Device comparison

Multi Game System MGSP vs. DIY Retro Carnival CM3

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

Compare

With

MGSP
Retro Carnival CM3

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

Quick verdict

Best value
MGSP
Better screen
Retro Carnival CM3
More portable
MGSP
Newer model
Retro Carnival CM3

Main differences

  • DIY Retro Carnival CM3 has similar emulation coverage to Multi Game System MGSP.
  • Multi Game System MGSP is about $8 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • DIY Retro Carnival CM3 is roughly 38% smaller and 1% lighter.
  • DIY Retro Carnival CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Multi Game System MGSP.

Multi Game System

MGSP

Details
Price
$350
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Jan 2018
Up to
PS1
Screen
3.2 inch TFT
Weight
300 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

DIY

Retro Carnival CM3

Details
Price
$358
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Aug 2019
Up to
PS1
Screen
3.2 inch IPS
Weight
303 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecMGSPRetro Carnival CM3
Price$350$358
Aspect ratio4:33:2
Resolution320 x 240480 x 320
PanelTFTIPS
StorageInternal MicroSDExternal MicroSD
Battery2400 mAh2920 mAh
Weight300 grams303 grams
Dimensions179 mm x 80 mm x 32 mm149 mm x 60 mm x 17.5mm
BluetoothYesNo

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemMGSPRetro Carnival 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

  • MGSP 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
  • Retro Carnival 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
  • MGSP 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retro Carnival CM3 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • MGSP GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retro Carnival CM3 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • MGSP N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Retro Carnival CM3 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • MGSP NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retro Carnival CM3 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • MGSP PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retro Carnival CM3 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • MGSP PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retro Carnival CM3 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • MGSP PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retro Carnival CM3 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • MGSP PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Retro Carnival CM3 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • MGSP Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retro Carnival CM3 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • MGSP SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retro Carnival CM3 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • MGSP Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retro Carnival CM3 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • MGSP Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Retro Carnival CM3 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • MGSP Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retro Carnival CM3 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • MGSP Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retro Carnival CM3 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • MGSP Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retro Carnival CM3 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • MGSP GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Retro Carnival CM3 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • MGSP Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Retro Carnival 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 Multi Game System MGSP and the DIY Retro Carnival CM3?
DIY Retro Carnival CM3 has similar emulation coverage to Multi Game System MGSP. Multi Game System MGSP is about $8 cheaper based on catalog pricing. DIY Retro Carnival CM3 is roughly 38% smaller and 1% lighter. DIY Retro Carnival CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Multi Game System MGSP.
Which is cheaper, the Multi Game System MGSP or the DIY Retro Carnival CM3?
The Multi Game System MGSP is the cheaper of the two at around $350, roughly $8 less than the DIY Retro Carnival CM3 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Multi Game System MGSP or the DIY Retro Carnival CM3?
The DIY Retro Carnival CM3 is the newer model, released in 2019.

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