Device comparison

ClockworkPi GameShell vs. Game Case GBA CM3

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

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With

GameShell
Game Case GBA CM3

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

Quick verdict

Best value
GameShell
Better screen
Game Case GBA CM3
More portable
Game Case GBA CM3
Newer model
Game Case GBA CM3

Main differences

  • Game Case GBA CM3 has similar emulation coverage to ClockworkPi GameShell.
  • ClockworkPi GameShell is about $16 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • ClockworkPi GameShell is roughly 3% smaller and 3% lighter.
  • Game Case GBA CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on ClockworkPi GameShell.
  • Game Case GBA CM3 runs Linux (RetroPie); 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

Game Case

Game Case GBA CM3

Details
Price
$175
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Dec 2020
Up to
PS1
Screen
3.5 inch IPS
Weight
189 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecGameShellGame Case GBA CM3
Price$159$175
OSClockwork OSLinux (RetroPie)
Screen2.7 inch3.5 inch
Resolution320 x 240640 x 480
PanelTFTIPS
ChipsetAllwinner R16-JBroadcom BCM2837
CPUCortex-A7Cortex-A53
GPUMali-400 MP2Broadcom VideoCore IV
RAM1 GB DDR31 GB DDR2
StorageInternal MicroSDExternal MicroSD
Battery1020 mAh BL-5C2x 1100 mAh
Weight195 grams189 grams
Dimensions136 mm x 85 mm x 24 mm145 mm x 82 mm x 24 mm
Video outYesNo
BluetoothYesNo

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemGameShellGame Case GBA CM3
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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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 Game Case GBA CM3?
Game Case GBA CM3 has similar emulation coverage to ClockworkPi GameShell. ClockworkPi GameShell is about $16 cheaper based on catalog pricing. ClockworkPi GameShell is roughly 3% smaller and 3% lighter. Game Case GBA CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on ClockworkPi GameShell. Game Case GBA CM3 runs Linux (RetroPie); ClockworkPi GameShell runs Clockwork OS.
Which is cheaper, the ClockworkPi GameShell or the Game Case GBA CM3?
The ClockworkPi GameShell is the cheaper of the two at around $159, roughly $16 less than the Game Case GBA CM3 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the ClockworkPi GameShell or the Game Case GBA CM3?
The Game Case GBA CM3 is the newer model, released in 2020.

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