GameMT EX8: the budget emulation handheld that punches above its price

GameMT EX8: PS2 and GameCube emulation for under €100, but watch out for the price rollercoaster

The GameMT EX8 has become the go-to device among handheld emulation fans. And for good reason: at a price that has dropped to €75 at launch and €96 on sale, it promises to run PS2, GameCube, Wii and even some Nintendo Switch games. But as often happens with these Chinese gadgets, the devil is in the details.

Performance: what can it run, and how well?

At the heart of the EX8 is a Helio G99, an 8-core SoC with a TDP of just 5W that avoids thermal throttling. According to testing, the console handles most of the PlayStation 2 catalogue smoothly at native resolution (x1), and x2 on less demanding titles. GameCube and Wii run at x1 without issues, and the Nintendo 3DS reaches double resolution with the azahar plus emulator. The weak point is the horizontally placed triggers, which are uncomfortable for certain games. It also lacks video output, a cost-cutting omission some users miss.

Nintendo Switch is where things get complicated. It was originally ruled out, but after updates to the Eden emulator, around thirty lightweight titles (such as the Catquest series or visual novels) run at x0.75 resolution with acceptable frame rates. It's nothing to write home about, but it opens the door to broader compatibility in the future with improved Mali drivers.

The price dance: from bargain to investment

The EX8's main appeal has always been its value for money. Anyone who bought it from China for €75 or during the summer AliExpress sales for €96 got the deal of the century. However, within weeks the price has climbed to €140, and there's no downward competition in sight: Anbernic's RG406H has been discontinued and other alternatives like the Retroid Pocket 5 already double the budget. On top of that come new EU tariffs, which will likely keep prices high in the short term. At €140 the bargain fades: for that money you're already approaching Snapdragon-powered machines capable of emulating Switch reliably.

Battery, storage and minor details

The battery is replaceable, though not as easily as in a Game Boy. The system runs Android 14, allowing you to install any emulator from the Play Store and transfer games over USB like on a phone. The 3:2 1080p display suits RPG Maker games and visual novels well, a niche it exploits with a newly released emulator. The included case is functional, but the speakers could be better.

Is it worth it today?

The answer is: it depends on the price. Below €100, it remains unbeatable for anyone wanting PS2, GC, Wii and some light Switch gaming. At €140 the recommendation is no longer so clear-cut, especially since the new RG55G1 (with a Snapdragon G1 gen2, equivalent to the Helio G99) could offer the same at a better price. The Chinese emulation handheld market moves fast, and what's a bargain today can be a bad buy tomorrow. If you're in a hurry, hunt for deals; if you can wait, hold out until the competition does its job.