$159 GCW-Zero is a Linux-based retro handheld console

The GCW-Zero can best be described as a portable console designed for playing retro games, say up until the advent of the original PlayStation.

The device – which runs an open source Linux-based operating system known as OpenDingux – features a 3.5 inch display, Vivante GC860 graphics and a 1GHz MIPS processor.

Additional specs include 512MB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a microSD card slot for extra space.

As Liliputing’s Brad Linder notes, the OS and accompanying hardware will allow users to run a range of apps, including emulators for classic gaming consoles.

The GCW-Zero originally surfaced on Kickstarter to raise funds, with the first consoles expected to be available to the public this May. Ithic is currently showing a list price of $159 for the device, but it’s not yet available, even for pre-order.

In other handheld console news, JXD is reportedly prepping an Android-powered device with a 5-inch display that should be available in two primary configurations by this August: JXD S5800 A with a dual-core processor and JXD S5800 B with a quad-core CPU.

Reports indicate that the higher-priced quad core model may also feature an IPS display for wide viewing angles along with 2GB of RAM. In the meantime, you can pick up a wide range of current-gen JXD gaming tablets at Willgoo, including the JXD S7300, JXD 602, and JXD S5110.