{"id":1432,"date":"2026-07-18T16:12:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T00:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quinnscurios.com\/?p=1432"},"modified":"2026-07-18T16:12:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T00:12:05","slug":"retro-round-up-redux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quinnscurios.com\/?p=1432","title":{"rendered":"Retro Round-Up Redux"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The AAA games industry is still bleak.&nbsp; The two phrases of the moment seem to be \u201crecord breaking profits\u201d and \u201clayoffs.\u201d&nbsp; There are industry analysts and observers that can provide a more detailed history or more specific data, but for my part I\u2019m just sick of developers getting screwed while the executive class continues to rake in fat checks.&nbsp; As such, I am continuing my search for a retro (emulation) handheld that will meet my needs.&nbsp; As a reminder, the criteria that I am using to judge these handhelds can be seen below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each section will be given an individual score, and then each handheld will be given a score out of 100.&nbsp; The physical user experience is given an especially weighty score because it is the most difficult for the end user to change.&nbsp; This stands in contrast to software, which can be updated fairly easily by a user with know-how, and the unboxing experience, which has never left much of an impression on me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">The Unboxing Experience ( \/ 20)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">What documentation is included with the device?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Are there any included accessories or pack-ins?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Does the device seem well-packaged?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Is there anything about the unboxing experience that stands out?\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">The User Experience: Physical (\/ 40)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">How is the device\u2019s build quality?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Does it rattle or creak in use?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">How does the device feel in the hand?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">How is the sound?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">If the device has speakers, where are they located?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Does the device have a headphone jack?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Does the device have any outstanding features?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Is the device aesthetically pleasing?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">The User Experience: Digital (\/ 20)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">What ROMs, if any, are included with the device?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">How well do the included ROMs run?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Is the included software easy to use?\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">The Intangibles ( \/ 20)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Does the device offer good value?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Does the device stand out in the market?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Is the device a \u201chot commodity?\u201d\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anbernic RG35XXSP<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image.jpeg?fit=1000%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image.jpeg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image.jpeg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unboxing &#8211; 12\/20&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The unit I purchased included a USB-C to A cable, an unbranded 64 GB microSD card, and a quick start guide.&nbsp; It also included a screen protector, but it was not pre-applied.&nbsp; Ultimately, while I wasn\u2019t blown away by the unboxing experience, the device had more to offer than the G350 (discussed in the previous round-up), so I\u2019m giving it a higher score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">User Experience: Physical &#8211; 34\/40<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a lot to like about the RG35XXSP.&nbsp; Its standout physical feature is definitely its hinged design, both because it offers protection for the screen and because it&#8217;s a nostalgic call-back to the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP.&nbsp; It also has the most comfortable horizontal trigger bank of any of the devices I\u2019ve tried so far.&nbsp; The buttons are all clicky (rather than mushy), and this is generally my preference while playing.&nbsp; The device also features a headphone jack and an upward firing speaker (just like the GBA SP), both of which are nice to see.&nbsp; It also includes two microSD card slots, Bluetooth, and a micro-HDMI out, allowing for additional storage and \u201cconsolizing\u201d the device by connecting it to a TV or monitor with a wireless controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I had any complaints, it\u2019d be that the microSD card is hard to remove without a tool, even with a fingernail slit.