Hardkernel’s ODROID-Go Ultra is a handheld game console with a 5 inch display, an Amlogic S922X processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of eMMC storage plus a microSD card reader for additional storage.

First announced in August, the handheld game console ships with an Ubuntu-based operating system and software designed for emulation. It’s now available for purchase for $111 and comes in a choice of “dim gray” or transparent “clear white” color options.

Hardkernel has been making single-board computers for more than a decade and starting in 2018 company began repurposing some of its hardware to make hacker-friendly game consoles sold under the ODROID-Go brand.

The latest model is the same size and shape as the ODROID-Go Super, which was introduced in 2020. But the new model has a faster CPU, improved graphics performance, and twice as much RAM (the memory is also speedier now). Hardkernel says it should be able to handle games designed for classic consoles up to the Nintendo Game Cube.

The ODROID-Go Super also had just enough built-in storage for a bootloader, which meant that the operating system had to be installed on a microSD card. The new Ultra model has 16GB of eMMC flash storage for the operating system, which means it boots more quickly and offers better stability.

Amlogic’s S922X processor has been a popular option for Android-powered media streaming devices in recent years, but it’s less commonly found in mobile devices. But Hardkernel seems pretty confident in the new processor and other upgrades. The company says the new ODROID-Go Super performs more than twice as fast as the previous-gen model… although it’s a bit less energy efficient. The new handheld should only get an estimated 6 hours of continuous game play time, compared with 10 hours for the ODROID-GO Super.

Here’s an overview of key specs for the ODROID-Go Ultra:

ODROID-Go Ultra Specs
Display5 inches
854 x 480 pixels
LCD (wide viewing angles)
MIPI-DSI interface
ProcessorAmlogic S922X
4 x ARM Cortex-A73 CPU cores @ 2.2 GHz
2 x ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores @ 2 GHz
Mali-G52 MP6 GPU @ 846 MHz
RAM2GB LPDDR4x-3216
Storage16GB eMMC
microSD card reader (UHS-I support)
Audio0.5W mono speaker
3.5mm headphone jack
PortsUSB 2.0 Type-C
USB 2.0 Type-A
microSD card reader
3.5mm headphone
WirelessOptional dual-band WiFi & Bluetooth USB adapter
Battery4,000 mAh/3.7V LiPo
Charging5V USB Type-C
Dimensions204 x 86 x 25mm
8″ x 3.5″ x 1″
Weight299 grams
8 ounces
Price$111

Hardkernel notes that the battery charges very slowly when fully discharged, so the company will ship the handheld with a special Y-charging cable that a USB-A connector on one end and USB Type-A and Type-C ports on the other. The company says connecting both the Type-C and -A plugs to the handheld at the same time will increase the charging rate.

The computer ships with a build of Ubuntu 20.04.4 LTS featuring Linux kernel 4.9.277 and a modified version of EmulationStation which allows you to play games for classic game consoles when using system cores for supported Atari, Nintendo, Sega, and TurboGrafx systems as well as MAME 2003.

The ODROID-Go Ultra will be available with a choice of a grey or clear plastic case, and each model will feature dual analog sticks, a D-Pad, action buttons, and shoulder buttons.

You can find more details at the ODROID forum.

via CNX Software

This article was first published August 25, 2022 and most recently updated October 6, 2022. 

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16 replies on “ODROID-Go Ultra handheld game console is now available for $111 (Amlogic S922X chip and Ubuntu Linux OS)”

  1. There are several pre sale versions reviewed on YouTube running games. So people can get a real world view of what to expect.

  2. Sounds harsh to say, but I’m honestly looking more forward to the Chinese clones of this than the original hardware. The Odroid Go Advance had decent specs for the price but compared to the Anbernic and Powkiddy devices that copied and iterated on it, it felt cheap and hacky. I get that that’s the appeal for some people but comparing an RG351MP to the OGA was like comparing a Lamborghini to a kit car built on a VW chassis.

    1. Anbernic was making handhelds before the Odroid Go Advance released. The RG350 was released in 2019, while the OGA released in Jan 2020.

      I wouldn’t feel like you owe Odroid anything. They’re a copycat like everyone else.

      All of these handhelds are copying the success of the original Gamepark GP32 handheld from 2001, and perhaps the GP2x that replaced it.

      From there, the Open Pandora handheld was launched by a group of people on the GP32 forums, which eventually spawned the Dragonbox Pyra.

      Also, lots of other copycat products launched after the GP2x, like the Dingoo line of handhelds from China. The Dingoo handhelds were bad, but they encouraged a group of people to build OpenDingux to replace the OS. OpenDingux was the main handheld gaming OS for years. Most Chinese handhelds were designed to support it.

      Eventually people switched to operating systems like RetroPie, Batocera, and other Linux OS’s based around Emulationstation.

      1. Yes, but it is the group in SKorea (Hardkernel/Odroid) that built the open-source framework / software, that allowed the RG 351p to exist in the first place.

        That’s what Sleeper Service was talking about.

  3. I can’t wait for the benchmarks… this might be the model that I pull the trigger on. Can anyone speak to the durability of the controllers and buttons?

    1. This is a known processor, the benchmarks are already out there. The shipped device might be weaker due to thermal throttling and battery control.

      Generally, Odroid Go devices have poor build quality. So I would avoid this for consumers, but recommend it for developers.

      I’m hoping a “clone” variant (eg Anbernic) comes out for this with some improvements:
      – User Removable Battery
      – Pocketable Size and Weight
      – 200g, 180 x 80 x 18mm
      – 4.7 inch IPS touchscreen
      – 1440 x 810 resolution
      – 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage
      – Android 11 OS, Batocera, or EmuELEC ports or better
      – BT 5, Wifi 5, USB-HOST
      – Front-firing stereo loudspeakers
      – Indented Joysticks with L3/R3 located above D-Pad and Action Buttons (no accidental presses)

      1. I wouldn’t hold my breath on the user removable battery. I think the Miyoo Mini was the only handheld in recent memory to do this. I’d love to see it that sort of thing make a comeback though, especially if they’re able to use fairly common batteries.

        1. Oh nice, I double posted because I thought this one got eaten 😅

          1. Yeah, that happens to my comments too sometimes.

            Yeah, only the v1 of the Miyoo Mini, not the current/v2 models unfortunately.

            The largest battery that I know of, which is common and User Removable was the one in the Samsung Note 4, from back in 2014. It would be neat if we get a pocketable console with 6000mAh unit, and it becomes the norm for many other electronics (drones, cameras, etc etc).

      2. I wouldn’t hold my breath on the user replaceable battery. I think the only handheld in recent memory that had one was the Miyoo Mini. I’d love to see that sort of thing make a comeback though, especially if they use common, easy to find replacements.

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