- cross-posted to:
- games@sh.itjust.works
- gaming@beehaw.org
- cross-posted to:
- games@sh.itjust.works
- gaming@beehaw.org
This little handheld console has been so great. My PC and Steam Deck must be so disappointed with me.
I had been following r/SBCgaming for a while and never felt the need to play very old console games. But now it seems that these consoles have really come a long way in what they can play. I saw reviews for the Retroid Pocket 5 and thought it looked amazing. Then I saw the prices of the Retroid Pocket 4 pro and it was a no brainer.
I bought the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro on eBay for £120 (probably could have gotten it cheaper, but I rushed to buy this). The fact that such a tiny and pocketable handheld can run Nintendo Switch games (less demanding ones) really blows my mind. I carry this with me everywhere. It fits in pretty snug trouser pockets and is only slightly bigger than my phone (although my phone is an S23 Ultra with a chunky case). I’ve had it for over 2 weeks and I’m still in the honeymoon phase and using this instead of my gaming PC or Steam Deck. I’m discovering consoles I never owned (3DS and Wii games). The fact that it plays Android games as well is such a great bonus (mainly Balatro with save game sync online) is such a great bonus. It has WiFi 6, hall effect analog sticks (much better than the Switch!), an IPS display, headphone port, analog triggers, bluetooth 5.2 and a decent battery. This this has no business being this good.
For anyone else interested:
· If you’re looking for an affordable, pocketable console with good performance then the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is amazing and I would recommend it. Buy this on eBay as people are unloading these to upgrade to the new console.
· If you want better performance then the Retroid Pocket 5 has a better SOC and much better screen, but is twice the price and much less pocketable. Order on AliExpress when there’s a sale/coupons.
· Buying a console like this is a bit like adopting Linux… You’ve got to be willing to tinker and troubleshoot. It took me hours to set it up (use this guide) and I still haven’t sorted out Vita emulation.
This is a device I didn’t know much about and really didn’t expect to enjoy this much. If you haven’t come across these little consoles, definitely take a look! If you want to test the waters and see if this is for you, then starting with emulation on your phone will is a good way to start.
Why would you go for these devices over a steam deck + emudeck? My steam deck is my powerhouse that plays all my Indies, sreams more demanding games from my gaming PC, has a massive retro library and works as a Plex media streamer for travel. It’s my dream all-in-one device. The only reason I could see to add this as well would be the form factor?
Confort and battery life.
I love my ROG Ally, it’s amazing for a bunch of games, but I honestly don’t find it comfortable to play GBA or PS1 games for example, and the battery life is like 4 hours tops.
I recently got a Trimui Smart Pro and been playing GBA games on and off in between work meetings or when I go out. It fits on my pocket alongside my phone and the battery lasts like 6 hours depending on the system.
Different uses cases, and for $50 it’s honestly not a hard sell
Pocketability is the biggest bonus for me. This doesn’t replace my Steam Deck, it supplements my gaming by making games available in situations where I can’t carry around a giant Deck.
The other issue is that my 4 yr old son has really gotten into gaming (Mario Odyssey) and takes the Deck off me a lot of the time 😄
Yeah pocketability.
I have a Deck, but unless I’m taking a backpack already for a longer trip, I’ll just pocket the Miyoo Mini or 6” Kobo ereader. Double if I’m heading somewhere shady
while i don’t have one of these handhelds, i do have a 2ds xl and i had a steam deck that i eventually sold. for me it’s mostly size. i took it to three countries and several states and it was mostly just a burden to carry the deck around, meanwhile the smaller device was easier to toss in a bag.
part of my choice was also that i don’t play a lot of modern games so i didn’t need the horsepower that the steam deck provided. it’s all nuance and preference, i think.
Most download 1000s of retro games for you, because they aren’t allowed to ship them preinstalled. But they are usually part of the deal.