Device comparison

ClockworkPi GameShell vs. PowKiddy X18S

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

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GameShell
PowKiddy X18S

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

Quick verdict

Best value
GameShell
Better screen
PowKiddy X18S
More portable
GameShell
Newer model
PowKiddy X18S

Main differences

  • PowKiddy X18S has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • ClockworkPi GameShell is about $14 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • ClockworkPi GameShell is roughly 17% smaller and 37% lighter.
  • PowKiddy X18S has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on ClockworkPi GameShell.
  • PowKiddy X18S runs Android 11; 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

PowKiddy

PowKiddy X18S

Details
Price
$173
OS
Android 11
Released
Sep 2021
Up to
Saturn
Screen
5.5 inch IPS
Weight
308 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecGameShellPowKiddy X18S
Price$159$173
OSClockwork OSAndroid 11
Screen2.7 inch5.5 inch
Aspect ratio4:316:9
Resolution320 x 2401280 x 720
PanelTFTIPS
ChipsetAllwinner R16-JUNISOC Tiger T618
CPUCortex-A7Cortex-A75 / Cortex-A55
GPUMali-400 MP2Mali-G52 MP2
RAM1 GB DDR34 GB LPDDR4X
StorageInternal MicroSDInternal 64 GB eMMC,
Battery1020 mAh BL-5C5000 mAh
Weight195 grams308 grams
Dimensions136 mm x 85 mm x 24 mm152 mm x 92 mm x 22.5 mm
Touch screenNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemGameShellPowKiddy X18S
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
  • PowKiddy X18S DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S 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
  • PowKiddy X18S N64: Nintendo 64: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S 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
  • PowKiddy X18S 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
  • PowKiddy X18S PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S 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
  • PowKiddy X18S PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S Wii: Nintendo Wii: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S 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
  • PowKiddy X18S Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Cemu for Android is only compatible with Adreno GPUs and Android 11-14, so any device with a Mali GPU will not run Cemu.
  • GameShell Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • PowKiddy X18S Saturn: Sega Saturn: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • GameShell Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S 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
  • PowKiddy X18S 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
  • PowKiddy X18S 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
  • PowKiddy X18S GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • PowKiddy X18S Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the ClockworkPi GameShell and the PowKiddy X18S?
PowKiddy X18S has stronger listed emulation coverage. ClockworkPi GameShell is about $14 cheaper based on catalog pricing. ClockworkPi GameShell is roughly 17% smaller and 37% lighter. PowKiddy X18S has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on ClockworkPi GameShell. PowKiddy X18S runs Android 11; ClockworkPi GameShell runs Clockwork OS.
Which is cheaper, the ClockworkPi GameShell or the PowKiddy X18S?
The ClockworkPi GameShell is the cheaper of the two at around $159, roughly $14 less than the PowKiddy X18S based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the ClockworkPi GameShell or the PowKiddy X18S?
The PowKiddy X18S is the newer model, released in 2021.

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