Hello, I wan’t to get my first handheld for playing retro games.
I’m mostly looking for a handheld that can handle 3rd generation consoles (nes/sega ms), 4th generation consoles ( pc engine/sega genesis/snes ) and handheld’s like gb/gbc/gba.
In general no need for 3d consoles like ps/n64/sega saturn ( would be a nice bonus if it could, but I’m mostly only interested in 2d consoles for now ).
Something with looks of a gameboy advanced would be nice in my opinion.
Would like it to be able to be modded with diff rom’s/customizable software and ability to be able add my own rom sets.
Price isn’t an issue and am looking for the most premium possible experience with 2d consoles (I would most likelly mostly be playing gba games ).
If not a Steam Deck then I’d say a large phone or small tablet with one of those controllers that the device clips into.
Phone’s and tablet’s here are very overpricced, to the point that it’s cheaper for me to get a generic handheld shipped 7 countries away than buying a phone locally/shipped.
Example: my current samsung galaxy a54 I bought last year costed me 525 euro here, while in the rest of the world it was around 300 usd on amazon for example ( I don’t order from amazon because amazon isn’t available in my country so shipping with it is very expensive ).
So price IS an issue! Then probably a Steam Deck.
Price isn’t an issue as in the price of the device, more in the sense of I don’t wanna pay double for less of a performance ( steamdeck is an overkill for what I need, I don’t plan on emulating any 3d consoles )
So price isn’t an issue but the two most popular and common options are are too expensive, ha ha.
Have you looked at the used tablet/phone market? You’ll get a better picture than a new device of the same price and the older tech won’t matter for emulating old games.
Doesn’t exist here where I live, used market here for tech is non existent.
As for the reason I ain’t getting a phone/steam deck isn’t price, but that they are overkill for what I wan’t ( both steamdeck and phones are too big for what I wan’t ).
I just wan’t a small device like miyoo mini to play 2d games on the go.
Have you heard of Retroid Pocket? I’ve never used one, but they have a range of products that seem to do what you want, and for a fraction of the price of a Steam Deck.
I got an Anbernic SP and love it! It’s got a nice clamshell design and can handle most things up to PS1 (and apparently PSP?) but I mostly stick to GBA, SNES, and Pico 8 titles.
The included firmware is okay, but I installed muOS and haven’t had any problems. I have a nice 2 card setup with all my games and saves on sd2
Here’s a spreadsheet with most of the ones currently on the market and their capabilities.
Holy crap that’s a lot.
If the Analogue Pocket has enough buttons for OP, that’s what I’d recommend.
Other than that, I’m really only familiar with the Retroid brand.
I imagine you’d be familiar with the other brands…do you have any specific brand recommendations to look out for?
Sadly, I’ve never tried any. I found the list when I was looking for chips to make my own.
I’d suggest taking a look at RetroGameCorps videos or written guides
+1 He provides tons of good info
steamdeck
Steamdeck is an overkill for what I need rn.
price isnt an issue and looking for the most premium
?? so you dont want the most premium?
I do wan’t premium, but if getting the premium will cost me 2x what people in other countries will pay it literally isn’t worth.
I don’t mind paying 600 euro for a handheld, but if it costs 300-400 usd in other countries I doubt about paying 2x the price for it.
