Retro Handhelds General Thread

[NeroHackingRom]

I got the Anbernic RG Nano, cost me about 92$CAD if I recall correctly, cheaper on Aliexpress than the official Anbernic website. I thought I was exaggerating buying this tiny device but boy was I wrong! For a long time I could never find the time or patience to open a tv, sit and game to retro RPGs but now I play them all the time. I removed the keychain and put a cord on it and its following me around like a necklace. I have not played this much and this often for a loooong time. Any time I have 20 minutes to kill I just boot it up, it starts right where I stopped last time, no need to reselect the game or load your save file each time. They truly made a portable handheld emulator console so small that it makes you feel like you're not carrying anything at all. I got a friend to 3D print me a little foldable cover for it to protect the screen and buttons.

 

[elehayyme]

This is certainly one expensive rabbit hole to jump down on (have seen a number of folks do so).
Looking a bit further into everything, I'm thinking of picking up the RP5 at some point (still have my Vita but would like something else to play PS2 and other titles on the go).

I've in the process of selling another handheld of mine (PSP Go) to help finance the change. I love the PSP but the screen is a bit too small (and my eyes are getting old too).

 

[mandrakes]

crossmix os coming soon for trimui smart pro users

GitHub - cizia64/CrossMix-OS: Enhanced OS for the TrimUI Smart Pro

Enhanced OS for the TrimUI Smart Pro. Contribute to cizia64/CrossMix-OS development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[ShinnAsukaYESTaylorSwiftNO]

My own impression of the retro handheld scene is that if you want to spend <100 dollars, get an Anberbic, if you want to spend between 100-200 dollars, get a Retroid (though wait a bit after a new device is released for them to fix the kinks), if you want to spend 200-400, get an AYN, and if you want to spend more than that, get a Steam Deck/ROG Ally/Lenovo Legion Go. Do you guys think this is about right or is way off?

I actually want one of those Ryzen handhelds for my birthday. BTW, can any of them run Windows 98 SE at full speed in 86Box/PCBox (x86 emulator)?

Emulator of retro x86-based machines

86box.net

The PCBox emulator

 

[berkough]

I have a Steam Deck, but it's a lot like my Switch, I leave it docked 80% of the time. Nice to have when my wife wants to play stuff on the Xbox or watch TV though.

For Christmas she bought me an Abernic RG35XXSP. For retro games, I don't think anything beats it! I'm mainly playing NES, GB/GBC/GBA, SNES, and PSX games on it. It's a fantastic little device. The screen is perfect, the form factor is old school and nostalgic. The last couple of weeks I've been playing Pokemon Perfect Crystal on it, it's like I've been transported back in time 20+ years.

 

[dejiko]

i have a had a few sus ones throughout the years, but right now i have a miyoo mini plus

i love the form factor and use it to play mostly 2d games

pico-8 games are awesome!

 

[Zemus]

I've been using the RP3+ for the last two years, though I don't like to admit it. Couldn't make heads or tails of it and tried to send it back, then cycled through three devices which were more to my taste, but all broke. Cleared all the setup I tried to do on the RP3, installed only RetroArch and only the cores I needed, and it's been smooth sailing since. Still not big on the "round" feel to it. I really like a bulky shell so I know I'm actually holding something, preferably a metal one for its weight. Any recommendations for what my next one should be? My whole life I've wanted to play PS2 games, but hate big screens...

 

[mandrakes]

I actually want one of those Ryzen handhelds for my birthday. BTW, can any of them run Windows 98 SE at full speed in 86Box/PCBox (x86 emulator)?

Emulator of retro x86-based machines

86box.net

The PCBox emulator

if its specs has more than 1gb lpddr 4 it can, however when you got your handheld broken there's no service center and it is hard to find replaceable part. better buy steamdeck or rog ally than those chinesse handheld
or make use of mainstream handheld e.g switch or psvita as your daily retro handheld

 

[Darklink]

My Retroid Pocket 4 Pro just got here. And it feels quite nice. I'll probably do setting up proper tomorrow though. Setting up an Android device is pretty annoying.

But I'm happy to have a PS2 and GCN capable device that's this small.

 

[Clippy]

I actually want one of those Ryzen handhelds for my birthday. BTW, can any of them run Windows 98 SE at full speed in 86Box/PCBox (x86 emulator)?

Emulator of retro x86-based machines

86box.net

The PCBox emulator

Depends on the the power of the CPU that's inside of them since that's the biggest bottleneck when it comes to using PC emulators. As a point of reference, my 6th gen i5 (that's 4 cores at 3.3GHz) can emulate an Intel Pro at 120MHz. Any CPU more powerful than that and it starts choking. That's more than plenty for running Win98SE itself and just about any game that came out in 1996-97 or before.

 

[Cheela]

I have a Miyoo Mini Plus now! It serves me well for everything under PS1.DS, PSP and 3DS i played it on their original hardware, The Other consoles like N64, Dreamcast, Saturn and PS2 i played on my PC, because i cant run them well on the go, but as they are home consoles they feel more right with a controller anyways.

I used to have an anbernic device, the 351MP. It was more powerful than my miyoo mini but i sold it because it was a metal device, soo it was very heavy on my pockets and i live on the south of my country soo the temperatures are very cold, and because the console was metal it was like playing with a cube of ice most of the time.

I think retro handhelds are great but i still prefer playing some games on a tv. But for pokemon staff and puzzle games they are awesome.

 

[mandrakes]

My Retroid Pocket 4 Pro just got here. And it feels quite nice. I'll probably do setting up proper tomorrow though. Setting up an Android device is pretty annoying.

But I'm happy to have a PS2 and GCN capable device that's this small.

View attachment 5212

can you play diablo 3, a switch game with those device?

