Freeplaytech
Freeplay CM3 / Zero
Handheld · Horizontal · Linux (RetroPie)
Good for
Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA
Support listed to
PS1
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Jan 2017
The Freeplay CM3 / Zero is a mid-range horizontal retro handheld from Freeplaytech with a 3.2-inch 320×240 TFT screen, WiFi and Bluetooth, and runs Linux (RetroPie). It is best suited for Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA, with support listed up to PS1. It typically sells for around $120.
Played on the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero
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Emulation
Supports 11 of 18 tested systems: 6 at excellent.
Mid-generation systems
Limited5 of 5 systems listed as playable or better
Modern systems
Unsupported0 of 4 systems listed as playable or better
Classic systems
Excellent6 of 6 systems listed as playable or better
Sixth-generation systems
Unsupported0 of 3 systems listed as playable or better
Emulation source notes
- 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
- 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
- GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
- NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
- PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
- PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
- Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
- SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
- Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
- Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
- Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
- Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
Specifications
Display
Screen
3.2 inch
Aspect ratio
4:3
Resolution
320 x 240
Pixel density
125 PPI
Panel
TFT
Refresh rate
60 Hz
Performance
Chipset
Broadcom BCM2837B0
CPU
Cortex-A53 (CM3)
CPU clock
1.4 GHz (CM3)
CPU cores
4
CPU threads
4
GPU
Broadcom VideoCore IV
GPU clock
250 MHz
RAM
1 GB DDR2 (CM3)
Storage
External MicroSD
Architecture
ARM
Build
Battery
2000 mAh
Weight
155 grams
Dimensions
145 mm x 82 mm x 25 mm
Material
Plastic
Charge port
Micro USB
Controls
D-pad
Top
Thumbsticks
Symmetrical
Extra buttons
❌
Features
FAQ
- What systems can the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero emulate?
- The Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero plays systems up to PS1 at excellent quality. It is at its best with Game Boy, NES, Genesis, GBA.
- Can the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero play PS1 games?
- Yes. PS1 performance on the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero is rated excellent in our catalog. Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Can the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero play N64 games?
- Only partially. N64 on the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero is playable with compromises. Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
- How much does the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero cost?
- The Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero typically sells for around $120, which puts it in the mid-range tier of retro handhelds.
- What operating system does the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero run?
- The Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero ships with Linux (RetroPie).
- What screen does the Freeplaytech Freeplay CM3 / Zero have?
- It has a 3.2 inch TFT display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, running at 320 x 240 at 125 PPI.
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