I don’t know how many people in this sub/magazine/community would consider themselves experts in the realm of retro handhelds, but I suspect the average knowledge here is a bit higher than “the old place”. But, as more and more users migrate (fingers crossed!), I thought it might be a good idea to have a space where users can post what device(s) they have. Other users can ask their opinions on their devices or other more technical questions.
Sure, there is a lot of information already out there, but there is frequently more to a handheld than just the specs. Comfort is a big issue, support is another, and these and other issues may be hard to quantify just off of a few popular YouTubers reviews.
I’m hopeful this, or some other post like this, could become a safe haven to just ask questions directly to people that own and have used their device for a good period of time.
First, I’d like to offer some great info that I refer to quite frequently!
Spreadsheet of all current/upcoming emulation handhelds
Secondly (and finally), my devices are: RG280v, RG351v, Retroid Pocket 2+, Retroid Flip, PlayDate, Miyoo Mini Plus, Logitech G Cloud, AYN Odin Base, and Steam Deck.
Well I don’t have much in the way of questions at the moment, but I can at least provide answers about the few devices I have. I have a Steam Deck, PSP-1000 (a.k.a. PSP Fat), and formerly a Dingoo A320.
Did the A320 break? Was given away? Sold? Just curious. I completely missed the boat on the A320 but I’m fascinated by the device.
Anything you’d care to share? Some good (and bad?) emulation moments? How were the controls? Did it feel good in the hands?
I gave it away, as a present actually. Emulation on it was pretty good I have to say, at least for what it could handle. The built-in CPS-1/2 and Neo Geo emulator is weirdly picky about what games it’ll run but it’s not hard to find a comprehensive set of everything it’s capable of running. Battery life was great, the controls were responsive, and the screen was very clear. Only problem I ever had with it was the plastic slider for the power breaking, which is such a common issue that replacements were trivial to find. Might be a problem now though.
As far as how it felt, it had the same downside a lot of other “lots of sharp right angles” designs have in that it can be a little awkward to use for extended periods if you’re playing something that requires heavy use of the shoulder buttons. Other than that it was really light, really comfortable. I used it daily for literally years.
Oh yeah, it had a handful of features that I never really used, like the FM tuner and the video output. Can’t really review those. I did use the audio/video playback out of curiosity and it worked well enough, but codec support is obviously out of date by modern standards.
Thanks for the response! You’ve only made me want one more!
But looking at those auction prices, I think I will have to just content myself with looking at reviews of the device and talking to owners like yourself.
I have RG280V. And I use PinePhone Pro that runs GNU/Linux with telescopic controller to play some heavy games.
Waiting for a small ARM handheld with GNU/Linux that can handle PS2.
RG35XX. Love it. Am considering cancelling my pre-order for the Analogue Pocket because I’m blown away by how good the RG35XX is with GarlicOS. I’m not sure I could go from this to a device that doesn’t have SNES save states.
I’m not really a collector or anything, I only buy devices to fit my specific use cases. I have:
- Nintendo 2DS XL (for DS and 3DS)
- Powkiddy X55 (for everything through 32 bit and occasional light Dreamcast or PSP)
- Samsung Tab S7 FE (for Dreamcast, PSP, PS2, and Gamecube)
Didn’t know the S7 FE was that strong
Nintendo 3ds (XL, new non-xl, new 2ds) Nintendo Switch (V1 and lite) Retroid Pocket (2 and 2+) RG350 Pocket sprite TrimUI
I don’t have a lot since I’m broke lol, but I have a Retroid Pocket 3, a Miyoo Mini Plus and a Steam Deck
There’s really no reason to have more than one. You can only carry one at a time. I buy one and keep it until it breaks or is obsolete.
I currently have a 2 year old RG351MP.
Glad to see you find my spreadsheet useful, was thinking about posting a link to it in this community if that’s ok.
as for my devices, I never really set out to be a collector, I just wanted the best possible experience for my use case of older 16-bit 4:3 games, which to be honest 90% of what I play are kaizo mario world romhacks. So I currently only use an Anbernic RG353M and an Analogue Pocket for handhelds, and a Raspberry Pi 4 and MiSTer FPGA for playing on a TV.
but at some point I want to get a powerful handheld capable of PS2 (like I mean all PS2). At this point it seems like only the windows handhelds are at that level but tbh I’m not interested in something huge like a Steam Deck or even windows in general actually. Odin seems nice but seems like it’s not quite 100% PS2 capable, something in that form factor with a little more power would be ideal though.
I have a Miyoo Mini, an Odroid Go Advanced (got it on sale and I like DIY kits), a PlayGo, a GPD Win 2 (got it from the IndieGoGo early on, so it’s one of the models with rumble), and a GPD Win (later model with the metal top).
I have trouble justifying buying newer devices when my GPD Win 2 still works great and can play anything up to Gamecube on its own in addition to having Moonlight on it to stream my main gaming rig. That’s why all of my newer devices are mostly cheaper ones.
I can’t wait for a high quality clamshell formfactor device that’s at least as powerful as a Steam Deck so I can upgrade from the Win 2.
I have a Retroid Pocket 2+, a Retroid Pocket Flip, a PSP 3000, PS Vita 1000, N3DS XL, DSi XL, 2DS, Steam Deck, and an RG3XX on order. I also run multiple Raspberry Pis. Lots of Android tablets and other devices like an iPad Air and PCs.
I own a Retroid Pocket 3+, Anbernic RG351M/P and Nintendo Switch/3DS/New 3DS/2DS XL (all CFW)