 

[JustLooking123]

The only retro handheld i had ever was this:

I had a few of them throughout my childhood, each from a different brand and with different games, because their buttons would stop working pretty soon, forcing us to buy a new one!
Such fond memories...

 

[Clippy]

The only retro handheld i had ever was this:
View attachment 5278
I had a few of them throughout my childhood, each from a different brand and with different games, because their buttons would stop working pretty soon, forcing us to buy a new one!
Such fond memories...

Those Brick Game handhelds are still available brand new in my area. Apparently it's a timeless concept. These things will survive the heat death of the universe, I swear.

 

[ATenderLad]

This thing saw more use than any other gaming device I've ever had.

 

[Darklink]

can you play diablo 3, a switch game with those device?

Probably, from what I can glance around, it runs pretty well on Skyline.

But then I didn't really get this thing for Switch emulation. Maybe for some smaller indies that I'd like to play on a small handheld as opposed to my Steam Deck.

 

[mandrakes]

Probably, from what I can glance around, it runs pretty well on Skyline.

But then I didn't really get this thing for Switch emulation. Maybe for some smaller indies that I'd like to play on a small handheld as opposed to my Steam Deck.

if it's android better install joiplay

 

[BassForever]

Big fan of my Miyoo Mini+, keeping an eye on the upcoming Flip. Almost pulled the trigger in the Retroid Pocket 5 but decided to wait to see what we get in 2025.

 

[mandrakes]

GitHub - cizia64/CrossMix-OS: Enhanced OS for the TrimUI Smart Pro

Enhanced OS for the TrimUI Smart Pro. Contribute to cizia64/CrossMix-OS development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

crossmix os 1.3 is out for trimui smart pro, but according to the community of trimui the psp is buggy if you only play psp do not update just stay in 1.2.1 fw

 

[kelbot]

I have complicated feelings about these. I have a couple of them and I like them...but I ultimately keep going back to my PSP 3000 as my portable of choice. There are tradeoffs you make going one way or the other.

I own a couple Odroid Gos. The original one that looked like a mini Game Boy and powered by the ESP32. It is an awesome and fun little handheld that is super pocketable. There is an alternative firmware for it that is quite incredible. You can play a LOT of stuff on it and it has that great combo of instant on/off, no tinkering just playing. That plus being so small/thin that you can just keep it in your pocket all the time. I've played this device a TON and I love it.

I also have the Odroid Go Advance. In theory I should love it but in reality I like it but don't end up playing that much. Again, in theory it should be much more capable and versatile than my PSP. In some ways it is but in reality the PSP matches it and in many ways exceeds it.

For me what it comes down to is there really isn't any of these emulator handhelds that are reasonably priced that can match the PSP. The reason being that none of the sub-$200 handhelds are powerful enough to run PSP games acceptably to me and I care about the PSP library a lot so that's a big negative. So in practice the PSP is more capable than any of them just by virtue of being able to run the PSP library flawlessy (obviously). It is not a perfect emulator device by any means but it ends up being the best experience for me.

The PSP is probably my favorite portable of all time. The battery life while not amazing is actually pretty good on the 3000 model. I also see the removable battery as a huge plus. Say you go on a long flight or road trip etc. Instead of having to take a break to charge or awkwardly tether yourself to a plug to continue playing you can just take extra batteries with you and just swap and keep playing. The other thing many don't think about is what happens when the built-in battery in these emulator handhelds dies for good. It will either become a paperweight or be a big headache to find a replacement battery. The PSP is 20 years old and you can still get good quality replacement batteries.

 

[newageretrohippie]

Have you seen those? It seems like every other day a Chinese Gameboy like device running RetroArch comes out. There's so many of them I don't know where to start.
Some time ago I followed a guy on YouTube that did comparison videos (I lost that channel somehow). Turns out some specific models had insanely good screens for retro gaming. Squared, Bright, no ghosting, perfect I would say. Those things could even run Dreamcast games so very powerful, compact, light and cold.

Which ones you tried if any?

You mean "The wicked gamer and collector" on youtube?

"It's time for: PACKAGE FROM CHINA!!!"

I have an Ambernic ARC D (which has a sega saturn style button layout which i prefer). It's pretty good dual sd cards, dual boot (linux and android) under 100 dollars will run dreamcast and naomi decently. struggles with n64

thing is my first one stopped turning on reliably (which is a common problem with Ambernic devices, unfortunately)... so i "flipped a bezos" on it (bought a new one on amazon prime and sent back the old one as the new one... heh heh heh)

but i kinda lost interest in it after the new one arrived... ::shrugs::

 

[hyperturbofox]

These of the Handhelds I think of Retro

Anbernic RG353V & Retroid Pocket 2S

 

[Adreankael]

I'm receiving a Retroid pocket 5 soon and was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. How good is it at PS2/PSP and vita Emulation? Is it difficult to set up? Any help/info/advice would be most welcomed.

 

[Boo Man]

GitHub - cizia64/CrossMix-OS: Enhanced OS for the TrimUI Smart Pro

Enhanced OS for the TrimUI Smart Pro. Contribute to cizia64/CrossMix-OS development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

crossmix os 1.3 is out for trimui smart pro, but according to the community of trimui the psp is buggy if you only play psp do not update just stay in 1.2.1 fw

yeah i recently figured out the Trimui isn't so great at emulating PsP or Dreamcast
so im going back to my vita, but i like having those LR, R2 buttons

 

[hyperturbofox]

yeah i recently figured out the Trimui isn't so great at emulating PsP or Dreamcast
so im going back to my vita, but i like having those LR, R2 buttons

Okay,

You need to get an Android Handheld or even a Steam Deck to emulate PSP and Dreamcast.

It's can help you in a long run