retroshelf

retroshelf is a play-tracking and discovery app built specifically for retro handheld players. It solves the fundamental problem of scattered game history across multiple devices, spreadsheets, Discord messages, and memory by giving every player a public shelf that automatically logs their gaming sessions. When you play a game on a supported retro handheld, a tiny plugin captures the session in real time: the game title, the duration, and the specific device you used. This turns your gaming life into a browsable, searchable timeline of what you played, when you played it, how long you played, and which handheld you used. Beyond personal tracking, retroshelf is a discovery engine. You can browse real shelves from other players to see which games are catching on, what people are finishing and replaying, and which devices they prefer. Reviews come with context: star ratings include the handheld they were played on, not just a number. You can filter shelves by device, from Miyoo and Anbernic to Odin and the rest of the gear you care about. retroshelf is currently in closed beta, inviting early adopters to help shape the community from the beginning. It is designed for anyone who owns multiple retro handhelds, wants to remember their gaming journey, and wants to discover what the community is playing right now.

Automatic Session Logging

A tiny plugin runs on your handheld and captures every session as you play, recording the game, the minutes played, and the device used. Your shelf updates while you are still on the cushion, with no manual entry required. Simply drop the plugin on your SD card, link your device, and sessions log themselves automatically.

Browsable Timeline

retroshelf turns scattered sessions across handhelds into a timeline you can browse later. See what you played, where you played it, what you finished, and the notes you left along the way. Instead of keeping notes in spreadsheets or Discord posts, your entire year of play becomes legible and searchable in one place.

Discovery Through Real Shelves

See which games are catching on with handheld players and which devices they are playing them on. The "Popular this week" section shows what people are picking up, finishing, and replaying right now. You can browse by device to filter shelves by Miyoo, Anbernic, Odin, and the rest of the gear you care about.

Reviews With Device Context

Star ratings come with the handheld they were played on, not just a number. Every game shows who is playing it, on what handheld, and for how long. This gives you genuine context about a game's performance and experience on specific devices, helping you decide what to play next on your own hardware.

Tracking Your Retro Handheld Library

If you own multiple retro handhelds like a Miyoo Mini, an Anbernic RG35XX, and an Odin 2, retroshelf automatically logs every session across all devices. You no longer need to remember what you played on which device or keep manual notes. Your shelf becomes a single source of truth for your entire retro gaming life.

Discovering What the Community Is Playing

Instead of scrolling through forums or Discord channels, you can see exactly what other retro handheld players are picking up, finishing, and replaying right now. The "Popular this week" feed shows real-time trends, and you can filter by device to see what games perform best on the hardware you own.

Making Informed Purchase Decisions

When considering a new game for your handheld, you can check reviews with device context. See how long others played a game on the same device you own, what star rating they gave it, and which handheld they used. This helps you avoid wasting time on games that don't run well on your specific hardware.

Building a Personal Gaming History

retroshelf automatically creates a browsable timeline of your entire year of play. You can look back at what you finished, what you revisited, and the notes you left along the way. This turns your gaming sessions into a meaningful record you can share with friends or simply enjoy revisiting.

How do I start using retroshelf?

Currently, retroshelf is in closed beta. You can request beta access on the website, and the team is opening it in small waves starting with retro handheld players who want to help shape the community from the beginning. Once accepted, you simply drop the plugin on your SD card, link your device, and sessions log automatically.

Which handhelds are supported?

retroshelf currently supports muOS and OnionOS based handhelds. This covers a wide range of popular retro devices including Miyoo Mini, Miyoo Mini Plus, Anbernic RG35XX series, and other devices running these custom firmware. Support for additional operating systems and devices is likely to expand during the beta.

Does retroshelf work offline?

The plugin on your handheld captures sessions locally during play. When your device connects to the internet, the sessions sync to your retroshelf shelf. This means you can play anywhere, and your history will upload automatically when you are back online, keeping your shelf up to date without manual intervention.

Can I see what other players are doing?

Yes, discovery is a core feature of retroshelf. You can browse real shelves from other players, see which games are popular this week, filter by device, and read reviews with device context. This creates a community where you can see how people play, what they finish, and what they replay on their retro handhelds.

retroshelf is currently in closed beta and does not have publicly announced pricing. The beta is free to join for early adopters who want to help shape the community. Pricing details for the full launch have not been announced yet.