Can you do another recommendation video but for people who either are vertical users or horizontal as I seen you talk about both and I'm happy with sp for vertical handheld like gba But I'm unsure what's a good horizontal suggestion between Linux devices or the android ones
All that gizmo to get to play some shooter slightly better? Naah, I pass too. I don't get why would anyone play shooters on a console in first place. And if you want to play on portable PC, get a mouse. Aiming becomes 20 times easier.
They purposefully put an overpowered chip in it to inflate the price. The DMG aims at a very niche market, if it comes with sd865 at 200 no way they can make the money back. For people that can spare an additional 150 bucks, the extra power can be useful at times though. 😂
@ oh for sure. Theres no reason to actually play anything high-power on it since it’s only got one stick, and it’s not worth it to play anything lower end because you spent 500$ on it lol
I think the early bird base price is fair as it’s almost priced the same as the Odin 2 but them jacking the price up after launch and locking the retro color behind the most premium option is just shady to me and makes me not want to buy anything from the company. Little anti-consumer things like that really rub me the wrong way.
The money is insanity and the size and premium feel of it are out of the question $200-$250 ago. You could get a ROG Ally or a Steam Deck for that money, and if they follow your tutorials, it can do an awful lot more than this.
It looks nice but Ayaneo's prices are absolutely absurd and I just can't justify it. There are devices that are pretty much as good for a fraction of the price.
@@rushtime3331 they are probably referring to the analogue pocket, which goes for ~$200, less than half of what this device costs at the lowest msrp (and less than a third of the cost of the specific model in the video). all while already being a highly premium device in its own right. but people were already apprehensive about a ~$200 gameboy niche device, so the fact that the pocket DMG makes the analogue price look like a bargain is very alarming for many people in the hobby that are hopping for premium devices at reasonable prices. like someone else in the comments said, this chip is overkill for the niche this fills, they could have used a weaker chip and lower the cost, but didnt.
Finally a fully fledged review on this! Thank you for your effort on this review, I have been severely wondering and tempted by this thing and frankly still am (I think im the niche it fits, although not the most expensive model.. wow).
Ayaneo seems to be unaware of the market they entered. Pocket Air $400 (at launch, now it's heavily discounted), Pocket S $550+, Pocket Evo starting at $390, Pocket DMG $420+...these prices are way too high for an Android Handheld.
I would argue that they are very aware of the market they are in. What's the point of trying to match or directly compete against Anbernic or Ayn or Retroid? Part of the AyaNeo appeal is the style and "jewelery" like nature of the device. Those qualities do not contribute to performance and these devices are generally worse value when comparing tech specs. That is to say if you were to open a burger place next to McDonald's, what kind of experience or quality would be more sustainable? Trying to compete directly against McDonald's prices and portions and quality? Or maybe forgo some volume and focus on higher quality or larger portion sizes or some other way or add value? Also, if AyaNeo's business model was unsustainable, it would have collapsed after the launch of the 2021 original model, and definitely would have been murdered by the Steam Deck.
Early Bird Pocket Air 6GB was $279 with Indiegogo pricing at $299 and retail at $319. I think shipping was included as well. Due to Odin 2 releasing at the same time and Russ had some issues with his review unit, those $279 early bird units were readily available. I never had a problem with the Pocket Air overheating and it was solid device except for the sticks and the chipset isn't a SD 8 gen 2. It's still one of the few dedicated handhelds that has a SIM card slot. Pocket EVO isn't horrible pricing considering it has a 7 inch 165hz AMOLED with full size sticks. Though would've been better for 12GB to come standard at the pricing. Pocket S and DMG, I can't really offer pushback. Those are very niche options. I kind of wonder what AYA NEO is doing at times.
@@cboyardee right. It's like saying that Porsche or Lamborghini "don't know the market" because their cars are so expensive. Or any other "luxury" brand, for that matter.
@jeremy__hopkins throwing stuff at the wall, it seems. I think Pocket S was a miss. Too many regressions from Pocket Air. I have the Evo and it is so comfy and the screen is to die for.
