The Miyoo Mini Plus is an impressive handheld gaming console released in March 2023, following its predecessor, the original Miyoo Mini, which was launched towards the end of 2021. The device boasts a powerful ARM Cortex A7 dual-core processor running at 1.2GHz, a crystal-clear 3.5” IPS display with a resolution of 640×480, 128MB RAM, 64GB storage (expandable up to 128GB via Micro SD card), and a 3000mAh rechargeable battery that provides 4-5 hours of gameplay on a single charge.
The Miyoo Mini Plus is available in various colors, including grey, white, black transparent, and purple transparent. Additionally, it supports RetroArch, which offers support for over a dozen retro gaming consoles.
Where to Buy the Miyoo Mini Plus?
If you are willing to pay a bit more than the normal retail price, you can purchase it through Amazon for around $80. When you buy from Amazon, you get free prime shipping and the generous return policy that Amazon is known for.
Although other sellers and websites offer the device, there have been reports of screen detachment and other issues with units from other sources, with no warranty provided for potential problems. Additionally, many of the websites you buy from will be shipping from China, so you can expect to wait quite some time.
Where to Find ROMs and BIOS for Miyoo Mini Plus?
For legal and ethical reasons, we cannot link to websites that host commercial game ROMs for the Miyoo Mini Plus. However, you can easily find them through a quick Google search, provided you own the original games. On the other hand, we can direct you to websites that offer homebrew games, which are freely available and legal.
Some recommended sources for homebrew games include PDROMS , which is the largest homebrew games repository for many consoles and computers, and GameBrew.
Adding ROMs to Your Miyoo Mini+ Micro SD Card
To add ROMs to your Miyoo Mini+ micro SD card, follow these simple steps:
- Power down your Miyoo Mini+ and remove the Micro SD card.
- Insert the Micro SD card into your PC, and you’ll see a new drive with several folders:
- App: Contains game software
- Emu: Contains emulator software
- Imgs: Contains images like box art
- Miyoo: Contains the Miyoo Mini+ OS
- RApp: Contains some gaming software
- RetroArch: Contains various emulators and related files
- Roms: This folder stores ROM files, organized by console/computer names.
- Navigate to the “Roms” folder, and you’ll find subfolders for different systems (e.g., “amstrad,” “atari2600,” “cps1,” “cps3,” “neocd,” “pce”).
- Copy your ROM files to their respective folders. For example, Atari 7800 games should go into the “atari7800” folder, PlayStation 1 games into the “ps1” folder, and DOS games into the “dos” folder.
Once you’ve copied the ROM files, eject the Micro SD card, reinsert it into your Miyoo Mini+ Plus, and power it on. The device may take a bit longer to boot the first time if you’ve copied many games, so be patient and avoid switching it off.
Using the Miyoo Mini Plus+
Upon booting your Miyoo Mini Plus+, you’ll encounter the main menu. Use the Left and Right D-Pad buttons to navigate between menu options, which are as follows:
- Recent: Displays your recently played games.
- Favorite: Shows your favorited games.
- Game: This option presents a secondary menu with individual emulators.
- RetroArch: This option also presents a secondary menu with emulators utilizing RetroArch cores.
- App: Shows apps installed on the Miyoo Mini+.
- Setting: Access various settings.
Game Menu
The Game Menu consists of individual emulator applications, covering systems like Arcade, Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, Neo Geo, PC Engine, and PlayStation. Some emulators may perform better or offer higher quality than RetroArch-based cores.
Use the D-Pad to navigate through the systems and select one to view the list of games available for that particular system. You can scroll through the list one by one using the Up and Down D-Pad buttons, or skip forward and backward by page using the Shoulder buttons for faster browsing. Pressing the Right button may display the box art or in-game screenshot preview.
To play a game, simply press the A button, and it will load into the appropriate emulator. While in-game, pressing the Menu button will bring up the in-emulator menu. Here, you can continue the game, save and load states, access emulator settings, cheats, and more.
RetroArch
RetroArch is a multiplatform frontend that runs “cores” or emulators. It offers several compatible cores for the Miyoo Mini+, each with its own performance and compatibility characteristics. You can navigate the RetroArch cores using the D-Pad and choose one with the A button to see the list of games available for that system.
The RetroArch Quick menu can be accessed using the Menu button, providing shortcuts to common functions like restarting the game, saving and loading states, and editing controls.
For more in-depth information on RetroArch, we recommend referring to the Wiki.
Useful Software for the Miyoo Mini Plus
One useful software for the Miyoo Mini Plus is Easy LogoTweak, which allows you to update the boot image with community-made or custom images.
Custom Firmware for the Miyoo Mini Plus
Custom firmware enhances the functionality of retro gaming handhelds, providing an improved user experience compared to the standard operating systems that come with the devices. These custom firmwares often offer a more polished user interface and add support for additional emulators.
Onion OS
Onion OS is a custom firmware available for the Miyoo Mini Plus. To install it, follow the steps outlined below:
Prepare Your Micro SD Card
Before installing Onion OS, ensure you have a new and reliable Micro SD card from a reputable brand like SanDisk or Samsung. Format the Micro SD card to FAT32 format. If your card is larger than 32GB, use a third-party tool like Rufus to format it.
Copy the Onion Install Files
Download the latest Onion OS for Miyoo Mini Plus and extract its contents to your PC. You’ll find six folders: .tmp_update, BIOS, miyoo, Media, RetroArch, and Themes. Copy all six folders and their contents to the root directory of the Micro SD card. Overwrite any files if prompted.
Onion OS Installation
Insert the Micro SD card into your Miyoo Mini Plus and power it on. The Onion OS installation process will begin, installing both Onion OS and RetroArch. This may take around 5 minutes, so allow the process to complete without interrupting the device.
Check Everything Has Updated Correctly
After the update, your BIOS and ROM files will still be intact on the Micro SD card. If necessary, refresh your games catalog by pressing the SELECT button and navigating to the Games tab, then choosing the “refresh ROMs” option.
Conclusion
The Miyoo Mini Plus is an impressive handheld gaming console that offers a wide range of gaming possibilities. From its powerful hardware to the variety of emulators and custom firmware options, it provides a nostalgic gaming experience for retro gaming enthusiasts. With proper handling of ROMs and firmware updates, you can make the most out of your Miyoo Mini Plus and enjoy hours of classic gaming fun.
FAQs
- Can I purchase the Miyoo Mini Plus from other sellers? While you may find the Miyoo Mini Plus from various sources, we highly recommend buying it from DroiX for guaranteed quality and customer service.
- Where can I find ROMs for the Miyoo Mini Plus? We cannot provide links to websites with commercial game ROMs due to legal restrictions. However, you can easily find homebrew games with a quick online search.
- Is custom firmware safe to install on my Miyoo Mini Plus? Custom firmware enhances the user experience but should be installed with caution. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid any potential issues.
- How do I update the Onion OS firmware? To update the Onion OS firmware, download the latest version, copy the installation files to the Micro SD card, and follow the provided steps during the installation process.
- Can I use my own images for the boot screen? Yes, with the Easy LogoTweak software, you can update the boot image with your own custom images or choose from the community-made images available.
