About a month ago, a review of the Datafrog SF2000 showed up on my Youtube home page. It is a SNES controller shaped emulator handheld that has screen tearing issues and struggles to run SNES games. Its only redeeming feature is that it runs on an easily replaceable 18650 battery. You could put a more expensive, more energy-dense, battery into the SF2000 but an $8 battery in a $25 device just doesn't make sense to me.
But it showing up led me to look at other device reviews. Conceptually, I knew emulator handhelds existed, but I didn't know they were called retro gaming handhelds and occasional searches on Amazon for 'gaming tablet' or 'android d-pad' never brought up anything I was interested in. Though, I don't know why I never searched 'emulator handheld,' that brings up a bunch of relevant devices, oh well. Also, I never bothered with putting standalone emulators or RetroArena on my phone because I hate touch screen controls. Tactile controls are a hard requirement for a gaming handheld, in my opinion.
After waffling a bit, I decided to get an Anbernic RG353PS that runs on the RK3566 chipset. It was under $100 and I liked its horizontal SNES controller aesthetics better than the RG353VS's cramped looking vertical Gameboy layout. Powkiddy has a couple of cheaper RK3566 devices, as well, but they lack in build quality compared to Anbernic. The RK3566 chipset can emulate up to the PS1 without issue and some N64 with tweaks. I could have spent a bit more and gotten something like a Retroid Pocket 3+ or other Unisoc T618 device if I wanted better N64 performance, but I don't really have any attachment to the N64 as I had a PS1 in that era. Unisoc T618 devices can play some PS2 games, but it is not a good experience out of the box. The AYN Odin and Odin Lite are around the $200 price point, but that was stretching what I was willing to spend on a first device. While they are better at PS2 emulation, you really need to look at handheld pcs like the SteamDeck for hassle-free PS2 emulation, right now.
Of course, the day after I ordered, the Retroid Pocket2S was announced. With its Unisoc T610 it is the most powerful $100 dollar device right now. The T610 is not as good as the T618 but there is no real reason to look at RK3566 devices that are near the $100 price point now. While I'm in no rush to upgrade, I will probably pick up a second device in the future. I'll be looking for something with a larger 5" or 6" screen and a processor that can play PS2 games when I do, though.
I've had the RG353PS for three weeks and I'm really enjoying the device. The build quality is quite solid and it is very comfortable to hold. It is great for picking up and gaming for short periods and for portable gaming. I've played through The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and that game is much shorter when you're not a kid. I did use a guide to find all the heart quarters as I was never able to get them all as a kid. I think the one I was missing was in the shovel game as you have to dig something like 25 spots in the NA version before there is a chance the heart quarter will show up. I've also played Megaman X up to a wide vertical shaft in Sigma's level, but I can't reliably wall dash jump, so I'm stuck there. This is probably a skill rather than control issue, though. I've also gotten a start in Legend of Mana as well. Weird game, sort of end of the story post apocalypse the world doesn't exist until you make it, but I like the crafting/tempering system. I'm also playing some Pokemon Black. The RG353PS doesn't have a touchscreen, but Pokemon Black doesn't require a touch screen and the triggers toggle between the DS screens. Really, a 16:9 screen device would be better for DS games as the secondary screen could be tucked into a corner of the larger display, but a toggle is not annoying so far.
I'd say picking up a retro gaming handheld is worth while. The "Tiny Best Set: GO!" collection of roms is only 93GB and covers a good chunk of console gaming up through the PS1. The curator of that rom set also has the "Retro Roms "Best" Set" that can be used to add a few other systems. It doesn't really cost much space to have a large library of games and remakes of these games are usually terrible. Secret of Mana, Trials of Mana, and Legend of Mana used Denuvo when they came out. Secret of Mana and Trials of Mana are 3D games instead of 16bit sprite. Chrono Cross has freezing issues on PC. Grandia used the smudge tool on the sprites. The original roms don't have these issues and they can't be politically corrected or be given annoying content warnings.
TL/DR: Get a retro gaming handheld. Buttons are better than glass. Play many games in many places. Sail the high seas to find unadulterated history.
Had a GBA that I modded into exactly what I wanted with an Everdrive as well. Turns out I never used it. I'm really just not into handheld gaming. The rare occasions I am I have a Switch and I could mod it. But we are talking single digit hours per year that it gets played handheld. Probably doesn't help that my nostalgia gaming for the 90s goes straight to DOS and not to Mario and Sonic.
Still though if you want something tiny to carry around those little things are fun. I'd probably get a tiny cheap one just to play Tetris, Dr. Mario, and the like on if I had a commute or something where I had to sit passively every day.
There are a lot of underappreciated games on handhelds and, well, I'd rather play them on a proper screen with a detached controller. Even if that's not what the developers envisioned. At least with book time I can just put it on a desk and I don't have to hold it the whole time like I would have to with a handheld gaming device.
Yeah that's what I learned. The GBA was really an attempt to see if I was missing out on something. Bottom line is if I'm in a handheld environment I just don't enjoy something where I need to pay attention from a story type perspective. I did like some of the games though, a lot of good old JRPGs and I have a few PSP games I have been meaning to try too.
c/emus if anyone is interested
I thought the mintypi looked like a neat project
My friend has the RG353V and seems to be enjoying it when he can find the time to play. It is indeed shaped like a small Gameboy, but a little bigger than the Miyoo.
