Device comparison

Gamebox Systems Cartboy vs. Anbernic RG280M

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

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With

Cartboy
RG280M

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Cartboy
Better screen
RG280M
More portable
Cartboy
Newer model
RG280M

Main differences

  • Anbernic RG280M has similar emulation coverage to Gamebox Systems Cartboy.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $5 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 55% smaller and 61% lighter.
  • Anbernic RG280M has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Gamebox Systems Cartboy.
  • Anbernic RG280M runs OpenDingux; Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS.
  • Anbernic RG280M is highlighted for Genesis, GBA, Game Boy, NES; Gamebox Systems Cartboy is highlighted for Genesis, Game Boy, NES.

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

Anbernic

RG280M

Details
Price
$105
OS
OpenDingux
Released
Jun 2020
Up to
PS1
Screen
2.8 inch IPS
Weight
204 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecCartboyRG280M
Price$100$105
OSLinux - CartOSOpenDingux
Screen1.3 inch2.8 inch
Aspect ratio1:14:3
Resolution240 x 240320 x 480
PanelTFTIPS
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2835Ingenic JZ4770
CPUARM1176JZF-SXBurst
GPUBroadcom VideoCore IVVivante GC860
RAM512 MB DDR512 MB DDR2
StorageExternal MicroSDDual External MicroSD
Battery1200 mAh2500 mAh
Weight80 grams204 grams
Dimensions65.5 mm x 57 mm x 15 mm136 mm x 61 mm x 18 mm

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemCartboyRG280M
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

  • Cartboy DS: Nintendo DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG280M DS: Nintendo DS: 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
  • RG280M 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • 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
  • RG280M GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Cartboy N64: Nintendo 64: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG280M N64: Nintendo 64: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Cartboy NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG280M NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Cartboy PS1: Sony Playstation: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • RG280M PS1: Sony Playstation: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Cartboy PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG280M PS2: Sony Playstation 2: 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
  • RG280M PS3: Sony Playstation 3: 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
  • RG280M PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: 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
  • RG280M Wii: Nintendo Wii: 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
  • RG280M SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Cartboy Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG280M Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: 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
  • RG280M Saturn: Sega Saturn: 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
  • RG280M Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Cartboy Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG280M Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: 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
  • RG280M Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Cartboy GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG280M GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: 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
  • RG280M Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the Gamebox Systems Cartboy and the Anbernic RG280M?
Anbernic RG280M has similar emulation coverage to Gamebox Systems Cartboy. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $5 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 55% smaller and 61% lighter. Anbernic RG280M has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Gamebox Systems Cartboy. Anbernic RG280M runs OpenDingux; Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS. Anbernic RG280M is highlighted for Genesis, GBA, Game Boy, NES; Gamebox Systems Cartboy is highlighted for Genesis, Game Boy, NES.
Which is cheaper, the Gamebox Systems Cartboy or the Anbernic RG280M?
The Gamebox Systems Cartboy is the cheaper of the two at around $100, roughly $5 less than the Anbernic RG280M based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Gamebox Systems Cartboy or the Anbernic RG280M?
The Anbernic RG280M is the newer model, released in 2020.

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