Retro Dodo
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Gear
  • Games
  • Collect
  • Guides
Retro Dodo
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Gear
  • Games
  • Collect
  • Guides
  • News

Modder Converts LeapFrog LeapsterGS Into An Emulation Handheld

  • January 27, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Leapfrog Emulation

A savvy game enthusiast has successfully hacked a LeapFrog console to run RetroArch, making it a pretty unique emulation handheld.

The enthusiast in question is Bringus Studios, who has been posting miscellaneous gaming content for about a year now. Everything from live game play to making his own custom Game Cube Mini.

The console in question is the LeapFrog LeapsterGS Explorer handheld. Which happens to have just enough power to run both Linux and RetroArch.

In our book, that is a winning combination for an emulation handheld.

LeapFrog LeapsterGS Explorer

LeapFrog LeapsterGS Explorer

The LeapsterGS Explorer uses a proprietary CPU, the LeapFrog LF-2000 (Pollux SoC) ARM9.

That is not unlike the processors used in a lot of the affordable emulators we already know and love.

Even the most recent handheld we have reviewed, the Anbernic RG35xx, uses similar tech.

If you’ve got a bit of software know-how, and are able to flash a new copy of Linux to the Leapster, you’d also be able to load the Linux port of RetroArch to it!

Hacking A LeapFrog

Leapfrog Emulation
Image Source: Bringus Studios

Bringus Studios is not the first person to modify a LeapFrog handheld to unlock its emulation potential, but it was certainly his video that brought this fascinating mod to our attention.

As handheld enthusiasts, it is quite common to joke about ‘hacking’ random devices and turning them into an emulator.

“Can it play Doom?” (By the way, the answer is yes. Doom on the Leapster Explorer.)

Whether a LeapFrog is necessarily one of the best devices to modify is kind of irrelevant.

There is something about mankind that sees anything and everything and wants to know if they can control it. That’s known as a god complex.

And in what felt like the seven days of creation, Bringus Studios was able to kill a PS4, resurrect a Mac Mini, and subjugate a Leapster.

Leapfrog Emulation
Image Source: Bringus Studios

By his own measure, the LeapFrog device makes for a pretty decent emulator for Game Boy, Nintendo, Sega Genesis, as well as some okay game play for Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, and even Playstation!

Conclusions

A brand new LeapFrog LeapsterGS Explorer is still available for around $140usd. Which makes it an expensive handheld by today’s standards.

I wouldn’t rush out to buy one. But if your sister or child has one laying around, it could make for a fun little project.

Shoutout to Bringus Studios for exposing us to the marvelous world of LeapFrog modding. We are forever changed.


This article may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase an item we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support.

anthony wallace
Anthony Wallace

Anthony has been a video game lover ever since he can remember. He became a fulltime nomad in 2018, living throughout most of Asia. He focused his passion in retro gaming and began creating a game for the Game Boy Color while living in Nara, Japan during the 2020 pandemic. He is now in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he spends most of his time gaming, going on long walks and meeting as many stray dogs as possible.

You May Also Like
Tassei Denki - Project Nadeshiko
View Post
  • News

Tassei Denki “Project Nadeshiko” Is A New Nintendo DS Clone Straight Out Of Japan

  • September 24, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Kirby & the Amazing Mirror
View Post
  • News

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror Multiplayer Coming To Nintendo Switch Online

  • September 22, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
View Post
  • News

Piranha Plant Super Mario LEGO Set Is Up Next In The Production Pipeline

  • September 21, 2023
  • Seb Santabarbara
View Post
  • News

Grand Theft Auto 6 Set To Be The Most Expensive Video Game Of All Time

  • September 20, 2023
  • Seb Santabarbara
From Below Pocket
View Post
  • News

Unique Twist on Tetris “From Below Pocket” Available for Pre-Order Now

  • September 20, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Aaling The Ghost
View Post
  • News

New Game Boy Title “Aaling The Ghost” Launches on Kickstarter

  • September 20, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Xbox Sebile Controller
View Post
  • News

New Xbox “Sebile” Controller Revealed Amidst Latest Leak

  • September 19, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
The Mayor of Sanctuary
View Post
  • News

The Mayor of Sanctuary For Game Boy Color Now Available For Pre-Order

  • September 14, 2023
  • Seb Santabarbara
  • Tassei Denki - Project Nadeshiko
    Tassei Denki “Project Nadeshiko” Is A New Nintendo DS Clone Straight Out Of Japan
  • Kirby & the Amazing Mirror
    Kirby & the Amazing Mirror Multiplayer Coming To Nintendo Switch Online
  • 10 Best Time Crisis Games of All Time
  • Piranha Plant Super Mario LEGO Set Is Up Next In The Production Pipeline
  • how to evolve feebas pokemon scarlet violet the teal mask
    How to Evolve Feebas in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet The Teal Mask
Owned by Click Hill Limited, Bartholomew Way, Corsham, SN130FR, United Kingdom. Company No: 13923009. All rights reserved. Copyright Click Hill Limited 2022.
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Spotify
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Mail

Read More

  • Best Retro Handhelds
  • Best Pokemon Rom Hacks
  • Retro Gaming Reviews
  • Retro Gaming News
  • Best Pokemon Fan Games
  • Best Handheld PC's
  • Best Emulator For PC
  • Best PSP Games
  • Best Toys of the 90's
  • Best Playstation 2 Games
  • Best 3DS Games
  • Best Gameboy Games
  • Best Switch Emulators

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Sponsorships & Collabs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Anti-AI Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Reviews Policy
  • Our Company
  • Our Sister-Site
  • Contact Us

Input your search keywords and press Enter.