Device comparison

Gamebox Systems Cartboy vs. Anbernic RG-280M

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

Compare

With

Cartboy
RG-280M

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Cartboy
Better screen
RG-280M
More portable
Cartboy
Newer model
RG-280M

Main differences

  • Anbernic RG-280M 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 RG-280M has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Gamebox Systems Cartboy.
  • Anbernic RG-280M runs OpenDingux; Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS.
  • Anbernic RG-280M is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA; Gamebox Systems Cartboy is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis.

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

RG-280M

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

SpecCartboyRG-280M
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

SystemCartboyRG-280M
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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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
  • RG-280M 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 RG-280M?
Anbernic RG-280M 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 RG-280M has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Gamebox Systems Cartboy. Anbernic RG-280M runs OpenDingux; Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS. Anbernic RG-280M is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA; Gamebox Systems Cartboy is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis.
Which is cheaper, the Gamebox Systems Cartboy or the Anbernic RG-280M?
The Gamebox Systems Cartboy is the cheaper of the two at around $100, roughly $5 less than the Anbernic RG-280M based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Gamebox Systems Cartboy or the Anbernic RG-280M?
The Anbernic RG-280M is the newer model, released in 2020.

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