Good for
PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES
Support listed to
PS1
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Aug 2019
The GamePi43 is a budget vertical retro handheld from WaveShare with a 4.3-inch 800×480 IPS screen, WiFi and Bluetooth, and runs Linux (RetroPie). It is best suited for PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES, with support listed up to PS1. It typically sells for around $80.
Played on the WaveShare GamePi43
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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
4.3 inch
Aspect ratio
5:3
Resolution
800 x 480
Pixel density
216.97 PPI
Panel
IPS
Refresh rate
60 Hz
Performance
Chipset
Broadcom BCM2837B0
CPU
Cortex-A53
CPU clock
1.4 GHz
CPU cores
4
CPU threads
4
GPU
Broadcom VideoCore IV
GPU clock
300 MHz
RAM
1 GB DDR2
Storage
External MicroSD
Architecture
ARM
Build
Battery
18650 x2
Weight
500 grams
Dimensions
171 mm x 111 mm x 34 mm
Material
Plastic
Charge port
Micro USB
Controls
D-pad
Top
Thumbsticks
None
Extra buttons
Hot Key, Brightness +-, Volume +-
Features
FAQ
- What systems can the WaveShare GamePi43 emulate?
- The WaveShare GamePi43 plays systems up to PS1 at excellent quality. It is at its best with PS1, Genesis, GBA, SNES.
- Can the WaveShare GamePi43 play PS1 games?
- Yes. PS1 performance on the WaveShare GamePi43 is rated excellent in our catalog. Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
- Can the WaveShare GamePi43 play N64 games?
- Only partially. N64 on the WaveShare GamePi43 is playable with compromises. Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
- How much does the WaveShare GamePi43 cost?
- The WaveShare GamePi43 typically sells for around $80, which puts it in the budget tier of retro handhelds.
- What operating system does the WaveShare GamePi43 run?
- The WaveShare GamePi43 ships with Linux (RetroPie).
- What screen does the WaveShare GamePi43 have?
- It has a 4.3 inch IPS display with a 5:3 aspect ratio, running at 800 x 480 at 216.97 PPI.
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