&nbsp; (Granted, this is hardly a gripe unique to this device, unfortunately.)&nbsp; Also, like any hinged device, it\u2019s unclear how long the mechanism will last.&nbsp; In other words, the hinge is also a potential point of failure that a \u201cslab\u201d device doesn\u2019t have.&nbsp; While I like the clicky buttons, I get how it could be an annoyance for the people around you (e.g. a sleeping partner or fellow public transit passengers).&nbsp; It has yet to actually be a problem for me in either case, but perhaps more testing will reveal otherwise.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">User Experience: Digital &#8211; 10\/20<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something I\u2019ve come to appreciate about budget Linux-based retro handhelds is that they (generally) \u201cjust work.\u201d&nbsp; The RG35XXSP is no exception in this regard, and it came with a wide variety of games to play from the jump.&nbsp; The pre-populated systems included: arcade games (CP1-3, FBNeo, MAME), PlayStation games (PS1, PSP), Sega games from Master System to Dreamcast and Game Gear, WonderSwan, and PC Engine.&nbsp; Unlike many of its compatriots, it also included both SNES and GBA games, which makes sense given the nostalgia that the device is clearly drawing from.&nbsp; The device even included homebrew games and old PC ports like Wolfenstein.&nbsp; I certainly wouldn\u2019t call it a complete library by any means, but there are plenty of games to enjoy on the console.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s not all sunshine and rainbows, however.&nbsp; If budget Linux-based handhelds have the benefit of generally \u201cjust working,\u201d they also have the drawback of having weird limitations and quirks that the end-user may not appreciate.&nbsp; For me, this includes the fact that the games available on the device are divided into \u201cGame Rooms\u201d and \u201cRA Games,\u201d for no reason I can discern.&nbsp; This also includes the fact that, depending on the emulator the manufacturer \/ reseller chose, you may have very limited options to change the way a game displays on the device.&nbsp; I was particularly frustrated by the one-two punch of some systems not displaying well on the device\u2019s screen <em>and <\/em>being unable to adjust the game\u2019s scaling for a better fit (even if it would mean black bars).&nbsp; I know that this could be solved by switching to a different operating system, but that\u2019s not something I\u2019m willing to do for a device I may yet return.&nbsp; Also, though I\u2019ve said this before: there\u2019s also no guarantee that a second device will have the same games.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intangibles &#8211;&nbsp; 18\/20<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just like the TrimUI Brick, it\u2019s hard to ignore how much positive coverage this device has received.&nbsp; The fact that I was able to purchase it for $75, making it the second cheapest device on the list (second only to the G350), is also worth considering!&nbsp; When you add in the nostalgia for the GBA SP, the hinge \/ self-protecting screen, and the fact that it includes GBA games on the device, the RG35XXSP represents a value that is hard to ignore.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Score and Conclusion &#8211; 74\/100<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This device has scored the highest of any I\u2019ve reviewed so far, and I doubt that will change any time soon (at least in the budget handheld segment).&nbsp; There\u2019s a lot to like, from the self-protecting screen to the clicky buttons.&nbsp; What\u2019s more, the stuff that\u2019s less positive &#8211; like the wonky OS &#8211; can be solved with a bit of tinkering and patience.&nbsp; Failing that, my unit came with more than enough games out of the box to keep me entertained.&nbsp; Ultimately, while I can\u2019t give this device the title of budget king &#8211; that moniker still goes to the G350 &#8211; I\u2019m more than happy to give it my highest marks yet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1100\" height=\"1100\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1.jpeg?w=1100&amp;ssl=1 1100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quinnscurios.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-1.jpeg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unboxing &#8211;&nbsp; 12\/20<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I wouldn\u2019t call the unboxing experience of this device barebones; after all, it did include a USB-C cable, a QR code linking to the manual and quick start guide, and a pre-installed screen protector.&nbsp; It certainly didn\u2019t impress me, however, and I can\u2019t give it a score much higher than the other devices I\u2019ve considered.&nbsp; The device also did not include a microSD card, but I\u2019ll be talking about that more in the \u201cUser Experience: Digital\u201d section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">User Experience: Physical &#8211; 32\/40<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Subjectively, the Air Mini feels the most \u201cpremium\u201d in my hand of all the devices I\u2019ve tested thus far.&nbsp; Objectively, it\u2019s also the most expensive, coming in at almost double the price of all the other devices ($170 vs $100 or less)!&nbsp; As such, if it <em>didn\u2019t<\/em> feel more premium, I\u2019d have to give the device a rock-bottom score.