Handheld Gaming - Budget Options

Martynt74

Martynt74

Martynt74

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Joined
20 Feb 2004
Posts
23,393
Location
Hondon de las Nieves, Spain
My wife fancies something to play games on. At the moment she plays random games on her phone, generally Tetris/puzzle style games. However they kill her battery and so she wants something more specific and with a controller.

We've got an Ipad, however the battery in that is even worse. I'm wondering whether a 7" Android based tablet makes the most sense here with an external controller. It'll be used outside so screen needs to be fairly bright.

She had been looking at a Steamdeck, but i think it's hugely overkil for her game requirements, and whilst it might be a goto after a while, something as a cheaper intoductury option makes sense.

Is Android the way to go for a cheap Intro to gaming, or does something like a Switch offer better functionality?
 
Not Android, but I would suggest something like a Miyoo Mini Plus or something from the Anbernic RG35XX range.
Alternatively, the cheapest Android retro system you can find will play the retro games AND native Android games.
 
It depends what she's after, and how easy she (or really you!) needs to find it to use.

A Switch Lite is the obvious answer for ease of use and a decent selection of games.

If price is an issue, have a look at Anbernic's range. They'll do everything from the RG35XX, which will run things up to about PSP level, to much higher end stuff. They'll all be a bit trickier to run and get games onto though.

Finally, have a look at something like the Retroid Pocket 4 for Android. It's in the middle of the range in terms of price and ease of use.
 
Dsteviedee said:
Not Android, but I would suggest something like a Miyoo Mini Plus or something from the Anbernic RG35XX range.
Alternatively, the cheapest Android retro system you can find will play the retro games AND native Android games.
Click to expand...

Completely agree as I have a miyoo mini+ and it’s now used daily in short bursts but I am a fan of retro games and it’s rekindled a bit of love for gaming again.
 
Dsteviedee said:
Not Android, but I would suggest something like a Miyoo Mini Plus or something from the Anbernic RG35XX range.
Alternatively, the cheapest Android retro system you can find will play the retro games AND native Android games.
Click to expand...

manic111 said:
It depends what she's after, and how easy she (or really you!) needs to find it to use.

A Switch Lite is the obvious answer for ease of use and a decent selection of games.

If price is an issue, have a look at Anbernic's range. They'll do everything from the RG35XX, which will run things up to about PSP level, to much higher end stuff. They'll all be a bit trickier to run and get games onto though.

Finally, have a look at something like the Retroid Pocket 4 for Android. It's in the middle of the range in terms of price and ease of use.
Click to expand...

Bunko said:
Completely agree as I have a miyoo mini+ and it’s now used daily in short bursts but I am a fan of retro games and it’s rekindled a bit of love for gaming again.
Click to expand...


Thanks guys, the Miyoo Mini seems a little small at ~3.5" screen. I think something around 5-7" as a screensize would be better as she commented she wanted something a little bigger than her phone (Iphone Mini). The Retroid Pocket 4 seems like the best form factor.

With regards to games, i really need to get her to explain what she wants better. She seemed against the Switch for some reason, but feels like that's the ideal level. Something "fun" rather than in depth. She's never really played games before except stuff on her phone. Although something emulator based would be handy as it means it's cheap to cycle through games vs the Switch where i presume you're paying a premium per game.
 
Cheers guys, i ended up with the Trimui Smart Pro. Seems to be fairly well regarded and at €50 was cheap enough as a punt.

I'm still tempted by a Switch but going to try this as a cheap intro to see if she actually uses it.
 
Arrived last week. Not sure it's going to work for her. I think for me it'd be fine, but the UI for selecting games just doesn't seem very intuitive (maybe some modding could fix this but not sure). It's also a bit laggy and slow. Obviously this is probably to be expected given the price point but i think it'd just end up in a drawer. I'm not sure whether upping the budget to something better like the Retroid Pocket fixes the issues either.

Think i'm just going to go with a switch.

The ideal thing would be the Backbone and an Xbox which i've been thinking about anyway. Main issue being she doesn't want to use her phone, and feels a drag buying a separate phone device for that too.
 
