retroshelf is a free play-tracking and discovery service for retro handheld gaming enthusiasts that automatically logs sessions from supported devices and organizes them into a browsable public shelf.
What is retroshelf?
retroshelf is a web-based app that turns your scattered handheld play sessions into a searchable history. It takes gameplay data from supported operating systems — muOS, OnionOS, SpruceOS, and Android — via a tiny plugin dropped on the SD card, and outputs a timeline of what you played, for how long, on which device, along with optional reviews and ratings. The service is built by the retroshelf team and requires a free account to use.
Key Features
- Automatic session logging — A plugin on your handheld captures every game session (title, duration, device) and syncs to your shelf without manual entry.
- Year-so-far summary — Your profile shows total hours played, number of games beaten, handhelds used, and top games/devices, with a chronological activity feed.
- Popular this week — See trending games across the community, filtered by session count and player count, plus the handhelds they're being played on.
- Browse by device — Filter shelves by specific handheld models (Miyoo, Anbernic, Odin, etc.) to see what others are playing on the same gear.
- Contextual reviews — Star ratings and written reviews include the handheld used, not just a number, adding device-specific context.
- Game pages — Each game displays total players, total tracked playtime, top devices used, and community reviews, letting you see exactly how people play.
Who should use retroshelf?
- Retro handheld owners who want a single, auto-updated record of what they play across different devices without manual journaling.
- Discovery-oriented players who browse what's popular this week or filter by device to find new games worth trying.
- Collectors and archivists who maintain a public shelf of their completed and replayed retro titles, with device provenance for each session.
What can you do with retroshelf?
- Automatic session logging: Drop the plugin on your SD card, link your device, and every gaming session is recorded — no spreadsheet or manual note-taking required.
- Community discovery: Check the "Popular this week" widget to see which retro games are trending, how many players they have, and which handhelds they're using.
- Profile timeline review: View your year-so-far summary (e.g., 67h played, 3 beaten, 4 handhelds, 12 games logged) and scroll through recent activity entries to recall your play history.
How does retroshelf work?
- Drop the plugin (available for muOS, OnionOS, SpruceOS, and Android) onto your handheld's SD card.
- Link your device to your retroshelf account from the plugin interface.
- As you play, the plugin captures each session — game title, minutes played, device — and uploads it automatically. Your shelf updates in near real-time.
Pricing
retroshelf is free to use. No paid tiers or hidden charges are mentioned on the site.
FAQ
Is retroshelf free?
Yes, the service is completely free — no subscription or payment required to create an account and start tracking.
Which handhelds and operating systems are supported?
retroshelf officially supports muOS, OnionOS, SpruceOS, and Android. The plugin is available for each platform via dedicated help pages.
How do I set up automatic session tracking?
Download the appropriate plugin for your OS, copy it to your SD card, then open the plugin on your device to link it to your account. After linking, sessions log automatically.
Can I see what others are playing?
Yes. The "Popular this week" widget shows trending games with session and player counts. You can also browse by device to see what players on the same handheld are picking up and finishing.
