Their naming conventions are meh & a little confusing. Something distinct/cute woulda been nice!
this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2024
57 points (96.7% liked)
RetroGaming
19605 readers
429 users here now
Vintage gaming community.
Rules:
- Be kind.
- No spam or soliciting for money.
- No racism or other bigotry allowed.
- Obviously nothing illegal.
If you see these please report them.
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
top 37 comments
sorted by:
hot
top
controversial
new
old
LED joysticks that can select from over 16 million color options. This might not be practical, considering only about 25 different color settings would have been sufficient.
So the RGB leds come with 256 levels of brightness for each color. Don't worry, article-writer, the company wasted zero extra effort on this "feature."
I consider getting one of these things every once in a while, but then I remember that I've pulled my hacked PSP out of the drawer like three times in the last ten years, and I shrug and move on. It's generally more fun for me to plug a USB controller into my computer for retrogaming.
This is a tough sell. I just got the RG35XX H recently for <50 USD. Seeing all this is mostly the same besides a bigger screen and new shape, is it really worth a double in cost?
Plus I assume the bigger screen would mean the device is bigger overall. To me, one of the key features of the 35XX H is it's pocketability.
Is it Linux or Android based?
This one is probably Linux given that it uses the same CPU as their other Linux handhelds.
Anbernic uses a Linux based os I believe.
Am I missing something, I don't see why are these hand helds becoming so popular?
I'm running a PS2 emulator on my phone and playing God of War 2 with upscaling and anti-aliasing; why would you spend money on something a phone can do for free?
Phone controls are trash though, touch screen is never good.
Yeah. So, I Bluetooth a console controller which works perfectly fine and is cheaper. But you can also buy attachments for your phone that turns into a controller if you really want.
External Bluetooth controllers are always a pain and those clip-on ones are always awful. Plus it's splitting the battery life between two devices, nothing bugs me more than using my phone for everything only to be shocked that the battery dies twice a day.
External Bluetooth controllers are always a pain.
In what way? I use them and it works just fine. Plus, I already had one so it cost me nothing to use it with my phone.
those clip-on ones are always awful.
Again, how? The ones I have seen used work perfectly fine, plus there is a large number of devices to choose from; I am sure they aren't all awful.
Plus it's splitting the battery life between two devices, nothing bugs me more than using my phone for everything only to be shocked that the battery dies twice a day.
Most people carry a charger or battery pack with them anyways so that is not a problem. Besides aren't you already powering two devices when you carry this thing around with you... I'm gonna guess you have Bluetooth headphones too, so that's 3 devices now.
In what way? I use them and it works just fine. Plus, I already had one so it cost me nothing to use it with my phone.
Well, I have to either attach it to my phone with a clip of some kind (which makes for sometimes questionable ergonomics or for a very wobbly, insecure setup that makes me fear I'll drop my phone) Or I have to put my phone down on something, which for the sort of thing I use devices like this for just isn't doable.
I've found clip-on ones to be very insecure and wobbly generally. I have an 8bitdo controller with their phone mount clip thing and the setup just feels way too top-heavy like I'm going to drop my phone at any moment.
Besides aren’t you already powering two devices when you carry this thing around with you
Which is exactly the point I'm making. I want to split that battery life up between devices, so my phone is less likely to die on me. I can deal without a handheld game console but if my phone taps out it's more of a problem.
Well, I have to either attach it to my phone with a clip of some kind (which makes for sometimes questionable ergonomics or for a very wobbly, insecure setup that makes me fear I'll drop my phone) Or I have to put my phone down on something, which for the sort of thing I use devices like this for just isn't doable.
Personally I never felt the use of a clip or some other mounting system was that bad or wobbly, i certainly don't feel it's so bad that I had to spend money on a device with limited functionality (or a downgrade) just to manage that problem. Seems like backwards thinking or a bad solution to a problem that doesn't really exist.
Which is exactly the point I'm making. I want to split that battery life up between devices, so my phone is less likely to die on me. I can deal without a handheld game console but if my phone taps out it's more of a problem.
Which leads to my point. Why did you spend so much money on a device with such functionality if you are worried about using it? For the cost of one of these handhelds you can buy multiple battery packs/portable chargers and actually use the expensive phone you carry around with you at all times.
Honestly if your phone dies that fast check your battery as it could be dying.
To add to this: I can’t fit one of those clips and a console controller in my pocket with my phone. These retro handhelds are a self-contained package that can easily slip into a pocket. The guy above you is being deliberately obtuse.
So you walk around with your keys, phone, wallet and a console in your pockets at all times… just carry a bag or a backpack.
