Making a retro handheld out of an old phone

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I got a new phone back in June (Google Pixel 9 Fold ftw), which means for the last 3 months, my old Samsung A23 has been gathering dust.

Then the Youtube algorithm blessed me with a video by TechDweeb showing us how to set up an Android device for emulation.

I followed the steps in the vid. Hooked up the phone to a Backbone controller that was also gathering dust and…Hey presto! Retro handheld!

It’s been great being able to play some Castlevania: Symphony of the Night before bed.

Castlevania Symphony of the Night on a Samsung A23 phone. The screen shows a vampire hunter standing inside a gothic castle in a pixelated style.

Gameboy game Pokemon Gold on a Samsung A23 phone. The screen shows the pokemon Ho'oh flying in a blue sky. The pokemon resembles a phoenix. This is in a pixilated style.