Good video, Russ! I remember having the same experience as a kid in the early '90s. I had friends and cousins that let me sometimes borrow their GameBoy and Game Gear. The ability to play video games anywhere was pretty revolutionary for the time. It still boggles my mind that you can play almost anything now on a portable gaming device with little hassle!
Long as I hear that it’s worth the price that’s all I care about. A lot of people on here is gonna complain about the price knowing that it’s a premium product that’s like going to a Lamborghini shop complaining that your Toyota could do the same thing.
Android handheld with a price of steam deck, small screen, 8:7 aspect ratio and no second analog stick As one wise man once said: "What were they thinking?" also respect to Russ for name the price right off the gate
I greatly appreciate the long video. But $590 as reviewed, $340 to start? Thank goodness they still included a microSD slot, they could have been really greedy with those SKUs and locked down storage behind those prices. Still, that's a big nope for me. too many other options between 400-600.
I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see a new device with a volume wheel as opposed to buttons. I wish volume wheels and sliders were standard again.
Sums it up with this statement..."If you got your hands on one you would love it. Whether or not you're willing to pay that price to get to it is another story."
Thanks Russ and I appreciate all the extras included in this review. It helped give a better idea of the DMG and definitely seemed like a lot of extra work. Again, all very much appreciated. Putting aside issues of cost and niche, my issue is the the design. If the trackpad and stick were replaceable like the GPD XP+ and people could slot in different controls in different configurations, that would help. Or if AYA NEO would like to stick with static controls in a vertical handheld with this chipset, my advice would be to look up the design of the Famicom G-boy. That would change some of the nostalgia, it would be less like a premium Gameboy and more like a new Gamecube and Wii specific handheld. In that case, I would encourage AN to really lean in go with the Gamecube button layout. Considering the expense of a custom G-Boy, this would be something special and the chipset/screen would match the emulation use case. Either that or I'm still pushing for a Sega Nomad inspired design with clicky NGPC style stick. If LCL can make NEOGEO Pocket Color emulation handheld, recreate the stick and not have it cost an insane amount of money, it has to be possible for one of these companies.
Yea man I have one of those trampoline experiences myself lol. Mine was the first time I came across a Sega Game Gear and just thinking how incredible it was to be able to play “Genesis/snes quality” full color backlit games on a handheld device - and even watch tv with a tv tuner!!! That moment just blew me away and has always stuck with me to this day. And mind you this was YEARS after the game gear had released in 1990 - I’m talking prob like 1997ish when I was 6 or 7, but even then it still seemed so revolutionary since Nintendo made us wait until freakin 2003 to give us a proper backlit display on a Gameboy. Up until that point I always viewed handhelds (as cool as they were and I loved my gameboys) as kind of gimmicky and “less than” console versions. But it was at that moment I think I fully realized the possibilities that ONE DAY not too far off in the future we’d be able to play full console like games on a handheld system (even if it ate thru like 6AA batteries, that was fine w me lol). Still, even tho I dreamt of the possibilities and foresaw a lot of what was coming, I don’t think I ever realized just how far it’d go to where now you can have a full size, insanely powerful PC in the palm of your hands with something like the ROG Ally and how those systems have completely just revolutionized EVERYTHING all over again! And it’s hard to imagine what the future still holds in that regard but where ever we go from here, I’m sure I’ll be excited to see what it is until the day I die.
Like, I sat here and watched this entire video, cause when you see Russ post a new RGC video, you say, "yeah man, I wanna watch it" but I'm super confused. Like... who exactly is this handheld for? It's stupidly expensive. I hate to be just like Steam Deck guy, but for that cash, why don't you go get an Odin 2? And the control scheme. Bizarre. Just Bizarre. I get the vertical form factor but just one stick? Some janky touchpad? Non-analog shoulder buttons??? Honestly Russ, when I saw that handheld and the outline around the stick and touchpad I swear to god I thought that thing literally could be pulled out of the handheld and swapped in with an actual dual stick setup or something. This thing has the guts to play GameCube, PS2 and Switch perfectly, and the control scheme and screen dimensions to do exactly none of those systems. WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU PAY THAT MUCH FOR A COMPROMISED EXPERIENCE? I don't care how nice it is to hold it. It's really hard to recommend this over something like the Odin 2 at that price, or hell, even the RP5 that might not play switch but sure as hell has a second analog stick and triggers. If it really is only going to be able to realistically play PS1 and below, you don't need that kind of power. Go with the Ambernic vertical, it's like HALF the price!! I'm just really lost on what Ayaneo is doing here. Like what market are you targeting with this overpriced nonsense? And this isn't even the first Ayaneo handheld that's left me scratching my head. The entire thing is bizarre. Hold their feet to the fire Russ. This company has clearly lost their way.
