Retro Handhelds General Thread

[loopy]

Been enjoying the R39S handheld alot. I end up playing games alot more games on it then I do on my PC, eventhough playing the same games on my PC would be technically superior (better controller, better screen, more accurate emulation, etc).
Thats probably because I associate my PC too much with working, webbrowsing and watching youtube videos, so its harder to start up a game and keep playing it as long.

I only play 2D games on it, and its almost perfect for any 2D game. Runs SNES, GBA, DS, and even some 2D games on PS1/N64/DC fine.
It can run quite a few 3D games on N64 and PS1 if you crank up the powerusage, but the emulation is buggy and it drains the battery fast so I just don't consider it atall. I see it as a 2D games only handheld for me personally. It has good battery life if you force it into powersaving mode.

The sharp-bilinear filter fixes any problems with the screen aspect ratio and resolution, or need for integer scaling. Which it had better batterylife during sleep mode, or booted up faster. Also appreciate Retroarch more now that ive used it on a handheld.

The only thing I actively dislike about it, is how loud the shoulder and start/select buttons are, they really make me not wanna click them atall, atleast I can map L/R/Start/Select to X and Y for some systems. Even mapped them to the analog sticks because I hate how loud start/select are THAT much.

I bought a second one to give to my brother, I think he would actually use it alot if he had one, and its only about 30 euro.

 

[newageretrohippie]

Been enjoying the R39S handheld alot. I end up playing games alot more games on it then I do on my PC, eventhough playing the same games on my PC would be technically superior (better controller, better screen, more accurate emulation, etc).
Thats probably because I associate my PC too much with working, webbrowsing and watching youtube videos, so its harder to start up a game and keep playing it as long.

I only play 2D games on it, and its almost perfect for any 2D game. Runs SNES, GBA, DS, and even some 2D games on PS1/N64/DC fine.
It can run quite a few 3D games on N64 and PS1 if you crank up the powerusage, but the emulation is buggy and it drains the battery fast so I just don't consider it atall. I see it as a 2D games only handheld for me personally. It has good battery life if you force it into powersaving mode.

The sharp-bilinear filter fixes any problems with the screen aspect ratio and resolution, or need for integer scaling. Which it had better batterylife during sleep mode, or booted up faster. Also appreciate Retroarch more now that ive used it on a handheld.

The only thing I actively dislike about it, is how loud the shoulder and start/select buttons are, they really make me not wanna click them atall, atleast I can map L/R/Start/Select to X and Y for some systems. Even mapped them to the analog sticks because I hate how loud start/select are THAT much.

I bought a second one to give to my brother, I think he would actually use it alot if he had one, and its only about 30 euro.

im the same way. My pc is just the "best" way to play this massive collection of games ill never play + all the stuff i actually *do* on my PC.

i really only play games on devices that are set up to only play games. psp, mister+projector, ds, rg 350 arcd, or various consoles hooked to a crt.

i wonder if i hooked my pc to projector or CRT if i would play more games on it tho...

 

[Pernil]

I really like the aesthetics of vertical handhelds, the Game Boy Color is such a classic look, but horizontal handhelds are way more comfortable to use.

 

[Nullbit]

Wonderswan

 

[Soulless Emperor]

I've recently bought a retro handheld from amazon called the rg cube by anbernic and I'm excited to play some good old gamecube games on that thing as it's android handheld. I'm thinking of getting more retro handhelds that are like pocket friendly like the ayaneo pocket aces, and it had the ability to play gamecube, ps2, and switch games on that little guy. I'm thinking of getting it for my birthday cause it plays more gamecube games than what nintendo puts out. I think I got that the rg cube for like 189 bucks plus the shipping and it was already nearly half the price of the switch 2.

 

[MajesticSiN]

I've recently bought a retro handheld from amazon called the rg cube by anbernic and I'm excited to play some good old gamecube games on that thing as it's android handheld. I'm thinking of getting more retro handhelds that are like pocket friendly like the ayaneo pocket aces, and it had the ability to play gamecube, ps2, and switch games on that little guy. I'm thinking of getting it for my birthday cause it plays more gamecube games than what nintendo puts out. I think I got that the rg cube for like 189 bucks plus the shipping and it was already nearly half the price of the switch 2.

I've been eyeing up that one myself. Looks pretty decent.

 

[Soulless Emperor]

I've been eyeing up that one myself. Looks pretty decent.

It is. I've been wanting to get one so that I can play gamecube and 64 games on the go and enjoy my games with it. I've transferred the rom hacks that I've played or downloaded online from my pc to play them on the rgcube. I'm gonna get the 512gb for my rg cube just so that I can play gamecube and ps2 games on the go.

