M17 Review: Surprisingly Good $55 Retro Handheld 

Do you mentioned it would take some time to find the game that you’re looking for is there a search bar? Is there a way to add games to favorites? Is there some kind of Way by hitting select? You can jump through the letter of the game you’re looking for?

You can press the X button on any game to add it to the FAVOURITES

Will you "re-review" the unit when the new CFW releases? Thank you for your hard work.

please do revisit with CFW Russ if it's available now thx@@CLONE_IX

Do you have any idea how to fix the controls? Since the joystick is also bound to the dpad it keeps trying to use the dpad at the same time as im walking in the game. But with untold legends it makes my quick menu for skills flash all over the screen while im walking. Is there a simple way to make it so the joystick isnt controlling the dpad at the same time? Because untold legends brotherhood of the blade is otherwise pretty playable. It does play as is..... Its just annoying with the quickmenu taking up a third of my screen and making beeping noises literally constantly lol.

I agree

Yeah big fan of that, especially since we're getting better and better CPUs as time goes on so at this point there's not much point in covering some of the easier to emulate systems.

Yeah, he used to do it a lot. Glad to see it back.

Totally

What is the manufacturer of this device? If anybody could answer me that would be great. I usually buy direct from the manufacturer of devices bc it supports them better for those of you who were wondering why I asked.

Would love to watch that

That would be so wholesome!

​@@surfboardjoker6299it doesn't *have* to be wholesome. Russ could start with MK11 and Splatterhouse 😮👹☠️💥💀

I scrolled down about a dozen comments before coming to yours. What are people mentioning that would be worth a revisit? From what I've seen, I would happily pick a Miyoo Mini +, Anbernic RG35xx, or Powkiddy RK2023 over this. I got a white RK2023 at the end of spring for $57, though I wish I bought the wifi version that had just come out (because the $10 difference would have been worth it for the built-in bluetooth, I didn't know it had that), still it compares favorably against this M17 in every way I can see. What am I not seeing?

Yes, I have a TrimUI Smart Pro coming in the mail

@@RetroGameCorps awesome! Looking forward to it. Subscribing from England!

el5379 vor 1 Sekunde Spend 10 dollars more and configure a Powkiddy x55 for him. Bigger better screen and by far more computing power, which would enable him to experience a whole console generation more. Just sayijng...

@@clausjahnel5379 oh for sure. but with possible community support in the future if may be more fun to tinker around with.

​@@clausjahnel5379I worry about x55's build quality and dpad , I like the screen though and power too

Nope i didnt see this!!! I dont need this!!!! FFS!!!! im also keeping an eye out on S1eepy!!!!!! FFS!!!!!

@@antwangohe posted it lol

I’m waiting for mine so I can make a 3d printed bezel replacement for it.

Yes, but I also noted that the dev wrote that it's only a proof-of-concept and that it shouldn't be treated as a serious project. It's very cool that someone is working on it, and hopefully it's an indication of more things to come!

@@RetroGameCorps I'm hoping they continue developing for it & bring Batocera to it eventually.

It’s already out there

I got an RK2023 for $57. It already has JelOS and the option of ArkOS. Why would this be good enough to choose instead of that more powerful, already CFW-ready handheld? Legit I keep wondering when people express enthusiasm if I'm missing something (I won't make fun of you, I just genuinely don't understand).

@@evshrug the rk2023 might go down to $57 but this goes down to like $30-35

Those BCAKLIGHTS totaly caught me offguard xD

I always find it amazing how many people watch my videos while eating cereal :)

why? it advertises “psp” for it, and the psp has an ac game. it’s funny they used it but it’s technically accurate.

and runs at 2 fps​@@joogled1839

It seems like it would struggle to play Quake at full speed, even the Playstation ports. Seems like a weak device and a poor screen that's slightly larger to me...

I'd definitely get one at that price.

Still around $40 right now.

​@KesSharann where at?

You should review r35s it’s 50$ device with better specs

where? show me

Yes, unfortunately it doesn’t seem to work.

Good point. I do think it's a fad, jumping on the bandwagon of the more expensive handhelds. Most of these lower end devices t will never really utilise the 2nd analog stick at all

The PSP is still more powerful than this thing is.

@@Islamisthecultofsin Just got my wife the Miyoo Mini + and its fantastic, but i'll stick with my PSP lol

I like the metal Anbernic devices for kids. Something like the RG280M or RG353M. They are super durable and they have dual SD cards so they won't get corrupted if you shut them off.