I’ve been waiting for your video before making a purchase, glad I waited. I’ve been looking for something I can take when I don’t wanna lug around the steam deck and your videos have been so helpful. It’s a great looking device but I think I’m going with the chunky RG406V. I want a vertical device and think for me it’s a middle ground between the pocket dmg and the RG40xxv, I hate the charging issues of those and it’s pretty cool that I can play some GameCube and some android games. It might turn into a dead cells machine. Thank you!
Wow man, that price alone makes me satisfied with my Analogue Pocket (again, also being able to play my physical games) since I want it just for handheld consoles.
Great review! Not having a second analog stick is kind of a dealbreaker for me for something in this price range, though the trackpad could have some uses. Gonna stick with the Miyoo Mini Plus for older games and the SteamDeck OLED for everything else.
anything i would play on this would not require the power it has, and anything i would play that would require the power it has i would rather play on my odin 2. you really gotta be a dmg fan to pay this much for this
I really love this thing. I don't need it, and yeah, for the price it's nothing one should buy on a whim, but I love that it exists. It makes me happy. :)
Can we take a moment to appreciate the irony of "unpolised" being misspelled at the end? Great review, great looking device, but gotdam it's pricey. Will wait for the next next gen version.
I loved this review I can definetely relate to the trampolin story! As someone who started playing less and less games as I grew up, I can definetely see myself spending some $400+ just for having that same feeling again
Pre-ordered this on Indigogo like zillion years ago. Hopefully it ships this month like they claim it will. I do most of my gaming on the steam deck OLED, PC, PS5 etc but I also really enjoy retro gaming and a lot of those scum point and click adventure titles from the 80’s and 90’s ( day of the tentacle, space quest etc ) The touchpad, it’s small form factor and really great display will make a great machine for those old adventurer titles and classic SNES, Dreamcast etc. Not a cheap machine but not much more than the analog pocket and a lot more capable IMO.
I've been waiting for your review on this one since I saw Dweeb and others cover it. I already ordered one over Thanksgiving break - only the base model in white (8GB). Yes, it's really expensive, but this is an end game vertical handheld for me. I wanted something that I won't feel compelled to upgrade from. I wish they went with a slightly less powerful chip inside to bring the price down because Switch emulation on here probably isn't the best experience but still, it's kinda nice that it'll be powerful for a long time to come. Also wish they allowed you to get the retro coloring at the lower spec tiers.
Hmm, I wonder if reviewers are influenced by the price of an object. If this thing cost 150, would he have said the EXACT same thing? The amount of bias will probably vary from person to person. Interesting to think about. Edit: Great work on the video. Very thorough, as always.
Not something I'd ever buy, but something I could definitely see myself keeping if I ever had one, if that makes sense. It's a slick system. Not how I'd really want my system to be, I don't really like trackpads, especially as replacements for second analog sticks, so it doesn't serve me well as a higher-end system, but it has a lot of utility for the handheld sphere. PSP in particular really needs an analog stick and you can't really get by with most N64 games without one, either, even though I think having a two-stick system is better in general if you're going to reach that far since you'll probably be playing a little higher at that price-range. But yeah... I mean it's no slouch for style and function, so it would be a cool system to have. It's definitely sleek and stylish, and has a pretty innovative design, but I think it's one of those things where if I were going to start playing PSP and some higher-end systems like Gamecube or PS2, I wouldn't aim for a DMG design in my systems. I would aim for a proper horizontal handheld with at least two hall-effect sticks. Hard for me to congratulate them on it with it being so pricey, but I'm sure this is probably *the perfect system* for someone out there, so congrats to whoever that is. I can't really criticize it too heavily because it does serve a particular niche, but even still, that price is a _bit_ absurd.
