Miyoo Mini Plus — Ultimate Guide 2026
A complete guide for the Miyoo Mini Plus: top 10 best games, top 5 racing games, step-by-step setup with OnionOS, performance tips, and a full system compatibility chart.
Note: The game recommendations, setup steps, and overall content below were generated by Claude. I'm keeping this post on my site for personal future reference — it's a practical guide I'd otherwise lose track of.
Device Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Processor | ARM Cortex-A7 Dual-Core @ 1.2 GHz |
| RAM | 128 MB DDR3 |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS · 640×480 · 4:3 |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh · 6–8h (GBA/SNES) |
| Storage | MicroSD slot (recommended: 128GB) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi · USB-C charging |
The sweet spot: NES → PS1 / GBA. No PS2, no N64, no PSP. What it does, it does exceptionally well.
Top 10 Best Games for Miyoo Mini Plus
Curated for the MMP's strengths: the crisp 4:3 screen, responsive D-pad, no analog sticks, and emulation ceiling of PS1/GBA.
1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) ★★★★★ The definitive top-down adventure. Every pixel sings on the 3.5" screen. Perfect D-pad controls, save states let you tackle dungeons in short sessions, and the 4:3 ratio is native. This is the game the MMP was born to play.
2. Pokémon Emerald (GBA) ★★★★★ The community's most-played MMP game. GBA emulation is pixel-perfect here, and Pokémon's turn-based gameplay needs zero analog sticks. Battery life lasts 7+ hours on GBA.
3. Chrono Trigger (SNES) ★★★★★ Widely considered one of the greatest RPGs ever made. Runs flawlessly, save states complement the quest structure, and the sprite art is stunning on the MMP's IPS panel.
4. Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (GBA) ★★★★★ Turn-based tactics at its finest — no time pressure, no analog needed, incredible depth. One of the most recommended "commute games" on the MMP because you can pause and resume mid-battle effortlessly.
5. Metroid Fusion (GBA) ★★★★★ Tight 2D action platforming with atmospheric exploration. The D-pad controls are precise, the pixel art pops on the screen, and it's one of the best Metroidvanias ever made.
6. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1) ★★★★★ The gold standard of Metroidvanias. PS1 emulation runs great on the MMP, and SOTN uses primarily D-pad controls (no analog required). The RPG progression hooks you for dozens of hours.
7. Super Mario World (SNES) ★★★★★ Pure platforming perfection. Tight controls, inventive level design, and that unmistakable charm. Runs at a locked 60fps and the colorful sprites are gorgeous on the MMP's crisp IPS display.
8. Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA) ★★★★★ The GBA port of one of the greatest RPGs ever, with bonus content. Turn-based combat works perfectly without analog sticks. The opera scene, the villain, the ensemble cast — all perfect on a pocket device.
9. Crash Bandicoot: Warped (PS1) ★★★★☆ The most polished of the PS1 Crash trilogy. D-pad works perfectly for the linear corridor gameplay. Short, replayable levels are ideal for portable gaming sessions.
10. Celeste (PICO-8 version) ★★★★☆ The original PICO-8 prototype — free, tiny, and brutally addictive. OnionOS supports PICO-8 natively. A precision platformer that proves the MMP's D-pad is top-tier.
Honorable mentions: Pokémon Gold/Silver (GBC), Kirby & the Amazing Mirror (GBA), Super Punch-Out!! (SNES), Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA), Mega Man X (SNES), Tekken 3 (PS1), Brave Fencer Musashi (PS1), VVVVVV.
Top 5 Racing Games for Miyoo Mini Plus
Racing games that work well without analog sticks, run smoothly on the MMP hardware, and are genuinely fun on a 3.5" screen.
Important note on NFS/PS2: The Miyoo Mini Plus cannot emulate PS2 games. Need for Speed Underground 1/2 and Most Wanted (PS2) are not playable on this device. For those, you'd need a Retroid Pocket 5/G2 or AYN Odin 2 Portal. However, the PS1 racing library is surprisingly excellent.
1. Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA) ★★★★★ Tailor-made for the MMP: D-pad controls only, pixel-perfect GBA emulation, 4:3 native ratio. Contains 40 tracks (including all SNES tracks), multiple cups, and pure kart racing bliss. The definitive MMP racing game.
2. Crash Team Racing (PS1) ★★★★★ Many consider this the best kart racer on PS1, rivaling Mario Kart 64. Adventure mode gives it legs, the power-slide mechanic adds satisfying depth, and D-pad controls work natively.