&nbsp; Beyond that, while the device generally feels well-assembled with few rattles or creaks (minus the volume rocker), I found the face buttons a bit mushy for my liking.&nbsp; I was also disappointed by the downward firing speakers, but the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack makes up for it somewhat.&nbsp; Beyond that, the device does have a microSD card slot covered by a rubber flap; like almost all of the devices I\u2019ve tested so far, I found the flap and insertion mechanism a pain to use.&nbsp; Luckily, it\u2019s not something you\u2019ll have to deal with often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">User Experience: Digital &#8211; 10*\/20<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As my first Android-based retro emulation device, it immediately became clear to me that Android is a whole different ball game than Linux.&nbsp; If Linux is the \u201cit just works\u201d OS, Android is the king of customization.&nbsp; Unfortunately, this also means a lot of work is required of the end-user, as the device comes with no games and almost no software (save for some gaming-specific applications like \u201cAyaspace,\u201d which is provided by the manufacturer).&nbsp; Some, I\u2019m sure, will prefer this approach.&nbsp; They will be free to tinker to their hearts content, from picking their favorite emulators to tweaking settings so every game looks its best on the device.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those looking for a \u201cpick up and play\u201d experience, however, this is <strong>NOT<\/strong> for you.&nbsp; Guides do exist, of course; I found the ones from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=I4mqgcDYZFo&amp;t=334s\">RetroGameCorps<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tETxR8nFTDE&amp;t=1531s\">TechDweeb<\/a> particularly useful.&nbsp; As with anything, it\u2019ll also get easier the more you do it.&nbsp; If you just want to play games, however, and you\u2019re not looking to make retro emulation <em>tinkering<\/em> one of your hobbies (as opposed to retro game <em>playing<\/em>), again, I would caution against picking an Android device.&nbsp; To be honest, I still have some niggles even after following the guides, which isn\u2019t great.&nbsp; In the end, I have to caveat my score for this section.&nbsp; If you\u2019re a tech enthusiast with a large collection of ROMs and you\u2019re willing to tinker, Android is a 15\/20.&nbsp; If you\u2019re not either of those things, it\u2019s hard to give it above a 5.&nbsp; As such, I\u2019ll be splitting the difference at 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intangibles &#8211; 14\/20<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I sought this device out because it was listed as a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dbxBLu5qiWc&amp;t=721s\">great value<\/a>\u201d at around $100.&nbsp; That\u2019s a perfectly fair assessment!&nbsp; At that price, the Air Mini would absolutely smoke the competition, especially for those who are more tech savvy and are comfortable tinkering (see: \u201cUser Experience: Digital\u201d).&nbsp; I bought this device from Amazon for a lot more than $100, though, so I can\u2019t help but feel disappointed.&nbsp; Why should I stick with this device when something like the Anbernic RG476V (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oDkhJzFudE8\">the \u201cretro-handheld-ass retro handheld&#8221;<\/a>) exists for $30 more?&nbsp; I know there are better deals to be found on places like AliExpress and the manufacturer\u2019s website, but without the protection of Amazon\u2019s return policy, I was not willing to use either.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With that being said, I am not going to crater this device\u2019s score in this section for two reasons.&nbsp; First, the device can be found for better prices around the internet for those willing to look.&nbsp; If this device really speaks to you, I think it\u2019s worth seeking out.&nbsp; I certainly won\u2019t complain about the various colorways it has on offer!&nbsp; Also, Android as an operating system is so powerful and customizable (with the potential to play Steam games via apps like Game Native) that it\u2019s hard to ignore.&nbsp; This device might only be able to play lightweight games, but the fact that it can play Steam games at all is something to celebrate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Score and Conclusion &#8211; 68\/100<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a glance, this looks like the lowest score I\u2019ve given thus far.&nbsp; The score doesn\u2019t provide the full picture, though.&nbsp; For folks who enjoy tinkering (and who already have a library of ROMs), this device could be an excellent gateway into the world of Android-based gaming!&nbsp; In fact, changing its \u201cUser Experience: Digital\u201d score to 15 (for the tech-savvy) would make it the second-highest rated handheld I\u2019ve tested, behind only the RG35XXSP.&nbsp; In the end, it\u2019s a matter of setting expectations.&nbsp; If you can get this device at the right price <em>and <\/em>if you go in clear-eyed about what an Android-based retro gaming handheld asks of its user, this could be a great little device.&nbsp; If you just want something to pick up and play, though, I would point you elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Comparison the Thief of Joy?