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I honestly like how you include handhelds from previous years. It shows that they're still good (and possibly cheaper) options despite new stuff always coming out
I also like that it's not price-tiered, which is nice and all but doesn't give you a good idea of what is actually better overall for the cost. #1 on this list is cheaper than some other options which are arguably more powerful, which is fair, because it offers more in its price-point than those do in theirs.
I got someone the Odin pro 2 as a gift and couldn’t get it to work:/ every time they try to plat a game the screen is just black, I’m not exactly sure why
Very well considered list. I'm surprised the Powkiddy RGB30 wasn't on there though. I didn't buy any new handhelds this year, but the RGB30 was the one I found most interesting.
Ive only played with Miyoo Mini Plus and Retroid Pocket 3+ and i gotta say i really like the RP3+. The downsides are the start and select placement, and the downwards, backwards firing speakers which was an odd design choice. The Miyoo Mini was just perfect at what it was designed to be, but i find it a bit too small and i game a lot, which causes some minor hand cramps, mostly my right hand.
I bought the retroid pocket 3+ a month ago and love it. I used RU-vid tutorials to help me toggle the settings and it runs PS2, 3ds and GameCube well...which is what I wanted. I play it damn near everyday.
I’d have taken the Miyoo Mini off of the list and placed the Miyoo Mini Plus on the list in its place. Better availability, larger size, great experience when OnionOS is installed, great buttons and D-pad, and reliable Wi-Fi. Hard to recommend a handheld as a gift if it’s unavailable, and thankfully, the Miyoo Mini Plus is not only available, but reasonably priced.
Retroid Pocket 4 will likely run Dreamcast and Gamecube flawlessly? The 3+ can run more or less the entire library of Dreamcast games, most Gamecube games and a bunch of PS2, 3DS and even some Switch titles if one just put some time and effort in the setup. You don't even have to dwelve to far. Using the right version of Dolphin and changing three settings the 3+ can easily manage F-Zero GX, Metroid Prime 1 and Eternal Darkness. I wish that more Retro/Emulation channels would go into detail a bit more on how much of a potential some of these devices have if one would just dare to mess around and don't expect everything to be "plug and play". Half of the fun is to experiment, and most people who buy these devices don't even know that you should always use updated emulators. The Retroid Discord have already done benchmarks and the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro (double the RAM of the base 4 model), will be more than enough to run all of the Gamecube, PS2 and 3DS library upscaled. Also a whole lot of 2D/Indie Switch titles without any issues.
Have to agree on 405m. I really wish the metal trend would come back because honestly compared to the 405m, everything feels like a toy. But I’ve tried and really liked the Flip as well and won’t fault anyone for going that direction. 3.5” screens just don’t do it for me anymore. Just a bit too small for my eyes now. FML…
Great list - so nice to see you back at Handheld Console side for a bit. I know you're doing a lot of things; very glad to see you on the Handheld beat again. :D Well done, guys.
I got the Anbernic RG405M and I love it! Take it everywhere I wanna go. And can't really say nothing bad about buying this product especially doing what it's set up to do.
I know the RG353m is a year old at this point, but the build quality, the out-of-the-box functionality, the controls and the form factor make it worth considering. If you're new to this hobby like I am and you just want something to take out of the box and start playing, look no further.
For a top 10 list, it surely misses a lot of hidden gems and such on it, along with odd choices. Using the Mini over the Mini+, no mention of the RGB30 or Odin 2 like you said, adding the Analogue Pocket when other devices were more fitting for this list this year, and no mention of the R35, R36, Ayaneo Pocket Air, or anything along those lines at all
Felt the same way. So many handhelds name weren’t even late 2022 lol. I’d get rid of those. I’d also put the rg35xx over the plus version. The community support on it was crazy in 2023 and it came out one December 2022. I’d also add the ayn Odin 2 and the anbernjc arc-d to the list. One can play literally everything possible on Android regardless if one received a review unit and the other finally broke the mold away from Nintendo inspired handheld design. Steam OLED also innovated enough to be on here.
@@blakestrother5122 I can almost forgive not including the OLED Deck on this channel's list as it's not necessarily a retro focused handheld. You're spot on about the RG35XX and the Arc-D definitely deserves a mention
I personally don't have a use case for these kinds of handhelds but it's insane how fast the market is moving and improving. I feel like it's improved 3 generations in like 15 months.
I had the retroid pocket flip. I hated it. Loved the clam shell design, screen was nice, but the battery life was like 2 hrs. 3 hrs on standby. Anbernic in comparison... Like RG35XX Plus or RG353V lasts way longer. Plus' screen isn't the greatest but 353Vs is much better. Also, cheaper than the flip.
Love that you had the Playdate. Also like the disclaimer on analogue and the way they do business. But the rgb30 in place of the rp3+ would have made the list perfect. Good job though. Odin remains king.
I am so glad the Funkey S made this list because it is one of my favorites to throw in my pocket and you're absolutely right about it. I use it for Tetris, Pokemon Pinball and Yugioh Reshef of Destruction and it is absolutely perfect at what it does, which is let me play games for upwards of a half hour or longer depending on how I am feeling and just whenever I am out and about. I think the price is a little expensive but it's pretty dang good. I got the crystal blue version and I love it! I am waiting for a Playdate 2 with a backlight screen but I want one :) I am still looking for that Goldilocks Windows handheld device. I want the ROG ally kind of performance but in an Ayn format or even something smaller like the GPD Win/PSP size so I can dock it and play my favorites and then handheld enough to play Outlaws from the 90s at a price of like 500 bucks or less if possible lol so it's gonna be a while. I love the Analogue pocket outside of the price and shipping but it will get better I am sure. But if I had my PSP, my Funkey S, an Analogue Pocket, and a windows handheld device I'd be set lol I got a Steamdeck OLED though and that's been awesome :D
I hope you had a great holiday young lad. I was weak Brandon, damn you. 😉👍. I had to buy the new yellow colour variant of the Funkey S. It will have a prized position next to the 16 bit and GC colour Funkeys in my collection. Bloody hell, 2023 was an unbelievable year for handhelds lad.