3. Ridge Racer Type 4 / R4 (PS1) ★★★★★ The crown jewel of PS1 arcade racers. Gorgeous pre-rendered backgrounds, satisfying drift mechanics via D-pad, an iconic soundtrack, and a Grand Prix story mode with 300+ cars. D-pad steering is how this game was originally designed to be played.
4. Top Gear (SNES) ★★★★☆ A pure-blooded SNES racing classic. Split-screen racing (even against the AI), multiple tracks across the world, car upgrades between races, and excellent pseudo-3D speed. The iconic engine-revving soundtrack alone earns it a spot here.
5. Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit (PS1) ★★★★☆ The closest you'll get to NFS on the MMP! D-pad steering works well in this arcade-style PS1 racer. Police chases, exotic cars, and the Hot Pursuit mode that defined the franchise.
Racing honorable mentions: WipEout 3 (PS1 — futuristic racer, stellar soundtrack), Gran Turismo 2 (PS1 — works with D-pad), F-Zero (SNES — blazing Mode 7 speed), Road Rash (Genesis — motorcycle combat racing), V-Rally 2 (PS1).
Complete Setup Guide
Step 1 — Replace the Stock SD Card (Critical!)
Do this first! The included microSD card is low-quality, unbranded, and prone to data corruption. Every guide, reviewer, and community member agrees: replace it immediately.
Recommended cards: Samsung EVO Select 128GB or SanDisk Ultra 128GB. A 128GB card gives you plenty of room for thousands of games.
Format to FAT32: This is critical. On Windows, use GUIFormat or Rufus to force FAT32 formatting (the built-in tool won't format >32GB cards as FAT32). On Mac, Disk Utility → Erase → Format: MS-DOS (FAT) → Scheme: Master Boot Record.
Step 2 — Install OnionOS (The Magic Sauce)
OnionOS is the custom firmware that transforms the MMP from "decent" to "incredible." It adds save states, fast-forward, GameSwitcher (quick-resume between games), custom themes, battery optimizations, and dramatically better emulator performance. It's free and maintained by a passionate community.
Installation steps:
- Download the latest release ZIP from the OnionOS GitHub releases page (github.com/OnionUI/Onion/releases).
- Extract the ZIP contents directly to the root of your freshly formatted SD card. You should see folders like
BIOS,Roms,Savesat the top level. - Safely eject the SD card.
- Insert it into the Miyoo Mini Plus and power on. OnionOS will auto-install (~1–2 minutes). Keep it plugged in during first boot.
- Once complete, the Package Manager will appear. Select the consoles you want (GBA, SNES, PS1, Genesis, etc.).
Pro tip: Only enable the systems you actually plan to play. Fewer systems = cleaner, faster menus.
Step 3 — Add BIOS Files
Some emulators require BIOS files. Place them in the /BIOS folder on your SD card.
Essential BIOS files:
| System | File(s) needed |
|---|---|
| PS1 | scph1001.bin (or scph5501.bin, scph5500.bin, scph5502.bin) |
| GBA | gba_bios.bin |
| Neo Geo | neogeo.zip (place in /BIOS and /Roms/NEOGEO) |
| FBA/MAME | Various system BIOS ZIPs for arcade boards |
GBC, SNES, NES, and Genesis do not require BIOS files.
BIOS files are copyrighted. You need to source them yourself legally (e.g., dumping from hardware you own).
Step 4 — Add Your Game ROMs
OnionOS organizes games by console. Place ROM files into the correct folders:
| Folder | File types | System |
|---|---|---|
/Roms/GBA/ |
.gba |
Game Boy Advance |
/Roms/SFC/ |
.sfc or .smc |
SNES |
/Roms/PS/ |
.bin/.cue, .pbp, or .chd |
PlayStation 1 |
/Roms/GB/ |
.gb |
Game Boy |
/Roms/GBC/ |
.gbc |
Game Boy Color |
/Roms/MD/ |
.md or .gen |
Genesis / Mega Drive |
/Roms/FC/ |
.nes |
NES / Famicom |
/Roms/PICO/ |
.p8 |
PICO-8 |
/Roms/FBA/ |
.zip |
Arcade |
For PS1: Use
.chdor.pbpcompressed formats instead of raw.bin/.cue— they're 40–70% smaller and run identically. Tools likechdmanorPSX2PSPhandle the conversion.
After copying ROMs, safely eject, insert the card, and boot. If new games don't appear, press Select → Refresh ROMs.
Step 5 — Performance Optimization
Overclocking (optional but recommended):
The stock CPU runs at 1200 MHz. You can safely overclock to 1500–1700 MHz for noticeably better PS1 performance.
