Hardkernel introduced ODROID-Go ESP32-based portable gaming console in 2018. The following year, the Korean company went up the scale with ODROID-Go Advance (aka OGA) running Linux on Rockchip RK3326 quad-core Cortex-A35 processor.
We’ve now got a new 2020 announcement with ODROID-Go Super (OGS) with most of the same specifications as OGA, but a larger 5-inch 854×480 display replacing the 3.5-inch 480×320 display, a higher capacity battery, and the addition of a second analog joystick and dedicated volume buttons.
ODROID-Go Super (preliminary) specifications:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3326 quad-core Arm Cortex-A35 processor @ 1.3GHz with Mali-G31 MP2 GPU
- System Memory – 1GB DDR3L @ 786Mhz, 32 Bits bus width
- Storage – 16MB SPI Flash for bootloader, push-push Micro SD Card slot (UHS-1 Capable interface)
- Display – 5-inch 854×480 TFT LCD (MIPI-DSI interface)
- Audio – 3.5mm earphone stereo jack, 0.5Watt 8Ω Mono speaker
- USB – 1x USB 2.0 host port
- Buttons – F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, A, B, X, Y, Direction Pad, Left Shoulder, Right Shoulder, 2x Analog joysticks, volume buttons
- Expansion – 10-pin header with I2C, GPIO, IRQ at 3.3Volt
- Battery
- 3.7V/4,000mAh Li-Polymer battery
- 10+ hours of continuous game playing time
- Power Supply – 5V/1.5A max via 2.5mm DC Jack
- Dimensions & Weight – TBD
ODROID-Go Super still runs Ubuntu 20.04 with EmulationStation to play retro games via emulators supporting various game consoles from Sony, Nintendo, Atari, Sega, and NEC. Despite the higher resolution, the company says emulation performance is very similar to the original OGA. You can find the latest v2.0 image in the Wiki.
The OGS is now pre-assembled in Hardkernel’s factory instead of being a DIY kit, and comes with either a dim gray or clear white enclosure.
The company will send some early samples to the developers’ community next week, and ODROID-Go Super will start selling for $80 at the end of January 2021. You’ll find additional photos and details in the announcement on ODROID forums.
Thanks to Tim for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Some one should build similar with a S905X4, add a HDMI out and included usb foir a air mouse.
That would be a cross over project.
This ‘some one’ who is capable of doing so most probably knows the difference between SoCs for tablets and TV boxes so why/how could this ever happen? Hint: for a mobile device like this LCD and battery support (in the vendor’s BSP code drop) is crucial.
You mean like the Nvidia Shield TV SoC and the Nintendo Switch, never going to happen.
Wasn’t this originally a tablet SOC repurposed for box use?
As a lot of things yes no. It was a clam shell game console if i recall correct.
This https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nvidia-Shield-Portable-Console-Android/dp/B00E3667XQ
The present Nvidia Shield TV runs the Tegra X1+.
A refinement from the SoC improved for the Nintendo Switch.
RK3566, also a quad-core Cortex-A55
HDMI is not a suitable connector for this type of device. While sufficient for devices that remain mostly stationary, a gaming handheld experiences a significant amount of movement during use and will quickly fatigue a connector due to the forces applied to it. Also relevant is that a typical grade HDMI connector has a mating cycle specification of around 5,000 cycles.
The preferred solution is to wirelessly stream/cast the display. The multiplayer feature of GO-Advance/BE/Super demonstrates this as a viable alternative to a HDMI cable. Since existing “standard” streaming/casting protocols are not designed for latency sensitive applications, a custom protocol was devised for GO-Advance. The implication is that a device such as the ODROID-C4 would need to be connected to the TV to receive and display the stream. Ironically, this situation is self defeating since the C4 is more powerful and is best used to run the emulators directly.
TL;DR – A portable device with a HDMI connector is no longer a portable device. Just get a SBC for your TV.
