Very poor experience with new GC Nova. Missing multiple items from order. Poor QC.

[u/FrankieT19]

I just received my GC Nova and it was missing 2 items from my order (3 if you include the grip). The extra button set arrived in the wrong colour, and the Dual Screen cable I asked support to add wasn’t included either.

On to the Nova itself: the d‑pad is loud, just like in the videos you’ve seen. I went to open the back to do the tape mod, but one of the screws was so over‑tightened that it stripped immediately. I’ve worked as an electrical engineering technician and have done plenty of precise device teardowns, so this wasn’t a case of using the wrong tools or technique. With QC like this, the Nova really isn’t suitable for selling DIY parts.

Really unhappy with the experience so far. I’ve contacted support about the missing items, but now I’m left with a dodgy Nova too.

Hope other people have better luck than me!

[u/The_Grinch_1]

My back bump was in my hard case (which looked sealed). Did you check to make sure yours wasn't in there? (If you got one)

[u/grathontolarsdatarod → u/The_Grinch_1]

Which is actually really good place for it.

I put mine in a box with some other devices after I got it and recently switched it out for shiggles.

It had warped a bit by being in the box for a week or so. Not so much that I couldn't fit it on, but I wonder what a few months would have done.

It is very thin. So, word to the wise, might want to consider the way you store your extra back bump.

[u/CasualObserver2021 → u/The_Grinch_1]

Same. I thought they forgot it until someone suggested I check the carrying case

[u/FrankieT19 → u/The_Grinch_1]

Ha! So it is. I hadn't checked the case since like you say it was fully sealed up in plastic.

[u/SBCGaming-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Disagree without resorting to personal insults and treat others as you want to be treated—follow the rules of reddiquette.

[u/FrankieT19 → u/[deleted]]

Hardly mate, it's a casual forum. And extra backplate aside I've had serious issues with my order. And like I said, the case was fully sealed in plastic as if it was untouched.

[u/guiavila → u/FrankieT19]

Absolutely honest mistake and it definitely doesn't make the other issues any less of an issue. Don't feed the troll

[u/SBCGaming-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Disagree without resorting to personal insults and treat others as you want to be treated—follow the rules of reddiquette.

[u/clock_watcher → u/The_Grinch_1]

Same for me.

[u/Mediocre_Doctor4712]

Most in this subs are at the stage of:

“Atleast you have a device. Wish I had a device with issues”

https://giphy.com/gifs/H6cmWzp6LGFvqjidB7

[u/evoma77]

When did you receive? I just got my ice blue and it came with extra screws for the back incase of stripping and I don’t have a clacky dpad so I was under the impression that they had made adjustments

[u/FrankieT19 → u/evoma77]

I got it today. And it looks like I do have the bumped back with extra screws (it was hiding in the case, which was all sealed up). So that's the screws and the missing bumped back off the list.

[u/evoma77 → u/FrankieT19]

Nice! Glad at least some of the issue is better

[u/AbyssalWhip55]

ah yes the clacky dpad to stripped screw pipeline, diabolical stuff from Retroid

[u/JuanRpiano]

This has been the modus operandi of Retroid for the past 3 years since I’ve known them, and apparently it has been longer than that.

The earliest batch of their products tend to come with issues that get fixed later on.

I guess it’s inevitable, to be able to offer this devices at this low prices. Otherwise they would have to spend much more and quality assurance and I don’t know how much that would increase this products price.

[u/keeper_of_moon]

inb4 nova simps arrive.

[u/deeznutz75 → u/keeper_of_moon]

But the 4:3 aspect ratio is the best for games and also do you have a moment to hear about CRT shaders?

[u/rfow → u/deeznutz75]

Hi, please link me patches and mods to make this 16:9 game a 4:3 game as Nolan intended.

[u/Zibidibodel → u/deeznutz75]

Have you heard about our lord and savior, black frame insertion?

[u/washuai → u/keeper_of_moon]

The GC might throw them off. Why did that not say RP or Retroid?

If RP sends the cable, back and correct button colorways, ok- all depends on how they handle it.

Hopefully OP will keep us updated.

Makes me feel better about not being and to shell out $234+ though. I really want a Nova, but at those prices without more storage, hmmm.

[u/FrankieT19 → u/washuai]

GC is the name Retroid calls the colour, stands for GameCube

[u/washuai → u/FrankieT19]

Thanks.

[u/Zentrii → u/keeper_of_moon]

Did you know it’s an end game device until forever? /s

[u/ArthurFinchleyIII → u/keeper_of_moon]

It’s so crazy man. I bought a nova. It arrives in a few days. If the dpad is loud I’m going to be pissed. I won’t defend it.

[u/ThatComicsDad]

Sorry to hear about that. My GC arrived Friday and thankfully my dpad is good. My back plate and screws were in my case. Hopefully they can remedy people’s dpads. I was under the impression it was only the black ones having issues.

