cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/61066503

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/61066449

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/61065843

This little handheld console has been so great. My PC and Steam Deck must be so disappointed with me.

Retro consoles set up video

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.

Review video

Retro Pocket 5 review video

Video comparison

  • makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml
    9·
    3 days ago

    Purchased My wife a RP5 for Christmas. I could see she’d always wanted to game, but was embarrassed that her controller skills were non existence.

    3+ months in, and she’s a button maniac. Her farm in Stardew is insane, and she’s fighting monsters in the caves better than I do.

    That little device created a private space for her, to get lost in the magical little world, and in the process has turned her into a gamer.

    I never interfered. Only answered her queries when she asked, and let her go at her own pace.

    Total game changer. I’m so proud of her.

    Can’t wait to get her into some new games, but waiting for her to make the call. All in her own time.

    • cRazi_man@lemm.eeOP
      2·
      3 days ago

      I thought it would be perfect for the Mrs, but she’s refused saying she going to end up staying up way too late because she gets addicted to games 😆

      The only thing you’ve got to be cautious about is localised save files of you haven’t set up something like syncthing for backup.

  • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    I’ve seen these devices mentioned quite a bit on Lemmy but I’ve never looked into what they actually are. Is it basically just a small Android tablet with built-in controller? Does it run (x64) PC games or just (arm) Android games and emulators?

    • cRazi_man@lemm.eeOP
      3·
      2 days ago

      Android tablet with built-in controller?

      Yes

      Does it run (x64) PC games

      There’s Winlator, but you’ve gotta manage your expectations for the performance you expect for PC games.

      (arm) Android games and emulators

      Primarily this

      • whysteria@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        3·
        2 days ago

        Also gonna mention Postmaster, which supports lots of ARM-Linux handhelds

        There’s support for it on the RP5 via Rocknix, which is the successor to the device OP mentioned :)

      • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        I’ve not tried Winlator for a year or so, wasn’t really useable but looked like it had a lot of promise. Guessing if you’re successfully emulating Switch games then it’s pretty capable though?

        • cRazi_man@lemm.eeOP
          2·
          2 days ago

          I haven’t tried Winlator myself.

          Less demanding Switch games work fine. The Retroid Pocket 5 would have better performance and there are videos on youtube with game demonstrations to see performance.

    • cRazi_man@lemm.eeOP
      1·
      2 days ago

      Lemmy is fragmented and I don’t know if posts get visitbility across communities. It seems Lemmy.world gets more engagement and that should be the primary place to post. It’s a shame that cross posts don’t bring everyone to the same commenting area to engage with each other.