Powkiddy V90 folds like a Gameboy Advance SP, and has about as much processing power as this. Retro Game Corps also mentions the Miyoo Mini + and Anbernic RG35xx in the video; I did a month of research and settled on a Powkiddy RK2023 in June, though I wish I had paid the extra $10 for the WiFi version. The RK2023 has a more powerful processor... not only can it play all the PS1 games, it can play most N64 and many Dreamcast games well, and some PSP (though the screen is the squarish 4:3 aspect ratio similar to old TVs the home consoles were designed for). It has the D-pad in the top position for comfort... people say the edges of the D-Pad aren't very rounded, but the actual feel of the button mechanism is great, the face buttons are great, the Start/Select buttons are loud but provide a positive click, the shoulder buttons are in-line and rattle a little bit but they work reliably and fit well in the pocket. The IPS screen has far better color accuracy/tint, plus it's laminated, and it has a Mini-HDMI output if you feel like using it as a "console" when visiting a friend. That's where the wifi version comes into it's own too: You could use bluetooth controllers with the wifi version while connected to an external monitor/tv. The battery is bigger, lasting about 8 or so hours with 16-bit retro games or lighter. Two microSD card slots. Stereo speakers, headphone jack. It can lay flat, and fits into my pants pockets (the more square aspect screen helps it be smaller than the M17). As I said, I bought the RK2023 in June; on AliExpress, it was $57 shipped during a sale, though I didn't know the $10 more WiFi version also included Bluetooth (it doesn't say it on the product page, the reviewers failed to mention it too). For something that could serve both as a portable handheld and a replacement for my Playstation Classic/SNES Classic miniconsoles, with support for wireless controllers, $67 ish bucks would have been a steal!

@@evshrugThis is a great and informative response - thank you for taking the time. When you mentioned a model with WiFi for $10 more, what's the model name for that one? Thanks again.

I think I'd rather have a Vita, but I get what you're saying for the same reasons. Both of those systems would play PS1 better than this M17, plus their own system libraries, and really that's a LOT of game content to play!

@@evshrug I have 2 Vita's love them but for PS1 games and PSP games I prefer the PSP Go for them 2 systems because they look/scale better on the smaller screen plus the emulators work better and also look better too.

I see what you mean but steam deck is a bad option for emulation, the screen is bad so you won’t enjoy increasing the resolution, battery is too low, it’s also too big, if you see something like a Odin 2 for 100 dollars cheaper, it has a great 1080p lccd display and it plays GameCube/ps2 on 4-6x resolution (4k) and battery lasts on those devices for like 10 hours it also runs basically everything the current emulation market does, steam deck is mainly for pc games, not for emulation and there are better more “portable” options because of the screen, 2 hour battery life and also because it’s too big.

@@poffy02I agree, the steam deck is way too bulky. especially when you can find smaller and still affordable options.

@@bern9642 yeah, steam deck is not for portable emulation, and I stated many reasons, it’s for pc games

@@bern9642 yeah, steam deck is not built for emulation and I’m tired of people who say it does

@@poffy02 shame you think that, for starters I was talking about the $1000+ machines, not the cheaper stuff. Second, I have no idea what you're on about, the deck is bulky but robust as hell for emulation, if you set up with deckUI to have your emulators built into the front end. I have beaten TOTK, a bunch of 3ds games, and windwaker. The screen is perfectly acceptable. 800p looks great, id just prefer the SRGB to be a little better, the battery life at the low TDP required to emulate is totally fine, the only downside is the bulk. I can get 3-4 hours emulating switch before I need to plug in. I'll admit that there are other devices I'd pick for anything ps2 and below (I love small pocketable devices and have several that I use a ton) and that was my point for why this one was fun to see reviewed. It's so weird how much people on the internet think their deeply subjective opinion on something is just hard fact. I emulate on my deck all the time and it's a great experience, but that was not even what I was talking about in the first place, you weird, weird little person.

Yes, this device does not have WiFi, so not a viable option for streaming.

😮

If you try hard enough yes

Anything can be a burger if you put enough catsup on it.

Let me put it this way: if Nintendo had released it, they would have slathered it in bittering agent like a Switch cart. It is so delicious, but the big meanie "N" wants to spoil our fun.

Anything is possible if there is a will and sheer fking commitment 😅

X55 is a charm to game on. Own mm mm+ rg351p v90 etc.

@@DesertFoxNLAhhh youve also fallen down the collecting hole XDDD more than 1 or 2 devices and you begin curating your devices XDDDD

I'm not sure anyone even knows what company made this handheld, it's unbranded. My "review unit" came from a third-party reseller.

Ah yes, the fabled Goose Hunt game. Truly a game of all time.

The fact that it's just in Arial (or some other Sans-Serif typeface) really bugs me, too.

Seriously. I'd have to go to town on it with a Sharpie, or something.

Stickers or washi tape