&nbsp; (Yes.)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At this point, I\u2019ve tried a handful of different devices.&nbsp; I would hardly consider myself an expert, given how many more there are on the market, however.&nbsp; While I don\u2019t have the breadth of experience of someone like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@RetroGameCorps\">RetroGameCorps<\/a>, I am reminded of something I\u2019ve learned over years of experience with my other hobbies: there is no perfect pen, keyboard, or, in this case, retro handheld. &nbsp; Even in a hypothetical situation where we could pick and choose the best parts of every handheld, there\u2019s still manufacturing variance to consider.&nbsp; Even if we take a hypothetical step further and say that we have a perfect factory that spits out perfect copies of every machine they build, there\u2019s still the fact that different devices meet different needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, a large and powerful gaming handheld (like the ones being released by Asus and Lenovo) might be able to play virtually every game under the sun.\u00a0 They\u2019re also <em>big<\/em>, meaning that they may not fit into your lifestyle (be it commuting, travelling, or generally being out and about).\u00a0 They\u2019re also <em>expensive<\/em>, meaning that they may not fit into your budget and\/or you may not want to take your multi-thousand dollar machine out of the house!\u00a0 A smaller gaming handheld may be cheaper, but it may not be able to play the games you are most interested in playing.\u00a0 The screen may not be big enough for your eyes or the device might be too small for your hands.\u00a0 In short, even if a device does \u201ceverything right,\u201d for its segment, it may still be a bad fit for your needs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With all of that in mind, I\u2019ve come up with a framework to help me (and, hopefully, you) decide which retro gaming device is the best fit for you and your needs.&nbsp; It\u2019s not really focused on specs, though that will be at least a part of the discussion.&nbsp; It can also be broken up into a handful of different categories: <em>budget, games, use case, and tech-savvy<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Budget<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What you are willing to spend on a handheld will dictate a lot of the other categories, so I\u2019m going to discuss it first.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the obvious: the more you spend, the more gaming \u201chorsepower\u201d you have access to (generally).\u00a0 You\u2019re not going to find a handheld gaming PC for under $500 any more (thanks AI) unless you\u2019re really lucky or you\u2019re able and willing to repair a broken unit.\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t still have a lot of fun, of course; just look at the BatleXP G350!\u00a0 You will land on a device that\u2019s a better fit for you if you have a clear picture of how much you\u2019re willing to spend from the jump, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Games<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next question you need to ask yourself is, \u201cwhat games do I actually want to play?\u201d&nbsp; If you\u2019re only interested in \u201cearly\u201d retro games (ie PS1 era and before), you really don\u2019t need much processing power at all.&nbsp; The more systems you want to play, however, the more power you\u2019ll need under the hood.&nbsp; With that being said, power isn\u2019t the be-all end-all.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; Some systems do not emulate well on certain operating systems.&nbsp; At time of writing (Q2, 2026), my mind goes immediately to 3DS emulation on Android.&nbsp; It doesn\u2019t matter how powerful your system is; the emulation experience of 3DS on Android is still too new to provide a polished, seamless experience.&nbsp; That will likely change in time, but I never recommend buying a system based on promised future features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond that, if you want to play PC games (either natively or via an app like Game Native), yeah, more power means you can play more games.\u00a0 Even here, though, there is room for nuance.\u00a0 If you\u2019re going to be playing AAA titles, sure, go for all the power you can afford.\u00a0 If you\u2019re mostly going to focus on lightweight or indie titles, you probably don\u2019t need a monster handheld.\u00a0 For me, while I like having the <em>option<\/em> to play more graphically intense games, I almost always find myself playing them on my PC because my monitor is bigger than any handheld screen.\u00a0 In the end, with tech being priced the way it is nowadays, paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars more for a \u201cnice to have\u201d just doesn\u2019t make sense to me.\u00a0 As such, I\u2019m generally focusing on less powerful handhelds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use Case<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I alluded to this in my opening paragraphs of this section, but I think it\u2019s important to consider what you\u2019re going to use the device for.&nbsp; <em>Could <\/em>a bulky handheld PC work as a commute companion (assuming you\u2019re not driving, of course)?&nbsp; Sure!&nbsp; Would such a device also come with its own issues, though (e.g. weight, conspicuousness, etc)?