Device comparison

SJGAM M17 vs. WaveShare Game Hat

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

Compare

With

M17
Game Hat

Not shown to scale. Real-world dimensions are missing for one or both devices.

Quick verdict

Best value
M17
Newer model
M17

Main differences

  • WaveShare Game Hat has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • SJGAM M17 is about $5 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • SJGAM M17 runs Linux; WaveShare Game Hat runs Linux (RetroPie).
  • SJGAM M17 is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis; WaveShare Game Hat is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA.

SJGAM

M17

Details
Price
$35
OS
Linux
Released
Sep 2023
Up to
PS1
Screen
4.3 inch IPS
Weight
?

No reviews yet

0 collectors

WaveShare

Game Hat

Details
Price
$40
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Jan 2018
Up to
PS1
Screen
3.5 inch IPS
Weight
300 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecM17Game Hat
Price$35$40
OSLinuxLinux (RetroPie)
Screen4.3 inch3.5 inch
Aspect ratio16:93:2
Resolution480 x 272480 x 320
ChipsetRockChip RK3126CCompatible with Raspberry Pi A+/B+/2B/3B/3B+
CPUCortex-A7Pi dependent
GPUMali-400 MP2Pi dependent
RAM256 MB LPDDR3Pi dependent
StorageInternal 4 GB eMMC & External MicroSDInternal MicroSD
Battery1500 mAh18650
Weight?300 grams
Dimensions?180 mm x 86 mm x 30 mm

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemM17Game Hat
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

  • M17 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
  • Game Hat 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
  • M17 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • M17 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip "Considerable lag, without frameskip on some games like doom 2 and duke nukem advance (gpsp and minui) to the point where its borderline B rating" - Jan Paweł
  • Game Hat GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • M17 N64: Nintendo 64: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Game Hat N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • M17 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Game Hat NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • M17 PS1: Sony Playstation: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Game Hat PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • M17 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • M17 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • M17 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Game Hat PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • M17 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • M17 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip "Horrifying audio crackling at some select SA-1 and FX games (DBZ Hyper Dimension and Stunt Race FX), minui + supafaust" - Jan Paweł
  • Game Hat SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • M17 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • M17 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • M17 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • M17 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Game Hat Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • M17 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Game Hat Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • M17 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • M17 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Game Hat Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the SJGAM M17 and the WaveShare Game Hat?
WaveShare Game Hat has stronger listed emulation coverage. SJGAM M17 is about $5 cheaper based on catalog pricing. SJGAM M17 runs Linux; WaveShare Game Hat runs Linux (RetroPie). SJGAM M17 is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis; WaveShare Game Hat is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA.
Which is cheaper, the SJGAM M17 or the WaveShare Game Hat?
The SJGAM M17 is the cheaper of the two at around $35, roughly $5 less than the WaveShare Game Hat based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the SJGAM M17 or the WaveShare Game Hat?
The SJGAM M17 is the newer model, released in 2023.

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