@@AzamatoTheGreat If you're asking why I gave them a heads up about the video, it was because I asked for clarification on whether there were any other hardware revisions made to the device since launch, apart from the new screen and the trigger solution. I wanted to make sure my statements were accurate. If you're asking why I am sharing the code, it's to help people save money if they decide to pick one up!
Sorry for the OT but did you received a AYANEO Pocket review unit from Ayaneo? Seen Eta Prime playing on it seems pretty damn good, just curious to see your opinions about it!
Does anyone watch this guy's reviews just because it's a chill experience? I watch these with absolutely zero intention on buying any of these retro handhelds because I'm totally covered between my gaming laptop and modded Switch.
I started like you, but eventually bought a couple of cheaper ones (Trimui SP+ and PowKiddy RGB20SX) and loved them. Now I'm one small bad decision away from owning a couple powerhouses lol. Thanks for the bad (good) influencing Russ!
I watch every single video. Got an RG353P then upgraded to an Odin shortly after so I haven't thought about getting a new device that isn't a handheld PC.
I still watch almost every video of his because they're so well made and a joy to watch. But I started because I was wanting to buy a small handheld to play on the bus and whatnot, so I ended up buying the Miyoo Mini Plus. Recently I've been thinking about buying an Ayn Odin 2, but I'm very reluctant to make this purchase, because in my country it's extremely expensive (for tax reasons). Anyways, the channel is great!
I have a Pro from the first batch and two weeks ago the right trigger went kaputt. I wrote them an email on that friday, they answered on monday and I got the new backplate the next friday. So it was only 8 days from broken to repaired and shipping from China to Germany. Top service!
Your review of the RP4 Pro convinced me to buy it and it was one of the best purchases I've made this year. It made me fall back in love with gaming at a time in my life where it was hard to find the time or energy. I love it
@@TheK20eg I actually just bought some 3d printed grips off of Etsy and I'm very excited to try them out. The RP4 fits my hands well enough but some games strain my fingers a bit to the point where I had to remap controls to make it easier, I hope the grips fix that issue even though it was just a couple games that caused that.
Just wanted to add another important difference between the Pro and Standard models: The docking station can charge both, but only outputs HDMI with the Pro model.
Good point! I didn't get into dock details in this video but that is a nice feature as well. I just wish that docking Android devices was as intuitive as it is with the Switch, Steam Deck, or even Windows :(
@@RetroGameCorps I was able to fully consolize the RP4PRO to my satisfaction with an 8bitdo Classic Pro controller and a $15 micro-dock (i.e. near-identical functionality to the Steamdeck "out of the box" functionality with a PS4 controller). It took some work to make *everything* work via the controller... but it is possible. This mainly involved dual-binding button layouts for some of the standalone emulators (Aether, Dolphin, etc.) and downloading one keybinding app that allowed me to map the 8bitdo's "star" button to "back" on the RP4 (since, in Android, some of the standalone emulators, like Drastic, have no choice for quick save/load hotkeys, and therefore require you to pause and access the emulator UI directly to perform such actions, and have no way to so without a "back" button). There's probably enough detail here for a "How To Fully Consolize Android Devices" video, if you ever want to hit me up for all the details.
I have owned a ton of handhelds... and for me the combination of the RP4Pro and RG35XX are close to perfection. The RP4Pro for PSP and higher end systems with more complicated controller layouts, and the RG35XX for 8/16bit 4x3 systems with a classic dpad and button layout. Thanks for your reviews... I've been subscribed since the RP2 review!
That sounds legit. I'm currently on 3 device rotation. Rp4+ for gc and higher, Anb-Rg505 for PS1,n64,DC,PSP, and rg28xx for below. I love the 35xx but the 505 is so cheap now with the OGvita screen. 👌🏽
If you're reading this and are still on the fence on the RP4, let this comment inspire you to buy it. It's one of my favorite things I own; period. Get the Pro only.
Adding my affirmation. The RP4 Pro is the perfect device. You have to jump up to a Steam Deck to get access to a bigger library and still have as good of a deal.
