
Overview
The X35S is a budget vertical retro handheld from PowKiddy with a 3.5-inch 640×480 IPS screen, Bluetooth, and runs Linux. It is best suited for Dreamcast, N64, PS1, SNES, with support listed up to Dreamcast. It typically sells for around $60.
- Screen
- 3.5 inch IPS
- Chipset
- RockChip RK3566
- RAM
- 1 GB LPDDR4X
- Battery
- 3000 mAh
- Weight
- 177 grams
- OS
- Linux
Emulation
- Classicexcellent
- NESExcellent
- Game BoyExcellent
- SNESExcellent
- GBAExcellent
- GenesisExcellent
- PS1Excellent
- Mid-genmixed
- N64Good
- DSExcellent
- PSPGood
- DreamcastGood
- SaturnPlayable
- 6th genlimited
- GameCubeLimited
- WiiNo
- PS2Limited
- Modernlimited
- 3DSLimited
- Wii UNo
- PS3No
- SwitchNo
Notes on 18 systems
- 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: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable 3DS will only work on Android, not Linux
- 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: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable PS2 will only work on Android, not Linux
- 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
Played on the PowKiddy X35S
Nobody's tracked play on the PowKiddy X35S yet.
Yours could be the first. Track yours
Track your play on the PowKiddy X35S
Install the plugin for ROCKNIX and every session syncs to retroshelf on its own: what you played, and for how long.
Setup guides
Specifications
General
- Released
- August 2024
- Type
- Handheld, Vertical
- Operating system
- Linux
- Custom firmware
- ROCKNIX
- Price range
- Budget
Display
- Screen
- 3.5 inch IPS
- Resolution
- 640 x 480 (4:3)
- Pixel density
- 228.57 PPI
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
Performance
- Chipset
- RockChip RK3566
- CPU
- Cortex-A55, 4 cores, 1.8 GHz
- GPU
- Mali-G52 2EE, 850 MHz
- RAM
- 1 GB LPDDR4X
- Storage
- Internal & External MicroSD card
- Architecture
- ARM
Battery and build
- Battery
- 3000 mAh
- Weight
- 177 grams
- Dimensions
- 81 mm x 126 mm x 22 mm
- Material
- Plastic
Controls
- D-pad
- Left
- Sticks
- Symmetrical
- Inputs
- Hall effect sticks, L3/R3, L2/R2
- Extra buttons
- Power, Reset, Volume +-
Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Yes
- Ports
- USB-C, HDMI out, 3.5mm jack
- Storage slot
- microSD
- Speakers
- Stereo
FAQ
What systems can the PowKiddy X35S emulate?
The PowKiddy X35S plays systems up to Dreamcast well. It is at its best with Dreamcast, N64, PS1, SNES.
Can the PowKiddy X35S play Dreamcast games?
Yes. Dreamcast performance on the PowKiddy X35S 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 X35S play Saturn games?
Only partially. Saturn on the PowKiddy X35S is playable with compromises. Sega Saturn: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
How much does the PowKiddy X35S cost?
The PowKiddy X35S typically sells for around $60, which puts it in the budget tier of retro handhelds.
What operating system does the PowKiddy X35S run?
The PowKiddy X35S ships with Linux and also supports ROCKNIX.
Can I track my play time on the PowKiddy X35S?
Yes. Install the retroshelf plugin for ROCKNIX and every session syncs to retroshelf on its own, with the game and how long you played.
Price alert
We’re not tracking prices for this one yet.
Reviews
No reviews of the PowKiddy X35S yet. Own one? Say what you play on it, which firmware you run, and where it sits in your rotation.