Martynt74 said:
Arrived last week. Not sure it's going to work for her. I think for me it'd be fine, but the UI for selecting games just doesn't seem very intuitive (maybe some modding could fix this but not sure). It's also a bit laggy and slow. Obviously this is probably to be expected given the price point but i think it'd just end up in a drawer. I'm not sure whether upping the budget to something better like the Retroid Pocket fixes the issues either.

Think i'm just going to go with a switch.

The ideal thing would be the Backbone and an Xbox which i've been thinking about anyway. Main issue being she doesn't want to use her phone, and feels a drag buying a separate phone device for that too.
Click to expand...

Id just go the steamdeck route. Sure the switch is cheaper but the cost of games are a joke.

The deck is a great emulator and can pick up docks fairly cheaply too
 
Kill_Phil said:
Id just go the steamdeck route. Sure the switch is cheaper but the cost of games are a joke.

The deck is a great emulator and can pick up docks fairly cheaply too
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Steamdeck seems excellent, just that £600 seems crazy for my wife who just wants to play stuff like Tetris/Paint by Numbers. Basically she's happy with games she can play on her phone, just wants something which doesn't kill her phones battery life and has some manual controls.
 
Martynt74 said:
Yeah, the Steamdeck seems excellent, just that £600 seems crazy for my wife who just wants to play stuff like Tetris/Paint by Numbers. Basically she's happy with games she can play on her phone, just wants something which doesn't kill her phones battery life and has some manual controls.
Click to expand...

Be a worthwhile investment and you can pick up the LCD version for £349 or even look at 2nd hand

Plus will give you an excuse to jump on it ha
 
Oooh the LCD version sounds a better price. I'm honestly not sure it's something i'd ever use myself.

I really like the idea of the Backbone and then an Xbox for myself as i've been meaning to buy one. Then just picking up an Android phone for use within the Backbone. Just trying not to turn this from her wanting something to it being me getting what i want!

Switch seems ideal, but as you say games aren't cheap. There are some cheap Indy ones out there, but massively limited vs other consoles.
 
I think more people like the idea of a handheld than the reality.

I'd definitely go a switch then you can have some flexibility and play it on a TV too.
 
Yeah, i think it's just my wife plays small games on her phone when sunbathing etc but wants something that won't kill her battery.

I think i'm settled on the Gamesir G8 and Android phone and a Gamepass subscription. A Switch seems a bit expensive and there's nothing that really appeals to me game wise and not much my wife really wants bar basic stuff. If she decides not to play any Gamepass stuff then i can pick up an Xbox which was always my plan at some point anyway and use the Gamepass sub, and my wife has an Android touch screen phone she can continue to play the same phones she uses on her phone but without killing her phone battery life.

The only thing that ends up redundant in that scenario is the Gamesir but at only €50 from AliExpress so it's not a massive risk and i could always return if needed.
 
Sounds like your mind is made up, bit leftfield but what about a Vita? I bought a PS Vita a few years back on eBay. Such a good bit of kit, games look great and it runs really well. Battery lasts ages and the controls are somewhat unique as some games take advantage of touch screens front and back. I take with me on flights.
May well become a bit of a collectors item one day too. Added bonus for me is it gives me an excuse to poke about in second hand game shops and foreign ebay accounts looking for games for it. Some are worth an absolute fortune, wouldn't say hunting them has become a hobby but everytime I pass a pawn shop I stick my head in to see what I can find.
Only downside is can't get BT headphones working with it.
 
I'd suggest a second hand New Nintendo 2DS XL (note: the New word is actually part of the name). There are some amazing games on it and you can also play DS games too.
 
Vandle said:
Sounds like your mind is made up, bit leftfield but what about a Vita? I
Click to expand...

Cheers. Ended up with the phone and the Gamesir G8. It's working well with Gamepass so far and then opens up any games on the Android Play store. Ultimately i think they're more her level.

She's still not too sure whether she'll use it enough to justify the cost (~£200 in total exc the GPU subscription). It was one of those things she commented on and i then threw myself into the research world because it's fun and probably pushed things on her more her being overly committed.

I think this combination is the right one for her though. The ability to have a huge gaming library available through Game Pass/Pay Store is the biggest factor for her rather than trying to think in advance what she'd want and hunt out specific games. Especially since here in Spain we don't have the used market like there is in the UK.
 
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