one of my favorite things I’m finding using the steam deck is that you often don’t have to emulate. I can just install binary domain or kayne and lynch 2 from steam and play without much effort. pre-steam ports of ps2 games are going to take some more time, but look and run better, often with widescreen mods. android-based handhelds just seem so much less versatile by comparison
There is the Ayaneo Air Pro which is an x86 device, which is smaller (and more expensive, less powerful) than a Steam Deck. it looks like a wider switch lite, basically.
Naturally I’m not gonna emulate when there’s a PC sku option available but there’s a few little gems I’d like to keep close like some XBLA title that didn’t jump to PC and some other weirdos like dad version of Nier or Drakenguard 3. Tri ace at least met me half way by putting some star oceans and Resonance of Fate on steam.
This thread has awakened something in me and I’m into the idea of a pocket distraction device. Something I can take hiking/camping or day tripping when the switch/Deck are to chunky or valuable to take outside. The Anerbnic RG353M is looking like what I’m looking for in form factor and function. Not emulation but I’m also feeling a spiritual attraction to the arduboy. Might buy a kit and then the prefab one that’s credit card sized. I need a get away device that isn’t always connected to the flow of the rest of the world.
I have the miyoo mini V2 but in the end the buttons on the anbernic 351p feel way better. I’m actually getting anbernic’s take on the mini, the RG35xx this weekend so I’ll post some impressions if folks are interested
apparently there are now $129 handhelds that can reliably emulate dreamcast and gamecube? does anyone have a retroid pocket 3+ and can confirm that it’s as good as what i’ve read?
also the miyoo looks kind of cool, but it’s also apparently near-impossible to actually buy one.
this post reads like i’m being paid by retroid lol
Recommend this Japanese channel for a completely different take on different handhelds performances than the Taki/ETAPrime/Retro Game Corps.
The good thing is now more people saw the success of RGC and have also tried to get into the pirate handheld review game so we have a lot more impressions and footage to shift through.
I’ve been tempted by the RP3+ but was so burned by the RP2 and you know no free time that I haven’t bothered.
unless you’re a hobbyist tuner into juggling multiple emulator apps, consulting compatibility sheets for coverage, extensively tweaking per-title settings, resorting to PAL versions, etc, definitely not
a good experience for any TV console newer than dreamcast is still 300+ USD linux/windows territory for dedicated handheld systems imo
I have long been a stan of low-end brand Family Pocket…ppl on youtube are always so ready to roast them (“Cheap Chinese Handhelds”) – but these people are simply wrong.
Anyways, their design evolution has had an unfairly overlooked innovation that I want 2 point out.
Their packed-in second player controllers (where they clearly have more freedom since it doesn’t need to fit a screen in it) have gone from PC Engine esque to a more Sega style extruded d-pad design w/ a SNES offset button layout.
(Older model)
It might look more questionable, but I will say this new controller feels much better than the previous model + pricier controllers I have w/ cross style d-pad. Not as nice as an M30 but the design is similarly comfortable 2 rest thumb on while still knowing what you’re pressing, capable of doing fireballs, etc. etc.
But presumably because of difficulties in including the screen, besides on standalone stuff which came w/ 2 bluetooth versions of this newer controller the handhelds still revolved around this first design. Even as they started including IPS screens, etc. etc. Until…their latest step…
Unbelievable…not enough ppl operating on this level.
I have a Retroid Pocket 2 I still actually like pretty well, especially once I gave up on the idea it could be a good N64 machine. I keep being tempted to buy another handheld emulator console, but the gains in performance or form just don’t seem worth re-paying an increased entry price yet. I can see why some people get really into collecting these, though. I don’t wanna be a person who blows most of my video game budget on new emulator handhelds that I almost never play. If we can get to real solid GC emulation for under $150 in the next couple years (I have no idea how reasonable that is), I’d be ready to jump back in. And if it’s more than that I have to ask myself why I’m not just going to buy a Steam Deck instead.
This Family Pocket thing is preeeeettty tempting, though. Might satisfy my itch to blow money on one of these.
