Custom Firmware - Powkiddy A20

The Powkiddy A20 occupies a strange space in the retro gaming handheld market. Released as a successor to the popular RK2020 and powered by the Rockchip RK3128 SoC, the A20 promised a budget-friendly entry into the world of emulation. However, out of the box, many users found the stock firmware clunky, outdated, and riddled with performance dips.

| Console / Game | Stock Firmware | RetroOZ (CFW) | ArkOS (CFW) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 40-50 FPS (audio crackle) | 60 FPS (Full speed) | 59-60 FPS | | N64 - Super Mario 64 | 15-25 FPS (unplayable) | 25-30 FPS (playable with frameskip) | 28-30 FPS (smoother) | | GBA - Metroid Fusion | 55 FPS (stuttering) | 60 FPS (Perfect) | 60 FPS | | Dreamcast - Sonic Adv | 10 FPS (slideshow) | 15-20 FPS (proof of concept) | 18-22 FPS | | Boot Time | 45 seconds | 28 seconds | 18 seconds | powkiddy a20 custom firmware

For less than $50 (used market), you get a handheld with a comfortable 3.5-inch IPS screen, physical volume wheel, and solid face buttons. Once you flash RetroOZ or ArkOS, you rival the performance of devices twice its price. You won’t be playing PlayStation 2 or heavy N64, but the entire 8-bit, 16-bit, PS1, and handheld (GBA/GG) libraries run flawlessly. The Powkiddy A20 occupies a strange space in