Hotkey Guide
The buttons that get you in and out of a game — without pulling the battery.
The four you’ll actually use
Exit a gameSELECT+STARTtwice
Save right nowSELECT+R1
Load that saveSELECT+L1
RetroArch shortcut menuSELECT+X
SELECT is the modifier. Hold it, then tap the second button. Same idea as Shift on a keyboard. The FN button on the face is separate — it is not the save/exit combo.
Everyday buttons
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| A | Confirm / select |
| B | Back |
| Y | Search a game or add it to favorites |
| X | Random game |
| START | Start / pause in most menus |
| SELECT | Hold with another button for system shortcuts |
| Power (short press) | Sleep |
| Power (hold) | Power off |
| Volume + / − | Volume |
| Reset | Hard reset if the device freezes |
In-game shortcuts
These work in RetroArch cores (most classic systems).
| Combo | What it does |
|---|---|
| SELECT + START (twice) | Exit the game. Save first. |
| SELECT + R1 | Quick save to the current slot |
| SELECT + L1 | Quick load that slot |
| SELECT + R2 | Fast-forward. Press again to stop. |
| SELECT + L2 | Rewind |
| SELECT + A | Pause |
| SELECT + B | Screenshot |
| SELECT + Y | Show or hide FPS |
| SELECT + X | Open the RetroArch shortcut menu |
PSP games
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| R3 | Emulator menu |
Nintendo DS games
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| R3 | Emulator menu |
| L2 | Swap which screen is shown (left / right / up) |
| R2 | Single screen or dual screen |
| Right stick | Stylus |
| L3 | Stylus tap |
OpenBOR and Pico-8
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| START | Menu |
| A | Confirm / select |
| B | Back |
| Y | Search / add to favorites |
| X | Random |
Ports on the device
| Part | Where / what |
|---|---|
| USB-C charge | Top edge — DC charging |
| OTG | Top edge, next to charge |
| Headphone jack | 3.5mm, top edge |
| TF1 / TF2 | Card slots on the right side |
Stuck mid-game? SELECT + START twice gets you out. Save with SELECT + R1 first.