If you really do carry all that shit with you i can imagine you look like this
Nope. I don’t carry keys. A phone, a minimalist wallet, and mini handheld fit with plenty of room to spare.
Nope. I don’t carry keys. A phone, a minimalist wallet, and mini handheld fit with plenty of room to spare.
So you have plenty of room, but simultaneously cannot fit a clip-controller in your pocket? I take it you don't carry a back pack either, that would just be ridiculous lol.
Such a weird argument "If you don't carry keys for some reason, you can instead fit a handheld console in your pocket" or you can just have a backpack or use one of these things (which also fits into your pocket and will allow you to turn your phone into a much better gaming device):
There are plenty of devices like this and combined with your phone you can now play a lot more games, at higher resolutions with upscaling to combat the lack of dithering and get better frame rates... Oh and it will fit in your pocket and will be able to connect to a new phone when you get one, its future proofed.
Your way sounds like it works great. I’m glad there are so many options so we can all be happy with our setups. It’s cool dude. Thanks for the input.
Some of us like to put our phones away or turn them off entirely during our leisure. Also, I don’t want touch screen controls when playing ps1 games.
Some of us like to put our phones away or turn them off entirely during our leisure.
So you need to spend $99 on a hand hold because you dont like your phone? If it's the notifications you hate put your device on aeroplane mode instead; just saved you some money.
Also, I don’t want touch screen controls when playing ps1 games.
What is wrong with connecting a PS4/5 controller?
No. I bought the predecessor for $50. Money well spent. I keep my phone off, I save battery life for when I do need to use my phone and I have 256GB of dedicated (and removal/replaceable/upgradable) storage to old school gaming. I am a very casual gamer, I do not want to carry a PS4/5 controller on my travels - my primary purpose for purchasing such a device.
The predecessor weighs more than a PS4 controller, costs more than a controller, doesn't stay charged as long as either a phone or a controller, has a low resolution screen, less storage and it cannot run as many games/emulators as a modern phone.
But yes its money well spent and you dont have to carry about a controller which weighs around half of your hand hold... What a deal!
I'll keep playing games for free with better graphics and a bigger library.
Sheesh, we get it. You're not the target audience
I asked why someone should buy one of these things instead of using what you already have, and every reason given was poorly thought out and was unable to explain or justify the purchase.
Seems like the target audience are idiots with spare cash, who are impressed by glowing analogue sticks and poor functionality.
A d-pad with tactile buttons, a non-android (or iOS) system that takes micro sd cards are pretty good reasons. And the functionality is very good. Not sure why you assume it isn't.
A d-pad with tactile buttons
What console controller doesn't have that? Plus they tend to fit your hands. This thing looks like a portable hand cramp.
a non-android (or iOS) system that takes micro sd cards are pretty good reasons.
In what way does andriod or iOS limit your ability to run emulators? Micro SD cards are nice, but total over kill for some N64/Dreamcast roms.
Maybe for PSP games but only if you wanted all of them all the time, and that totals over 1.4 TB of storage, an SD card that can store all that is anywhere from double to 5 times the price of this handheld... What a great feature!
These retro handhelds are a self-contained package that can easily slip into a pocket.
Do you slip it into your pocket next to your phone?
And the functionality is very good. Not sure why you assume it isn't.
Its functionality is fine, but your phone can do everything this thing can do and more for free since you already own it. The best argument people can make is about the controls which is such an easy problem to solve and often can be done with devices you already have; This $100 thing is an overly niche gimmick.
I am able to install lean, custom linux based OS onto the device which I much prefer to either android or iOS - it fully boots in 5 seconds, there is no bloat to speak of. I had a 256GB card which I have now put to use in this device - it holds PSX, N64, Dreamcast, SNES, GBA, GB and MAME games. More than enough to keep me entertained on any road trip. And it didn't cost me $100, I paid $50, an almost insignificant outlay.
Ok so you ignored half of what I said in my previous comment, just going to assume you are admitting you have no real argument when it comes to these points. But moving on..
it fully boots in 5 seconds, there is no bloat to speak of.
So does an app.
it holds PSX, N64, Dreamcast, SNES, GBA, GB and MAME games.
Not PS2/Xbox/GameCube era consoles/games... Why not?
And it didn't cost me $100, I paid $50, an almost insignificant outlay.
Not including the cost of the sd card right. Meanwhile a phone you already own has $0 outlay and does more.
You are not the judge as to what is or what is not a "real argument".
An appmay boot up in 5 seconds but android devices and iOS do not. I go from power off to gaming in 5 seconds.
