Russ (RetroGameCorps) is one of my guilty pleasures. I eagerly await his videos.
Does anyone have any problems with me posting links to his videos here? I will also summarize some of his findings, unless, again, anyone has a problem with it.
Any suggestions? This seems ok? You’d prefer this was done in a different method?
I’m just trying to keep this community active. I haven’t yet found a good replacement for SBC Gaming from the Old Place. I’m on this magazine, and several others regarding retro handhelds, but I still don’t get as much info as before the Old Place went bad. I’m not saying to go back there now, as it already feels like a ghost town. There are so many odd posts there now, I don’t even know if it is from bots or what.
If people are ok with this idea, I can definitely post links to videos from some of my favorite retro people, like Russ, but also ETA Prime, The Phawx, maybe a few others.
What do you all think?
I will post a short summary of some things Russ said (not everything, because I do not want to take views away from him). Would you prefer my comments being part of the main post (which was long this time as I asked questions and preferences) or as a response?
Some things Russ said:
— RP3+ still a great machine. May not be the value king any longer just because of so many new devices coming out.
— He still dislikes the start/select placement on this device. I go much farther and absolutely hate it. It’s the reason I gave my 3+ away and got a Flip instead (which, unfortunately, also has some issues).
— He loves the color option, though it is apparently the only color option available for this metal version at this time.
— The metal feels very good. He does not dislike pressing buttons/d-pad against metal the way he has other metal devices.
Which one do you prefer between the RP3+ and the Flip? I don’t play much with my RP3+ but a clamshell device look cool
To be honest, they both have their issues and neither one is currently my favorite device. I did give the RP3+ away but I used it for many months so I do have a good sense of it.
I think Retroid’s hardware is, in general, pretty good! But, they always have a strange quirk, at least lately. I say lately because I think the RP2+ is about as perfect a retro handheld as I’ve ever used (power and obsolescence notwithstanding).
The RP3+, for me, always had strange quirks with its battery, particularly in sleep mode, to the point where I never knew if I’d lose 5% over a night’s sleep or 100%. I never got used to the start/select placement. It felt good in the hands but still a bit flimsy.
The Flip has really great first impressions. But, the hinge is so thick it makes the bumpers uncomfortable for me. The triggers are not great and I can already tell my right trigger will be the first thing that breaks. The screen being recessed and no Android physical buttons means it is annoying to swipe from any edge, but from the bottom is the worst. And it also has some of the same sleep mode problems. Lastly, I do like the sliders quite a bit (which surprised me), but I don’t like pressing down on them at all (L3/R3).
What is your favorite device then?
Between the two? I prefer the Flip. Overall? That’s more difficult to answer.
I’ve been spending almost all of my time lately on my Miyoo Mini Plus. It is a cute form factor and I’ve had to be outside my home waiting a lot lately, so it is very convenient. Mostly I’m playing it the most just because the current rom I’m playing on it is just amazing.
The G Cloud is a strong contender for favorite. It is the most comfortable to hold, but oddly enough, I cannot play it as long as the MMP. My hands just start hurting faster. But, even when they are hurting, I can hold both the GCloud and the MMP and still think the GCloud is more comfortable…I’m weird.
The Odin might actually be the best I own right now objectively. It is the most powerful. The price was very good (cheaper than the weaker GCloud). The screen is excellent. It is super comfy to hold (though it is a fingerprint and hand-grease magnet). It has no downsides really. It takes a bit too long to charge it to full, if I had to nitpick?
I have other older devices. The RP2+ might be my absolute favorite device, at least from a design standpoint, but I don’t play it as much anymore just because it has gotten a bit weak in comparison to others. And for weak games, I’d probably rather play the MMP. Others like the RG280v and RG351v are very good, no complaints, but they just aren’t my favorite. 405m I had to return because my screen fell off (got it through Amazon, so easy return). Things like the PlayDate and ArcadeGamer are similar but I would not consider them retro handhelds of the same variety. And my poor M1 Air, which has been sitting unused since I got it on a Black Friday sale a year (or two??) ago, has recently been used for emulation too (and it has been pretty amazing for that). But, it wouldn’t really be fair to compare that to a retro handheld.
Okay, thank you for your response! I also love my Miyoo Mini Plus, truly one of my favorite too. I don’t have a Odin, but it’s on my wishlist
What’s the new value king? Another T618 device?
Russ has been leaving vague comments regarding T618’s over the last few weeks. In this most recent video, which directly discusses his favorite T618, he only mentions that he isn’t sure if it is still the value king any more. He does not give a replacement. The widening of devices (particularly in the massive amount of new SKUs in the super high-end price point) might mean that it takes a bit for things to settle.
I’m not as smart as Russ or any of those big reviewers (like Phawx, ETA, etc), but I suspect the next value king will not be a T618, just because we already have amazing devices and price points for those.