I picked up one of those chinese portable gaming/video/music/camera handhelds super cheap at Swedish eBay, just out of curiosity. These units come under a variety of name such as “X6” etc and can be bought on Amazon, Wish, Ali Express etc. They are a slightly more advanced variant than the small “Gameboys” bundled with a number of NES games. In this post I will write about what the unit can do and not do, as well as some tips and tricks I learnt on the way. It should be noted that I am not quite sure of the age of my unit, although it resembles the one I’ve seen reviewed on Youtube etc. Hence, newer versions might support additional features.
As for specifications, I am not sure what CPU architecture this device is built on. The information on the box is rather sparse, other than stating that the unit has 8 gb of storage space and a 480×272 QVGA TFT color screen. I will look into this later, and update the post.
The first thing I noticed that it was not entirely intiutive how to turn the device on: it seemed like the power button only worked when the charger was connected. However, turning the unit on is a two-step process: first, flip the side-switch to “on”, and then hold the “start” button.
The device has a good “feel” to it, and the buttons are responsive. The screen is clear and bright. The device is rather lightweight, and has a nice design stolen from the Playstation Portable 🙂 I have seen some concerns in prior reviews that the d-pad is not responsive in 8 directions, so it might not be suitable for fighting games.
If we start with some basic functions before we go into gaming / emulation, we can conclude that this is not a device that will satisfy your need for taking pictures or playing high definition video. Below is a sample of how the camera (under)performs outside in good lightning. The camera should also be able to serve as a PC camera, however I do not think it would be useful for a Skype business meeting in 2019 🙂
As for video playback, I tried some different video formats such as MP4 and AVI but without success. The only thing I got working was a 480×270 WMV clip. The “MP5” in the name of some of these units does not refer to any known format. On the enclosed CD is some sort of MP4 encoder, which supposedly converts video files to a suitable format for this device. Audio playback of MP3’s works as intended. The FM radio did not find any channels during the auto search. I did not try the AV out function since I see very little point in connecting a low-end handheld unit to my TV.
The device includes basic tools such as calendar, calculator, stopwatch, a voice recorder and a “library”, which I suppose read text files / e-books of some sort.
Let us get on to the gaming section. The device comes with a number of included games in different versions. I think they are mainly gba games. A number of NES games can also be found on the enclosed CD.
As per emulation, I have tried a number of roms from different systems on the device, and these are my experiences so far:
NES: Many games play really smooth with minimal lag during side scrolling. If I would use this unit for one thing only, it would be NES emulation. Super Mario Bros 1,2,3 all run fine, with the occassional glitch. Make sure to use US/NTSC version of roms, EU/PAL roms run to fast.
Super NES: There seems to be some problem with the emulator making all roms, both PAL and US / JAP run to fast. You notice this problem immediatelly in the title screen, when the music is playing way to fast. Sadly, this makes the games unplayable.
Gameboy: Interestingly, the side scrolling in, for example, Super Mario Land 1 and 2, is a bit jerky. It is playable, but a bit annoying. Non-fast scrolling games are fine though.
Gameboy advance: Suprisingly, GBA games often run smoother than the original GB games. Many titles run very good. So, after NES emulation, I would say this is another good use for this device!
Master System / Game Gear: I did not get any of these roms to run.
Mega Drive / Genesis: Games run ok, but as with the Gameboy, fast scrolling games are a bit jerky. Sadly, this includes the Sonic the Hedgehog series, which is a big reason why we want to emulate SEGA’s 16-bit machine.
These are the machines I’ve tried so far. I’ve seen people playing PSX games in a rather slow manner on certain units, but I have not tried this so far. Will give it a shot another day.
How to transfer games to the MP5?
To transfer games to your device, you simply connect it to your computer through the USB-cable, create some folders (see picture below), and drag your roms there. Then, go into Game Centre on you device, and choose Games on Demand. There, you will find your transferred roms. The device allows for saving and loading state which is a really nice feature.
To summarize this post, the chinese MP5 PSP clone works best as a NES / GBA emulator. Non-fast moving games for Mega Drive / Genesis / Gameboy also works good. However, SNES emulation on this particular device is way to buggy. The device may also be ok to use as an MP3-player. However, it is unlikely that you will find it useful for taking photos or playing videos.
See also: Chinese GBA 369-in-1 multicart: what to expect.
Hello,
I have exactly the same psp mp5 and my gba games run well but in a little square in the midle of my screen. I mean like it works but not in full screen. Is it the same for you ?
For full screen: In game, press select, options, display mode – full screen.
we can found online firmware update? thanks
Hi! I have not found any sources for downloading and updating the firmware online
so i cann’t update firmware? I’ve trouble with my console. It freezes and not working good.
I am afraid it is not possible to update the firmware on these units.
My one I just got it and I played it for a little and then it died but it’s been charging for a while and it’s not turning on or off
Did you try to flip the switch to “on”, followed by pressing the start button?
