Dr.D00p
Member
Yeah, but it will be one of those Chinese ones, costing north of $1000.
Best Handhelds?
- Thread starter The Infectious Paradox
- Start date
Yeah, but it will be one of those Chinese ones, costing north of $1000.
yurinka
Member
I'd say Rog Ally has the best performance closely followed by Legion Go, which in some cases may be slightly better. Regarding emulators, here's a Legion Go recap to see more or less what you can expect (even if you may tweak performance on a case by case scenario):
One of the games I'm working on is for Game Boy, with Game Boy Color (and Super Game Boy) support. So you may also want to buy one of these instead xDD
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amigastar
Member
Idk maybe it's Nostalgia but i always liked the N64 controller, it wasn't as bad as people say imo. I have fond memories.It's not love, it just feels more natural to be holding the controller symmetrically with the grips then one on the grip and one farther up the controller to reach to left Analogue in an optimal position, imo
it's also feel more natural to hit the D-Pad direction from that position and I ain't bending my thumb into my hand to push the analogue diagonally left/down down.
I generally have more leeway for the left side of the analogue too.
Obviously being symmetrical isn't always the answer, it's where they are
Other then how close they are to your palm as I already mentioned, this would be okay if the face buttons get very little action.
In short, Analogue are better controlled with your Thumb straight while buttons are better with a bend in the Thumb.
And no I don't have small hands, but I also don't have big hands either.
I'm not saying one is right or wrong.
That's my general feelings on it.
But one thing I am certain on is that this thing is an abomination!
Heimdall_Xtreme
Hermen Hulst Fanclub's #1 Member
But It can emulate the games from ps3 and switch smooth?
Aguero9320
Member
I have a Steam Deck LCD and love it. Thought long and hard about the OLED but ended up getting the Ally X - arrives Monday I think.
alphachino
Member
Best handheld for:
GB-GBA: Analogue Pocket (there's a MiSTer portable coming out very soon that will likely supplant this)
PSP: PSP-3000 monster hunter edition or VITA OLED
DS: DSi XL
3DS: New 3DS XL
Everything else: Steam Deck + Switch
I personally don't do any software emulation, but FPGA is a good substitute for the real thing
GB-GBA: Analogue Pocket (there's a MiSTer portable coming out very soon that will likely supplant this)
PSP: PSP-3000 monster hunter edition or VITA OLED
DS: DSi XL
3DS: New 3DS XL
Everything else: Steam Deck + Switch
I personally don't do any software emulation, but FPGA is a good substitute for the real thing
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menmustmow
Banned
I've been a fan of these chinese handheld systems for a while. Anbernic has been killing it, but recently I learned about PowKiddy. I ordered one of these since it was only $70, thought what the heck. Haven't received it yet but as long as it plays N64 and PSX and below then I'm good.
jmiller180
Member
I just received my Legion Y700 (2024) and paired it with a Kishi Ultra. I have to agree this is the best way to stream from PC via Moonlight and I've tried multiple other solutions (e.g. Logitech G Cloud, iPad, Macbook, Steam Deck LCD & Steam Deck Oled). I find the Kishi Ultra a bit uncomfortable for FPS games, but it is better quality and comfort than the Backbone One or Gamesir G8+ I've tried with phones. Price tag is rough. The Steam Deck OLED is probably the most practical compromise for someone wanting to consolidate reasonably powerful local play and streaming to one device, although I can't speak for the Ally X.My current "handheld" is comprised of a Lenovo Legion y700 tablet and a Razer Kishi Ultra. I use it primarily for streaming from my PC and Xbox and it works fantastic. Has an 8.8 inch screen which is perfect for handheld gaming, imo. Really makes a difference to me over the smaller 7" handhelds.
Daniel Thomas MacInnes
GAF's Resident Saturn Omnibus
I'm really enjoying my Nintendo 2DS right now. I'm mostly playing Animal Crossing, but I've downloaded a large number of games, including quite a few retro-style titles that have surprised me. The H.Shop is a wonderful blessing and I wish other retro systwms would have something similar.
Oh, I'm also playing a lot of Angry Birds Teilogy, which, given that those games are all now extinct from mobile, feels like a surreal plot twist. The videogame that killed traditional portables is now only available on portable.
Oh, I'm also playing a lot of Angry Birds Teilogy, which, given that those games are all now extinct from mobile, feels like a surreal plot twist. The videogame that killed traditional portables is now only available on portable.
