Creoqode Lyra

Creoqode Lyra is a horizontal retro handheld launched in 2019, built for classic gaming fans who want everything in one device. Based on Linux and designed around RetroPie, it turns the nostalgia of 8-bit and 16-bit consoles and arcade machines into a portable, self-contained experience.

At its heart is the Broadcom BCM2837B0 SoC, with four ARM Cortex-A53 cores at 1.4 GHz, a Broadcom VideoCore IV GPU at 250 MHz and 1 GB of DDR2 RAM. That is plenty for 8-bit and 16-bit systems, arcade titles and home computers. It also runs demanding SNES FX games and 3D PlayStation titles at 60 FPS. Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS games are playable but can be laggy, so the most comfortable territory ends around the PS1 generation.

The 5-inch TFT touchscreen has an 800 x 480 resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 60 Hz refresh rate, for roughly 187 ppi. It suits pixel art and RetroPie menus well, and the wide panel makes text and sprites easy to read. A screen protector covers the panel instead of a dedicated lens.

Controls follow a classic layout: a cross D-pad placed up top, four face buttons and L1/R1 shoulder buttons. There are no analog sticks, no L2/R2 triggers and no rumble. That works well for retro platformers and arcade games but limits 3D titles. A physical mute switch and power switch sit alongside menu-based volume and brightness controls. The plastic body measures 186 x 80 x 19 mm, and a front-facing mono speaker delivers sound directly toward the player.

Power comes from a 3000 mAh battery, charged via Micro USB, with two Micro USB ports on board. Connectivity is a strong point: an HDMI output lets you play on a TV, USB OTG supports accessories such as external controllers, and a 3.5mm headphone jack is included.

Games and the system live on a microSD card, making storage easy to expand or swap. Thanks to Linux and RetroPie, you can add emulators, themes and configurations, plus engines and ports like OpenBOR, ScummVM, Pico-8, TIC-80 and MS-DOS titles. That makes the Lyra friendly to beginners and tinkerers alike.

Ideal for: retro fans who want a ready-to-play RetroPie handheld for 8-bit, 16-bit, arcade and PS1 games, with HDMI output for TV play and an open Linux platform to customise.