&nbsp; Also yes.&nbsp; It\u2019s not like such a device is going to fit in your pocket, either, unless you have comically large cargo shorts.&nbsp; By contrast, could such a device be great for use at home?&nbsp; Undoubtedly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, a device like the Anbernic RG35XXSP might be great for your commute because of its pocket-friendliness and more affordable price point.\u00a0 (Miyoo makes an even smaller \u201cSP-style\u201d device, too, called the Mini Flip).\u00a0 I don\u2019t know that I\u2019d want to use either device extensively at home, though, when I have a PC to play on.\u00a0 (Granted, it\u2019s not like I can drag my PC to the couch or the bed, so take that observation with a grain of salt.)\u00a0 In short, it\u2019s worth considering how the device you plan on buying will actually fit in your life.\u00a0 Being intentional with this decision will help you end up with a device that gets used and enjoyed rather than one that gets returned (or that collects dust on a shelf).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tech-Savvy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lastly, I think it\u2019s important to consider how technically savvy you are.&nbsp; In my experience, virtually every handheld I\u2019ve played with could be improved with some level of tinkering, from tweaking emulation settings to installing a new operating system on a given device.&nbsp; Not everyone has the time, patience, or expertise to do those things, though, and that\u2019s OK.&nbsp; Even if you have the technical know-how, I understand how not everyone wants \u201ctinkering\u201d to be their hobby (instead of actually playing games).&nbsp; I am reminded of my search to find the best pen, paper, and ink combination.&nbsp; Was it fun?&nbsp; Sure.&nbsp; Did it make me a better writer or a more consistent journaller?&nbsp; Absolutely not.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, if you\u2019re tech-savvy, the world is your oyster.&nbsp; You can probably make any handheld work for you, and you very likely don\u2019t need my advice on which handheld to pick.&nbsp; If you\u2019re not tech-savvy, or if you don\u2019t want to invest the time and energy it\u2019ll take to be tech-savvy in the context of the retro doodad, I\u2019d likely recommend against going for an Android-based handheld.&nbsp; Instead, I\u2019d point you toward a budget Linux-based system or, if you can afford it <em>and<\/em> it fits within your lifestyle, a handheld PC like the Steam Deck.&nbsp; Though the Steam Deck is considerably more expensive (especially now), its strong integration with Steam means it&#8217;s very straightforward to \u201cjust play games.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Device Would I Choose?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After trying five devices, I\u2019m now clearer on my preferences with regards to retro emulation handhelds.\u00a0 I know, for example, that I tend to prefer horizontal handhelds (like the MiniLoong), but that\u2019s not a concrete rule if the device is large enough. I also know that I will be using these devices primarily for older retro gaming (stopping around PS1), so purchasing the highest-end handheld isn\u2019t a necessity for me.\u00a0 I also know that my use case is going to involve a fair amount of commuting: a couple of hours on the train every day I go into work.\u00a0 Lastly, while I consider myself reasonably tech-savvy, I value a system that \u201cjust works.\u201d\u00a0 Honestly, while I can\u2019t deny the flexibility and promise of Android as an emulation OS, I\u2019ve generally been happier with the (budget) Linux systems I\u2019ve used because they \u201cjust work.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With all of that in mind, my current choice is the <strong>Anbernic RG35XXSP<\/strong>.&nbsp; It offers the right mix of features, power, and price for my use case and lifestyle.&nbsp; Of course, that doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m not open to trying other devices in the future; two I\u2019ve mentioned in this article (the Miyoo Flip Mini and Anbernic RG476H) both come to mind.&nbsp; I don\u2019t intend to do another \u201cRetro Round-Up\u201d for awhile, however.&nbsp; Aside from the fact that I have other hobbies to attend to, I don\u2019t think my wallet can take adding <em>yet more<\/em> devices to my docket.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The AAA games industry is still bleak.&nbsp; The two phrases of the moment seem to be \u201crecord breaking profits\u201d and \u201clayoffs.\u201d&nbsp; There are industry analysts and observers that can provide&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1427,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"everybody","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[34,51],"tags":[31,39],"class_list":["post-1432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","category-videogames","tag-review","tag-video-games"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Retro Round-Up Redux - Quinn&#039;s Curios<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/quinnscurios.com\/?p=1432\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Retro Round-Up Redux - Quinn&#039;s Curios\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The AAA games industry is still bleak.&nbsp; 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