I never had a gameboy but my cousins let me borrow one once where I didnt have batteries but split an old ac adapter wires for power. It worked but I couldnt move far from the wall, I would buy this now that I can afford it.
Miyoo Mini Plus got this beat. It sits in my pockets all the time because it’s pocketable. It is affordable so it gets played in public without fear of dropping it or getting stolen. Most importantly, Onion OS makes it so convenient to play with its streamlined OS and quick resume.
Most people will stick with GB/GBC/GBA in this form factor as well. So I don't see the value of this ayaneo device, even if impressive, at this price point.
I wish Ayaneo made it cheaper with a Snapdragon 888 chip or similar. I can't justify DMG having the same chip as Pocket S or Evo. I would've bought it if it was around $200~250. Nice design, but more of a showpiece than a practical handheld. I own a Pocket S and think it was a better value than Odin 2 mini. I don't think I have a negative bias toward Ayaneo like many in this community.
Power went out in my home up here in Quebec. Pretty frosty inside right now while waiting for the electrician 🥶 Thanks for distracting me from the cold with a warm video, Russ. You’re awesome!
This device looks great. The price being high is all relative based on values and needs. Personally, i dont approach this hobby just from a "bang for buck" value standpoint. I'll splurge within a reasonable budget if it will bring more satisfaction. It's not like it's a console where i have to go buy games for it...just a one time purchase and you're good to go. This device looks ideal for the games i play. I had been considering the 406v, but this DMG just seems a bit more special imo.
Seems like AYANEO is learning and refining...I get the comments on the pricing, but they make premium handhelds...I don't have a problem with that, and more competition and options is great for all of us.
Just get an Odin 2 base model or a steamdeck. With that spec on that form factor, it'll be counter productive when using it for upper tier gaming and emulation.
Hahaha, I love the software experience being unpolished on the device itself and then there's a couple of small small editing mistakes through the review. Including that spelling error at the end.
I don’t think a dual-stick setup works on the handheld without major redesign because of how small the sticks are. But I agree dual-stick input would use that power much better, playing any games other than rpgs with that trackpad is a huge pain in the ass.
I'm torn on this one. I had a preorder in and cancelled it. For me I just feel it's too expensive -vs- the 406v for what you get. Yes this has a lot of cool things on it, volume wheel, performance switch, the screen etc. But to spend more money and then have the controls be weird for some of the games I'd want to play? If they'd gone dual sticks I'd be in. But for me, I think I'd rather deal with performance issues on a budget with the 406v instead of control issues for more than 2x the price. But it's not an easy decision for me. And to be clear I'm team vertical. I have a y700 with gamesir g8+ that handles anything I need. Thanks for the review. Like you said at the end, it's a hard sell at this price point. Enough so I had one on order and cancelled it.
I don't know if that Banjo-Kazooie example holds up. The C buttons are your camera controls, but they're also used in button combos to cover all of abilities you unlock throughout the game. Using a touch pad to simulate a right stick that's simulating four action buttons seems not great.
That said, I totally get that Banjo is here as a substitute for showing a different 3D platformer that has C button camera controls which will remain unnamed. If you need another example, I can recommend Rocket: Robot on Wheels. Its setup is basically identical to the plumber game, with first-person view, rotation and zoom on the four buttons, so they're never action buttons. It's a high quality and nice looking game, too. Not Banjo-tier but pleasing enough to look at. Developed by Sucker Punch who went on to make the Sly Cooper games.
Fantastic review. I've been looking for a GameBoy-like device that not only hits me in the nostalgia feels, but can also play modern mobile titles. This looks to be it. Can't wait for my preorder to ship 👍🏿
I guess the SoC must be real expensive. The GPU seems to be stronger than what's in a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. And Ayaneo is one of the only companies that uses it
Yep, it’s a long one. The price point and build quality warranted it.
