Why Have I Had So Many?

If you know me, it'll be of no surprise that I have owned a substantial number of devices, that are manufactured in China, where the primary purpose is to use software to emulate old video games. "Retro handhelds" as they are affectionately referred to by the community, not to be mistaken with the website/YouTube channel "Retro Handhelds" which covers these devices.

All that to say, here is my top 10 list of software emulation focused handhelds!

The Top 10

10. Retroid Pocket Mini v1

Ugh, what is there for me to say about the Retroid Pocket Mini? It could've been perfect. It makes it into my top 10 purely because of all I dreamed it could be.

Retroid really dropped the ball on this one, shipping it with a screen that was purposefully damaged by them. They did this to be the first to market with a 4:3 OLED display, but at far too great of a cost. Scaling didn't work properly, which made 3D renders and shaders on 2D games look bizarre. I wasn't even well versed in shaders back then, and I could tell something was off.

Their response was to repeatedly gaslight the consumer-base until they finally fessed up, the screen was actually a 31:27 display, and they offered to send replacement DIY screens to people who had already purchased the device. But only in a black front plate. And I ordered the white/orange one for a reason. You'll find this same 31:27 display in other handhelds (on this list even) but I sold my RP Mini before I even had a chance to swap to the new screen.

I really wanted to love this one. And I thought I did for a time. I thought I'd never need anything else. Now here we are, almost 2 years later, and I truly despise Retroid for their deception. I'd have bought it anyway, with the 31:27 screen, and probably would've been satisfied forever, but unfortunately it did not work out that way.

9. Anbernic RG35XXSP

The RG35XXSP (I know, a mouth-full) was really where I started to dive head first into this hobby. I had owned the original RG35XX for a while when the SP released, but the SP grabbed me by the nostalgia and tugged hard.

I love a clamshell, and the SP was an improvement in almost every way. It was more powerful, the screen was a bit brighter, the clamshell form factor was great, and it had more custom firmware options. I really did like the 35XXSP. But, it had some downsides which would ultimately lead me to giving it away to a friend. Well, one downside really.

For some reason, the buttons on the SP were just awful feeling, far too difficult to press down, and incredibly loud to boot! I wish this didn't effect my enjoyment of the device, but it really did. The colors weren't great for me, either. Also, at the end of the day, it just wasn't powerful enough for me. This isn't truly a "downside," it is a budget device, I shouldn't expect the world. But, I wanted more power, for higher demand games, and higher demanding shaders.

8. Miyoo Flip v2

I have a full written review of the Miyoo Flip v2 already, so I will spare you the details here. Long story short, I bought a Miyoo Flip v1, felt the hinge, got scared, and sold it before I even played a game on it. Recently my friend Brend shared his Miyoo Flip v2 with me, and I actually really enjoyed it.

The buttons feel better than the RG35XXSP, the form factor is a little more pocketable, and the custom firmware options are about as good. It is also technically slightly more powerful, but not in any sort of noticeable way. The colorway options are also significantly better.

This is probably my favorite device in the Gameboy Advance SP form factor, but it's still not the forever device for me.

By the way, I'll be giving away the Miyoo Flip v2 soon, so check out my Discord; I will have details posted there soon.

7. AYN Thor

It will be considered blasphemy by many that the AYN Thor only makes number 7 on this list, but I just have to be honest, it didn't end up being the "ultimate handheld" that I wanted it to be.

While it's not my "ultimate handheld" I still believe it could be that for some people. There are no devices more competent at DS and 3DS emulation than the AYN Thor, and its gorgeous screens do a great job for every other console as well. Switch? No problem on the top screen. GBC? Great on the bottom screen. PC Gaming? Use the top screen for GameNative, and chat on Discord on the bottm. So many excellent use cases.

I didn't love emulating DS and 3DS on it, however, but I know that I am a special case. I have much preferred a 2DSXL for 3DS games, and a DSi XL for DS games. This is privilege I have, I understand, to have original hardware and cartridges to play on, so I won't knock anyone who wants the Thor to get 99% of the way there.

The physical build quality takes it down a few notches for me personally, but it doesn't feel cheap. It just doesn't feel like a $400+ device. And those price hikes right now are killing it. I bought the 1tb Max model in round one of pre-orders, and that model has gone up almost $200 already. The screens are incredible though, that bottom screen being the same as the Retroid Pocket Mini v2, and is incredible in its own right.

I liked the Thor, but did not love it, which means I did not keep it. And with the price increases, I'm not sure I'd recommend it any more either.

6. Ayaneo Pocket Micro

Gosh, the Pocket Micro was almost the perfect GBA handheld for me, if not for those damned sticks I would've kept it. And, funny enough, they released one later without sticks, the Pocket Micro Classic! I didn't buy it though, I already moved on from the Pocket Micro.

The screen is a gorgeous LCD with a 3x integer scale for the Gameboy Advance, and I do love Gameboy Advance games. The buttons felt great, and I really loved the candybar style for fitting into my pocket, except for the damned sticks! It's also so stylish, I adored it.

Another thing that I need to mention is that Ayaneo devices usually have a fingerprint sensor. As someone who largely pockets my devices, this thing is a godsend. I can have a password set to unlock the device so that it doesn't start running in my pocket, but also have quick access to it every time I want to use it. Why don't more manufacturers do this? I have heard that AYN does on some devices though, kudos to them for that.

