Complete and easy guide to using the Gaming Console (from scratch, step by step)

Quick note: The Retrovi Edition is a handheld retro console with a ~4″ screen, Linux system and large battery; exact specifications and button layout may vary depending on the version, but the basic functions and steps I explain here apply to most units.

Important: At the bottom you will find the glossary of terms in case you didn't understand something.

1) What's in the box (what you'll find)

• The console.

• USB-C cable for charging/data.

• Case or cover (depending on the seller).

• TF (microSD) card with games (on some models) or empty slot to insert your card.

• Minimal manual/stickers and screen protector included in some kits.
  

2) First steps — charging, turning on and initial checks

1. Initial load

   • Connect the USB-C cable to the console and a USB charger (5V, ideally 2A). Allow 1–2 hours if the battery is low. The console has a ~4000 mAh battery (it lasts for more than 5 hours of continuous gameplay).

2. Turn on / turn off

   • Power On: Press and hold the power button (usually on the top or side) for 2–3 seconds until the screen lights up.

   • Power Off: Press and hold the same button for 3–5 seconds to bring up the power menu and choose “Power Off” or press and hold longer to force a power off.

3. Check the status

   • Make sure the TF card (memory: 64GB, 128GB, etc.) is properly inserted and that the firmware boots to the main game menu or system (ArkOS/EmuELEC/or other).

3) Description of buttons and what each one is for (most common)

Console Layout/Elements:

• D-Pad (crosspad) — up/down/left/right: move in menus and in classic games (NES/GBA, etc.).

• Analog stick(s) — analog control: smoother movements.

• A / B / X / Y buttons — main actions in games (jump, attack, confirm, cancel).

• Start / Select (or Menu / Back) — pause game, open menu, select options.

• Home / Menu button (sometimes with icon) — returns to the main system menu or opens the emulator menu.

• Shoulder L/R (triggers) — secondary actions, firing, options menu; some models have additional L2/R2 .

• Power button — turn on/off/hold to force off.

• Speakers / audio output / microphone — Front speakers and sometimes 3.5 mm jack.

• USB-C port — charging and data transfer with the PC.

• TF (microSD) slot — where the games/firmware go.

4) How to load games and manage the card (easy and safe way)

There are two common ways:

Option A — Use TF card (recommended)

1. Turn off the console.

2. Remove the microSD (TF) card and connect it to the PC using an adapter.

3. Copy the folders/ROMs to the correct directory (each firmware has a folder: roms/ → nes , gba , ps1 , etc.).

4. Reinsert the card into the console and turn it on. The emulators should detect the games automatically (the menu at the top of the store explains this in more detail).

Option B — connect to PC via USB-C

1. Connect the console to the PC via USB-C.

2. On the console, an option to activate USB Mass Storage / Transfer may appear: select it.

3. Copy/paste files from your PC to the microSD card (as if it were an external memory).

4. Safely disconnect and restart your console so that the emulators can index new games.

If you want to change the operating system (for example, install ArkOS), the correct way is to flash an image to the SD card using tools like Rufus or Balena Etcher—there's a step-by-step guide above in my store menu that explains this. Make a backup first.

5) System functions and menus (what you will see on the screen)

• Main menu : list of pre-installed emulators/games.

• Menu within the emulator : options to save state, load state, configure controls, graphics filters.

• System settings : brightness, volume, language, date/time, FPS, updates.

• File management : You'll see if the console mounts the TF card or internal memory.
  (The exact appearance depends on the firmware).

6) Hidden tricks and combinations

Important: These combinations are the most common on retro consoles but may vary: try them first in the menu (without any important games open).

• Press and hold the power button for 3–5s → usually displays the power off/restart menu.

• Short press of the power button → in some firmwares locks the screen or puts it to sleep.

• Start + Select (at the same time) → in many emulators it does a soft reset (returns to the emulator menu) or saves the quick state.

• L + R + Start (or Select) → sometimes forces a complete exit from the emulator or a system reset (varies by version).

• Press and hold two front buttons when turning on → some firmwares boot into recovery mode or maintenance menu (useful if it got "frozen").