Two snacks and two drinks then? Great!
This may warrant a whole meal while watching!
Love it! Thank you for all your hard work Russ!
Can you do another recommendation video but for people who either are vertical users or horizontal as I seen you talk about both and I'm happy with sp for vertical handheld like gba
But I'm unsure what's a good horizontal suggestion between Linux devices or the android ones
Ive seen 15+ review videos for this device…
Yours is the ONLY one that informs potential buyers
Saw the price and that's it.
Same. They’re insane
All that gizmo to get to play some shooter slightly better? Naah, I pass too.
I don't get why would anyone play shooters on a console in first place. And if you want to play on portable PC, get a mouse. Aiming becomes 20 times easier.
@ I’ve always played shooters on a controller but I would never play a shooter on a ROG ALLY or this expensive crap
Yeah, this is bonkers. Who do they imagine this is for?
Comically passable price, no thanks lmao
I certainly thought it was gonna be “high” at 150 or 200, like the analogue. That’s actual insanity.
They purposefully put an overpowered chip in it to inflate the price. The DMG aims at a very niche market, if it comes with sd865 at 200 no way they can make the money back. For people that can spare an additional 150 bucks, the extra power can be useful at times though. 😂
@ oh for sure. Theres no reason to actually play anything high-power on it since it’s only got one stick, and it’s not worth it to play anything lower end because you spent 500$ on it lol
I literally said out loud on the intro, “if it’s in the 250 range, that would be high, but not too bad” … 10 seconds later, “$500!?”
at that price point just get a gabe boy you know
@ I too, love the gabe boy
Jeeze, for that price I might as well get a Steamdeck.
But it doesn't have ayneo brand logo 😢
Jeeze, at that size might as well get a steamdeck
It's a radically different device. I mean yeah the steam deck is a better value but they really aren't substitutes for each other.
@@TCharlieA RetroArch on a steamdeck makes it an amazing retro machine. So you might as well go for that.
@@Butterfingers1989 I would if it wasn’t bigger than my pc & monitor combined
It looks cool, but I wish it wasn’t so expensive 😭
Avg reaction to every ayaneo product:
Tbh, this is like a cry once and be done type purchase, why would need something else if you have this one?
Yep esp when a PS5 Slim was £305 during Black Friday.
You can get an anbernic 40xx v for
No, buy once cry once applies to things like a PC handheld or Odin/Retroid handhelds. This is completely excess for its general use case.
I think the early bird base price is fair as it’s almost priced the same as the Odin 2 but them jacking the price up after launch and locking the retro color behind the most premium option is just shady to me and makes me not want to buy anything from the company. Little anti-consumer things like that really rub me the wrong way.
Am I in the market for another handheld? No.
Am I still going to watch this video because I love Russ' videos? Yes.
Edit: HOLY that's expensive LOL.
Finally, Game Man.
I'm gonna be game retiree by the time I can afford that lmao
Haha. Yes!
@@uncookednoodles8775 Game deceased lol
The money is insanity and the size and premium feel of it are out of the question $200-$250 ago. You could get a ROG Ally or a Steam Deck for that money, and if they follow your tutorials, it can do an awful lot more than this.
Form factor.
The value proposition here is not great. It's definitely a collectors handheld and not for the average consumer.
Ayaneo Pocket DMG
(Rich People Only Edition)
@@SpindlyJohnny LOL. The "influencer" Edition
which ring of hell would a chinese e-waste collector belong in?
It looks nice but Ayaneo's prices are absolutely absurd and I just can't justify it. There are devices that are pretty much as good for a fraction of the price.
No way you’re saying the RG40XXV is pretty much as good. It gets the job done but the difference is night and day if you play them side by side. 😂
what device can play Black with EE 180% overclock and 60 fps patch that is cheaper, has oled and fits in a pocket? Retroid Pocket Mini?
