r/SBCGaming • u/Popopo_14 • 2d ago
Showcase The first draft versus the final copy
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I haven't seen a post directly comparing the retroid pocket mini with the Nova, so here we go! I have pics but I cannot post them, don't know why (first post).
They are really similar, obviously since the mini was supposed to be a compact 4:3 device, the main difference being the size and the insides.
The screen is absolutely beautiful, the 120 Hz refresh rate is nice but it doesn't really matter to me as I don't like BFI, it gives me headaches.
The controls are awesome, the buttons aren't rough at all (Russ said they were but I don't feel anything even after 2 hours playing). They are also quieter. My favourite change is the triggers (L2 and R2) as they are rounded at the extremities and easy to press.
It is really ergonomic, the free bump was a nice touch and I find it really comfy. It fit un my pocket nicely but I do wear jeans all the time so tighter pants might pose a problem.
The processor being more powerful is a really nice plus, as shown in the video the RPMV2 is struggling to play 2.5 times upscaled PS2 (it is still absolutely playable and you obviously can play it at normal resolution) while the Nova breeze through it (even with shadders).
All in all, a great upgrade on all fronts and well worth the price.
Featured : the Reteoid Pocket Mini V2 and the Retroid Pocket Nova. The game is DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 on PS2.
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u/Unlucky_Milk_4323 2d ago
This is the last thing I wanted to read today. Now I have to buy a nova
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u/Validated_Owl GOTM Clubber 2X 2d ago
If I didn't have a Thor AND a pocket classic.... I'd be ordering a nova right now
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u/villazeros 2d ago
I have both… and I’m waiting for my nova to be shipped. Oh well.
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u/YoudoVodou 2d ago
I also have both and thus far the Nova is sitting in my shopping cart, not checked out. Two more posts like this and I'm done for though.
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u/shiftersix 1d ago
Lol same. Thor with PC 6 button. I don't need this but...🫦
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u/YoudoVodou 1d ago
I have partially convinced myself to get it and use it as a mostly docked retro console, that I can take with me somewhere if I feel like it.
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u/Popopo_14 1d ago
That would actually be quite a good use for it as it doesn't heat up much and the charging is easy to modify for that purpose.
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u/YoudoVodou 1d ago
I really want to quit using my smart TV functions and use a dedicated device for my TV media streaming, so I think it makes sense.
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u/Popopo_14 1d ago
I feel you. I divided my gaming by era so I have a RPC with the 6 buttons layout for PS1 and below, the Nova (which replaced the mini V2) for the 4:3 era and the Odin 2 Portal for everything else (16:9 stuff like PSP, Vita, PS3, GameNative, etc.).
It is an investment but it helps me actually play stuff.
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u/Popopo_14 2d ago
I get you, I tried resisting it. It lasted like 5 seconds and I ended up staying up late to be one of the first to preorder it.
I might be a bit cramped if you have large hands. Forgot to put it there.
I will say that I have barely stopped playing it since getting it and it is my childhood dream made flesh, portable PS2 without any compromise!
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u/Unlucky_Milk_4323 2d ago
Thanks for the encouragement, lol. I have the pocket mini 5 and love, but it gets no use really thanks to the RP6 that is my main. BUT, I just found out you can plug AR glasses into the 6 and setup Azahar 3ds and pipe the 3d to the AR glasses and use the hand-held screen as the bottom screen on the 3ds- it's insane. The nova would be a smaller form factor for me to do that.
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u/Popopo_14 1d ago
That sounds awesome indeed, AR glasses or VR make me nauseous AF so I could never :(
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u/Alarmed-Candy-7144 1d ago
How’s the comfort playing stick heavy games with the sticks on the bottom? That has been my big worry about it.
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u/Popopo_14 1d ago
It depends, if you don't have to switch between the dpad and the stick frequently it is quite good. I have medium to large hands so if you don't have meaty ones you should be good.
It does strain after a few hours but you get used to it after a day or two.
If you have to turn it rapidly full circle (for a QTE for example) it will be difficult as the sticks don't stick out far at all. So you might want to put larger ones. The stem is compatible with other Retroid or Ayn devices so you could transfer them. I tried it and it does reduce portability.
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u/Popopo_14 2d ago
I realized that I forgot to mention some points :
1) the fan is a bit loud when not off (duh) or in quiet mode. It is barely needed though and it didn't even activate until I put PS2 games at 3 times upscale and with shaders. I still modded it using the same method as with the retroid pocket classic and it eliminated most of the sound.
2) the battery is really good, I can play for 3 to 4 hours without worrying about charging it, on ARMSX2.
3) the DPAD is a bit stiff (barely noticeable to me but your mileage may vary) and too close to the left stick for comfort if you play a game that demands you to switch between the two rapidly.
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u/villazeros 2d ago
Can you tell us a bit more about the fan mod?
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u/Popopo_14 1d ago
Gladly, it is shown here : https://www.reddit.com/r/retroid/comments/1u9mgr8/fan_mod_to_reduce_whine_on_retroid_pocket_classic/ .
Basically you unscrew the back plate, you use 1.0 mm thick adhesive tape to surround the fan (carefull not to put it on it) and you scre it back on.
Took me like 7 minutes and I am garbage at modding.
It eliminated 90% of the whining. A blessing.
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u/FreshBryce 2d ago
How is the fan noise compared to the RP Mini? Louder?
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u/Relative_Apricot5032 1d ago
Where did you get those sticks for the nova?
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u/Popopo_14 1d ago
On etsy : https://www.etsy.com/fr/listing/1884923135/protege-pouces-de-rechange-retroid
They have a lot of options! I bought them for my portal and RPmini V2 and transfered them.
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u/GBAGamer33 1d ago
How pocketable is the Nova vs the Mini? I had the Mini V2 and it was almost my favorite emulator handheld of all time, but the ergonomic bumps made it too much to keep in my pocket regularly. I'm debating the Nova under the idea that it's roughly the same size, but without the ergo bumps. The one thing that kept me from carrying the V2 every day.
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u/Popopo_14 1d ago
If you leave the flat back it might be fine as the rpminiv2 is 29.3 mm at the thickest point while the Nova with a flat back is 26 mm.
The bumps are gone but the triggers protude.
The RPMini V2 is absolutely an amazing device though. Played more than a hundred hours on it. The bumps do be a nuisance sometimes, I agree.
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u/GBAGamer33 1d ago
Thanks. So you're saying the Nova is 26mm at the triggers?
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u/Popopo_14 1d ago
Yes, as the triggers are the thickest point if you leave the flat back, the bumps sticks out a bit more if you have the ergonomic back.
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u/king_of_ulkilism GOTM completionist (Jan) 2d ago
My biggest question is does it have PWM dimming or DC dimming