Best Retro Handheld
- Thread starter MurphyBrix
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Man of Honour
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Been looking at picking up something to play some Retro on alongside my Switch!
Probably narrowed down to the Ambernic RG405M and the Retroid Pocket 3+ - anyone had them and has any thoughts?
Probably narrowed down to the Ambernic RG405M and the Retroid Pocket 3+ - anyone had them and has any thoughts?
Caporegime
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Personally, I would get something like RG35xx or Miyoo Mini Plus for the simplicity of setting up. Takes minutes vs hours in the Retroid Pocket 3+ on Android.
But the Retroid does look nicer (I have the flip) and the front end once loaded is prettier with all the album art.
What sort of games are you wanting to play? I was also considering the RG405m but realised everything I wanted to play could be played on the RG35xx for about a third of the price of the RG405m. It's been great for a first dabble into the retro handheld world.
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Thanks! I do like the look of the Retroid! I don't mind setting stuff up if needed
I wouldn't mind being able to play Gamecube so I think I'd probably be looking at one of the slightly higher specced models
I started with a RG35xx which was/is great but then wanted something more powerful.
I almost pulled the trigger on an RP3+, then a 405M but didnt and went for a Steam Deck.
So glad I did, its plays just about everything I've thrown at it including Xbox 360 and PS3. The big plus points though are;
The overall usability - SteamOS really makes it
Valve support - They have been fantastic and answered all my queries. I had a minor issue, they sent me a brand new Steam Deck under RMA even thought I bought it second hand from these forums
Trackpads and many buttons - easy to configure controls for games and systems
The sheer amount of people that have one, finding help is easy.
Proton - Allows you to play games that simply dont work on modern Windows and are too slow for PCem. Games like Motocross Madness 2
Man of Honour
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Thanks, ideally looking for something smaller so I can chuck it in a bag easily.
Its certainly not 'pocketable' but ive thrown it in my bag in its case and it doesnt take too much room.
The case ive used as a stand before. The added benefit also it has a 2TB NVMe SSD installed and SD card slot. Movies/TV shows using VLC player work well
This is the case I used (its in a rummer skin case too)
I have the same setup, Tomtoc case, 2tb nVME drive. The steam deck kicks ass as an emulation device, plays mose PS3 games, but it's not small.
I use an Ayn Odin for older games as this is a much smaller device.. the Odin 2 in coming out soon (hopefully) this is defiantly on my radar.
I use an Ayn Odin for older games as this is a much smaller device.. the Odin 2 in coming out soon (hopefully) this is defiantly on my radar.
Man of Honour
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Thanks folks, I've opted to pickup an Ambernic RG405M - smaller and easier to chuck in the bag and will emulate most of what I want to play - I've got the Switch for modern stuff anyway and most of the newer Nintendo stuff I want to play (Zelda/Mario) has been ported or re-released on to the Switch now.
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Looking to jump into the retro handheld world, and after looking online and in here, is it safe to say the Anbernic RG35XX is one of the top handhelds to go for? I'm thinking of just going for a single 128GB card as I'm only really after the GameBoy, Sega, Playstation, and maybe Nintendo games. Would the 128GB be enough for OS and Roms or will I be safer going down the dual-card route?
Getting GarlicOS running on it seems straight forward enough but getting the box art seems quite faffy - is it easy enough to do?
Cheers!
Getting GarlicOS running on it seems straight forward enough but getting the box art seems quite faffy - is it easy enough to do?
Cheers!
Caporegime
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Dual cards is not required but I read it helps with loading time? There are plenty of video guides on setting it up, it's pretty simple, just follow it and the longest part is copying files over from the computer to the SD card.
I personally have a 64gb card and a 128gb card.
64gb is for the os and 128 for games. GarlicOS hasnt been updated in some time though as black seraph is working on other os i believe.
Could go with a smaller card for the os but prices are about the same or cheaper on the 64 than say a 16gb anyway.
You might want to try other os out (e.g. batacera or mini ui) so wiping a card with all your games and art isnt ideal - so best having your games and art on the 2nd sd card.
You can Scrape art and use Wifi in Batacera but its flaky - i managed to enable wifi and scrape properly only once. Maybe the functionality has improved now though as that was months ago.
The whole wifi, scraping and chasing performance options was what drove me to getting a Steam deck - It just works and there’s no hassle and it plays just about everything.
Here’s some examples of my RG35XX setup, just powered it on now after a few months of no use. Still has charge so thats a good sign
Front case cover made from a guy in Canada, purchased through Etsy
Have had my RG35XX on holiday with me for the past week and it's been a fantastic accompaniment. The versatility of it is great and the tactility of the hardware I love compared to using emulators on a touchscreen phone for example.
Upgrade the RetroFlag GPi today. It originally has an Pi Zero in it, and ultimately was underpowered to do any decent gaming on it. Picked up a Zero 2 W today and fitted it, and now plays systems up to 16-bit great. I guess you could call it one of the Original retro handhelds (Picked it up in 2019). I like the size and thickness of the Gpi (similar to an original Gameboy just slightly shrunk).
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That Retroflag GPI looks great, tempted to do something myself but this is the first I have seen them, have to have a read up as would like a little retro handheld but don't want to spend too much. SNES, Megadrive and gameboy sort of emulationUpgrade the RetroFlag GPi today. It originally has an Pi Zero in it, and ultimately was underpowered to do any decent gaming on it. Picked up a Zero 2 W today and fitted it, and now plays systems up to 16-bit great. I guess you could call it one of the Original retro handhelds (Picked it up in 2019). I like the size and thickness of the Gpi (similar to an original Gameboy just slightly shrunk).