2026 | Professional

MUSE Design Awards Gold Winner

Retro X5

Entrant

Shenzhen Chuangtong Yigou Technology Co., Ltd.

Category

Product Design - Hobby & Leisure

Client's Name

-

Country / Region

China

About The Entry

The Retro X5 is a high-performance mini PC. It is designed to reconnect users with the golden age of gaming through cutting-edge technology.

Powered by the advanced AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, it targets two key challenges for retro gamers: complex emulator setups and the frustration of getting stuck. With its built-in, zero-configuration gaming ecosystem and a revolutionary AI-powered guide, the Retro X5 transforms nostalgia into an emotionally resonant journey.

Our core design philosophy is "Emotional Computing: Connecting Past and Future." In an industry of cold, functional devices, we aim to create a product with warmth, story, and soul. The Retro X5 is envisioned as a vessel for precious memories. It uses AI not to replace the human experience, but to enhance it. Our goal is to revive the pure joy and wonder of gaming since the 80s, making it effortlessly accessible for modern users.

The exterior design language of the Retro X5 is "Warm Tech-Retroism." It draws its main inspiration from the most iconic console of the 80s: the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES/Famicom). The form factor retains the classic boxy proportions, updated with smooth lines and refined materials for a modern feel.

Its iconic red, white, gray and black color scheme pays homage to the original, creating a familiar yet distinct retro look. By removing superfluous details, we strike a balance between nostalgic elements and contemporary minimalism. The focus remains on precise detailing and material quality. The compact body is fully featured, yet also serves as a piece of art for your desktop.

One-Stop Retro Gaming Ecosystem: This eliminates the technical barriers of retro gaming. The device comes with a deeply customized emulator platform. Users can simply load a game file and play instantly without configuring BIOS, plugins, or controls. This makes classic games accessible to everyone.

Real-Time AI Guide: We developed a dedicated AI model for the NPU. It performs efficient, low-latency game screen analysis and generates real-time walkthroughs directly on the device. Since the AI runs on the independent NPU, it doesn't use CPU/GPU resources, ensuring smooth gameplay.

Credits

Dou Kai
Shen Jun
Zhou Xilong
Yu Yingfa
Chen Chunyan
Wang Tao
Dai Yuanjun
Luan Jin
Zheng Minghui
Chen Na
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