Device comparison

Digiretro Digi RetroBoy vs. Gamebox Systems Cartboy

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

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With

Digi RetroBoy
Cartboy

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Cartboy
More portable
Cartboy
Newer model
Cartboy

Main differences

  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy has similar emulation coverage to Digiretro Digi RetroBoy.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $4 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 56% smaller and 27% lighter.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS; Digiretro Digi RetroBoy runs Proprietary.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis; Digiretro Digi RetroBoy is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA.

Digiretro

Digi RetroBoy

Details
Price
$104
OS
Proprietary
Released
Jan 2018
Up to
Genesis
Screen
3.0 inch TFT
Weight
110 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Gamebox Systems

Cartboy

Details
Price
$100
OS
Linux - CartOS
Released
Jan 2020
Up to
Genesis
Screen
1.3 inch TFT
Weight
80 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecDigi RetroBoyCartboy
Price$104$100
OSProprietaryLinux - CartOS
Screen3.0 inch1.3 inch
Aspect ratio3:21:1
Resolution480 x 320240 x 240
ChipsetProprietaryBroadcom BCM2835
CPUARM7 & ARM9ARM1176JZF-S
GPU"Dedicated GPU (60 fps)"Broadcom VideoCore IV
RAM50 MHz DRAM512 MB DDR
Battery1000 mAh1200 mAh
Weight110 grams80 grams
Dimensions130 mm x 65 mm x 19 mm65.5 mm x 57 mm x 15 mm
Video outNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemDigi RetroBoyCartboy
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

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

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the Digiretro Digi RetroBoy and the Gamebox Systems Cartboy?
Gamebox Systems Cartboy has similar emulation coverage to Digiretro Digi RetroBoy. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $4 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 56% smaller and 27% lighter. Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS; Digiretro Digi RetroBoy runs Proprietary. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis; Digiretro Digi RetroBoy is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA.
Which is cheaper, the Digiretro Digi RetroBoy or the Gamebox Systems Cartboy?
The Gamebox Systems Cartboy is the cheaper of the two at around $100, roughly $4 less than the Digiretro Digi RetroBoy based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Digiretro Digi RetroBoy or the Gamebox Systems Cartboy?
The Gamebox Systems Cartboy is the newer model, released in 2020.

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