March Climber
Member
All of the big brand portables are huge now. The only ones attempting to stay smaller and pocket-sized are these:
Crayon
Member
Darn tootin'
Protip: Don't turn on your Lynx for the first time in years with old batteries inside. My Christmas 1992 unit fried. At least I got this replacement for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS NEW from some guy with a mailing list on the internet in the 2000s.
*realizing the lynx i had "forever" was only like 13 years old when it "the incident" took place.
...I'll get on securing a copy of Gauntlet.
That's beautiful man. I had the same 10 games since I was a kid but a few years back I started build up the collection and put in a modern display. Not sure how many games I have now. Maybe I'll lay them out for a glamor shot like that.
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KiteGr
Member
I thought about it a lot, but Steam Deck Oled is IMO the best choice.
There are only 2 draw backs.
- In terms of price, Steam Decks are the only ones sold bellow cost, so whatever version you buy you are cheating the system.
- The OLED version did a lot more than adding an Oled screen that Valve didn't advertise, including better battery, button sensitivity, firepower, screen size, wireless quality, ect. It's in it's essentially the second revision.
- It's also the best when it comes to support, as it's backed by Valve them selfs, and as the most widespread, it's it has the best support from the community.
- The layout is the most complete, as it includes everything a game might make use off, including gyroscope, trackpads, touchscreen and back buttons.
- The screen is the ideal size and resolution. Any more resolution at that size will be wasted and needlessly drain the battery.
There are only 2 draw backs.
- One is that the most recent other handhelds have managed to squeeze a bit more firepower of that size. I don't know how it affects their battery.
- The other is that it uses Linux. The compatibility is almost perfect, and Linux are so light that even with Proton (emulator) and Steam OS running in the background, they are still lighter than windows. However it's still an alien system when it comes to desktop and you have to get used to it.
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cireza
Member
Personally I have been waiting for years for a handheld that would be a perfect fit for the Game Gear games, and it finally happened thanks to Anbernic.
Their recent 406 consoles have a 960x720 screen, which is the exact screen size required to play Game Gear with the exact same pixel rendition the original had. Which was 160x144 being stretched to 4/3. So Game Gear games fill the screen perfectly and look as they should. This is also an excellent match for GB, GBC, GBA, NGP. Which is what I was looking for. You simply have some pretty small bars to the sides (GB, GBC, NGP) or top/down (GBA).
I have tried the 406V and the screen is fantastic. I am waiting for the H model though, as it is much more comfortable as far as I am concerned. I am keeping my OG McWill Game Gear for development purpose of course, but gaming is going to happen on the 406H for sure.
Hope this helps someone.
Their recent 406 consoles have a 960x720 screen, which is the exact screen size required to play Game Gear with the exact same pixel rendition the original had. Which was 160x144 being stretched to 4/3. So Game Gear games fill the screen perfectly and look as they should. This is also an excellent match for GB, GBC, GBA, NGP. Which is what I was looking for. You simply have some pretty small bars to the sides (GB, GBC, NGP) or top/down (GBA).
I have tried the 406V and the screen is fantastic. I am waiting for the H model though, as it is much more comfortable as far as I am concerned. I am keeping my OG McWill Game Gear for development purpose of course, but gaming is going to happen on the 406H for sure.
Hope this helps someone.
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DJ12
Member
I have a legion go and yes it can. So anything with the x1e can do.
If you haven't brought anything yet don't bother as others have said there's probably going to be new ones soon.
I currently have batocera installed, emudeck is shite. Hardly anything works of the bat.
If it ever becomes real probs the best for the emu fans will be the orange pi neo at lot cheaper than the others.
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Dr.D00p
Member
Has anyone picked up the new Retroid Pocket 5? it looks neat with the new AMOLED screen.
I was tempted but the SoC in it is barely faster than the one in my 5yr old Samsung A90 phone. (Snapgragon 865 vs Snapdragon 855)
ChoosableOne
ChoosableAll
I love my miyoo mini plus but it cramps my hands pretty quickly. I don't have large hands but it's still an issue. So I made a custom grip using a drug case and it works perfectly(grip cost 4x more than miyoo mini itself in here so
) .
I wish there were a horizontal device that runs onion os and has analog sticks. Are Anbernic devices good enough? I saw that their D-pads were heavily criticized. It seems Garlic OS also has a game switcher feature. I'd appreciate it if anyone who has tried both devices could share their thoughts. Retroid Pocket 5 looks pretty good too but its pricey.