Unfortunately it didn't fit into my life at the time, and I wouldn't buy another one, but if you're the type who likes dedicated devices, I think the Pocket Micro Classic is probably your best bet for a dedicated Gameboy Advance device.

5. Ayaneo Pocket Air

Here's where you'll start to see a pattern emerge, I really enjoy Ayaneo's devices. Call me a shill, tell me I have bouji taste, whatever helps you sleep at night. What helps me sleep at night is dreaming about an upgraded Ayaneo Pocket Air.

The Pocket Air is the most comfortable 16:9 handheld I've ever used. The only reason it isn't higher on this list is that I don't care much for 16:9 handhelds. But if I had to have one, it would be this one. The ergonomics are just excellent.

The OLED panel isn't as crisp as on the Thor, but without a side by side it isn't a panel to scoff at. The fingerprint sensor is, again, an excellent touch. The Dimensity 1200 is the weakest part of the device, offering some issues with PS2 and Gamecube emulation that similarly priced devices like the Odin 2 handled with ease.

4. Ayaneo Pocket DMG

Another Ayaneo device that I would've kept if it didn't have a stick, the Pocket DMG is an excellent machine. Incredibly capable, with the gorgeous 31:27 screen mentioned earlier, the Pocket DMG might've been my endgame device. Unfortunately, that damned stick once again prevented the device from being truly pocketable for me.

With a screen that excels at playing Super Nintendo and Gameboy Color games, the amount of power in the Pocket DMG may seem offputting. However, most Playstation 2 games don't even use more than one stick anyway, and widescreen hacks allow them to fill up the whole screen. The GameCube is a similar story, if you're okay with mapping the c-stick to the touch panel.

I don't have room for emulation device in my life that I can't pocket, so the DMG ended up being a fancy coffee table decoration, but my god I loved using it when I had it. The remappable scroll wheel is such an excellent touch. And I still have never used a better d-pad.

3. TrimUI Brick (Hammer)

Moving into "the most pocketable" territory, the TrimUI Brick (Or hammer, honestly they're interchangeable for me) is my favorite vertical emulation handheld. The Brick is made of high quality plastic, and the Hammer is made out of incredibly comfortable metal.

With enough power to play everything PS1 and below, and an incredibly high resolution screen for the size, the Brick just looks and plays incredibly. Not to mention that it is the home of my favorite Linux firmware, PakUI, it offers an absolute value if the 3.2" screen doesn't turn you away.

The face buttons and d-pad feel clicky, but quiet, and very precise. I love the addition of the extra programmable face buttons as well! The shoulders can be a little rattly on the Brick, but the Hammer mostly fixes that.

If I were to recommend a budget device, it would either be the Brick, or the next on the list, depending on use case.

2. Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini

Remember how I said I would love an upgraded Ayaneo Pocket Air? Well, the Pocket Air Mini is sort of that.

It has a (in my opinion, other reviewers frequently disagree) very pretty 4.2" 4:3 display, and enough power to play N64 and Dreamcast quite competently. It can also handle shaders for the PS1, Dreamcast, and all of the 2D systems that blow everything else at this price point out of the water.

The Pocket Air Mini also ranks as my most comfortable emulation device, the weight feeling incredibly balanced with the ergonomics. The buttons are all great, and it's a joy to use. Ayaneo truly hit it out of the park with this one.

If the supposed LCD ghosting (which I've never seen or noticed) isn't a problem for you, I would never recommend anything else in this price bracket (and you don't want a vertical).

1. Ayaneo Pocket S Mini

And, what is essentially a more powerful Pocket Air Mini (with admittedly worse ergonomics), the Pocket S Mini is by far my number one device.

I am in love with this thing, and I wanted to make sure the "new device honeymoon period" wore off before I reviewed it. The full review will be out in a couple of weeks, but it certainly places at the top of this list. I am a sucker for premium build quality, and the Pocket S Mini has to be the best feeling device I've ever held. If it had ergonomic bumps similar to the Pocket Air Mini, it would be perfect, and honestly it's close to perfection without it. Controversially, I love the glass on the front panel, and I think the metal edge feels incredible in my hands. The plastic on the back is matte, but soft, and feels great.

Every button on this device also feel incredible. The d-pad is my second favorite on any device, the face buttons all feel great to press, the bumpers and triggers are perfect. The sticks are my biggest complaint, but they work well and this device at least has the power to use them effectively (Looking at you, Pocket Micro). It also has two extra programmable buttons on the top, and one on the side, which I use to great effect.

I've made the Pocket S Mini my device for everything from NES to PC emulation, except for Gameboy and Gameboy Color, those still go to the one true queen, the Analogue Pocket.

Outro

Thank you so much for reading my silly little emulation device round up, I have really owned too many of these. Emory and Glen have articles coming out today as well, so please take a look at their lists!

Over in the Discord we have a lovely community, and I would appreciate having you there as well. Things get a bit unhinged at times, but it's all for the best.

My Patreon is optional, paid members get one exclusive article per month, as well as Discord roles and some hidden channel access, but the support I get is incredible.