Device comparison

WaveShare GPM280 CM3 vs. Gamebox Systems Cartboy

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

Compare

With

GPM280 CM3
Cartboy

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Cartboy
Better screen
GPM280 CM3
More portable
Cartboy
Newer model
GPM280 CM3

Main differences

  • WaveShare GPM280 CM3 has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $50 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 59% smaller.
  • WaveShare GPM280 CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Gamebox Systems Cartboy.
  • WaveShare GPM280 CM3 runs Linux (RetroPie), Recalbox; Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS.
  • WaveShare GPM280 CM3 is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA; Gamebox Systems Cartboy is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis.

WaveShare

GPM280 CM3

Details
Price
$150
OS
Linux (RetroPie), Recalbox
Released
Dec 2020
Up to
PS1
Screen
2.8 inch IPS
Weight
?

No reviews yet

0 collectors

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

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecGPM280 CM3Cartboy
Price$150$100
OSLinux (RetroPie), RecalboxLinux - CartOS
Screen2.8 inch1.3 inch
Aspect ratio4:31:1
Resolution640 x 480240 x 240
PanelIPSTFT
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2837Broadcom BCM2835
CPUCortex-A53ARM1176JZF-S
RAM1 GB DDR2512 MB DDR
Battery1500 mAh1200 mAh
Weight?80 grams
Dimensions136.4 mm x 67.5 mm x 16.8 mm65.5 mm x 57 mm x 15 mm
Video outNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemGPM280 CM3Cartboy
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

  • GPM280 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 DS: Nintendo DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • 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
  • GPM280 CM3 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Cartboy N64: Nintendo 64: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Cartboy NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GPM280 CM3 PS1: Sony Playstation: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Cartboy PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 Wii: Nintendo Wii: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Cartboy SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GPM280 CM3 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Cartboy Saturn: Sega Saturn: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GPM280 CM3 Switch: Nintendo Switch: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Cartboy Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GPM280 CM3 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: 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
  • GPM280 CM3 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Cartboy Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the WaveShare GPM280 CM3 and the Gamebox Systems Cartboy?
WaveShare GPM280 CM3 has stronger listed emulation coverage. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is about $50 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Gamebox Systems Cartboy is roughly 59% smaller. WaveShare GPM280 CM3 has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on Gamebox Systems Cartboy. WaveShare GPM280 CM3 runs Linux (RetroPie), Recalbox; Gamebox Systems Cartboy runs Linux - CartOS. WaveShare GPM280 CM3 is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA; Gamebox Systems Cartboy is highlighted for Game Boy, NES, Genesis.
Which is cheaper, the WaveShare GPM280 CM3 or the Gamebox Systems Cartboy?
The Gamebox Systems Cartboy is the cheaper of the two at around $100, roughly $50 less than the WaveShare GPM280 CM3 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the WaveShare GPM280 CM3 or the Gamebox Systems Cartboy?
The WaveShare GPM280 CM3 is the newer model, released in 2020.

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