Odin 2 would have probably been number 1 or 2 if you had checked it out. Huge improvement over the first odin and easilythe best emulation handheld out currently.
This was a nice watch. I want to get the rg35xx plus to get myself into retro handheld gaming, and maybe I’ll upgrade later if I can. Keep up the great content!!
Do the newer Retroids have a fast start up? I was shocked how much that mattered to me, but I NEVER touch my Retroid Pocket 2 anymore. Anbernic just starts up faster and is more comfortable to hold, so I pick it every single time. I'm wanting a newer handheld though and deciding between the Retroid 2 Plus or spend a little more for Anbernic 405.
Well I’m sold. I ordered the anberbic RG353v but I’m gonna get the RP 2S because it felt like the middle ground between the low end vertical handheld and my steam deck Emulation rig.
This list kinda doodoo ngl. The Playdate and Funkey are interesting devices but I personally couldn't see myself ever actually buying one and having a good time with how small they are. Also the Analogue Pocket was really underwhelming and too expensive imo. So many handhelds came out this a year and I think others deserved spots on this list
Surprised to not see the officially licensed HyperMegatech handheld, which supports Evercade carts. that Sega Saturn 6 button handheld looking thing..found the name RG Arc. But out all of the emulator specific stuff. A phone or the Odin makes the most sense, beyond that it’s the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go. All of the other Wish/Temu emulator stuff is underpowered and can barely handle the PSP let alone the PS2. The Analogue Pocket with Open FPGA and the Playdate are awesome simply for them for being higher quality products and not being like the rest of these emulators. But my favourite is original hardware, nothing beats the original PSP, 3DS, GBA, Vita etc.
I will love my RG353ps when Batocera 39 releases for it which is under way. Anbernics stolen batoceras code and uses an old version which is also buggy but workable if you remember how to add favorite games for example. Next handheld will be a windows devices
I think reviewing the miyoo mini without the Onion OS is a bit unfair, and I would say the specs are much better than most handhelds more expensive than it. Didnt even discuss the Mini Plus wifi capabilities.
The Odin is definitely the device to go for but I do feel at 199 this provides decent value for someone perhaps not totally committed to spending 300. I get the ergonomics of the 3 have never been great but I honestly loved my 3 while I had it. The Odin 2 just blows everything away however which prompted me to sell the 3+
Interesting you say "decent value at 199" and also "not totally committed to spending 300". I wonder how you would feel if you thought about 200 and 299?
PSA: the AYN Odin is great, but the Retroid Pocket 4 and Pro are coming out soon, both should be about as powerful or decently more powerful than the first Odin (base model is $50 cheaper and the same performance, Pro model should be 20-40% faster than the Odin 1 Pro and the same price). It’s worth waiting around to see how it turns out. Also, the Analogue Pocket original has gone back into stock and has stayed available for several days so it seems pretty secure if you want it. Not the best bang for your buck but really good for specific functions
Hi, my brother and law and sister in law just had a baby, and Christmas gifts etc. seem all to be centered around the baby. I want to get them a retro handheld that will be quality enough and entertaining enough as a sort of frivolous fun gift just for them, to use during those moments of waiting up at night or at the dr's office , and just something that's fun and doesn't remind them at all about their newfound major responsibility. If they already have a nintendo switch, is there anything in this class that makes sense to offer them something they don't already have with the switch? Thanks.
The fact that Odin 2 is not on here makes no sense at all. It’s by far the best for android emulation and over all hands down. Def not great list here, and very outdated
Sent my 405M back after 2 days. Its chugging android system is a nightmare and that’s without even putting Daijisho on it. I’ll stick to my 353V, no I don’t use the android on this either, I’m running Jelos.
No, they don't require an internet connection once the games are on there. The only potential issue you might encounter is that not every device will come pre-loaded with games, so you might have to do a bit of manual setting up or do a bit of research into the particular device you're thinking of getting to see if it usually has them included.
@@RetroDodo thank you! I'm having a hard time trying to choose between a handheld. I was thinking the Anbernic RG405M or the Anbernic RG35xx plus. I'm really not sure what he's looking for, I really don't know anything about this stuff. I originally got him the ODIN pro 2 because that's what he wanted, but every time he tried to play a game it only shows a black screen and he leaves next month and doesn't have the time to figure out what went wrong so he just wanted to return it, but I do want to him to have something with games already preloaded, reliable, and convenient. Which would you recommend?
I really like the Retroid Flip, and I've seen i can even do a little bit of gamecube (namely Mario Party 6) I just haven't decided to pull the trigger yet, it's an important expense and I've been so into the switch lately that I haven't even touched the RG35xx in a long time either
Idk. The Anbernic 405V has the Duel slots which is a plus, and I think it can use BT controllers. The Ambernic 351 has the best SNES look. I just wish it could play ALL systems to PS1 perfectly. As for modern AA light games I heard the AYN Odin 2 Geek is better for a higher resolution of screen that can play upto streaming games from Xbox or Steam. It can even play Skyrim. The SteamDeck is the "best" but the screen resolution is at a 720p. I feel that all the systems take something away for some thing else. It be great if their was a handheld that had duel screens, Gyro capability, Touch screen, Hal sensors, HDMI port, Duel SD slots and a better processor. AMD Ryzen 9 7950x3D would be good as a processor. Something with long battery life and custom modifications for case etc..