPi GameShell or the 8BCraft Retrostone 2?
The 8BCraft Retrostone 2 is the newer model, released in 2019.

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