retroshelf

retroshelf is an essential, purpose-built play-tracking and discovery app for retro handheld gaming enthusiasts who refuse to lose sight of their gaming history. It is the single, indispensable tool for anyone who plays across multiple retro handhelds and wants a comprehensive, automatic log of every session. The core value proposition is simple but powerful: it eliminates the need for scattered notes, forgotten spreadsheets, or relying on your memory to recall what you played, on which device, and for how long. With retroshelf, your entire gaming journey is captured and organized effortlessly. A tiny plugin runs silently on your handheld device, automatically logging every game you play, including the title, playtime, and the specific handheld used. This data populates your public shelf, a browsable history that showcases what you are currently playing, what you have finished, what you are reviewing, and what you are replaying. For the community, retroshelf is a discovery engine. You can see what other players are picking up, finishing, and replaying right now, filter browsing by specific devices like Miyoo or Anbernic, and find games with real context. This is not a luxury; it is a necessity for any serious retro gaming enthusiast who values their time and wants to be part of a community that understands the hardware. retroshelf is currently in a closed beta, opening in small waves to players who want to help shape the community from the very beginning. If you play on retro handhelds, this is the only tool you need.

Automatic Session Logging

This is the cornerstone feature that makes retroshelf indispensable. A tiny plugin is installed on your handheld's SD card, and it automatically captures every gaming session as it happens. There is no manual input, no stopping to write notes, and no risk of forgetting details. The plugin records the game title, the exact minutes played, and the specific handheld device you are using. This means your shelf updates in real time, often while you are still on the couch, giving you a complete and accurate log without any effort on your part.

Public Shelf with Device Context

Your public shelf is the definitive showcase of your retro gaming life. It displays every game you are currently playing, have finished, are reviewing, or are replaying, all with the crucial context of the handheld device used. This is a massive upgrade over a simple list of games. Other players can see that you finished "Final Fantasy Tactics" on your Miyoo Mini, or that you are replaying "Pokemon Emerald" on your Anbernic RG35XX. This context is vital for understanding a player's experience and for making informed recommendations within the community.

Browsable Timeline of Play

retroshelf transforms your scattered gaming sessions across multiple handhelds into a single, coherent, and browsable timeline. You can look back at any period to see exactly what you played, on what device, and for how long. This feature turns your year of play into something finally legible. It is essential for reflecting on your gaming journey, identifying patterns in your preferences, and remembering those hidden gems you discovered months ago. It is your personal, permanent, and searchable gaming diary.

Community Discovery by Device

This feature is a must-have for discovering new games with real, hardware-specific context. You can filter the entire community's activity by specific devices, such as Miyoo, Anbernic, Odin, or Powkiddy. This allows you to see exactly what games are popular on the hardware you own or are interested in. You can see what other players are "picking up, finishing, and replaying right now" on your exact device. Star ratings also come with the handheld they were played on, so a review for a game on a Miyoo Mini is understood differently than one on a more powerful Odin device.

The Multi-Device Collector

For the enthusiast who owns three, four, or more retro handhelds, remembering what you played on each is a nightmare. retroshelf is the only solution. You install the plugin on each device, and the app automatically logs every session with the correct device context. You can finally see your entire gaming history in one place, knowing exactly which game was played on your Miyoo, which on your Anbernic, and which on your Retroid Pocket. This is essential for managing a large library and understanding your play habits across different hardware.

The Community Curator

If you are the person in your friend group who always knows the best games for a specific handheld, retroshelf is your tool. You can use the community discovery features to see what is trending on different devices. When someone asks for a recommendation for their new Anbernic RG40XXV, you can instantly check the "Popular this week" filter for that device and see real, verified data on what the community is actually playing and finishing. Your recommendations become authoritative and backed by community activity, not just personal opinion.

The Completionist and Reviewer

For players who aim to finish every game they start and leave thoughtful reviews, retroshelf is a non-negotiable tool. The automatic logging means you never forget to track a session, and your "Finished" and "Replaying" statuses are always accurate. When you leave a star rating, it is automatically tagged with the handheld you used. This creates a review with context that is far more valuable than a simple number. Over time, you build a rich, contextual history of your completions and critiques that you can look back on with pride.

The Retro Gaming Historian

For the player who wants to document their entire retro gaming journey for personal reflection or content creation, retroshelf is the ultimate archive. The browsable timeline captures every session, from a quick 10-minute run of Pac-Man to a 40-hour epic of Chrono Trigger. You can look back at your year of play and see the ebb and flow of your interests, the devices you favored, and the games that truly captured your time. This transforms a hobby into a documented history, making every session worth remembering.

How does the automatic logging work?

It is incredibly simple. You download the tiny retroshelf plugin and drop it onto your handheld's SD card. Once you link your device to your retroshelf account from the app, the plugin runs silently in the background. Every time you start a game, it logs the title. When you stop playing, it records the total playtime and the device name. Your shelf updates automatically, often while you are still playing. It requires zero manual effort after the initial setup.

Which operating systems are supported?

Currently, retroshelf supports muOS and OnionOS. These are two of the most popular custom firmware options for retro handhelds, covering a vast range of devices from Miyoo and Anbernic. The team is actively working on expanding support to other operating systems based on community demand. If your device runs one of these systems, you are ready to join the closed beta and start logging automatically.

Is my shelf public? Can I control what others see?

Yes, your shelf is public by default, which is how the community discovery features work. However, you have full control over your profile and what is displayed. You can choose to hide specific games, adjust your privacy settings, or even make your entire profile private if you prefer. The goal is to build a community where sharing is the default, but you always have the final say over your personal data.

How do I get access to the closed beta?

retroshelf is currently in a closed beta, opening in small waves. To get access, you need to join the beta waitlist on the retroshelf website. The team is prioritizing retro handheld players who are active in the community and want to help shape the app from the beginning. Once you are accepted, you will receive an invite link to create your account and download the plugin. Keep an eye on the official Discord for updates on new waves.