) .
I wish there were a horizontal device that runs onion os and has analog sticks. Are Anbernic devices good enough? I saw that their D-pads were heavily criticized. It seems Garlic OS also has a game switcher feature. I'd appreciate it if anyone who has tried both devices could share their thoughts. Retroid Pocket 5 looks pretty good too but its pricey.
cireza
Member
Vertical design is extremely uncomfortable, that's the issue.I love my miyoo mini plus but it cramps my hands pretty quickly. I don't have large hands but it's still an issue. So I made a custom grip using a drug case and it works perfectly(grip cost 4x more than miyoo mini itself in here so
I wish there were a horizontal device that runs onion os and has analog sticks. Are Anbernic devices good enough? I saw that their D-pads were heavily criticized. It seems Garlic OS also has a game switcher feature. I'd appreciate it if anyone who has tried both devices could share their thoughts. Retroid Pocket 5 looks pretty good too but its pricey.
ChoosableOne
ChoosableAll
Absolutely. If I ever buy another retro handheld device, I'll look at the horizontal ones.
NeoIkaruGAF
Gold Member
Anything below 5" is hardly acceptable in a world where even cheap phones have 6"+ screens as the default. 4.5" is the bare minimum imo. Anything less it's basically stamp-size. I have bad vision too, so small screens aren't for me these days. I'll never understand how anyone could ever think the GBA Mini was acceptable. Anything that small to emulate games meant to be displayed on TVs? Just why?
Jinxed
Member
Seriously since the update and cloud gaming it's freaking greatPS Portal
ChoosableOne
ChoosableAll
Maybe it's true for text heavy games, but 3,5" miyoo mini plus is just fine for my retro game marathons. I have a Switch with a 6,2" screen; it's heavy and too big, I can't play it for more than 1 hour.
cireza
Member
If you are going to play handheld games only (designed for a small screen), and the resolution is a good match so 95+ % of screen is filled (with integer scaling of course, nobody wants shimmering), then 4" is okay. At least for me.
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Daniel Thomas MacInnes
GAF's Resident Saturn Omnibus
Darn tootin'
Protip: Don't turn on your Lynx for the first time in years with old batteries inside. My Christmas 1992 unit fried. At least I got this replacement for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS NEW from some guy with a mailing list on the internet in the 2000s.
*realizing the lynx i had "forever" was only like 13 years old when it "the incident" took place.
...I'll get on securing a copy of Gauntlet.
Now that is a great handheld system. Atari Lynx has become somewhat obscure these days, but it was highly respected in its day, even if it wasn't very commercially successful. The technology was eons beyond anything at the time, and even though the software library is very small, it has some real bangers and genuine classics that hold up very nicely.
I do wish Atari could give us a "Lynx Mini," which would include wifi multiplayer, as well as all the Epyx and arcade titles. Obviously, such a quest would be a legal nightmare, so any such product would be a compromise. I would be happy to see as many games from my personal "Top 30" to make the cut, as well as some of the post-1995 releases like Loopz, Alpine Games or Zaku.
Anyway, here's my current Lynx Top 30 list to share, hope it inspires some discussions:
- Todd's Adventures in Slime World (1990)
- Blue Lightning (1989)
- Checkered Flag (1991)
- California Games (1989)
- Electrocop (1989)
- S.T.U.N. Runner (1991)
- Battle Wheels (1993)
- Roadblasters (1990)
- Robotron 2084 (1991)
- Shanghai (1990)
- Rampage (1990)
- Xenophobe (1990)
- Klax (1990)
- Shadow of the Beast (1993)
- Chip's Challenge (1989)
- Crystal Mines 2 (1992)
- Xybots (1990)
- Warbirds (1990)
- Gates of Zendocon (1989)
- Turbo Sub (1991)
- Lemmings (1993)
- Awesome Golf (1991)
- Ishido: The Way of Stones (1991)
- Joust (1992)
- Toki (1992)
- Steel Talons (1991)
- Malibu Bikini Volleyball (1993)
- Paperboy (1990)
- Rampart (1991)
- Rygar (1990)
Imru’ al-Qays
Member
Just ordered one, trying to offload my Steam Deck. I really just want to be able to emulate PS2, Steam Deck is overkill and enormously unpleasant to use.Has anyone picked up the new Retroid Pocket 5? it looks neat with the new AMOLED screen.