Exagear 351 – Genuine

Why use ExaGear instead of DOSBox or PortMaster?

If a game has a PortMaster port, use PortMaster. If a game has a DOS version, use DOSBox. Use ExaGear 351 only for Win9x exclusive titles.

The name specifically denotes the build optimized for the RG351 series. While ExaGear exists for other ARM devices (like the Raspberry Pi), the "351" build includes pre-configured input mappings for the Anbernic’s physical buttons, custom resolution scaling for the 3.5-inch 480x320 screen (RG351P/M), and optimized audio buffers.

"Exagear 351" represents a specific, scrappy era of the hobbyist community—where users refused to accept hardware limitations. It proved that x86 gaming was possible on cheap ARM chips, paving the way for the current generation of handhelds (like the Steam Deck or Anbernic's Windows-based devices) where playing PC games is now a standard feature rather than a hacky miracle.

For a brief period in 2020 and 2021, however, seeing a screenshot of Heroes III running on an Anbernic RG351 was the ultimate badge of honor for a tinkerer.

Exagear 351 is a specialized version of the Exagear emulator specifically optimized for the series of handheld gaming devices

(like the RG351P, RG351M, and RG351V). It allows these ARM-based Linux handhelds to run older x86 Windows applications and games by translating instructions in real-time. Key Features x86 Emulation

: Its primary purpose is to let you play classic PC games (typically from the late 90s and early 2000s) on a device meant for consoles. Optimised for Rockchip RK3326

: The "351" in the name refers to the chipset found in these devices. This version includes specific tweaks to squeeze every bit of performance out of the limited hardware. Wine Integration : It often works in tandem with

(Wine Is Not an Emulator) to provide the necessary compatibility layers for Windows software to function on Linux. Common Use Cases On an RG351 device, users typically use Exagear to run: Classic RPGs : Games like Fallout 1 & 2 Baldur’s Gate Strategy Games : Titles such as Heroes of Might and Magic III Age of Empires Visual Novels

: Many older 2D visual novels run well due to low hardware requirements. Performance and Limitations While impressive, Exagear 351 has notable constraints:

: Because it is translating x86 code to ARM, there is a significant performance hit. Heavy 3D games usually do not run at playable framerates. Setup Complexity

: It is not "plug and play." Users generally need to install it via custom firmware tools (like

or ArkOS) and manually move game files into specific directories. Control Mapping

: Since these games were designed for keyboards and mice, you often have to use the handheld’s analog sticks to simulate mouse movement, which can be clunky. Current Status

Exagear was originally a commercial product by Eltechs, which has since shut down. The "351" versions found today are usually community-maintained scripts and modified binaries circulating within the retro handheld community (often via Discord or GitHub) to keep the functionality alive on modern custom firmware. how to install Exagear on a specific firmware like ArkOS or AmberELEC?

ExaGear 351 is a specialized, community-driven adaptation of the defunct ExaGear emulation technology, specifically tailored for the Anbernic RG351 series of handheld gaming consoles (such as the RG351P, RG351M, and RG351V). It serves as a bridge that allows these ARM-based portable devices to execute x86 Windows applications and classic PC games by utilizing a binary translation layer. The Technology Behind the Port

At its core, ExaGear 351 is not a traditional emulator that mimics an entire operating system. Instead, it uses a translation layer to interpret x86 instructions (the language of PC processors) into ARM instructions that the RG351’s Rockchip RK3326 processor can understand. This process is combined with Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator), which provides a compatibility layer for the Windows API, allowing .exe files to run directly within a Linux-based environment like 351ELEC or ArkOS. Gaming Capabilities and Performance

Because the RG351 series features modest hardware, ExaGear 351 is primarily optimized for 2D and early 3D Windows games from the late 90s and early 2000s. exagear 351

Supported Titles: It is famously used to play classic strategy and RPG titles such as Fallout 1 & 2, Diablo II, Civilization III, and Heroes of Might and Magic III.