@@pandabearmadness6263 I went with the 16-bit and haven't thought about it again, but I'll let you chose what works for you with your tastes. Be sure to get the grip though. It's kinda painful for me to use the sticks without it. I guess that's it's one flaw I forget about, because I always have that around if I'm going to play advanced games. Dpad games are still perfect without it.
Awesome! Sadly they haven't come to Hawaii and I haven't been able to time any mainland trips to coincide with those shows. I also missed out on seeing JTB back in the day :(
OHHHH!!!! Just lost my sh*t when I saw that shirt! My absolute favourite band, saw them in London in 2019, and never thought I'd ever get to see them. I also played with JTB twice, in the UK, in 1998 and 2000. Probably my 2nd favourite band 😂
Recently gave a Flip as a gift, with ES-DE being the lynchpin allowing for ease of use and the clamshell form factor fitting the user’s portability needs, and now I’m the most heroic human being in this person’s life, no hyperbole! I couldn’t have done it without your coverage, your guides, your little tips and tricks, and the nostalgia, fun, and generosity you instill in your content and inspire with your work. Looking forward to seeing what Retroid does next (as well as your next video!).
Very worth it i freaking love this thing i have it in watermelon red i play alot of Ps2 on it BUT! I did have to get a grip for it cause my hands werent too comfortable on it but its a great device enjoy!
I bought this device about a month ago and it’s changed my life. The nostalgia it gives and the quality of the product are second to none. 10/10 for me. Thanks for the setup guide by the way, it was a life saver! ❤
I finished my handheld journey a while ago, getting pretty much everything I was looking for, but I will still always watch and like all of Russ's uploads. The amount he's contributed to this community and this niche really can't be quantified. There was ofc always a great community, but what we have today is in large part thanks to Russ. The connections, friendships and community you see online, the joy these handhelds bring ourselves and those we share them with, a lot of it wouldn't have been possible without how accessible Russ made everything with all the guides, research, and content he's put out. What was once a very niche and frankly inaccessible subculture, has grown into such a large and wonderful community, with people from all walks of life, where we all get to share our love for retro gaming. There've been so many great connections I've made online, and experiences I got to share with those closest to me over playing some of these handhelds, for me it all stems from the work Russ did for all of us. Also RGC vids are just fun to watch :) can never get enough of that opening tune
A fitting tribute and no hyperbole there. I second every word you have said. Unlike some RU-vidrs (including one who reviews Chinese smartphones) who think are legends in their own mind and lunchtime lol. Russ is a class apart, not only in retro gaming, but RU-vidrs as a whole. His professionalism and content are amazing.
I have both a Retroid Pocket 3+ and an Ayn Odin 2. My biggest beef with the Retroid design is how its thinness destroys ergonomics. Yeah, it's pocketable, that's cool. But I have large hands that cramp horribly when I play with my Pocket 3+ for any length of time. The Odin 2 is blessedly comfortable with its large smooth handles, and I can play that thing for hours.
My Odin 2 Max’s battery turned into a pillow, and I forgot to clear my odins info when i disposed of the battery. Since I won’t be sending it back to AYN for that reason, last week I picked up an RP4P Amazon prime and I’m blown away. It plays everything I’ve been playing previously, and I actually been taking it to my commute to and from work. Love this thang!
Ayn Odin and Retroid Pocket are the same company. If you were in warranty, you should have checked with Ayn Odin. Even if not, a new battery might have been cheaper 🤷♀️
In this devices you can use basically any battery that fits inside if you have a multimeter and know a bit of soldering. I bought an ambernic 351p time ago, the battery died and I replaced it with a oneplus 2 phone battery that was better than the original. Now I have the RP4pro and I'm even considering getting a 6000 battery to replace the 5000 it has.
I paid $165 for mine including shipping and taxes on aliexpress really happy with it. Its stopped my urge to keep buying different cheaper devices because its so small and runs so much
an RP4 followup with a 3:2 screen is the absolute dream right there. I hope they do it! I also hope the put the start/select buttons above the face buttons/dpad next time. I don't want to have to stretch my thumbs over sticks to hit such buttons. I have RSI and that position is not comfortable, even if just for the mere moments it takes to press them.