- On your SD card, create a file called
/cpuclock.txt - Inside, write a single number:
1600 - Save, eject, and reboot.
| Range | Value |
|---|---|
| Safe | 1500–1700 MHz |
| Aggressive | 1800 MHz (test thoroughly; some units crash) |
| Stock | 1200 MHz (delete the file to revert) |
Backup first! Copy your entire SD card to your computer before overclocking.
RetroArch tweaks (accessible via Menu + Select during gameplay):
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Video → Threaded Video | ON | Reduces frame drops on PS1 games |
| Audio → Audio Sync | ON | Prevents crackling/popping |
| Audio → Latency | 128ms | Good balance of sync vs. responsiveness |
| Video → VSync | ON | Eliminates screen tearing |
| Frame Delay | 2–4 | Reduces input lag without costing frames |
Step 6 — Essential Hotkeys & Shortcuts
| Combo | Action |
|---|---|
| Menu + Power | Sleep mode (light sleep — use within ~30 min) |
| Menu + Select | Open RetroArch quick menu (in-game) |
| Menu + Start | Quick save state |
| Menu + L1 | Load save state |
| Menu + R1 | Fast-forward (hold for speed-up) |
| Menu + R2 | Toggle fast-forward on/off |
| Menu + L2 | Screenshot |
| Menu (double-tap) | GameSwitcher — quick-resume between recent games |
| Menu (hold 2s) | Exit game to menu |
GameSwitcher is amazing. It lets you quickly swap between your recently played games, each resuming exactly where you left off.
Step 7 — Add Box Art & Themes (Optional Polish)
Box Art / Scraping: OnionOS has a built-in scraper. Go to Apps → Scraper and let it run over Wi-Fi. This adds cover images to your game lists.
Themes: OnionOS supports custom themes. Download from the OnionOS GitHub or community Discord, place in /Themes/ on your SD card, and switch in Settings → Appearance → Theme.
Wi-Fi setup: Settings → Wi-Fi → enable and connect. This enables scraping, clock sync, and RetroAchievements.
Step 8 — Battery & Sleep Tips
Expected battery life:
| System | Battery Life |
|---|---|
| Game Boy / GBC | 7–8 hours |
| GBA | 6.5–7.5 hours |
| NES / SNES | 6–7 hours |
| Genesis | 6–7 hours |
| PS1 | 4–5 hours |
| PS1 (overclocked) | 3–4 hours |
Sleep mode warning: The MMP does NOT have a true deep sleep. The "light sleep" (Menu + Power) drains battery significantly. If you're stepping away for more than 30 minutes, save your state and power off fully. OnionOS auto-save/resume means you'll pick up right where you left off on next boot.
Battery replacement: If your battery feels weak, the MMP uses a standard 804050 3.7V Li-Po pouch cell. Replacements are under $10 on AliExpress.
System Compatibility Chart
| System | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| NES / Famicom | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| Game Boy | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| Game Boy Color | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| SNES / SFC | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| Game Boy Advance | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| Sega Genesis / MD | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| Sega Game Gear | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| Neo Geo | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| TurboGrafx-16 | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| PICO-8 | ★★★★★ PERFECT |
| Arcade (FBA/MAME) | ★★★★☆ VERY GOOD |
| PlayStation 1 | ★★★★☆ VERY GOOD |
| Nintendo DS | ★★★☆☆ LIMITED |
| Nintendo 64 | ★★☆☆☆ POOR |
| PSP | ★☆☆☆☆ NOT VIABLE |
| PlayStation 2 | ☆☆☆☆☆ IMPOSSIBLE |
| GameCube | ☆☆☆☆☆ IMPOSSIBLE |
| Dreamcast | ☆☆☆☆☆ IMPOSSIBLE |
PS1 nuance: Most PS1 games run perfectly. A few demanding 3D-heavy titles (Gran Turismo 2, some Spyro sections) may have occasional frame drops. Overclocking to 1600 MHz typically fixes these. The bigger limitation is the lack of analog sticks — games requiring dual-stick controls (Ape Escape) are unplayable.
Nintendo DS: With Drastic via OnionOS, some 2D DS games work (Pokémon Black/White, Ace Attorney). However, touch-only games and 3D-heavy titles don't work well. Don't buy the MMP primarily for DS.
No analog sticks = key limitation. The MMP has a D-pad, ABXY, Start, Select, Menu, and 4 shoulder buttons (L1/R1/L2/R2) — no analog sticks. Stick to games originally designed for D-pad and buttons.
Miyoo Mini Plus Ultimate Guide · May 2026. Sources: OnionOS GitHub, PropelRC, Tech Tactician, PulseGeek, ItsGamez, Anton Retro, community reviews.