Buy the MagicX Mini Zero 28 here: https://joeysrh.link/AMP_MAGICXMZ28
Recommended Accessories
- MicroSD Card (OS): 128GB or 256GB (since the Android OS is on an SD card for this device, 128GB would be a good option for it)
- MicroSD Card (ROMS): 128GB or 256GB
- Charger: UGREEN 65W Charger
Flashing the Android OS to a new SD card
If you plan on instantly replacing the stock SD card, which a new card, then you’ll want to flash the new SD card with the stock Android OS.
To do so, head to the MagicX Github here: https://github.com/Magicx-Breeze/Dawn/releases and you want to download the option that matches your SD card size, so there’s 128G, 32G and 64G images.
Next, go ahead and download Rufus Portable from the Rufus website, and you’ll want to make sure you have a USB SD Card Reader, which you can find here.
Connect your SD card to the PC and then open Rufus. Make sure the device listed is the SD card that you connected.
On the right, choose Select and navigate to the image you downloaded from the MagicX Github and select it.
Push Start in Rufus and yes to any warnings to let it do its thing.
Once that’s done, safely eject and insert that SD card into Slot TF1 on the device and off you go!
Initial Setup Guide
- Prepare SD Card (Android): You can prepare your SD card ahead of time. Follow the steps on this page, and that will get you all setup to get everything you need before getting your device.
- Alternatively, you can use Dawn Launcher’s built-in SD card setup tool if you have the device already. Insert your SD card into Slot TF2, and format it in Android to exFAT & Portable Storage. Then, in Dawn Launcher, head to Settings > Select game library directory > ADD > Create a folder called ROMS on your SD card and then select it. Dawn will populate all the system folders.
Recommended Settings
Recommended Emulators
RetroArch – For PlayStation 1 & Under
Here’s what we will use RetroArch for:
- Atari 2600
- Atari 5200
- Atari 7800
- Atari Lynx
- Arcade
- Nintendo Entertainment System
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Nintendo Game Boy/Game Boy Color
- Nintendo 64 (see M64Plus FZ Pro section below)
- Nintendo DS (see MelonDS section below)
- Sega 32X
- Sega Dreamcast
- Sega Genesis/Master System/Game Gear/CD
- Sega Saturn
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Sony PlayStation 1 (see DuckStation section below)
M64Plus FZ Pro – For Nintendo 64
For Nintendo 64 on Android, you want to use M64Plus FZ Pro UNLESS you need RetroAchievements, in which case I’d suggest the Mupen64Plus-Next GLES3 core in RetroArch.
The reason being, there’s a few games that are broken in RetroArch (Mario Golf, Pokemon Snap etc.), and then some other games that have texture issues (Mario Tennis etc.) that can be fixed in M64Plus FZ. M64Plus FZ has the best compatibility and so start there, but unfortunately just on Android, you will have a tough time with a few games if you want RetroAchievements.
MelonDS – For Nintendo DS (Optional)
For Nintendo DS, there are two options I would recommend. The RetroArch MelonDS DS core above, which is what I use and would highly recommend.
Or, you can install and use the standalone MelonDS app instead. The standalone MelonDS app has upscaling, where the MelonDS DS core does not, and would be the only current benefit to that option.
DuckStation – For Sony PlayStation 1 (Optional)
For Sony PlayStation 1, there are two options I would recommend.
The RetroArch SwanStation core is generally very good, and can be a good option if you want to stick to just using RetroArch for everything.
However, the standalone DuckStation app has better performance and is better for upscaling as well. There are many games (like Final Fantasy) that will have significant slowdown if you are upscaling on SwanStation, but not in DuckStation and so it ends up being a better choice overall.
Click here for my DuckStation setup guide
PPSSPP – For Sony PlayStation Portable
For Sony PlayStation Portable emulation, the best emulator for Android is PPSSPP from the Google Play Store. The paid version is only required if you want to support the developer, otherwise there’s no difference.
Click here for my PPSSPP setup guide.
Dolphin – For Nintendo GameCube & Wii
For Nintendo GameCube and Wii, the best emulator for Android is Dolphin and the Beta version from the Google Play Store. It’s very important that you enable/enroll in the Beta version on the Play Store page, as that will give you the most up to date version of the emulator, which matches the development version on their website.
Click here for my Dolphin setup guide
NetherSX2 Classic – For Sony PlayStation 2 – Classic
For Sony PlayStation 2 emulation, the current and best version is NetherSX2 – Classic.
Click here for my NetherSX2 setup guide
Azahar – For Nintendo 3DS
For Nintendo 3DS emulation, the best and current version is Azahar.
Click here for my Azahar setup guide
CEMU – For Nintendo Wii U
For Nintendo Wii U emulation, the best and current version is CEMU.
Click here for my CEMU setup guide
RPCSX – For Sony PlayStation 3
For Sony PlayStation 3 emulation, the best and current version is RPCSX.
Click here for my RPCSX setup guide
Switch Emulation on Android
For Nintendo Switch emulation, the best and current emulators change often. Check the guide for more information.
Click here for my Switch Emulation on Android setup guide
P8GO – For Pico-8
Click here for my Pico-8 on Android setup guide.
Recommended Frontends
ROMs/BIOS
If you’re looking for where to find ROMs and BIOS files, this video will help you.
Also, for the best BIOS files, you can see this list here: https://joeysretrohandhelds.com/guides/recommended-bios-files/.
Organizing ROMs/BIOS & File Types
If you’re curious what the best file types are for your ROMs, or how to organize everything, then this page will help: https://joeysretrohandhelds.com/guides/recommended-file-types-for-roms/.
How to find your saves & states
If you’re looking for your saves & states, you can find a list of emulators and where they are here: https://joeysretrohandhelds.com/guides/where-to-find-save-files-for-every-emulator-and-custom-firmware/.