16:9 is great for streaming and modern gaming. Not sure how I feel for switching to a 3:2 screen when we already have an RP2s with a 4:3 that can be dedicated for older emulation. If anything the RP2s should get the upgrade to 3:2 and they should just continue improving the RP4 at what it is currently doing.
@@MrScottyTaytechnically, but i imagine that the average consumer would be disappointed with a device that compromises for every use case except like gba
I purchased an ayn Odin 2 mini and gave my RP4 pro to my daughter. Everyone from my youngest son to my wife now have a handheld that is dedicated to playing emulators. ❤️
Unrelated to your video but you are the goat of retro gaming, your guides made a tech moron like me be able to get into emulation. Your website should be in a national archive lol
Received mine 2 days ago and I've been playing non stop! I'm blown away by this device, especially the PS2 emulation. Thank you so much for your guide on setting it up, it was incredibly complete and well explained! I would have been lost without it.
@@lanova13 true, another thing i found out the other day is that the Mediatek chipset on the RP4P is actually faster than the SD865 that the RP5 will receive. Dont know why they would nerf down the cpu for the new one, but yeah its worse. I was excited for it, but now i might go with an Odin because of that...
@@Driftuner I’m literally thinking of Odin 1 pro because of that and the only thing I’m wondering is how many of my newer games can i play on it with better screen and mods
At 4:27 you say that you’ve never had any complaints about the fan noise but that is literally your first complaint during the wrap up of your original review. This is confusing to me as I actually was put off the RP4P based on that comment.
I think it's because retroid has updated the fan at the software level that's why there's no complaint regarding the fan noise recently. (I also searched reddit in regards with this concern)
You said all that about the battery and it just makes me wonder how bad the Retroid 5's battery might be. Unless I'm missing something, both the 4 Pro and 5 have a 5000mAh battery. If upscaling to around 720p causes the battery to drain like it did on the 4 Pro, wouldn't the 5 be significantly worse? It has a 1080p screen. Retroid is suggesting people should upscale even harder than before with the same battery. Gets a little more ridiculous given how great the Retroid Pocket 2's battery has been over the years. But now with the mini, they're suggesting upscaling to 1080 on a 960p screen that's still 3.5 inches and 4:3. That just sounds like a waste of battery power. I guess it would be fine as a trade off, battery for better looking emulation. Except that implies the 2S and the Pocket 4 will remain in their store for a long time and not just replaced like the 2+ and 3 were. Somehow I see them being discontinued in favor of the Mini and 5. These new ones have to fit in some kind of cheap price bracket. and the 2S/4/Pro just get in the way of that.
Best Purchase iv ever made thanks to you. I always promote your videos to everyone that sees me with device cause i'm always stopped in public. You made me feel so cool lol
bought this before my ROG Ally Z1E. Wish the Pocket 4 Pro was a bit more powerful when it comes to emulating the more GPU-demanding PS2 titles bc I really loved the form factor.
I still have my Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, but unfortunately I eventually experience the Broken Spring Triggers. Mine was the Day One Launch although thankfully I know how to Replace the Springs. However this isn’t a Long Lasting Solution as you will need to Replace the Springs again.
Ended up upgrading mine to an Odin 2. The RP4 is great for older systems with the d-pad on top. However, once you hit Gamecube/PS2, the experience is much more enjoyable on a larger screen with the left stick up top. Wish I would have just went with the Odin at the beginning.
Yeah, I think it's a bit of a weird choice that they moved the d-pad to the top as the devices got more powerful. It's better than ever at emulating devices that focus on the analogue stick but they moved it into the secondary position. Older Retroid handhelds had the stick at the top but not enough horsepower to make that much use of it.
@@fillerbunnyninjashark271 Agree to differ. I hate the angle of approach to sticks at the bottom and I think there's a reason GC, Dreamcast, Switch and all Xboxes have had the left stick at the top. It's the perfect place for games that primarily use it. I do like to use controllers with the d-pad at the top for systems which only had a d-pad, but I have less powerful handhelds for that.
The joysticks on the RP4 are KING...controls overall are the best of any retro handheld I've bought. If it had an OLED screen and was *slightly* more powerful I would never need another handheld.