Done that and it’s still not working
I have same problem whats wrong
Yes same problem here too need help
Do you know if there is any way possible to use this as a controller for a pc?
No, you cannot use the unit as an usb controller.
Is it possible to change the consoles firmware ?
In theory it should be possible. I have tried to look for information about this online, without success.
Hi, any links from which to buy this? I had the mp5 gameplayer when I was younger but it broke, and all the shops online only sell the x6.
AliExpress?
can you run some form of windows or some other program on this console?
No.
so what can you do with it, besides what it can already do?
Per definition, nothing 🙂
Hur fick du emulatorn till Gameboy Advance att funka?
Var laddade du ner den?
Skapa en katalog som heter “GBA” under mappen “GAME” när du kopplat din enhet till datorn via USB. Dra sedan de spel du (lagligt) laddat ner till den mappen, så syns de när du går in på Game Centre -> Games on Demand.
Can i change the controls?
Yes, for example in the NES emulator, when you click the game, goto OPTION -> KEYBOARD MAPPING.
which key i press to change them?
Ah, I see now that this option actually only shows the mappings of the buttons/key, but it does not seem let you change them.
Can nds games run on it
No.
My screen is white, what do I do?
turn it on and of maybe
maybe turn it on and of
and also what do you use to update the firmware please
Sadly, I have not found any information about how to update the firmware on these units.
Hi! I got this one but doesn’t open.. i thought battery ran out and i tried to charge it but still nothing. Is it dead??
When turning the unit on, switch the power switch to “ON” and hold down “START”. If it does not take charge you might have a faulty unit.
Is there anyway to run ps1 games on this, I have the x6 version, but the OS looks the same.
I want to play Tomba! A ps1 game I played as a kid and loved. Any help would be appreciated.
It is possible to play Playstation 1 games by adding an image file (bin/cue or iso I think) file of your PS1 game to the X6 unit. However, PS1 emulation will be very slow so the experience will likely be rather poor I am afraid.
why does it say invalid file format when i play ps1 with bin format?
same here, any news?
There are a few tricks you can attempt: 1. Use ISO-files instead of BIN/CUE. 2. Check path to BIN file in your CUE file.
Will it run MAME games?
If so, how?
Thanks
No, it won’t run any arcade games as far as I know.
I just got one of these and on all the games (Sega or SNES) some control, usually jump, does not work. Any idea on how to fix, or should I get my own ROMS on there?
Does this problem occur if you use your own roms on it as well?
No. I am only using games included for now. I am new to this and have not attempted to load my own yet. I think it is only the Sega games..
Ah ok. I actually did not play the built-in games much on this device. I mainly used it to add my own roms.
I have the x6 I have charged it and everything but I turn it on and only thing comes on is blue and red light but no screen even if I hold the start button
Try the other way around: turn it on, and then press the start button. While doing so, the blue light on my unit flickers slightly, and it turns on.
I have X7, do you know early turn on stuck logo street fighter, I push reset true stuck logo street fighter, any idea ? I think must flash or install sistem, how ?I don’t have solution
I don’t know of any way to flash or update the firmware, sorry.
i have a question. can i delete all the games and leave the options jus for videos?
I don’t think you can remove the hard-coded games. However, I would not use this device as a movie viewer as it requires re-coding of most video files to a special format.
Does anyone know what rom set the “arcade” games that come with the console are??? They seem to be Neo Geo, but I can’t get any Neo Geo roms to work on the console. I keep getting the “invalid file format” message. If I could get the Metal Slug and King of Fighters games to work on this console it would make it really useful. I have tried Neo Geo roms from a ton of sites and none work, anyone know which ones come with the console??
The built in games are Gameboy Advance roms. You cannot emulate Neo Geo on this device.
I have one with a set of around 300 Mame ROMS (Including NEO-GEO), NES, SNES and GBA games as per standard. I tried adding more arcade (MAME) Roms but it won’t load them. So sad. Maybe needs to be a specific ROM version?
I had some success with Capcom Play System roms on another unit that supported arcade games. Try e.g. Captain Commando or similar rom.
CPS 1 OR 2 ?
Try CPS 1, with Captain Commando.
My battery kinda bloated, just noticed after left it around decade ago… Think we can replace the battery??
Yes, as long as you replace it with a battery with identical voltage. You might need to solder the wires from the new battery in place. I have not checked which type of battery resides in my unit.
I tried running pokemon games on it, some are stuck on a white screen while others return the error “Invalid file format”. Also it does not seem to recognise Pokemon Red(GB game) and Pokemon Crystal(GBC) at all.
(My device seems to be the same as the one shown in this blog).
Gameboy emulation on these devices is surprisingly shake it seems.
Even GBA pokemon games won’t run on these (White screen)
.
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p.s. Wow, I did not expect you to reply on a 3 year old post
Hallo,
ich habe den MP X7 und möchte einige Mega Drive Rom’s darauf installieren. Muss ich einen extra Emulator (und welcher ?) darauf installieren ?
Danke für eure Hilfe
Einen schönen Tag noch.
