A custom Linux-based operating system (firmware) designed specifically for retro handheld gaming consoles. ArkOS is built on top of EmulationStation and RetroArch, providing a user-friendly interface for launching games across 30+ emulated systems. It is one of the most popular custom firmware options for Anbernic devices including the R36S.

A Chinese electronics manufacturer specializing in retro handheld gaming consoles. Anbernic is one of the most recognized brands in the retro gaming space, producing devices like the R36S, RG35XX, RG40XX, and RG353 series. Their devices typically run custom Linux firmware and support a wide range of emulated systems.

The proportional relationship between a screen's width and height. In retro gaming, aspect ratio matters because original consoles used specific ratios: NES/SNES used 4:3, Game Boy used approximately 10:9, and GBA used 3:2. A handheld with the wrong aspect ratio will display games with black bars (letterboxing) or stretched images.

Basic Input/Output System. In retro gaming, BIOS files are small firmware files extracted from original game consoles that some emulators require to function correctly. For example, PS1 emulation requires a PS1 BIOS file (SCPH1001.bin) to run games accurately. BIOS files are copyrighted by the original console manufacturers and must be obtained legally from your own hardware.

Decorative borders displayed around a game image when the game's native resolution doesn't fill the entire screen. Bezels can be themed to look like the original console or game artwork. In RetroArch, bezels are called "overlays" and can be customized per system or per game.

Custom Firmware. Unofficial operating system software created by the community to replace or enhance a device's original firmware. CFW typically unlocks additional features, improves performance, adds emulator support, and provides a better user interface than stock firmware. ArkOS, OnionOS, and JELOS are all examples of CFW.

In RetroArch, a "core" is a plugin that emulates a specific game console or system. Each core is essentially a self-contained emulator. For example, the "mGBA" core emulates Game Boy Advance, while "PCSX-ReARMed" emulates PlayStation 1. RetroArch can have multiple cores for the same system, each with different performance and accuracy trade-offs.

A flat, cross-shaped input control used for directional movement in games. The D-pad is the primary control method for classic retro games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and PS1 era. D-pad quality is critical for retro gaming — a good D-pad should be precise, responsive, and comfortable for extended play. Analog sticks are a separate control type used for 3D games.

The process of replicating the behavior of one computer system (the "guest") on another computer system (the "host"). In retro gaming, emulation means running software that mimics the hardware of classic game consoles — allowing you to play NES, SNES, Game Boy, PS1, and N64 games on modern hardware like a handheld gaming device. Emulation is legal; the legality of ROM files depends on your jurisdiction and whether you own the original game.

A graphical front-end interface for launching emulators and games. EmulationStation provides the visual menu system you see when you turn on a retro handheld — the game library browser, system selection, and settings menus. It works alongside RetroArch (which handles the actual emulation). ArkOS and most other CFW use EmulationStation as their front-end.

The number of individual frames (images) displayed per second in a game. Most retro games were designed to run at 60 FPS (NTSC) or 50 FPS (PAL). When a device cannot emulate a game fast enough, the FPS drops below the target, causing slowdown or stuttering. Full-speed emulation means the device maintains the target FPS consistently.

The graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to browse and launch games on a retro handheld. The front-end is what you see and interact with — it's separate from the emulator (back-end) that actually runs the games. EmulationStation is the most common front-end. Pegasus is an alternative front-end used by some CFW.

The chip responsible for rendering graphics. In retro handhelds, the GPU handles displaying game graphics on screen. Most retro handheld GPUs are integrated into the main SoC (System on Chip). GPU performance affects how smoothly games run, especially for more demanding systems like PS1, N64, and PSP.

A button combination that triggers a special function while playing a game. Common hotkeys on retro handhelds include: Save State (L2+R2), Load State (L2+L1), Screenshot (L2+X), and Return to Menu (L2+Start). Hotkeys allow you to access emulator functions without leaving the game.

A type of LCD display technology known for accurate colors, wide viewing angles, and good brightness. IPS screens are preferred for retro handhelds because they display game colors accurately and remain visible from different angles. The alternative is TN (Twisted Nematic) panels, which have worse color accuracy and narrow viewing angles. Most modern retro handhelds use IPS screens.

A custom Linux-based firmware for retro handheld gaming devices. JELOS is known for its stability, wide device support, and active community development. It is an alternative to ArkOS and OnionOS, supporting many of the same Anbernic and other retro handheld devices. JELOS uses EmulationStation as its front-end and RetroArch for emulation.

