For the same money you can get a powkiddy or something simillar, running linux and with support for GBA, (S)NES, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNrpVhP8fDc
All the usual suspects (ebay, aliexpress,...) have it.
also firmware: https://github.com/TriForceX/MiyooCFW
The Go has good battery life, instant-on, and has a certain DIY spirit. I don't know if it's possible to run MakeCode programs directly on the Odroid Go but it would probably be doable for someone with more knowledge of these things.
Our beta backer tier have been godlike in their ability to make the STM32 do things I'd never thought we'd see... much less see before it's even launched. I mean it already has a Doom port.
I think, compared to the off-the-shelf Emu handhelds on which I cut my teeth (as far back as GP2X and Dingoo A320 days) it's underpowered and overpriced but you're dead on the money that they have a different charm and set of challenges.
MakeCode compiles down to native instructions, IIRC, so it should run on pretty much anything capable of running a screen that meets their - relatively forgiving - specs - https://arcade.makecode.com/hardware/adding
Edit: GP2X not GP32X!