Device comparison

Gamebox Systems Cartboy vs. Pimoroni 32blit

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

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With

Cartboy
32blit

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Cartboy
Better screen
32blit
More portable
Cartboy
Newer model
Cartboy

Main differences

  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $17 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 62% smaller and 68% lighter.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy has a 60 Hz TFT screen, versus 60 Hz IPS on Pimoroni 32blit.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS; Pimoroni 32blit runs Open source firmware.

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

Pimoroni

32blit

Details
Price
$117
OS
Open source firmware
Released
Jul 2019
Up to
Unknown
Screen
3.5 inch IPS
Weight
250 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecCartboy32blit
Price$100$117
OSLinux - CartOSOpen source firmware
Screen1.3 inch3.5 inch
Aspect ratio1:14:3
Resolution240 x 240320 x 240
PanelTFTIPS
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2835STMicroelectronics STM32H750
CPUARM1176JZF-SCortex-M7
GPUBroadcom VideoCore IVChrom-ART Accelerator
RAM512 MB DDR1 MB SRAM
StorageExternal MicroSDInternal 32 MB
Weight80 grams250 grams
Dimensions65.5 mm x 57 mm x 15 mm150 mm x 65 mm x 14 mm
Video outYesNo
BluetoothNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemCartboy32blit
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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: 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
  • 32blit N64: Nintendo 64: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Cartboy NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • 32blit NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: 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
  • 32blit PS1: Sony Playstation: 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Cartboy Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • 32blit Game Boy: Nintendo Game Boy / Game Boy Color: 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
  • 32blit 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
  • 32blit 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 Pimoroni 32blit?
Gamebox Systems Cartboy has stronger listed emulation coverage. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $17 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 62% smaller and 68% lighter. Gamebox Systems Cartboy has a 60 Hz TFT screen, versus 60 Hz IPS on Pimoroni 32blit. Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS; Pimoroni 32blit runs Open source firmware.
Which is cheaper, the Gamebox Systems Cartboy or the Pimoroni 32blit?
The Gamebox Systems Cartboy is the cheaper of the two at around $100, roughly $17 less than the Pimoroni 32blit based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Gamebox Systems Cartboy or the Pimoroni 32blit?
The Gamebox Systems Cartboy is the newer model, released in 2020.

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