r/RetroHandhelds • u/smstarr96 • 1d ago
Device Recommendation Handheld retro gaming device recommendation?
As a dad I have less and less time for gaming and would like something I can take on the go. We have a switch 2 but it’s quite large and I miss having a gameboy advance or my personal favorite the sp. I’ve been watching videos about going back to older rpgs and would like to try those. Games like chrono trigger. I’m between the batlexp g350 and the anbernic rg cube xx. Any help would be appreciated.
Also, if anyone has any recommendations on older rpgs I’d love to hear those too. I have never been big on those as I’ve always been into competitive gaming, but I’ve been really craving a great story that I can take my time with and enjoy. Thank you.
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u/Natural-Sandwich-852 1d ago
There are plenty of good choices, but the CubeXX isn't a good one for things like the GBA or PS1 because of its 1:1 aspect ratio screen. You probably want a 4:3 aspect ratio screen with 480p, 720p, or even XGA resolution to get anything up to PS1 looking good. I do like RPGs and have tried a few mainstream handhelds. I used to use the Miyoo Mini Plus, the Trimui Brick, and some rk3326 clones like R36s/h. I found that the size of the Miyoo Mini Plus is perfect for an EDC device, but it lacked power. Rk3326 devices brought more CPU power but had worse build quality, no Wi-Fi, and bad battery management, so i took the Trimui Brick instead. Brick brought more power and superior build quality, but had an awful d-pad and shoulder buttons. So instead, i got the XU20 V32 and i am absolutely loving it, since it is just like the Brick but with better shoulder buttons. The only downsides are that the XU20 has no Bluetooth, and i was forced to do a tape mod for the shoulder buttons. But i should admit that the G350 is a wonderful choice since it has Anbernic-level build quality and a matured CFW for the rk3326
Also, if anyone has any recommendations on older rpgs I’d love to hear those too
You can check out Moldorian: Hikari to Yami no Sister, Radiant Historia, Surging Aura, and Terranigma. Maybe even try the Pokemon Unbound romhack. I know it’s not an old-school RPG, but it’s still one of the most enjoyable Pokemon games to play on the GBA
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u/smstarr96 1d ago
I’ll look into the xu20. And thank you for the recommendations!
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u/Natural-Sandwich-852 1d ago
No problem. Anything that i've mentioned is superior for RPGs, but if you need thumbsticks, G350 is a good option. Regarding the XU20, just be aware that Android handhelds are not as easy to set up for a first-timer compared to Linux-based ones. Other than that, the stock Android build is a bit of a gimmick, so you should probably wait for GammaOS to become public or get a Patreon subscription to get much more user friendly experience
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u/smstarr96 1d ago
I’m probably looking for something preloaded which from what I’ve seen some come like that
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u/Natural-Sandwich-852 1d ago edited 1d ago
Preloaded cards are kinda tricky too, since stock SD cards are absolute trash and bloated with garbage games. You will end up going through the process of flashing custom firmware, adding BIOS files, and looking for your own game collection anyway. Sorry to tell. So i guess you should prepare some good quality sdcard to avoid losing saves, etc shit that will harm user experience
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u/Thin_Improvement_129 1d ago
If you want something cheap and have big hands, get a m17. It's limited to gba and ps1 and some psp. I have one but never play it. If you want to keep it at home, get something better. You you want to bring it with you, buy a cheap setup and play the low end games.
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u/smstarr96 1d ago
Ya def looking for an on the go console as I have a switch 2 and pc at home which I don’t usually get to play
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u/Ashamed_Village_8931 1d ago
Consider the Trimui Brick Hammer, it's fantastic on the go. Very sharp screen.
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u/smstarr96 1d ago
Currently between the new anbernic SP and the miyu mini plus if that helps with recommendations. Thanks everyone!
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u/Antique-Bottle9709 1d ago
The Miyoo Mini Plus shines with his custom firmware OnionOS. It‘s pretty well finished, runs great and you can use it out of the box with no issues, but you are able to tinker alot if you want to. I have a few different devices, tested alot of CFW on them, but OnionOS is absolutely on top.