But look who is talking about ignoring previously made points... I repeat, I like to keep my phone off when at my leisure and I prefer not the drain the battery for frivolous activities, especially when traveling.
It plays the systems that I want, hence why I purchased it. You are under no obligation to do so. I'm still not sure why this device and others like it have you so agitated.
Two reasons.
One is the form factor.
While certainly my ROG phone plus gamesir is enough to even emulate this gen's handheld games. It cannot beat playing a gba game on an Anbernic rg35xxsp.
Second is that some owns a low tier or a very old phone and they don't want to throw it away because it still works perfectly fine.
So instead of spending 300 bucks for a decent mid tier phone replacement, plus accessories, spending 99 bucks is far more cost effecent.
Then there is that storage issue. Some newer phones today no longer have an sd card slot for expandable storage.
Plus some if not all of these handhelds are moddable as fuck too.
These things keep getting cheaper too. I just received an RG35XX H from Aliexpress with both 64GB and 128GB Micro SD cards for a whopping $47 shipped.
It still isn't as cheap as using what you already own. Especially when what you are purchasing is essentially a downgrade.
While certainly my ROG phone plus gamesir is enough to even emulate this gen's handheld games. It cannot beat playing a gba game on an Anbernic rg35xxsp.
Could you give a reason?
Second is that some owns a low tier or a very old phone and they don't want to throw it away because it still works perfectly fine.
My old iPhone 4 from 2010 could run n64 emulators just fine, low tier phones from the last 10 years can do pretty much everything this thing can do and a used one is definitely cheaper... Additionally if this strawman you have invented cannot afford a phone from the last 10 years they definitely cannot afford this thing.
Then there is that storage issue. Some newer phones today no longer have an sd card slot for expandable storage.
An SD card that can store all the PSP/N64/Dreamcast games would have to have more than 1tb of storage and cost anywhere from 180 to 700 bucks online... What world are you living in that this is a viable solution to the poor man who cannot afford a second hand phone.
What you are trying to argue here is that a niche luxury device is a solution to someone with limited income, and you are doing it with a straight face whilst arguing with someone that presents a cheaper/free option. Do you see an issue with that?
Could you give a reason?
I just said, form factor. Anbernic rg35xxsp is the closest you can get to a Gameboy SP. Sure you could argue your Phone controller is far better but these GBA games where designed with the hardware and form factor they have in mind.
My old iPhone 4 from 2010 could run n64 emulators just fine, low tier phones from the last 10 years can do pretty much everything this thing can do and a used one is definitely cheaper... Additionally if this strawman you have invented cannot afford a phone from the last 10 years they definitely cannot afford this thing.
Your old iPhone4 can play N64 fine? Show it. Prove it here that your iPhone 4 can play n64 games without frameskip. no stutters, no sound jittering. Heck start with Super Mario Kart, then Mario 64, then what the hell, lets add Starwars Rogue Squadron in there.
Because I am pretty much confident you are gonna have frameskips enabled just to even make the game playable.
An SD card that can store all the PSP/N64/Dreamcast games would have to have more than 1tb of storage and cost anywhere from 180 to 700 bucks online... What world are you living in that this is a viable solution to the poor man who cannot afford a second hand phone.
Because 180 to 700 bucks SD card you are referring to is a top of the line SD card meant for more powerful devices like the SteamDeck. You can get cheaper ones for less and even then 1tb is just overkill for that.
Also you are totally missing the point here. With a phone, your storage is shared not just for games but with everything else. From videos you downloaded for offline use on your Netflix/Primevideo/HBO/Disney+ bullshit down to your offline music from Spotify and Youtube Music.
Also not to mention these devices have SD cards bundled already so you don't really need to buy one unless you opted for more storage to store more games on the go.
What you are trying to argue here is that a niche luxury device is a solution to someone with limited income, and you are doing it with a straight face whilst arguing with someone that presents a cheaper/free option. Do you see an issue with that?
Some people bought the device under 60 bucks. Then I will just also casually bring up again that these devices have SD cards already bundled to them so you dont even have to spent 180 to 700 bucks for storage.
Sure this new device being advertised is speculated to be 99 bucks but its not like this is Anbernic's first device. Im not gonna buy this one but since you asked about what you are missing.
I'm gonna tell you straight to the face I bought my RG351v for 35 bucks in a discount with a 32gb + 128gb SD card bundled and these devices at discounted prices is what makes most people buy them.
You could always argue that most mid tier phones can handle emulation way better than these dedicated handhelds and you are right.
But to say that a 35 to 50 bucks dedicated handheld that can have 4 to 5 hours of battery life as a luxury compare to a phone controller which could cost the same if not more?