this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2023
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RetroGaming

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[–] [email protected] 31 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The best retro gaming console is the one you already own. Any old hand-me-down or thrift office PC can handle the majority of retro titles, as can most consoles with custom firmware.

If you already own anything from the DS-3DS-PSP-Vita lineups you should be looking into making the most of the hardware you already own.

That being said, my partner is very happy with their Deck, and I’m pretty pleased with my RG351V running ArkOS. I’ve also been very happy with running my RP3B+ with Retropie.

But to be very honest, I don’t do a damn thing that my gaming PC two builds ago, and my PSP1000 I’ve had since high school wouldn’t be able to handle with flying colors.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The best retro gaming console is the one you already own.

As a former user of the original Retroid Pocket 2 I strongly disagree.

Many handhelds after that one improved a ton IMHO.

Currently I am settled for up to PSX games with my Miyoo Mini and my Anbernic RG351v, but I still want a more capable one, GCN, Wii and PS2 would be desirable.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I was more making a point about people already owning capable machines in regards to the consoles, PCs, old smartphones etc they already own being capable emulation machines.

Someone should try and rule out what they already have before buying one of the SBC-style handhelds. It’s more economical, prevents more e-waste, reparability is way more accessible on other hardware than SBCs, etc.

PS2, GC, Wii compatibility is a good point. The only argument I have against that is just going to devolve into Old Man Yells At Clouds so I’ll let you win on that.

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[–] [email protected] 28 points 1 year ago

Good to see that hall effect analog sticks are starting to become mainstream.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago

Steam Deck for me. Though I do like the idea of the really tiny retro handhelds. The Deck is super comfortable though, and with EmuDeck it's an absolute joy for emulation.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (6 children)

My Steamdeck is my preferred method of handheld gaming. Works amazingly.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

The only problem is the size. I'm 6'3 with large hands and it fits me perfectly, but my wife is 5'2 and has to buy children's gloves, so she can't use it.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

My steam deck is kinda perfect for retro gaming. But this handheld looks neat too, so I might check it out.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Vita for me, does everything I want.

I love following these Chinese handhelds but there is always one deal-breaker which turns me off in each device. Maybe they'll get it right one day.

I owned a GP2x back in the day, that was a fun device at the time. Playing portable SNES was unheard of but I could do it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Same, I've been dabbling in these handhelds for about a year or so now and I always tend to go right back to the Vita, it's such a solid device.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Same here! It has wonderful buttons, a gorgeous screen, long battery life, comfy form factor (compared to other handhelds, at least), plus is powerful enough to handle anything I'd want to use it for. If/when I pick up a Steam Deck I suspect I'll use that more, but for pocket-sized handhelds the vita can't be beat imo.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I also had a GP2x. Would be nice to play with it still but unfortunately it doesn't turn on anymore. No idea what's wrong with it. Though it also had a rubbish joystick so would need to fix that too in order to make it playable.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

To be honest I am extremely happy with my N3DS and Steam Deck. The second can let me change between a 40 years old game in a game released last month in a few seconds.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I use the Retroid Pocket 3, but I really just want something in the same form factor that can reliably emulate GameCube.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

If anyone is interested, I have a magazine on kbin dedicated to retroid devices.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (6 children)
[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Not really. Android has been doing great in terms of emulation.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hacked Wii U gang checking in!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

There are dozens of us! Ripped all my GC discs on my Wii and installed them on my Wii U. Such an incredible homebrew scene.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I recently picked up the Miyoo Mini+ as well as Retroid pocket flip. Honestly the Miyoo is so much better being Linux based. So much easier to get going. The only thing I prefer the flip is it can play DS games and a handful of gamecube/ps2 games. Its also more comfortable for playing PS1 games. But I have been exclusively picking up the Miyoo Mini+ to play most things. They are both great handhelds, but like I said. The set up for the Miyoo Mini+ was like 5 minutes versus the couple hours its taken me with the Retroid pocket flip.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Imagine an adaptor that connects a second small screen via HDMI. I wonder if the device is capable is sending two different signals to the screen and HDMI port… that would be an instant buy.

Meanwhile I do DS on my iPhone with Delta and an active capacitive stylus.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm happy with my RP3+. Surprisingly, I mostly use it to stream PC & PS5 games.

But the retro games are all there when I decide to quit playing Yakuza Kiwami...

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

My RP2+ is...dying. 😭 Paint is dinged and chipped, sticks drift, and the R1 button just...stopped working. I'm not dying to upgrade to a 3+, so this is right up my alley. Better analog stick placement, and hull sensor analog sticks fix my two main complaints I had with the 2+.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My preferred handheld is the only one I've got: RG35XX, the only thing, I play a lot of, that it struggles with is Future Cop LAPD.

I'll eventually upgrade when a relatively flawless PS2 device hits my relatively low budget, or I get a Steam Deck. Until then I have other money sinks.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I have a RG35XX and a RG353M. I feel guilty about it, but I typically prefer playing on the XX and have to force myself to use the M sometimes. The XX is a great device even if it lacks some power.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

The Miyoo Mini+ is perfect for me. Runs everything I want to play extremely well, and has Wifi for Retro Achievements!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@2tone right now using a Miyoo Mini and Retroid Pocket 3+. Enjoy both of them. The Miyoo is my daily carry since it’s so tiny.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The green one is such a beauty, especially if one were to install the black buttons. Can't justify buying one though since I already have a 2+ which is still running fine

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

There seems to be a green and purple transparent plastic trend going on at the moment and I'm totally into it

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I got in early on the Analogue Pocket preorders and it's been very nice, especially once they opened it up to third party cores.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

love my RG353M, can't really see how the form factor for a pocketable horizontal device could be improved beyond it, besides a more powerful chip of course.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Maybe the RG405M? I'm super keen on that one

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Same here, I find I use my RG35xx more than my RG353M. It's just so easy to use with garlicOS.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Personally I prefer using my smartphone that has all the power (and memory) needed for emulation in combination with a controller like the Gamesir X2 Pro

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I tend to play on my AYN Odin Pro, but I also like my RG351V for certain games and my ROG Ally has VRR, which is neat for getting the weird refresh rates to match old consoles.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Odin is so amazing. It's still a great purchase now. I have the Lite

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Just recently picked up an RG353V. Works great though I have come to realize that the GameBoy form factor doesn't do well for dual analog sticks and trigger buttons. Playing Doom on it runs amazing but the way you hold it feels off. Same process as the landscape devices, pressed between your palms, but it feels less stable.

Other than that I've been basically playing it every night.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I printed this grip for mine and it feels so much better. I also replaced the triggers with the ones from Better Buttons.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5663850

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