Device comparison

PowKiddy J6 vs. WaveShare GamePi20

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

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PowKiddy J6
GamePi20

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

Quick verdict

Best value
GamePi20
More portable
GamePi20
Newer model
PowKiddy J6

Main differences

  • PowKiddy J6 has similar emulation coverage to WaveShare GamePi20.
  • WaveShare GamePi20 is about $7 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • WaveShare GamePi20 is roughly 58% smaller and 42% lighter.
  • PowKiddy J6 runs Proprietary; WaveShare GamePi20 runs Linux (RetroPie).
  • PowKiddy J6 is highlighted for Game Boy, NES; WaveShare GamePi20 is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis.

PowKiddy

PowKiddy J6

Details
Price
$37
OS
Proprietary
Released
Jun 2020
Up to
Genesis
Screen
4.3 inch IPS
Weight
260 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

WaveShare

GamePi20

Details
Price
$30
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Aug 2019
Up to
Genesis
Screen
2.0 inch IPS
Weight
150 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecPowKiddy J6GamePi20
Price$37$30
OSProprietaryLinux (RetroPie)
Screen4.3 inch2.0 inch
Aspect ratio5:34:3
Resolution800 x 480320 x 240
ChipsetActions Semiconductor ATS3603Broadcom BCM2835
CPU?ARM1176JZF-S
GPU?Broadcom VideoCore IV
RAM64 MB512 MB DDR
StorageInternal 16 MB Flash, External MicroSDInternal MicroSD
Battery1000 mAh14500
Weight260 grams150 grams
Dimensions172 mm x 74 mm x 22 mm108 mm x 50 mm x 20 mm
Video outNoYes
BluetoothNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemPowKiddy J6GamePi20
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

  • PowKiddy J6 DS: Nintendo DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 DS: Nintendo DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • GamePi20 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • PowKiddy J6 N64: Nintendo 64: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 N64: Nintendo 64: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • PowKiddy J6 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GamePi20 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy J6 PS1: Sony Playstation: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • GamePi20 PS1: Sony Playstation: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • PowKiddy J6 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • GamePi20 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • PowKiddy J6 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • GamePi20 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy J6 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GamePi20 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy J6 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy J6 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GamePi20 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the PowKiddy J6 and the WaveShare GamePi20?
PowKiddy J6 has similar emulation coverage to WaveShare GamePi20. WaveShare GamePi20 is about $7 cheaper based on catalog pricing. WaveShare GamePi20 is roughly 58% smaller and 42% lighter. PowKiddy J6 runs Proprietary; WaveShare GamePi20 runs Linux (RetroPie). PowKiddy J6 is highlighted for Game Boy, NES; WaveShare GamePi20 is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis.
Which is cheaper, the PowKiddy J6 or the WaveShare GamePi20?
The WaveShare GamePi20 is the cheaper of the two at around $30, roughly $7 less than the PowKiddy J6 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the PowKiddy J6 or the WaveShare GamePi20?
The PowKiddy J6 is the newer model, released in 2020.

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