Pyra - linux-based retro games handheld

RetroCode · Post by **RetroCode** » Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:30 pm

The Pyra is a very niche product (perhaps more so than the X16) - appealing to both retro-games enthusiasts and open source / Linux enthusiasts... It's been in development since 2016, and I believe has been on the cards for close to 10 years (be aware that it's a relatively low spec for a high price - but there has been several years of development that's gone in to it). It's the successor to the Pandora hand-held (https://www.openpandora.org/)

https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/pages/pyra/

There is a small, passionate community around it, and they are now aiming for a tentative launch of mass-production units in August.

I've had a pre-order from back in 2016 for one. Just thought I'd mention it on the off-chance that there may be others that might be interested.

BruceMcF · Post by **BruceMcF** » Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:00 am

Looks like a lovely piece of kit, and even though I could partly justify it as a pocketable computer for "R" based classes ... not at 500 Euros I can't. Oh well, I hope those who can afford it enjoy it.

RetroCode · Post by **RetroCode** » Mon Jul 06, 2020 5:20 pm

No, it's not cheap, and certainly not for most. I paid for it gradually over the years it's been in development. There have been a couple of similar-ish devices in the last couple of years, but it still stands out on its own as pretty unique in being a fully-fledged Linux computer and gaming handheld in one.

Apparently the first production unit has been shipped out... it's been a long development.

John Chow Seymour · Post by **John Chow Seymour** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 12:25 pm

I really love the Nintendo DS form factor and I've always wished that I could use it for more than gaming. I get a homebrew setup working for my DSiXL and had productivity software on there, but with no keyboard it was just not practical. The Pyra looks exactly like something I've always wanted! But would it be useful enough to warrant the price tag? I'll have to really think about that...

RetroCode · Post by **RetroCode** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 5:44 pm

5 hours ago, John Chow Seymour said:

The Pyra looks exactly like something I've always wanted! But would it be useful enough to warrant the price tag? I'll have to really think about that...

Yeah, that depends on your needs (of course). It's likely to be perfect for emulation, at least up to PS1, but hopefully it could cope with PSP, and of course browsing and certainly basic stuff is possible. I'll likely use it in lieu of my laptop most of the time as it's more portable and pretty equivalent in power, and I might also dispense with my smartphone, as it optionally includes 4G. The high price is also not some small part down to the development costs, and over the 5ish years there has been a roller-coaster to say the least of development progress, hiccups and problems (now sorted).

If you're on the fence, I'd recommend waiting for reviews, and I'd also say that production costs are likely to drop a little, so the price may go down a little when it's finally in full production.

In a news update - the first completed production unit has been sent out, and apparently expected to be received by a developer in the UK - he's helped sort out some software issues, but I'm hoping over the next couple of weeks there will be quite a bit more information as units start to trickle out to early pre-order customers.

Oh, and the DS is a very neat design. I think the Pyra's size is probably equivalent to the New 3DS XL.

RetroCode · Post by **RetroCode** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:36 pm

One other thing worth mentioning, is that there is a theoretical possiblity of a CPU upgrade in the future - newer CPUs are being considered for this, and if they transpire, it wouldn't involve having to buy a complete new unit. There's nothing concrete on that yet though.

Getafix · Post by **Getafix** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:56 pm

Unrelated to the Pyra - I have an RG350 handheld which I love! It’s affordable and works amazingly well. Twin sticks, 4 shoulder buttons, d-pad, ABXY, start/select and now HDMI out. Plays arcade Games (mame - portrait and landscape), NES/snes, PS1, Genesis, Dreamcast, DosBox, C64, ZX Spectrum (clever key to button mapping makes quite a lot of games work), etc. It’s solid and beautiful. Open source so lots of Emulators and upgrades to download. Highly recommend for anyone wanting an all-in-one retro handheld.

RetroCode · Post by **RetroCode** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:35 am

Regarding other awesome looking retro handheld devices, I own an Odroid Go Advance, which is pretty awesome:

https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-go-advance-black-edition/

Although unfortunately I got the earlier transparent version which doesn't have the USB-C charger, or the two extra shoulder buttons.

Another one I'm really looking forward to is Pimoroni's 32Blit:

https://32blit.com/

Although the 32Blit isn't aimed towards emulation, but rather to encourage developers of new games.

These are all fun devices that I see myself picking up occasionally, but for me, I see the Pyra as hopfully a daily driver for most of my online / computer activity which can also play retro games.