Russ is on the ball with this one. I think a "Retroid Pocket 4 Flip" release is coming very soon / imminent. Like September 2024. I don't think we will get an upgrade to the RP2S at this point, since the profit margins aren't quite there, and the Dimensity chipsets can be warm. I don't think we will be getting a RP5 in the usual November timeframe. The RP4 options are still largely unchallenged, and the sister company had released the AYN Odin2 Mini, not too long ago. I think we might get an upgrade to the RP5 around June 2025 which is just around Tax Time. However, what sort of upgrades to expect we have no idea. It could be insignificant, like just a small chipset bump, or it could be a major overhaul as a smaller device with a larger screen, new screen tech, etc etc. Time will tell, but Russ is onto something here.
I just got one of these when they went on sale on Aliexpress recently. Only paid $160 for the Pro. Your reviews are why I pulled the trigger since I knew it'd be a good device. My Odin Lite has had issues lately and this is a small upgrade over it and it feels better in the hand.
This but with OLED and 120hz is what I’m waiting for personally. Left thumbstick on top and slightly bigger size/screen and I think I would be set until it breaks.
I just got th RP4 pro and two weeks later they announced the RP mini and then shortly thereafter they announced the RP5 and from the images I’ve seen they’re quite beautiful, love that they place the cross on top, as that is the main issue I have with the 405m from Anbernic.
Bought the RP4Pro (and actually quite a few retro handhelds as well!) thanks to your reviews, thanks! It is actually a great console and I couldn't recommend it enough to all my friends :D
This device is easily my favorite handheld device I have ever had. Feels amazing and the fact I am able to carry my childhood anywhere and play on it with amazing performance is just mindblowing still to this point 🙏 10/10 from me.
Of all the devices I've ever owned, this is my favorite. Being able to play so many consoles in a handheld has helped me play so many amazing games I thought I'd never bring myself to play. This is the best general overview video of this device I have seen yet. It is a very necessary follow-up to the many videos that have come out over its lifespan, and I especially appreciate the focus on Emulation Station
Good review! I've had a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro for a few months now and it is absolutely fantastic! I use it as a compliment to my Steam Deck for something more pocketable. It runs so many systems well and it was very easy to get set up. It definitely has a lot going for it compared to many other higher-end handhelds on the market.
I ordered the pro model based on your review and impressions about a month ago, and made use of your super useful setup guide. I couldn't be more satisfied with my purchase. Thanks a lot for these great videos! It plays every emulated game I wanted perfectly (with one minor exception), and it plays Genshin and ZZZ at full speed with zero problems. It's a really great device.
I bought mine in January and it's been fine outside of replacing the backplate after a week of use. Retroid sent a free replacement and I also bought a couple of spares. Probably won't be upgrading anytime soon, but I'd definitely consider a Retroid Mini.
I've got the clear RP4 Pro and love it. The form factor is my favorite size. I've got large hands and have no issues. I played Prince of Persia Lost Crown and was blown away at the performance and graphics. For the cost this device blows most others out of the water. If I had a gripe it would be the time it takes to adjust everything but thats not even a bad thing, it's just everything is super customizable. Emulation station has given me a hard time when it comes to setting directories. Other than that this is the best thing I've bought in 10 years easy. I use it constantly
@RetroGameCorps Looks like they ignored your question because they just announced the RP5 (5.5", 16:9, AMOLED, 280g, 5000 mAh) and the RP Mini (3.7", 4:3, AMOLED, 215g, 4000 mAh).
I used your tutorial to setup my emulation using daijisho. That was one hell of a useful tutorial vid. Thanks! I'm glad I chose rp4 over the odin 2. The decisive factor was the form. I wanted something that was a bit smaller and rp4 was the perfect size.
Your review convinced me to like and subscribe, which is very rare these days. I just bought a R36S so I'm in no rush to upgrade but will definitely keep an eye on it
I've had the ice blue pro since launch and honestly as someone who almost bit the bullet on a steam deck, I'm very happy I went with the RP4. I already have a 4070 desktop and I would rather be sitting at my desk for the heavy hitters but for anything else, the RP4 has been perfect. Price to performance there's no competition.
Thank you for distinguishing Beetle Saturn vs Yaba Sanshiro! My RP Flip crashes playing Yaba, but can't push Beetle, so the distinction is pretty big for me.
