Good for
PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES
Support listed to
PS1
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Jan 2018
The Game Hat is an ultra budget horizontal retro handheld from WaveShare with a 3.5-inch 480×320 IPS screen and runs Linux (RetroPie). It is best suited for PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES, with support listed up to PS1. It typically sells for around $40.
Played on the WaveShare Game Hat
Own a WaveShare Game Hat? Add it to your shelf and help show what people actually play on it.
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
3.5 inch
Aspect ratio
3:2
Resolution
480 x 320
Pixel density
164.83 PPI
Panel
IPS
Refresh rate
60 Hz
Performance
Chipset
Compatible with Raspberry Pi A+/B+/2B/3B/3B+
CPU
Pi dependent
CPU clock
Pi dependent
GPU
Pi dependent
GPU clock
Pi dependent
RAM
Pi dependent
Storage
Internal MicroSD
Architecture
ARM
Build
Battery
18650
Weight
300 grams
Dimensions
180 mm x 86 mm x 30 mm
Material
Plastic
Charge port
Micro USB
Controls
Thumbsticks
Single
Extra buttons
Brightness +-, Volume +-
Features
FAQ
- What systems can the WaveShare Game Hat emulate?
- The WaveShare Game Hat plays systems up to PS1 at excellent quality. It is at its best with PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES.
- Can the WaveShare Game Hat play PS1 games?
- Yes. PS1 performance on the WaveShare Game Hat is rated excellent in our catalog. Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Can the WaveShare Game Hat play N64 games?
- Only partially. N64 on the WaveShare Game Hat is playable with compromises. Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
- How much does the WaveShare Game Hat cost?
- The WaveShare Game Hat typically sells for around $40, which puts it in the ultra budget tier of retro handhelds.
- What operating system does the WaveShare Game Hat run?
- The WaveShare Game Hat ships with Linux (RetroPie).
- What screen does the WaveShare Game Hat have?
- It has a 3.5 inch IPS display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, running at 480 x 320 at 164.83 PPI.
Your Review
Sign in to share your experience with this device.
Community reviews
Own a WaveShare Game Hat? Leave a short review about what you play on it, what firmware you use, and where it fits in your handheld rotation.
