Small, Retro Gaming Device Approaches N64 Portability Level
The RK2020, a popular handheld emulation console, offers an impressive gaming experience for retro and modern gamers alike. With its powerful hardware and Linux-based operating system, it stands as a formidable competitor in the world of portable gaming.
Connectivity and File Transfer
Connecting the RK2020 to a Wi-Fi network is made possible with the use of a wifi dongle attached to the console's USB-A port, enabling wireless file transfer. However, due to the RK2020's Linux operating system, it is incompatible with Windows or macOS computers for easy file transfer. An alternative method is using paid software that allows Windows PCs to mount and access memory cards with a Linux file system.
Hardware and Performance
The RK2020 is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core ARM processor and 1GB of memory, making it one of the most powerful handheld emulators available. Its screen boasts bright colours and excellent viewing angles.
The RK2020's hardware performance enables smoother gameplay on more demanding systems like the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, although N64 emulation is often a miss, with issues like visual artifacts, slowdowns, and out-of-sync sound effects. PlayStation support on the RK2020 is solid, but game performance for more advanced emulation like the Sega Dreamcast and Sony PSP can be hit-or-miss.
Design and Controls
The RK2020 features a plastic shell, ergonomic design, and clicky buttons with a convex d-pad. However, its analog joystick is not perfect and only has one, making it a challenge for games designed for dual stick controllers.
Memory and Operating System
Unlike the RG350 which has a second memory card for operating system storage, the RK2020 has a single microSD card slot, where both the operating system and ROMs are stored. This makes uploading new games a technical challenge. The RK2020's operating system and emulators are built on Linux, with EmuELEC or Batocera as options.
Comparison with ODROID GO Advance
The RK2020 is a clone of the ODROID GO Advance from Hardkernel. Both devices share similarities in terms of their Linux-based operating systems and emulator support, but they differ in design, hardware, and performance.
The ODROID GO Advance features a slightly larger plastic shell with retro styling, a hexacore Cortex-A53 processor, and a Mali-T860 MP4 GPU. It excels in classic 8/16-bit emulation with a solid build and established community software support but has a lower resolution and weaker PSP capabilities.
In summary, the RK2020 generally offers better hardware performance, enabling smoother gameplay on more demanding systems, and a higher resolution display. The ODROID GO Advance, on the other hand, excels in classic 8/16-bit emulation with a solid build and established community software support but has a lower resolution and weaker PSP capabilities.
Legal Considerations
Playing games using ROM files on devices like the RK2020 is a legal gray area. The creators of the RK2020 now claim they ship the device with no firmware, making it more challenging to get up and running.
In conclusion, the RK2020 is a powerful and versatile handheld emulation console, offering an impressive gaming experience for retro and modern gamers. Its hardware performance, while not perfect, allows for smooth gameplay on many systems, including the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. However, users should be aware of the legal implications of using ROM files and the technical challenges associated with the RK2020's operating system and memory storage.
- Gizmodo reviewed the RK2020, stating that its powerful hardware and Linux-based operating system make it a formidable competitor in the world of portable technology, particularly in the realm of handheld emulation devices and gadgets.
- Despite the RK2020's compatibility issues with Windows or macOS for easy file transfer, paid software can mount and access memory cards with a Linux file system, therefore allowing for wireless file transfer.
- When it comes to future technology advancements, the RK2020, similar to its counterpart ODROID GO Advance, offers a promising platform for emulating retro and modern games, with its impressive hardware supporting demanding systems like the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. However, unlike the ODROID GO Advance, the RK2020 may present legal and technical challenges for users.
