Device comparison

Gamebox Systems Cartboy vs. Game Case GBA CM3

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

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Cartboy
Game Case GBA CM3

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Cartboy
Better screen
Game Case GBA CM3
More portable
Cartboy
Newer model
Game Case GBA CM3

Main differences

  • Game Case GBA CM3 has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $75 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 69% smaller and 58% lighter.
  • Game Case GBA CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Gamebox Systems Cartboy.
  • Game Case GBA CM3 runs Linux (RetroPie); Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS.
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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

Game Case

Game Case GBA CM3

Details
Price
$175
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Dec 2020
Up to
PS1
Screen
3.5 inch IPS
Weight
189 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecCartboyGame Case GBA CM3
Price$100$175
OSLinux - CartOSLinux (RetroPie)
Screen1.3 inch3.5 inch
Aspect ratio1:14:3
Resolution240 x 240640 x 480
PanelTFTIPS
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2835Broadcom BCM2837
CPUARM1176JZF-SCortex-A53
RAM512 MB DDR1 GB DDR2
Battery1200 mAh2x 1100 mAh
Weight80 grams189 grams
Dimensions65.5 mm x 57 mm x 15 mm145 mm x 82 mm x 24 mm
Video outYesNo

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemCartboyGame Case GBA CM3
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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 DS: Nintendo DS: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games This device does not have a touchscreen, so you won't be able to play DS games that rely heavily on the touchscreen
  • Cartboy 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Cartboy NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Cartboy PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Cartboy Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Cartboy Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Cartboy Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 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
  • Game Case GBA CM3 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the Gamebox Systems Cartboy and the Game Case GBA CM3?
Game Case GBA CM3 has stronger listed emulation coverage. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $75 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 69% smaller and 58% lighter. Game Case GBA CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Gamebox Systems Cartboy. Game Case GBA CM3 runs Linux (RetroPie); Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS. Game Case GBA CM3 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 Game Case GBA CM3?
The Gamebox Systems Cartboy is the cheaper of the two at around $100, roughly $75 less than the Game Case GBA CM3 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Gamebox Systems Cartboy or the Game Case GBA CM3?
The Game Case GBA CM3 is the newer model, released in 2020.

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