USB-C DisplayPort? 😉
I would love to see this remote functionality and think it’s more ideal since you don’t have to have the ROMs and setup on the TV connected device.
Oh man if you are thinking about doing this it would be amazing.
probably this is what you want: https://obscurehandhelds.com/2020/12/the-kt-r1-could-be-the-one-youre-waiting-for/#more-8331
Very close and Amlogic S922X powered
Seems to me that competition with chinese clones speed-up development of a new OGA version with added features to better appeal customers.
Remember first OGA was expensive, had crackling shell plastic and was sold as a DIY kit.
Just was looking for something similar, but would prefer 2 rotary encoders instead of the joysticks 😉 lol I know… I’m not the target audience ?
Pong?
There are gpio on the top, or I2C to you favorite micro and run those….
No actually nothing related to gaming at all 😉 and external makes the whole thing again a home grown thing…
While having a bigger screen is nice, personally I don’t think this is a wise purchase
I purchased an OGA Black Edition at the start of the year and have been following the RK3326 Development.
While the OGA section on the Odroid forums was reasonably active a few months ago, it’s now pretty dead. There are a few Discord groups which are quite active, but they seem to more for general RK3326 devices and most people seem to go mad every time there’s a new RK3326 device.
Retro Roller/RRVL seems to be the only distro trying to squeeze performance out of this chip, but it just seems that the A35 cores are very low end (the OGA doesn’t even have a heatsink on the SoC). Looking at Geekbench numbers, the S905X3 has about double the performance. Both Chips share the same Mali-G31 MP2 GPU.
While yes you can run some PSP and Dreamcast games on them, you have to do a lot of messing around with the settings. Sure it can run lower end stuff like PS1/DS/N64 but you if you’re interested in that, you mise as well go buy a cheaper RK3326 handheld off Aliexpress.
I think having Android working on the OGA would unlock some extra performance (emulators seem to be more optimised on Android – look at the Retroid Pocket 2 which has an ancient MT6580A in it yet it’s performance is not far off an RK3326 which shows how important the software optimisation is).
The RK3326 is still a relatively uncommon chip and apart from handhelds they only seem to be used in a few aftermarket car stereos.
If I was to recommend what to get instead, PS Vita is still a nice emulation device and has an active community. ETAPrime has also said there will be handhelds based on the new RPi CM4 module which will crush the RK3326.
Is RPi CM4 the best choice for this form factor? It would have great CPU performance, disappointing GPU, and higher power consumption aka lower battery life.
There already is a RPI 4 handheld emulation gaming device out there.
PiBoy DMG – Raspberry Pi4 Powered Gameboy KIT
Also RPI 3 https://www.instructables.com/GamePi-the-Handheld-Emulator-Console/
There are a few developers working on Android and have made great progress, having this model with the larger resolution will definitely help.
https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?t=38293
The software is mature is why you don’t see much activity in the forums, it works as intended and works well. They sell a lot of these and you see very few complaints. I have a Vita with homebrew and I never play it, both are sitting next to me and when I reach over for a little retro action the OGA is my go-to.
I like everything they have done with this new revision except removing the wireless, better case design, larger battery and screen, added useful buttons.
What’s not to like?
We will eventually see a more powerful version.
As one would expect and per the screenshots, they’re already hitting the 1 gig ceiling with Android.
Plus edition with 2x the RAM? (SoC supports up to 4 gig)
That screenshot is like a cry for help, haha.
I expect 2 GB to appear in these handhelds soon.
If you examine the screenshot, you will see “memtester 700M” is running. During typical use, the GO-Advance/Super does not use even half of the memory available. For example, PSP emulation memory use is measured at ~370M (Tekken 6 during fighting).
Ok, mea culpa.
I was referring to the screenshot from Tim’s forum post – running Android chews up most of the RAM.
But yes, for its marketed purpose as a console emulator 1 gig is sufficient.
Eta prime has one and hasjust posted a video on youtube
Odroid Go Super First Look, Test & Teardown