Ambernic AI? But I said to buy the Retroid? I'm just salty that it was announced literally a day after I ordered and mostly coping about my money.
Yeah, I got an RG353M and have been seeing a lot of people sharing the benefits of retro handhelds lately. I think a lot of people are getting fed up with all the pozz in modern gaming and are rediscovering how good older games really are.
A lot of these companies also make "game sticks" that are basically Fire Sticks but for retro games. Plenty of legit companies like Intel make these linux devices that you can configure to behave the same way with Emulation Station + RetroArch, but even these shady pre-configured things are pretty optimized for the gaming experience, are set up ready to go out of the box, and are pretty cheap, especially compared to the work and money to get something like MiSTeR running or even a Raspberry Pi with the false economy of having to also pick up a power supply, sd card, cable adapters, and heatsinking case to keep it from throttling.
I set aside a lot of room personally for real games on real hardware, but that's only because I have the legacy of a lifetime of collecting backing me. I wouldn't advocate anyone get into real hardware given today's costs and availability problems. Getting into, say, SNES and a decent top-25 games collection will easy cost you a grand or more. And you'll still need to have some skills to replace the cart batteries and recap the console when (not if) it starts failing. Hopefully you didn't get someone else's soldering & mod "training" console...
Another neat thing about modern emulation: achievements. Dedicated fans put up memory watches in the emulated system to look for conditions that fire off achievements. Cringe for some, sure, but it's just another way to enjoy your games that simply wasn't there at the time.
Also, not to miss the forest for the trees, but in Mega Man X charge up the Barrel weapon, put the shield around you, and just go straight up. Don't need to alternate between walls, just hold left and jump jump jump.
Save states too. Being able to drop a game whenever should really be a feature in any and every game. I don't care if someone else chooses to save scum a certain difficulty, they chose to do that, not me.
I used to like collecting. Sort of got out of that in the last few years and sold off a ton of it. Had already lost interest, wanted to clear some space anyway, and game prices were going crazy at the time. Selling everything off bought me my entire gaming PC and my Switch with most of the games I have, so, wasn't a bad deal.
I still have my old systems, though not set up. It was hard to part with them and at this point I just hold on to them with some vague idea of it being an 'investment.'
Also, you're forgetting the ledges that the flail and shield robots sit on. You can only go straight up so far before you have to switch walls. Walls and ledges that my middle age reflexes can't cross.
Edit: Wow, um, I've been playing Megaman X wrong for decades. The shield popped quickly, but Sting Chameleon's invisibility let me clear that without any trouble. I didn't even have to wall dash jump. I remember that part of the level filtering like +95% of my playthroughs. Stupid kid me had a rule that you save the boss weapon for the boss and I was still playing like that.
Do you guys import your own Roms or sail the seven seas?
I'd import my own, but if the disc worked to begin with I'd probably just be playing it on the console.
The exception being games like Drakengard 3 where on hardware its basically unplayable.
I've imported discs. I think all of my PS3 ones are from actual discs I owned. Cartridges requiring either a mod or special hardware really just makes it easier to look elsewhere.
That corridor sucks. There's a weird timing on the wall jump that gives you a lot more horizontal momentum so that you can clear the gap, but even after you've mastered it there's shit on the walls that respawns if you fall down too far.
I have an issue with calling the Pocket2S a $100 system, even if you stick with the base $99 package you still have to pay:
$15 for shipping $10 for a case $5 for a screen protector Taxes which lets call $10
So that $99 turns into $150 once you get the peripherals that you need with it.
I know, I paid $110 to get the the $83 toy. Really $140 after buying the required SD cards. At least it came with a free screen protector.
Alternatively get an used Samsung galaxy s10e and a controller, the specs are way better than the handhelds with relatively lower price, handles upto ps2 no problem
This is a good option, but previous experiences colored my thoughts about doing this. I really dislike touchscreen controls for gaming, a lot, so just the phone is out. I also bought a SteelSeries Bluetooth controller in 2015 and I still remember it being garbage today. Bluetooth might have improved since then, but I don't know because I don't buy Bluetooth devices because of that stupid controller. Also ear cancer.
There are usb c attachable controllers now, cheapest one is like $40 no lags
Post Reported for: Rule 11 - Spam
OP don't make any new threads until you have more time in the forum.
Sorry, I rarely post anything, anywhere. I just saw that Metal Gear remake thread and it coalesced some thoughts I had about a new toy.
It's okay, at least you posted this so I have a reference if you post anything in the future. It's okay to lurk, but I have to know you're a dedicated lurker, rather than an active participant.
It's also huge. If you just want something tiny you can put into your pocket when you leave the house I would suggest a Miyoo Mini.
That's the reason I just traded mine away. If I'm in my house why wouldn't I be using a bigger screen and out of the house it needs a bag to hold it.
Wife picked one up and big use case for us turns out to be road trips. It's pretty sweet in that spot, easier to fuck around on than a laptop and more enjoyable than using the phone.
That's actually a great use for it, I was thinking it would be a cool pass around device for an entertainment room for something to do during commercials while you are watching a game.
I hadn't considered anything offline like driving or camping or something like that. Would be sweet to fish with.
Game Boy Micro. It's two fingers wide. Fits even in women's pockets.
The Steam Deck is the best value for a handheld, but I wasn't sure it was something I really wanted and $399 is definitely more than I wanted to spend.