Device comparison

Game Case GameBox Mini vs. Game Case Retro Dreamer

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

Compare

With

GameBox Mini
Retro Dreamer

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

Quick verdict

Best value
GameBox Mini
More portable
GameBox Mini
Newer model
Retro Dreamer

Main differences

  • Game Case Retro Dreamer has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • Game Case GameBox Mini is about $73 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Game Case GameBox Mini is roughly 75% smaller.
  • Game Case Retro Dreamer runs Linux (RetroPie, Batocera, EmuELEC, Lakka, Recalbox, RetroLX); Game Case GameBox Mini runs Retro ESP32.
  • Game Case Retro Dreamer is highlighted for PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES; Game Case GameBox Mini is highlighted for Game Boy, NES.

Game Case

GameBox Mini

Details
Price
$38
OS
Retro ESP32
Released
Dec 2020
Up to
Game Boy
Screen
1.4 inch IPS
Weight
30 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Game Case

Retro Dreamer

Details
Price
$111
OS
Linux (RetroPie, Batocera, EmuELEC, Lakka, Recalbox, RetroLX)
Released
Dec 2021
Up to
Dreamcast
Screen
3.0 inch IPS
Weight
Unknown

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecGameBox MiniRetro Dreamer
Price$38$111
OSRetro ESP32Linux (RetroPie, Batocera, EmuELEC, Lakka, Recalbox, RetroLX)
Screen1.4 inch3.0 inch
Aspect ratio5:44:3
Resolution240 x 192640 x 480
ChipsetEspressif Systems ESP32Broadcom BCM2711
CPUTensilica Xtensa LX6Cortex-A72
GPUBroadcom VideoCore VI
RAM520 KB SRAM1, 2, 4 or 8 GB
StorageInternal MicroSDExternal MicroSD (Game Cartridge)
Battery500 mAh14500 x2
Weight30 gramsUnknown
Dimensions65 mm x 45 mm x 14 mm145 mm x 82 mm x 24 mm

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemGameBox MiniRetro Dreamer
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

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

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the Game Case GameBox Mini and the Game Case Retro Dreamer?
Game Case Retro Dreamer has stronger listed emulation coverage. Game Case GameBox Mini is about $73 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Game Case GameBox Mini is roughly 75% smaller. Game Case Retro Dreamer runs Linux (RetroPie, Batocera, EmuELEC, Lakka, Recalbox, RetroLX); Game Case GameBox Mini runs Retro ESP32. Game Case Retro Dreamer is highlighted for PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES; Game Case GameBox Mini is highlighted for Game Boy, NES.
Which is cheaper, the Game Case GameBox Mini or the Game Case Retro Dreamer?
The Game Case GameBox Mini is the cheaper of the two at around $38, roughly $73 less than the Game Case Retro Dreamer based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Game Case GameBox Mini or the Game Case Retro Dreamer?
The Game Case Retro Dreamer is the newer model, released in 2021.

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