The delay between pressing a button and seeing the action happen on screen. Low input latency is critical for retro gaming, especially for action games, fighting games, and platformers where precise timing is required. Input latency is measured in milliseconds (ms). Most retro handhelds have input latency between 30-80ms — lower is better.

A unit of measurement for battery capacity. Higher mAh means more battery capacity and longer playtime. Most retro handhelds have batteries between 2000-5000mAh. Battery life also depends on screen brightness, system being emulated, and WiFi usage. More demanding emulation (PS3, Wii) drains battery faster than simple retro systems (NES, GBA).

The internal storage chip built into a retro handheld device. NAND flash stores the operating system, firmware, and sometimes games. Most retro handhelds also have a microSD card slot for additional game storage. Internal NAND storage is typically 8-64GB, while microSD cards can expand storage to 512GB or more.

A custom firmware designed specifically for the Miyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini+ handheld gaming devices. OnionOS enhances the stock Miyoo firmware with additional emulators, themes, apps, and features. It is not compatible with Anbernic devices (which use ArkOS or JELOS). OnionOS is known for its polished interface and excellent performance on Miyoo hardware.

A device that works immediately upon unboxing with no setup, configuration, or technical knowledge required. In retro gaming, plug-and-play handhelds come with games pre-loaded and emulators pre-configured. The user simply charges the device and starts playing. This is the opposite of devices that require manual ROM loading, emulator configuration, or firmware flashing.

A measure of screen sharpness — how many pixels fit in one inch of screen space. Higher PPI means a sharper, clearer image. For retro gaming, PPI matters because retro games have low native resolutions (240p, 480p) that are upscaled to fill the screen. A higher PPI screen makes upscaled retro games look cleaner.

The most widely used multi-system emulator frontend in retro gaming. RetroArch is not a single emulator — it is a platform that runs individual emulator plugins called "cores." It supports 100+ game systems and provides advanced features like shaders (visual filters), save states, rewind, netplay, and achievements. Most retro handheld CFW (ArkOS, OnionOS, JELOS) use RetroArch as their emulation back-end.

A digital copy of a game cartridge or disc. ROM files contain the game data that an emulator reads to run the game. Common ROM formats include .nes (NES), .sfc (SNES), .gba (Game Boy Advance), .bin/.cue (PS1), and .z64 (N64). The legality of ROM files varies by jurisdiction — generally, you should only use ROMs of games you legally own.

An emulator feature that captures the exact state of a game at any moment and saves it to a file. Save states allow you to save your progress at any point — even in games that don't have a built-in save feature. You can have multiple save states per game and load them instantly. Save states are one of the most popular emulation features for casual retro gamers.

A visual filter applied to game graphics to simulate the look of original display hardware. CRT shaders mimic the scanlines and glow of old CRT televisions, making retro games look more authentic. LCD shaders simulate the pixel grid of original Game Boy screens. Shaders are applied in RetroArch and can significantly impact performance on lower-powered devices.

An integrated circuit that combines all major components of a computer — CPU, GPU, RAM, and other components — onto a single chip. In retro handhelds, the SoC determines overall performance. Common SoCs in retro handhelds include the Allwinner H700 (R36S), Rockchip RK3326 (RG351 series), and Dimensity 1100 (Retroid Pocket Flip 2). A more powerful SoC enables emulation of more demanding systems.

The maximum amount of heat a device's cooling system is designed to dissipate, measured in watts. In retro handhelds, TDP affects battery life and device temperature during gameplay. Lower TDP means less heat and longer battery life. Higher TDP means more processing power but shorter battery life and potentially warmer device temperatures.

The process of increasing the resolution of a game's graphics to fill a higher-resolution screen. Retro games were designed for low-resolution displays (240p, 480p). When displayed on modern screens, they must be upscaled. Integer scaling (2x, 3x, 4x) is preferred as it maintains pixel accuracy. Bilinear filtering smooths pixels but can make games look blurry.

Wireless internet connectivity built into some retro handheld devices. WiFi enables features like: online multiplayer (netplay via RetroArch), downloading game artwork (scraping), system updates, and file transfers. Not all retro handhelds have WiFi — the R36S does not have WiFi, while the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 has WiFi 6. WiFi also drains battery faster when active.