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The GAMEMT E5 is a 5.0 inch 16:9 Linux handheld that plays everything up to SNES well. It came out in July 2024 at $40. Inside is the V.R. Technology VT569B with 64 MB of RAM.
Who it's for
Buy it if
- You want to play everything up to SNES, plus some PS1.
- You want a 5.0 inch screen and carry it in a bag or a jacket.
Skip it if
- You want PS1 games: it scores 70 out of 100, so many games struggle.
- You want Wi-Fi for updates and cloud saves.
GAMEMT E5 videos
What it plays
Plays up to: SNES. Chip: V.R. Technology VT569B.
Scores out of 100. 100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues on this device. 80 or more plays well (green), 50 to 79 plays partly (yellow).
What the specs mean
16:9 screen
PSP and Switch games fill it. 4:3 home consoles show bars at the sides, and Game Boy games look small.
Based on: Display math: native screen shapes of each system
Sharpest fit: GBA
At 3x, GBA fills 66% of the screen with even pixels. Filling the rest means stretching, which some people smooth with a filter.
Based on: Display math: largest whole-number scale that fits the screen
Same chip as 1 other handheld
The V.R. Technology VT569B also powers the D-R35S Plus. The same chip means similar speed, though memory and cooling can differ.
Based on: Our handheld database (chip field)
Big battery for its class
Only 3 of 117 Linux and other handhelds in our database have a bigger battery than this 5,000 mAh (the middle one has 3,000 mAh).
Based on: Our handheld database: battery of 117 Linux and other handhelds
Shoulder buttons in a row
L1 and L2 sit side by side along the top edge instead of stacked. PS2 games that need L1 and L2 together mean sliding one finger between them.
Based on: Layout data (shoulder button layout)
Rating
How we score: what it plays 30%, how many players own and recommend it 20%, screen 15%, price compared with handhelds that play as much 10%, controls 10%, size and weight 10%, battery size for its chip 5%.
Good
- Plays everything up to SNES well
- Video out to a TV
- Big 5,000 mAh battery
- Low price
Not so good
- PS1 games do not run reliably
- No Wi-Fi
Screen fit
Screen: 5.0 inch, IPS, 16:9, 960 x 544.
| System | Original | Sharpest scale | Screen filled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Boy | 160 x 144 | 3x (480 x 432) | 40% |
| GBA | 240 x 160 | 3x (720 x 480) | 66% |
| NES and SNES | 256 x 224 | 2x (512 x 448) | 44% |
| Genesis | 320 x 224 | 2x (640 x 448) | 55% |
| PS1 and N64 | 320 x 240 | 2x (640 x 480) | 59% |
Whole-number scales keep every pixel the same size. Screen 960 x 544.
Size
140 x 140 x 42 mm. Too big for a jeans pocket
- GAMEMT E5 (140 x 140 mm)
- iPhone 15 (71.6 x 147.6 mm)
True scale, front view. Jeans pocket = front no bigger than an iPhone 15 Pro Max in a case (160 x 82 mm).
Specs
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Chip | V.R. Technology VT569B |
| CPU | Cortex-A7 |
| Cores | 1 |
| Clock speed | 810 MHz |
| GPU | Vivante 3D GPU |
| RAM | 64 MB DDR2 |
| Cooling | No |
| Screen | |
| Size | 5.0" |
| Type | IPS |
| Resolution | 960 x 544 |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| Pixel density | 220 ppi |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Dual screen | No |
| Controls | |
| D-pad | Disc, Lower placement |
| Analog sticks | Yes |
| Stick layout | Single, top |
| Shoulder buttons | Side By Side |
| Gyroscope | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Storage | External MicroSD |
| SD card | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| USB-C | Yes |
| Video out | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Build | |
| Form factor | Vertical |
| Dimensions | 140 x 140 x 42 mm |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Shell | Plastic |
| Speakers | Back |
| Software | |
| Operating system | Linux |
Questions
Can the GAMEMT E5 play PS2 games?
Not well. PS2 scores 0 out of 100. It plays everything up to SNES well.
Is the GAMEMT E5 good for GBA?
GBA runs at full speed. At 3x it fills 66% of the screen with even pixels.
Does it have a headphone jack?
Yes.
How big is the battery?
5,000 mAh. The middle Linux and other handheld in our database has 3,000 mAh.
Can it connect to a TV?
Yes, it has video out.
How much does the GAMEMT E5 cost?
It launched at about $40 in Jul 2024. Prices on the used market change, so check current listings.
Price and newer models
$40 at launch Under $60
Newer in the same line: the GAMEMT E5 Ultra (Jul 2025). Compare before you buy this one new.
Similar handhelds
Specs and emulation scores from the retrocatalog.com handheld database. The score out of 10 is our own.