Norbert
Hallo (apologizes in advance for my poor German). Um MD-Spiele auf Ihrem Gerät zu spielen, kopieren Sie die Roms in einen “SMD”-Ordner. MD-Spiele sind auf dem X7 etwas langsam, aber funktionieren. Sie müssen keinen zusätzlichen Emulator installieren.
can you help me play ps1 games on x6 console? it says invalid game format when i press the bin file
Hi,
I’ve problems with my x6 console. It freezes on starts or during the games. I must turn it off and on to start it again. It’s useless. Any idea what should I do it with it. Throw it in the trash?
Hi, I also have this portable console. Whit respect to the games of Sega master system and game gear it does support the PSP X6 but you need convert the ROMS of SMS/GG to the format of GBA through a program called “SMSAdvance” wich also support SG-1000 games. the games of SMS/GG/SG-1000 run to 100% without problem.
Thank you for this information, I will try it for sure!
Can i add psp game and ps2 into my x7 plus?
No.
Can i add a psp or ps2 game on my x7 plus?if so, how?
Hello, I know this post is very old but I would like some help, I’m trying to find the original firmware for this console, mine is stuck and I can’t reset it or something, could you help me with a firmware download link? Thanks !
Hello Beatriz. I have been looking for firmware for these units as well, but without any luck. My unit got stuck in a boot-loop a year ago. It got unstuck after I turned it on the other week, so maybe a complete battery discharge helped. Also, some game files may cause the units to get stuck, so if you can access it via usb, remove or rename some of your games, or remove the memory card.
I have deleted all the data in my mp5. So it Doesn’t turn on. In the page it freeze. So can you help me. How can i fix it. Can i upload all The data back in the system by some how. Plesse help
I’ve got an issue with game boy games. None of the buttons are mapped to the gba start button! Anyone know a fix?
I have a x8 chinese mini game, i replaced the batery from a old mobile phone, now i can play 1,5 hour going to work.
In the case of neogeo games it only can emulate the small ones like Art of fighting 1 and TopHunter, the king of fighters no way!
However in the inner sistem comes with kof 2003 and samurai shodow 4 emulated in neogeo mode!!! WTF….
NADO_KOF FROM BRAZIL
Hey, do you know what kind of battery it uses?
A regular lion 3.7 v battery iirc.
problem ( playlists generating please wait ) how to fix it please
X6 portable video game stuck on the start screen even when loaded it does not enter the games screen help please
Try boot the unit up without any memory cards etc inserted.
Hi my unit was working well but I set a video as boot image and from that when I turn it on press start button the blue light appears and there is company logo on screen and it turns off after 5 secs. Do you know what can I do ??
What happens if I go to Settings -> Advanced -> Format internal storage or Settings -> Advanced -> Factory reset? Can you tell me?
It will reset the device and wipe all your settings / things stored in the internal memory.
Hey so i bought this fake psp like 8 years ago, different model same os, I just found it in my cupboard in like disgusting condition, I tried plugging it in and opening it, it did open but it’s screen is entirely smashed,basically u can’t see anything from it. I use controls and it does make sounds that means it is working, I tried plugging it in my tv but only the sound of the psp is coming no screen is displayed. are there any settings that need to be turn on, if any could u give me the directions like (3times right, 2 times down) as the screen is unusable.
Interesting scenario! Given that your unit has the same icon setup as mine, “settings” are to the lower right. My “cursor” always starts to the upper right, but when it reaches the lowest row, it is located two icons to the left of settings. So, try this (after powering on the unit and wait a while for the loading screen to disappear):
Down down, right right, circle, down, down, down, down, down, circle. Then 1x down for PAL, 2x down for NTSC, circle.
The first “circle” activates settings. The second circle selects tv-out. The third circle activates either PAL or NTSC (and the screen of my unit goes black). If it doesn’t work, you may need to try different combinations in the beginning to find the “settings” icon blindly.
Hi my unit was working well but I set a video as boot image and from that when I turn it on press start button the blue light appears and there is company logo on screen and it turns off after 5 secs. Do you know what can I do ??
Alguien sabe porque mi consola no pasa de la pantalla de inicio?
Hi there, just hoping you’re still following this thread……I have the X6 version and stupidly carried out “Format Internal” which removed all the stock games on it. I don’t suppose you backed up yours before you put your own ROMs on did you?
Also cannot get Megadrive games to load, it says “Invalid file” – I’m loading .md files, is that correct?
Thanks in advance, your post has been very helpful to me getting this little device up and running. Carl.
Hello Carl. It sounds weird that the stock games were removed when you formatted the unit. However, most of them are GBA-games so you can upload such roms instead. Regarding games for Mega Drive, try both the .SMD and .GEN format roms.
Hello I have The X6 version of the console but when I plug it in my PC via USB nothing happens…
Do you have any solution?
Thanks!
Perhaps you need to do some sort of selection either at the console or on your PC to add it as a USB storage device or similar.
Interesting i will try that.Thanks!