Retroid Pocket Mini Setup Guide

Buy the Retroid Pocket Mini here: https://joeysrh.link/RP_MINI

Recommended Accessories

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.

Recommended Settings

  • Over-the-Air Updates: In Android settings, go to System, Updater and check for an update.
  • Play Store: Sign in to the Play Store and do any updates that are in the app.
  • Performance Mode: My recommendation is Standard or Performance mode unless you’ll be doing Switch emulation in which case you’ll want to use High Performance in some cases.
  • Fan Mode: My recommendation is Quiet, as long as you’re in Standard or Performance mode. In High Performance, I would keep it on Smart.
  • Quick Panel: If you swipe down from the top, you get the Android quick panel. Floating Icon is the white bar that shows on the right in-game that allows you to see FPS, Temperature, Button Mapping and more.

Recommended Emulators

RetroArch – For PlayStation 1 & Under

For RetroArch, you want to use the Stable build, not the version off the Google Play Store. RetroArch will be your emulator of choice for everything under and including Sony PlayStation 1.

Here’s what we will use RetroArch for:

  • Atari 2600
  • Atari 5200
  • Atari 7800
  • Atari Lynx
  • Arcade
  • Dreamcast
  • Game Boy/Game Boy Color
  • Game Boy Advance
  • NES
  • Nintendo 64 (see M64Plus FZ Pro section below)
  • Nintendo DS (see MelonDS section below)
  • PlayStation 1
  • Saturn
  • Sega 32X
  • Sega Genesis/Master System/Game Gear/CD
  • SNES

Click here for my RetroArch setup guide, which includes recommended cores and more.


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.

Click here for my MelonDS setup guide


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.

You’ll want to use M64Plus FZ Pro off the Google Play Store, and the paid version over the free.

Click here for my M64Plus FZ 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.


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/.

Setting up Syncthing

How to setup streaming to your device

Teardown & DIY Screen Replacement

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