Performance: While it can achieve playable frame rates (often between 30–60 FPS for older titles), performance heavily depends on the game's complexity and the specific optimization of the ExaGear "container" used. Community and Legacy How to set up Windows Emulation on Android with ExaGear

Q: The screen is black but I hear audio. A: You are running a DirectX 8/9 game. Switch the renderer in the game’s .ini file to "Software" or "GDI."

Q: My saves are deleted when I exit. A: ExaGear 351 uses a virtual C: drive. Do not power off while saving. Always exit via the game’s menu, then hit Start+Select to close ExaGear cleanly.

Q: The keyboard prompt keeps popping up. A: Go to WINE configuration (winecfg), select "Graphics," and uncheck "Allow the window manager to decorate windows."

Q: Is this legal? A: ExaGear was a commercial product that is now abandoned. The "351" distribution exists in a legal gray area. You must own the original game CDs to rip the ISOs. We do not condone piracy.

It is important to note that the RG353 series (with its more powerful Rockchip RK3566) does not need ExaGear 351 in the same way. The RG353 can run Android, which has native Winlator. However, for owners of the older RG351P/M/V, ExaGear 351 is the only way to play classic Windows RPGs on the go.

The community development has stalled as of late 2024, but the current build (Version 3.1.3) is stable. Do not expect updates for new games.

Not every game works. Here is the confirmed compatibility list for ExaGear 351.

The installation has been simplified by the community. You will download a .sh script from a trusted GitHub repository (such as "chrismaltby" or "OnionUI" forks).

Step 1: Prepare your SD Card Insert your ArkOS/AmberELEC SD card into your PC. Navigate to the EASYROMS partition.

Step 2: Create a folder Inside EASYROMS, create a new folder named pc or x86. (Note: ArkOS usually requires a folder named PC).

Step 3: Download ExaGear 351 Download the latest ExaGear_WINE_351.tar.gz from the official RG351 subreddit megathread.

Step 4: Transfer and Install Extract the contents directly into the pc folder on your SD card. Insert the card back into the RG351. Turn the device on. Navigate to the "PC" system section. You will see an executable called Install_ExaGear.sh. Launch it. The installation takes about 90 seconds. You will hear a chime when complete.

Step 5: Reboot Restart the device. ExaGear is now your runtime environment.

ExaGear 351 (often referring to version 3.5.0 or modified community "3.5" branches) is a powerful, though now technically abandonware, Windows emulator that allows Android users to run classic PC software and strategy games on ARM-based hardware. 🛠️ Core Technology & Architecture

Unlike standard emulators that simulate an entire operating system, ExaGear functions as a translation layer.

x86 to ARM Translation: It interprets x86 instructions from Windows applications and executes them on ARM processors.

Wine Integration: It utilizes a modified version of Wine, a popular compatibility layer, to run Windows APIs in a Linux container environment. Why use ExaGear instead of DOSBox or PortMaster

32-bit Specialization: While it is highly efficient for older software, it only supports 32-bit applications; 64-bit software will not run. 🎮 Gaming Performance & Compatibility

ExaGear is legendary for its ability to run classic PC titles that other emulators struggle with, often achieving 40–60 FPS even on mid-range devices.

Top Compatible Games: It is best suited for isometric and strategy titles like Heroes of Might and Magic III, Civilization III, Diablo II, StarCraft, and Fallout 2.

Hardware Acceleration: Advanced users often use VirGL Overlay or Turnip + Zink drivers to achieve 3D acceleration for games like Half-Life or Portal.

Touch Optimization: Version 3.5.0 and its mods include customizable floating widgets and specialized control profiles (e.g., "CP10 Touchpad") to bridge the gap between mouse/keyboard and touchscreens. 📥 Installation & Community Mods

Since the original developer (Eltechs) ceased development, the "ExaGear 351" ecosystem is largely driven by community-modified APKs and caches.