• Rapid double taps in certain combinations can activate hidden mappings/functions (macro, turbo).

If any combination doesn't work, don't persist : turn off and restart. If something still seems off, reimaging the SD card usually restores the system.

7) Updates, changing firmware and fixing “bricks” (safe steps)

• Update from the menu : some models allow updating via Wi-Fi or from a .zip file on the SD card.

• Reinstall firmware (flash SD) : Download a specific R36 Max image (e.g., ArkOS), extract the .img , and write it to the microSD card using Rufus/Balena Etcher. Then insert the SD card and boot. This restores the software and fixes most problems (this is explained in detail in the tutorial above in the Store Menu).

If the console does not turn on / appears "bricked":

1. Press and hold the power button for 10–15s to force shutdown.

2. Try booting with the SD card out (only the internal firmware boots) and with the SD card inside (system boots from SD).

3. If it doesn't respond, rewrite the SD card with a clean image and try again.

8) Usage, maintenance and safety tips

• Battery : Charge when it reaches 20–30% to extend its life; avoid leaving it completely discharged for a long time.

• Temperature : Do not play for hours on end on surfaces that prevent ventilation; the electronics heat up (play in warm places: neither too cold nor too hot).

• Cleaning : Use a soft, dry cloth; avoid liquids.

• Legal ROMs : Play with ROMs you own or legally obtained content. Do not distribute copyrighted ROMs.

• Protection : Use a case to prevent bumps and dust; a screen protector is recommended if the screen is OCA/IPS.

9) Common problems and quick solutions

• The console is stuck on the logo → rewrite the image to the SD card or try another SD card.

• No sound from games → increase volume on system and emulator; check if mute is enabled; try headphones (if there is a jack).

• Inverted or unresponsive controls → in the emulator, reconfigure the controls (mapping) and save the profile.

• Game looks weird (stretched/cropped) → in emulator video options adjust ratio / scaling (All this information from point 9 is better explained in the tutorial above in the Store Menu).

10) Final shortcuts (quick cheat sheet)

• Turn on: hold power button for 2–3s.

• Power off: hold power button for 3–5s → power off.

• Quick save state: Start → Save State (varies by emulator).

• Load state: Start → Load State.

• Reinstall system: flash image on microSD (use Rufus/Etcher).

11) Resources and where to read more (if you want to delve deeper)

• Practical guide to installing ArkOS and preparing the SD card (step-by-step imaging).

• Console/Retrovi Edition manuals with specifications and basic steps.

• Reviews and comparisons (hardware specifications such as RK3326, 4″ screen, 4000 mAh battery).

• You can find all of this in the Menu at the top of the store, where you'll find Home, Contact, etc.

12) Glossary of terms (explained simply)

1. Firmware
It's the console's operating system. It's what makes the console turn on, display menus, and run games. Examples: ArkOS, EmuELEC.

2. TF / microSD card
It's the memory where the system and games are stored. It's like a small USB drive.

3. ROM
It's the game file. Each game is a file (example: Mario, Pokémon, etc.).

4. Emulator
It is the program that allows you to play games from other consoles (NES, PS1, GBA, etc.).

5. Flash / Record image
This means installing the operating system on the microSD card from a PC.

6. Image (.img)
It is the complete system file used to install the firmware on the microSD card.

7. ArkOS / EmuELEC
These are special types of operating systems for retro consoles (The menu at the top of the store explains more about this).

8. Reburn/Reinstall system
It involves reinstalling the system from scratch on the card to fix errors.

9. Brick / To Brick
When the console does not turn on or does not get past the logo due to a software error.

10. Save State
A feature that allows you to save the game at any time and continue later from that same point.

11. Load State
It allows you to return to that exact point you saved.

12. USB Mass Storage / Transfer Mode
Mode that makes the console appear on the PC as a USB drive.

13. Mapping / Map controls
It's about configuring what each button does in an emulator.

14. Screen Ratio / Scaling
It is the way the game image is adjusted to the screen (full screen or original size).

15. Format
It involves erasing all the contents of the card to install a clean system from scratch.