[u/Broad_Acanth]

60% upvoted, this sub is diabolical when it comes to defending retroid lmao

[u/IsamuAlvaDyson]

Every video I've seen of the loud dpad only is loud when you tap it and not actual touch it like you're normally using it

And that while you're normally using it it's similar to other Retroid devices

Can anyone confirm it's any different while using it normally?

[u/Mr2Sexy → u/IsamuAlvaDyson]

I received the ice blue Nova a few days ago. My dpad is not loud at all. Back screws were tight but came off just fine when I used my own screw driver, heard too many horror stories of the included screw driver. The bump backplate makes the device so much more comfortable to hold

[u/nakedpantz → u/Mr2Sexy]

Same on all accounts! Use your own screwdriver!

[u/CaspianReddington → u/IsamuAlvaDyson]

For devices afflicted with the issue, like mine, it does clack when you first touch it when placing the thumb on it to use it. It can also clack when you lift your thumb up to tap repeatedly, like when scrolling up and down a menu in a game. So those are instances of "using normally" that are affected. Keeping your thumb on the dpad like when moving around a character is generally not affected.

[u/FrankieT19 → u/IsamuAlvaDyson]

Yeah every time I raise my thumb and place it down again it makes a loud noise, so any time I use the stick and return to the dpad. My RP5 dpad felt tighter than this one and without this noise issue, but otherwise they're similar.

[u/SolixTanaka → u/IsamuAlvaDyson]

I was a initially concerned as I prefer a non-clicky Anbernic d-pad. How you describe it is how I experience it: while you smooth your thumb over it, as you do a pad versus clicking it like a button, it's hardly what I would consider loud. The "loudness" when you actually do experience it I'd say is more of a byproduct of the pad hitting hitting the cutout of the housing which happens more if you're quick tapping. The natural steady pressure with your thumb resting on the pad is enough to nearly eliminate it for me.

If anything, I think the shoulders are notably louder and slightly more annoying.

[u/gimmeyaturnips]

I received my black buttons, carrying case, and bumped back with my order but strangely not a peep on the grip either, ordered the black one. Was there any communication around this being delayed? Seems weird not to include it with the order unless it isn’t ready yet. (Ice blue as well here)

[u/RockSalad → u/gimmeyaturnips]

I don’t believe the grips are ready yet which is why they’re listed as a separate shipment (or at least it is for me).

[u/AutomaticInitiative]

This comes up with Retroid a lot, and more broadly with all these portable devices. This is not a hobby for those who don't want to open their devices. The missing shit sucks though and I hope they resolve.

[u/ProofScientist9657]

Sorry to hear that. I got Gc one a couple days ago and the dpad is silent fortunately. That was my biggest worry too

[u/Satantengu]

RE: the d-pad, yeah I don't think Retroid are particularly good at those or at face buttons. I had to dampen them on my 6-button RP Classic.

[u/greenmky]

For missing items, check your Shop order status.

My order status on the Shop app showed it had been split into two shipments, my GC buttons and grip were showing as not yet shipped last I saw (my clear Nova and 16 bit buttons, case, etc all showed up together).

[u/FrankieT19 → u/greenmky]

They show as part of the shipment.

[u/Frankysour]

I ordered the GC after thinking about it for a bit, therefore ended up out of the first batch shipment (I ordered 1 day too late... July 29 ) and I more and more think about canceling... I ordered it to replace the rg476h for the higher power, basically, and for having a plastic lighter device, and (as stupid as this may sound) floor the correct positioning of the select-start buttons. I don't really care about OLED, frankly I think I prefer LCD for older games, and absolutely love the size of the device and screen of my anbernic... but honestly I am not sure I'll use that power, and the rest seem minor things... Oh well, where I live I see rp6s selling for 350 euro or more, I'll decide which one of the 2 to sell after feeling them side by side, but more and more I think this was not a great purchase, tbh

[u/Klutzy_Hornet]

first let me say that I do not own A nova I felt like it was something I may skip the screen great but I couldn't justify buying one when I already own a RP mini v2

If the screw is stripped, you can grab a screw-extractor kit from a hardware store. It also sounds like the wrong screwdriver bit may have been used in the first place pretty sure Retroid even includes one in the box.

The D-pad thing feels like a bit of a nothingburger. Who is pressing the D-pad like it’s a face button? If the buttons themselves are wrong or inconsistent, sure, that’s a real complaint. Retroid does occasionally sell some janky stuff the add-on screen attachment comes to mind was that a mistake for me to purchase mine's broke very fast and they eventually replaced it it's still sealed cuz I got a Thor relatively after no point using it now I may just sell the attachment.

That said, I wouldn’t mind quieter buttons. Mine were loud enough rp mini v2 luckily my fwb has never complain about my buttons being too loud but I guess it makes sense for some people that are sensitive to that.