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The uConsole is a 5.0 inch 16:9 Linux handheld that plays everything up to PSP well, made by ClockworkPi. It came out in June 2023 at $139. Inside is the User chosen core with Core dependent of RAM.
Who it's for
Buy it if
- You want to play everything up to PSP.
- You want a 5.0 inch screen and carry it in a bag or a jacket.
Skip it if
- You want 3DS games: it does not run them.
- You only play up to PS1: handhelds under $60 do that.
uConsole videos
What it plays
Plays up to: PSP. Chip: User chosen core.
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: PS1 and N64
At 3x, PS1 and N64 fills 75% 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 User chosen core also powers the Digi Dock 2. The same chip means similar speed, though memory and cooling can differ.
Based on: Our handheld database (chip field)
Big battery for its class
None of the other 116 Linux and other handhelds in our database have a bigger battery than this 18,650 mAh (the middle one has 3,000 mAh).
Based on: Our handheld database: battery of 117 Linux and other handhelds
Only one pair of shoulder buttons
PS1 games that use L2 and R2 need those moved to other buttons.
Based on: Layout data; the PS1 controller has four shoulder buttons
No analog sticks
N64 games and later PS1 games were made for a stick. Here they run on the d-pad, which works for some and ruins others.
Based on: Layout data; N64 and PS1 DualShock games use analog control
DS without touch
There is no touch screen, so DS games that need the stylus use a pointer moved by a stick.
Based on: Layout data: no touch screen
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 PSP well
- Video out to a TV
- Big 18,650 mAh battery
- Metal shell
Not so good
- No analog sticks
- Not built for PS2 games
Screen fit
Screen: 5.0 inch, IPS, 16:9, 1280 x 720.
| System | Original | Sharpest scale | Screen filled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Boy | 160 x 144 | 5x (800 x 720) | 63% |
| GBA | 240 x 160 | 4x (960 x 640) | 67% |
| NES and SNES | 256 x 224 | 3x (768 x 672) | 56% |
| Genesis | 320 x 224 | 3x (960 x 672) | 70% |
| PS1 and N64 | 320 x 240 | 3x (960 x 720) | 75% |
| DS, one screen | 256 x 192 | 3x (768 x 576) | 48% |
| PSP | 480 x 272 | 2x (960 x 544) | 57% |
Whole-number scales keep every pixel the same size. Screen 1280 x 720.
Specs
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Chip | User chosen core |
| CPU | Core dependent |
| Cores | dependent |
| Clock speed | Core dependent |
| GPU | Core dependent |
| RAM | Core dependent |
| Cooling | Yes |
| Screen | |
| Size | 5.0" |
| Type | IPS |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| Pixel density | 293 ppi |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Dual screen | No |
| Controls | |
| D-pad | Separated Buttons, Upper placement |
| Analog sticks | No |
| Stick layout | No Thumbsticks |
| Shoulder buttons | No L2/R2 |
| Rumble | No |
| Gyroscope | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Storage | MicroSD |
| SD card | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (5) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.0) |
| USB-C | Yes |
| Video out | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Build | |
| Form factor | Vertical |
| Dimensions | ~125 x 180 x 20 mm |
| Battery | 18650 x2 |
| Shell | Metal (Aluminum) |
| Software | |
| Operating system | Linux |
Questions
Can the uConsole play PS2 games?
Not well. PS2 scores 0 out of 100. It plays everything up to PSP well.
Can it play GameCube games?
Partly. GameCube scores 20 out of 100.
Is the uConsole good for GBA?
GBA runs at full speed. At 4x it fills 67% of the screen with even pixels.
Does it have a headphone jack?
Yes.
How big is the battery?
18,650 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 uConsole cost?
It launched at about $139 in Jun 2023. Prices on the used market change, so check current listings.
Price and newer models
$139 at launch $120 to $250
The newest in its line in our database, out since Jun 2023.
Similar handhelds
Specs and emulation scores from the retrocatalog.com handheld database. The score out of 10 is our own.