back to projects OdinLauncher — game-first Android handheld launcher

OdinLauncher

A game-first Android launcher purpose-built for handheld consoles. D-pad navigable, visually minimal, and singularly focused on launching your games — not serving ads or recommendations.

Android Handheld Kotlin
In active development — private repository

What it does

Stock Android launchers are terrible on gaming handhelds — tiny touch targets, cluttered app drawers, and zero controller support. OdinLauncher strips away everything that isn't about launching games, and makes the rest work with physical controls.

Key features

D-pad Navigation

Full controller support — no touch required to browse and launch.

Game-First Layout

Large cover art, platform badges, minimal chrome.

Platform Filtering

Grid-based game library with quick platform filters.

Zero Bloat

No ads, no feeds, no recommendations. Just your games.

Why build a launcher

Handheld gaming devices like the Odin, Retroid Pocket, and AYN Loki run Android — but Android was never designed for physical controls. OdinLauncher is an experiment in making Android feel native to a game console, starting with the home screen.