 

[DjQuick2008]

A powkiddy X55 is pretty solid have another SD card coming this week. Its about the size of a switch lite and will play many different systems. This card has 270 PS1 titles on it.

Post automatically merged: May 5, 2025

i have a miyoo mini plus and love it! use it for all my retro portable needs~

i use the steam deck for more modern things!

have the miyoo mini plus great for travel and have 3 sd cards for it

 

[newageretrohippie]

It is. I've been wanting to get one so that I can play gamecube and 64 games on the go and enjoy my games with it. I've transferred the rom hacks that I've played or downloaded online from my pc to play them on the rgcube. I'm gonna get the 512gb for my rg cube just so that I can play gamecube and ps2 games on the go.

yeah its always a good idea to replace the sd card(s) in those anbernics on arrival. They are notorious for failing, and fast

 

[popckorn]

The blue Kioxia cards are actually legit Toshiba microSDs.
Usually 32GB ones, just for OS and some games.
It is the second card usually along 64-256GB which is unbranded and disposable basically.

I kept two Kioxias and they run great. Not the fastest but like a good ADATA.

 

[Darklink]

I got the RG34XX recently, and I really do like it. I mostly got it because these handhelds are gonna be crazy expensive in the US soon.

But the shoulder buttons are quite nice, much better than the ones on the RG28XX. And out of sheer novelty and nostalgia, I've been only playing the Game Boy family games on it.

I completely forgot about the Classic NES Series of games, and decided to get the SNES ports on it, usually I just play the SNES version over the GBA version.

 

[Deleted member 257420]

Idk man I don't play games

 

[Boo Man]

just found out you can plug an HDMI into the back of Anbernic handhelds and then link it to a wireless controller and use it as a home console thats so cool!

I got the RG34XX recently, and I really do like it. I mostly got it because these handhelds are gonna be crazy expensive in the US soon.

you're onto it!
i was thinking the same thing and brought a few of them

 

[Soulless Emperor]

I got the RG34XX recently, and I really do like it. I mostly got it because these handhelds are gonna be crazy expensive in the US soon.

But the shoulder buttons are quite nice, much better than the ones on the RG28XX. And out of sheer novelty and nostalgia, I've been only playing the Game Boy family games on it.

I completely forgot about the Classic NES Series of games, and decided to get the SNES ports on it, usually I just play the SNES version over the GBA version.

That's cool. I really need that gba clone so badly cause I grew up with the gba sp but didn't had the original horizontal one. I would be playing snes, nes, gba, gb, gbc, mega drive, genesis, and gamegear all day with it rn if I bought the rg34xx.

 

[Darklink]

That's cool. I really need that gba clone so badly cause I grew up with the gba sp but didn't had the original horizontal one. I would be playing snes, nes, gba, gb, gbc, mega drive, genesis, and gamegear all day with it rn if I bought the rg34xx.

I do play those other systems on a different handheld I have. I just feel like focusing on Game Boy games with the RG34XX.

Might do them on it later too, once the novelty of it being a Game Boy wears off.

 

[Soulless Emperor]

I do play those other systems on a different handheld I have. I just feel like focusing on Game Boy games with the RG34XX.

Might do them on it later too, once the novelty of it being a Game Boy wears off.

It does. Having it with the gba banner on it would look really nostalgic to those who grew up playing the gba and the sp.

 

[Sinmenon]

Retroid Pocket 2+
It can run up to Dreamcast and even PS2 games, although the framerate is not always reliable on too demanding games sometimes. I usually stick to PSx, PSP and all the older games.

 

[ThirdEidolon]

Just remember to replace your batteries. They might be getting fat and close to exploding.

 

[ThatOneLum]

Horizontal if its not a clamshell because I tend to find it more comfortable with the extra hand space.

I also have a tendency to kill screens tho so clamshell is the real one.

 

[dr grim]

Horizontal, even if i do like shmups.

 

[Don Patch]

GBA/PSP-style horizontal.
The tall ones, ala Gameboy, are fun to look at but aren't really well though out for comfort, IMO.

 

[ThunderBoy]

I prefer horizontal

 

[ThirteeTooBeets]

Horizontal feel more like actual joysticks and thus feel better to handle, at least to me

 

[DJPlace]

my hands are pretty big. the left to right hand held's for me. i don' t know why i want that handheld in my topic then.

 

[ThirdEidolon]

Remember to change all your ds, gba sp, psp, psvita batteries. It's time for them go nuclear and start a fire.