Good for
PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES
Support listed to
Dreamcast
OS
Linux (EmuELEC)
Released
Feb 2025
The V20 is a budget vertical retro handheld from PowKiddy with a 3.5-inch 640×480 IPS screen and runs Linux (EmuELEC). It is best suited for PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES, with support listed up to Dreamcast. It typically sells for around $55.
Played on the PowKiddy V20
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Emulation
Supports 12 of 18 tested systems: 7 at excellent, 3 running well.
Mid-generation systems
Mixed5 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
Limited1 of 3 systems listed as playable or better
Emulation source notes
- DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip 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 at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
- NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- PS1: Sony Playstation: 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: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
- 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: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
- 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: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
- Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
Specifications
Display
Screen
3.5 inch
Aspect ratio
4:3
Resolution
640 x 480
Pixel density
228.57 PPI
Panel
IPS
Refresh rate
60 Hz
Performance
Chipset
Allwinner A133 Plus
CPU
Cortex-A53
CPU clock
1.8 GHz
CPU cores
4
CPU threads
4
GPU
PowerVR GE8300
GPU clock
660 MHz
RAM
1 GB DDR3
Storage
Dual External MicroSD
Architecture
ARM
Build
Battery
5000 mAh
Weight
?
Dimensions
85.3 mm x 133 mm x 23 - 27 mm
Material
Plastic
Charge port
USB-C
Controls
Shoulder buttons
Inline
D-pad
Top
Thumbsticks
Symmetrical
Extra buttons
Power, Reset, Volume +-
Features
FAQ
- What systems can the PowKiddy V20 emulate?
- The PowKiddy V20 plays systems up to Dreamcast well. It is at its best with PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES.
- Can the PowKiddy V20 play Dreamcast games?
- Yes. Dreamcast performance on the PowKiddy V20 is rated good in our catalog. Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
- Can the PowKiddy V20 play Saturn games?
- Only partially. Saturn on the PowKiddy V20 is playable with compromises. Sega Saturn: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
- How much does the PowKiddy V20 cost?
- The PowKiddy V20 typically sells for around $55, which puts it in the budget tier of retro handhelds.
- What operating system does the PowKiddy V20 run?
- The PowKiddy V20 ships with Linux (EmuELEC).
- What screen does the PowKiddy V20 have?
- It has a 3.5 inch IPS display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, running at 640 x 480 at 228.57 PPI.
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