ExaGear 351 is a software package designed to enable the execution of Windows applications and PC games on Android devices, including smartphones and tablets. It functions as a powerful Windows emulator that creates a virtual environment for running x86-based programs on ARM-based hardware. Core Technology and Features

Translation Layer: Unlike traditional emulators that simulate hardware, ExaGear uses a translation layer to interpret x86 instructions and execute them directly on ARM processors. This architectural approach often results in superior performance compared to full emulation.

32-Bit Support: ExaGear 351 is specifically optimized for 32-bit (Win32) apps and games. It does not currently support 64-bit software.

Gaming Performance: It is highly regarded for running classic PC titles such as Fallout 2, Age of Empires II, Diablo II, and Half-Life. Even entry-level devices can sometimes achieve 40 to 60 FPS on older titles.

Productivity Tools: Users can run lightweight Windows tools like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop (older versions), Notepad++, VLC, and Winamp. Current Development Status

The original developer, Eltechs, officially discontinued the project in late 2018 or early 2019. However, the software persists through community-driven modifications and versions like ExaGear Gold, which continue to improve compatibility and performance for modern Android versions. Exagear 351 High Quality

Leo was a tinkerer. His workshop, a converted garden shed, smelled of solder, old plastic, and ambition. His latest treasure was a "bricked" handheld gaming device, model RG-351. Its screen was dark, its battery warm but lifeless. The previous owner had called it "e-waste."

Leo called it a puzzle.

The RG-351’s heart was an ARM processor, lean and efficient. But the software—the delicate dance of operating system and emulator—had been corrupted. The device could still breathe, but it had forgotten how to speak.

He tried everything. He re-flashed the firmware, swapped the SD card, even sacrificed a premium USB drive. Nothing. The 351 remained a handsome, mute slab.

Defeated, he almost tossed it into the parts bin. But then he remembered a ghost of a tool: ExaGear.

ExaGear wasn't a magic wand. It was a translator. It allowed software written for a PC (with an x86 processor) to run on a phone or an ARM-based device like the 351. Most people used it to play old Windows games. Leo had a different idea.

"If the 351's native OS is broken," he muttered, "what if I skip it? What if I run a tiny, complete PC environment inside ExaGear?" Leo was a tinkerer

He found an old, trusted build—ExaGear Desktop, version 3.5.1 (which he nicknamed "ExaGear 351").

Step 1: The Tiny Guest

On his main computer, he created a minimal Linux system—just 200 MB. It wasn't fancy; it had no desktop background, no startup jingle. But it had a working terminal, a basic file manager, and one crucial piece: a stripped-down version of RetroArch, the emulator powerhouse.

Step 2: The Translation Layer

He copied this tiny Linux image onto a fresh SD card. Then, he installed ExaGear 351 onto the 351's internal storage. ExaGear would act as a real-time translator. When the tiny Linux system said, "Hey, processor, do this x86 thing," ExaGear would whisper to the ARM chip, "Here's how you do that."

Step 3: The Leap of Faith

He inserted the SD card, held his breath, and pressed power.

The screen flickered. For three agonizing seconds, nothing.

Then, white text on a black background scrolled by. It was the boot log of the tiny Linux system—filtered through ExaGear. Leo saw the translation layer catch each command, convert it, and pass it along. It was slow, like watching someone read a book in a foreign language, one word at a time.

But it worked.

The boot finished. A simple, blocky menu appeared:

Leo selected SNES. The screen shimmered, and the familiar intro music of Super Mario World crackled from the 351’s speaker.

He had done it. The brick was a console again.

The Helpful Part: What Leo Learned (And What You Can Too)

Leo didn't just save a device; he learned a powerful, modern truth:

That evening, Leo played Link to the Past for an hour. The buttons were a little less responsive than native code. The battery drained 15% faster due to the translation overhead. But every saved princess felt earned.

He put the RG-351 on a shelf, next to a sticky note that read: "ExaGear 351: Because 'incompatible' just means 'needs a creative bridge.'"

And when a friend later complained their old laptop couldn't run a new program, Leo smiled. "Have you tried a translation layer?" he asked. And he told them the story of the brick that learned to speak again.

Exagear 351 – Genuine

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