Retroid
Retroid Pocket Nova
Handheld · Horizontal · Android 13
Good for
PS2, GameCube, Dreamcast, Saturn, N64, PS1
Support listed to
Switch
OS
Android 13
Released
Jul 2026
The Retroid Pocket Nova is a premium horizontal retro handheld from Retroid with a 4.5-inch 1280×960 AMOLED screen, WiFi and Bluetooth, and runs Android 13. It is best suited for PS2, GameCube, Dreamcast, Saturn, N64, PS1, with support listed up to Switch. It typically sells for around $252.
Played on the Retroid Pocket Nova
Own a Retroid Pocket Nova? Add it to your shelf and help show what people actually play on it.
Emulation
Supports 18 of 18 tested systems: 16 at excellent.
Mid-generation systems
Excellent5 of 5 systems listed as playable or better
Modern systems
Mixed4 of 4 systems listed as playable or better
Classic systems
Excellent6 of 6 systems listed as playable or better
Sixth-generation systems
Excellent3 of 3 systems listed as playable or better
Emulation source notes
- DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- N64: Nintendo 64: Almost all games playable at full speed without 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: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
- PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Wii: Nintendo Wii: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
- Saturn: Sega Saturn: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Switch: Nintendo Switch: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- 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: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
Specifications
Display
Screen
4.5 inch
Aspect ratio
4:3
Resolution
1280 x 960
Pixel density
355.56 PPI
Panel
AMOLED
Refresh rate
120 Hz
Performance
Chipset
Qualcomm QCS8550 (Dragonwing, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-class)
CPU
Cortex-X3 / Cortex-A715 / Cortex-A710 / Cortex-A510
CPU clock
2.0 GHz - 3.2 GHz
CPU cores
8
CPU threads
8
GPU
Qualcomm Adreno 740
GPU clock
680 MHz
RAM
8 GB / 12 GB LPDDR5X
Storage
Internal 128 GB UFS 3.1, External MicroSD
Architecture
ARM
Build
Battery
5000 mAh
Weight
255 grams
Dimensions
169.9 mm x 84.1 mm x 15.6 - 26.3 mm
Material
Plastic
Charge port
USB-C
Controls
Shoulder buttons
Stacked
D-pad
Top
Thumbsticks
Symmetrical
Extra buttons
Back, Home, M1/M2 Shoulder Buttons, Power, Volume +-
Features
FAQ
- What systems can the Retroid Pocket Nova emulate?
- The Retroid Pocket Nova plays systems up to Switch at excellent quality. It is at its best with PS2, GameCube, Dreamcast, Saturn, N64, PS1.
- Can the Retroid Pocket Nova play Switch games?
- Yes. Switch performance on the Retroid Pocket Nova is rated excellent in our catalog. Nintendo Switch: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- How much does the Retroid Pocket Nova cost?
- The Retroid Pocket Nova typically sells for around $252, which puts it in the premium tier of retro handhelds.
- What operating system does the Retroid Pocket Nova run?
- The Retroid Pocket Nova ships with Android 13.
- What screen does the Retroid Pocket Nova have?
- It has a 4.5 inch AMOLED display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, running at 1280 x 960 at 355.56 PPI.
- When was the Retroid Pocket Nova released?
- Retroid released the Retroid Pocket Nova in July 2026.
Guides & Help
Your Review
Sign in to share your experience with this device.
Community reviews
Own a Retroid Pocket Nova? Leave a short review about what you play on it, what firmware you use, and where it fits in your handheld rotation.
