This article would be more useful to me (I'm saying to me, not in general, perhaps it's useful for many and I'm strange) if it had suggestions for which retro handhelds are really good. I don't particularly enjoy watching YouTube reviews of products. I don't particularly enjoy watching gamers on YouTube, either. I'd rather read something quickly. Do you happen to have a good article on decent handhelds? I've been saving up for a Steam Deck, but if there are any interesting retro handhelds out there, I'd check them out (but no YouTube, please).
this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2023
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I also hate YT reviews and prefer written reviews any day, but with these Chinese handleds you really need to make your choice smartly, I mean, it is not like you could go at your nearest Walmart and look it and touch it and try it out.
In the best of the cases you can buy one overpriced at eBay or Amazon for a quickly experience, normal case scenario you buy it straight from China web page or AliExpress and deal with the longest shipping methods, and in the worst case deal with ugly warranty process if all go wrong (which can happen, so buy smart and use PayPal or something to protect yourself).
I recommend you RetroGameCorps YT channel since he's the best one when we are talking at reviews of this niche gaming sector.
He goes from all the relevant aspects of the handheld such as touch and feel, power/performance, battery life, "pocket ability" and portability, comparison with relevant models, height, weight, emulation showcase, you name it.
He also divides his videos on parts so you can quickly select what is relevant for you.
There are other great handhelds reviewers, but no one can beat RGC!
The thing about me is: If making my choice smartly requires watching YouTube stuff, I decide to not make a choice and live with not deciding.
This, does anyone have some recommendations?
I recommend what I have, Miyoo Mini (hard to get but there is a plus model which is easier to get) RG351v (old model, but still works well for a wide range of games, same as Miyoo actually being PS1 the top).
Devices that I don't have but I wanna get:
Retroid Pocket 3 Plus (plays nice with PSP, N64 and Dreamcast).
Odin Pro (same as RP3+ and some GCN, Wii, and PS2).
Steam Deck (you lose portability but runs all above perfectly if not almost perfectly plus PC gaming on the go and some light emulation of PS3 and 360).
Thanks for the complete answer pal! I’d be actually really interested in playing PS2 games, so I’m taking a look into the Odin Pro. The Steam Deck is beyond my budget for retro gaming, but as you just said it is more of a portable PC than a gaming device.
Be aware that maybe I am not very updated, Odin Pro was the best thing ever that is not the Steam Deck last time I checked and this market moves fast (albeit it doesn't feel like it) so as I commented before, RetroGameCorps is the best source to keep you informed about this amazing niche gaming sector.
Even when I might sound contradictory I still think Odin Pro might be the best choice for PS2 with a tight budget... But it is not perfect, if you want perfection Steam Deck is the way to go.
You could also reuse your own hardware if you happen to have a competent phone, just buy a telescopic controller and then you can try PS2 games in your Android device, not the best in the world, but you might get a better idea of how this is done.
Odin Pro I think it has a SD 845 and runs on Android, so it is basically that, a phone with a controller attached lol.
PS2 games are super hard to emulate. That's the shan-gree-lah of emulation. If the product mentioned can emulate PS2 games, I guess it can emulate just about anything.
For those looking to buy, the miyoo mini plus is pretty neat. Also Anbernic devices (RGXYZ) are always good.
Retroid makes some good stuff too.
I have a bunch of devices. Steam Deck, Miyoo Mini, Retroid Pocket 3+, Analogue Pocket, modded 3DS, and various modded Gameboys.
For most retro games, I find myself reaching for the RP3+ the most. Don't get me wrong, all the other devices are great too, but it's a great size and works without fuss up through PSP.
And for value/$, it's hard to go wrong with any of the trending emulation devices, be it from Anbernic, Miyoo, or Retroid.
Retroid and the newer Anbernic devices running Android don't appeal to me as much personally. I really like the charm of a dedicated Linux OS. Just something about connecting my Google account that really kills it for me.
Aside from that, retroid makes pretty solid devices too from what I understand.
The interface on the Miyoo Mini (with OnionOS) is a lot smoother and more streamlined than anything with Android. I definitely like how easily you can switch between all your recently played games so quickly, regardless of system.
Android devices tend to be a bit more flexible/powerful with more emulator options, but the interface isn't as complete and more tweaking is needed. It's not perfect, but I'm enjoying Diajisho.
It seems pretty common to use a different Google account on your device than your main one. I only use it to access the Play store, then I disable all Google services until I need it again.
But there's really no right or wrong approach here, as long as you're playing games and enjoying it.
Don't the miyoo devices go in stock for like 2 minutes s couple times a month? I was checking for a while at one point and only saw it in stock once over the span of weeks.
Edit: I see that the plus it's actually a new device with a easier to source, but worse, screen. That's unfortunate.
I've been thinking about buying one for a while but there are so many options that get constantly superseded by newer, better devices that I've just put it off for... years.
This may sound dumb, but just figure out what systems you want and get a device that can run them well and don't worry any more.There's always gonna be something newer but current devices really have no issues with a ton of systems and there will never be a reason to upgrade for performance reasons. I got a Miyoo Mini Plus and it's perfect for anything PS1 or below. It's really an endgame device if you don't care about other systems beyond that
Obviously a bit on the more expensive side, but for me the steam deck does it all. Pc gaming, emulation of retro, "console" gaming (as in nice controller built in)... It's just brilliant
I've been following the community for about 2 years now. Started with a Retroid Pocket 2+, then picked up a Miyoo Mini for something that was a little easier to take on the go, then added an Anbernic rg35xx. I still think the rp2+ (and now the recently released rp2s) is the perfect 1st device. Generally handles everything up through Dreamcast without issue, 4:3 screen, decent enough buttons, affordable.
If you want something a little cheaper or in a verticle format, the rg35xx or Miyoo Mini+ are both good devices as well. I've never used the Miyoo Mini+, but I personally prefer the rg35xx with Garlic os to my Miyoo Mini with onion os.
If GameCube or PS2 are important to you, just get a Deck.
I've really enjoyed my RG35XX. In fact I've played more retro games on there in the last few months than I managed to with emulation/Virtual console over the last decade.
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