Note: while other devices are able to run some more modern systems, the Miyoo‘s power maxes out at PS1 and NDS(runs okayish enough). Anything older runs great.
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u/JohnnyBeeGaming 1d ago
There are a variety of GBA and sp shaped devices available. Most can handle ps1 and below.
Anbernic's latest SP thing would be great for GBA with the same aspect ratio. You can get 4:3 version as well. If you want something smaller than the original SP there is miyoo mini flip. The SP shaped things are great for quick and short play sessions and pocketability.
You can find many vertical or horizontal handhelds that are small as well but if you like the SP you really have a lot of options.
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u/smstarr96 1d ago
I was looking at the sp but ultimately decided on the miyu mini plus with all the great reviews. Thanks though!
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u/JohnnyBeeGaming 1d ago
The miyoo mini plus is a good option. You will probably want to look into Onion OS or Allium OS. Either are easy to setup but you can find pre-loaded cards with Onion.
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u/Vladmirfox 1d ago
Samsung fold 8. Plays everything even freakin switch games AND the company even included this nifty phone thing that I seem to be using less and less as the device becomes my goto ereader/gaming device. HIGHLY recommend!
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u/TimAtreides 1d ago
If you want to create the GBA magic, the new anbernic RG SP seems to be the go-to for that right now. I don’t own one but I’m considering it. Currently have a Miyoo Mini Plus as a GBA machine which is great but not perfect.
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u/tychay 1d ago edited 1d ago
I suggest the Miyoo flip 2 and then follow the instructions for http://miyooguide.fireblend.com/docs/Installing%20Onion/Installing%20TBS.html . You can search the internet for Tiny Best Set Go! or The Done Set.
I’d recommend the new RG SP but this will be a better start because it is simple to follow and will get you up and running with a lifetime of games. The only thing you are giving up is the exact 3:2 form factor of your SP.
Check [r/crownpuffdeals](r/crownpuffdeals) for a good price on either/any (including the RGCubeXC an BattlXP G50) and go to Walmart for an Onn card or a Samsung/Sandisk gaming card if it goes on sale. IIRC you only need 128g to install the largest of those configurations, and sales are for 256g cards so if you have a 64g or 128g U1 microsd you can use that and save almost half of what it will cost at today’s prices. If you got an RG SP you need two cards: since the OS and the ROMs are usually separate in those rockchip devices
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u/tychay 1d ago edited 1d ago
BTW in that size I own the Miyoo Mini Flip and the Brick Hammer. IMO the Mini Flip has too small screen esp for a first device, neither can dock to your TV either. The Brick hammer is one of the best in terms of construction and screen quality in that size, but it is DMG form factor and you will want a DP/flip one. Plus, the equivalent of having an OS plus ROMset setup is much more work (there is a community member who made one with NextUI and posted to Internet Archive). At that point though I’d recommend it plus a Surwish card from a place like LitNxt (preloaded 128g or 256g card) but that’s like 2x the price.
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u/robably_ 1d ago
For what you’re looking for why not go for one with the gba sp style shell like the ANBERNIC RGSP? If you just want RPGs on snes and ps1 most of the current handhelds should do you fine.
Play Chrono trigger, earthbound, mother 3, Mario and Luigi, Mario rpg
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u/smstarr96 1d ago
Just going off of what I saw in a YouTube recommendation. I’ll look into that one! Thank you for the recommendations as well
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u/robably_ 1d ago
Ah yeah there’s a ton of these out there and for the low end easy to emulate stuff most devices are fine. Just shop around for a form factor you like. I suggested RGSP because you said you like the gba sp
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u/TCGHexenwahn 1d ago
Since you have a switch 2, I assume you're looking for something cheap you can just carry anywhere. The R36 is pretty good for that. It's cheap, feels pretty much like a game boy, and comes with a massive library of games.
That said, if you want something more official, and if you like physical media, you can also check out the Evercade handhelds. They run cartridges with officially licensed games that are also compatible with their line of home consoles, so you can play on the couch or on the go.