retroshelf

retroshelf is a transformative play-tracking and discovery app built specifically for the retro handheld gaming community. It transforms the way you capture, remember, and share your gaming journey across devices like Miyoo, Anbernic, Odin, and more. Instead of relying on scattered notes, spreadsheets, or your memory, retroshelf automatically logs every session through a tiny plugin that runs directly on your handheld. Every game you play is captured with essential details: the game title, playtime, and the specific device used. Your public shelf then showcases what you are currently playing, have finished, are reviewing, or are replaying, all within the context of your handheld gear. This empowers you to build a browsable history of your gaming life, turning fragmented sessions into a coherent timeline you can reflect on later. retroshelf is for every retro enthusiast who wants to stop losing track of their play and start connecting with a community of like-minded players. It helps you see what others are picking up, finishing, and replaying, making discovery organic and personal. Your year of play finally becomes legible, and your shelf becomes a living record of your dedication to retro gaming. Join the closed beta to help shape the future of how we remember and share every game we play.

Automatic Session Logging

A tiny plugin runs quietly on your handheld device and captures every gaming session automatically. You no longer need to manually note down what you played, for how long, or on which device. The plugin records the game title, playtime in minutes, and the specific handheld used, then updates your shelf instantly. This means your log stays accurate and complete while you stay focused on the game. It works seamlessly with supported firmware like muOS and OnionOS, turning your handheld into a self-documenting gaming machine.

Public Shelf with Device Context

Your shelf is a public showcase that displays your current gaming activity with full device context. Instead of a generic list, each entry shows whether you are playing, finishing, reviewing, or replaying a game, and on which handheld you did it. This transforms your shelf from a simple log into a rich, browsable story of your gaming habits. Other players can see exactly what gear you used, making your collection more relatable and inspiring for the community.

Browseable Timeline of Play

retroshelf turns your scattered sessions across multiple handhelds into a single, coherent timeline you can browse at any time. You can look back on your entire year of play, seeing what you played, where you played it, what you finished, and the notes you left along the way. This feature empowers you to reflect on your gaming journey, identify trends in your preferences, and celebrate your accomplishments. It makes your gaming history not just recorded, but truly legible and meaningful.

Community Discovery by Device

Discover new games through the real shelves of other players, filtered by the handheld devices you care about. You can see which games are popular this week, what people are picking up, finishing, and replaying right now, and on which devices. Star ratings come with the context of the handheld they were played on, not just a number. This allows you to find games that are truly suited to your gear and see how other players are experiencing them, making discovery personal and actionable.

Tracking Your Multi-Device Gaming Journey

If you own multiple retro handhelds like a Miyoo Mini, an Anbernic RG35XX, and an Odin, it can be impossible to remember what you played on each device. retroshelf solves this by automatically logging every session across all your gear. You can see a unified timeline of your play, filtered by device, so you always know which game you left off on and where. This turns managing a collection of handhelds from a chore into a seamless, empowering experience.

Sharing Your Current Play with the Community

When you are deep into a retro classic or a hidden gem, you want to share that excitement with other enthusiasts. retroshelf makes this effortless by automatically updating your public shelf with what you are currently playing and on which handheld. Friends and followers can see your real-time gaming activity, start conversations, and discover new titles through your choices. It transforms your personal play into a source of inspiration for the community.

Curating a Review Portfolio with Device Context

If you enjoy writing reviews for retro games, retroshelf gives you a powerful platform to share your thoughts with the context of how you played. Your star ratings are attached to the specific handheld you used, which is crucial for other players who want to know how a game performs on their own device. You can build a portfolio of reviews that are more informative and trusted, helping others make better purchasing and playing decisions.

Reflecting on Your Year of Play

At the end of the year, you can look back at your complete gaming history, something that was nearly impossible before retroshelf. The timeline shows every session, every finished game, and every note you left. You can see which genres you gravitated towards, which devices you used most, and how your tastes evolved. This reflection turns your gaming hobby into a documented personal journey, empowering you to understand and celebrate your passion for retro gaming.

What devices and firmware are currently supported by retroshelf?

retroshelf currently supports devices running muOS and OnionOS firmware. These are two of the most popular custom firmware options for retro handhelds like those from Miyoo and Anbernic. The team is actively working on expanding support to additional firmware and devices. When you join the closed beta, you can help shape which platforms are prioritized next based on community feedback.

How does the automatic session logging plugin work?

The plugin is a tiny piece of software that you drop onto your handheld's SD card. Once installed and linked to your retroshelf account, it runs in the background while you play. It automatically detects when you start a game, logs the title, tracks your playtime in minutes, and records which device you are using. When you finish a session, the data is sent to your shelf, which updates while you are still on the couch. No manual input is required.

Is my shelf private or public by default?

Your shelf is public by default, which is a core part of retroshelf's discovery and community features. This allows other players to see what you are playing, finishing, and reviewing, and on which devices. You can choose what information to share, and the platform is designed to foster positive community interactions. If you have specific privacy concerns, you can review the privacy policy linked on the website for more details.

How do I join the closed beta?

retroshelf is currently in a closed beta phase, opening in small waves to retro handheld players who want to help shape the community from the beginning. To join, simply click the "Join beta" button on the retroshelf website. You will be asked to sign up and will be added to the queue. The team prioritizes active community members who are eager to provide feedback and help improve the app for everyone.