Device comparison

Creoqode Lyra vs. Tapwave Zodiac

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

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With

Lyra
Tapwave Zodiac

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Lyra
More portable
Tapwave Zodiac
Newer model
Lyra

Main differences

  • Creoqode Lyra has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • Creoqode Lyra is about $77 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Tapwave Zodiac is roughly 25% smaller.
  • Creoqode Lyra runs Linux (RetroPie); Tapwave Zodiac runs Palm OS.
  • Creoqode Lyra is highlighted for PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES; Tapwave Zodiac is highlighted for Game Boy, NES.

Creoqode

Lyra

Details
Price
$222
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Dec 2019
Up to
PS1
Screen
5.0 inch TFT
Weight
Unknown

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Tapwave

Tapwave Zodiac

Details
Price
$299
OS
Palm OS
Released
Jan 2003
Up to
Genesis
Screen
3.8 inch TFT
Weight
180 grams

No reviews yet

1 collector

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecLyraTapwave Zodiac
Price$222$299
OSLinux (RetroPie)Palm OS
Screen5.0 inch3.8 inch
Aspect ratio16:93:2
Resolution800 x 480480 x 320
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2837B0Motorola i.MX-1
CPUCortex-A53ARM920T
GPUBroadcom VideoCore IVATI Imageon W4200
RAM1 GB LPDDR210 MB SDRAM
StorageExternal MicroSD32 MB (Zodiac 1)
Battery3000 mAh1540 mAh
WeightUnknown180 grams
Dimensions186 mm x 80 mm x 19 mm142 mm x 79 mm x 14 mm
Video outYesNo
BluetoothNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemLyraTapwave Zodiac
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

  • Lyra DS: Nintendo DS: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Tapwave Zodiac DS: Nintendo DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Tapwave Zodiac 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Tapwave Zodiac GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Lyra N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Tapwave Zodiac N64: Nintendo 64: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Tapwave Zodiac NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Lyra PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Tapwave Zodiac PS1: Sony Playstation: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Lyra PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Tapwave Zodiac PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Tapwave Zodiac PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Tapwave Zodiac PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Tapwave Zodiac Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Tapwave Zodiac SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Lyra Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Tapwave Zodiac Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Tapwave Zodiac Saturn: Sega Saturn: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Tapwave Zodiac Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Tapwave Zodiac Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Lyra Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Tapwave Zodiac Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Lyra GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Tapwave Zodiac GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Lyra Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Tapwave Zodiac Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the Creoqode Lyra and the Tapwave Zodiac?
Creoqode Lyra has stronger listed emulation coverage. Creoqode Lyra is about $77 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Tapwave Zodiac is roughly 25% smaller. Creoqode Lyra runs Linux (RetroPie); Tapwave Zodiac runs Palm OS. Creoqode Lyra is highlighted for PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES; Tapwave Zodiac is highlighted for Game Boy, NES.
Which is cheaper, the Creoqode Lyra or the Tapwave Zodiac?
The Creoqode Lyra is the cheaper of the two at around $222, roughly $77 less than the Tapwave Zodiac based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Creoqode Lyra or the Tapwave Zodiac?
The Creoqode Lyra is the newer model, released in 2019.
Which is more popular on retroshelf, the Creoqode Lyra or the Tapwave Zodiac?
The Tapwave Zodiac is in more collections on retroshelf right now, with 1 collector tracking it.

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