@@rushtime3331the retroid pocket mini rg556 rg505 and rg406v are the fraction of that price and is comparable to this price
@@rushtime3331 they are probably referring to the analogue pocket, which goes for ~$200, less than half of what this device costs at the lowest msrp (and less than a third of the cost of the specific model in the video). all while already being a highly premium device in its own right. but people were already apprehensive about a ~$200 gameboy niche device, so the fact that the pocket DMG makes the analogue price look like a bargain is very alarming for many people in the hobby that are hopping for premium devices at reasonable prices.
like someone else in the comments said, this chip is overkill for the niche this fills, they could have used a weaker chip and lower the cost, but didnt.
@@agamaz5650 Why in the world would you play a shooter with a trackpad?
Right when you got to price I checked out. I can get an Odin 2 for MUCH cheaper.
Or a 2 mini if you want something on the go
same here.
@@axelt6312 mini 2 doesnt have oled though and doesnt fit in a pocket
@@agamaz5650 fit in a satchel and honestly Oled doesn't matter on such small devices
To be fair the base model is pretty close to the Odin 2 - more than the base, cheaper than the pro.
And it is the same price as the Odin 2 mini.
Finally a fully fledged review on this!
Thank you for your effort on this review, I have been severely wondering and tempted by this thing and frankly still am (I think im the niche it fits, although not the most expensive model.. wow).
Ayaneo seems to be unaware of the market they entered. Pocket Air $400 (at launch, now it's heavily discounted), Pocket S $550+, Pocket Evo starting at $390, Pocket DMG $420+...these prices are way too high for an Android Handheld.
I would argue that they are very aware of the market they are in. What's the point of trying to match or directly compete against Anbernic or Ayn or Retroid?
Part of the AyaNeo appeal is the style and "jewelery" like nature of the device. Those qualities do not contribute to performance and these devices are generally worse value when comparing tech specs.
That is to say if you were to open a burger place next to McDonald's, what kind of experience or quality would be more sustainable? Trying to compete directly against McDonald's prices and portions and quality? Or maybe forgo some volume and focus on higher quality or larger portion sizes or some other way or add value?
Also, if AyaNeo's business model was unsustainable, it would have collapsed after the launch of the 2021 original model, and definitely would have been murdered by the Steam Deck.
they know their market. People that have disposable income and already have a steamdeck
Early Bird Pocket Air 6GB was $279 with Indiegogo pricing at $299 and retail at $319. I think shipping was included as well. Due to Odin 2 releasing at the same time and Russ had some issues with his review unit, those $279 early bird units were readily available. I never had a problem with the Pocket Air overheating and it was solid device except for the sticks and the chipset isn't a SD 8 gen 2. It's still one of the few dedicated handhelds that has a SIM card slot.
Pocket EVO isn't horrible pricing considering it has a 7 inch 165hz AMOLED with full size sticks. Though would've been better for 12GB to come standard at the pricing. Pocket S and DMG, I can't really offer pushback. Those are very niche options. I kind of wonder what AYA NEO is doing at times.
@@cboyardee right. It's like saying that Porsche or Lamborghini "don't know the market" because their cars are so expensive.
Or any other "luxury" brand, for that matter.
@jeremy__hopkins throwing stuff at the wall, it seems. I think Pocket S was a miss. Too many regressions from Pocket Air. I have the Evo and it is so comfy and the screen is to die for.
Holy shit at the price.
Yeah its insanity AND the screen is small and there's no right analog stick
Fantastic review, and so detailed! But I've not seen a single review for this thing addressing the missing headphone jack.
Good video, Russ! I remember having the same experience as a kid in the early '90s. I had friends and cousins that let me sometimes borrow their GameBoy and Game Gear. The ability to play video games anywhere was pretty revolutionary for the time. It still boggles my mind that you can play almost anything now on a portable gaming device with little hassle!
Long as I hear that it’s worth the price that’s all I care about. A lot of people on here is gonna complain about the price knowing that it’s a premium product that’s like going to a Lamborghini shop complaining that your Toyota could do the same thing.
A Lamorghini is actually faster and objectively better designed, this analogy sucks.
Funny how You mentioned that one thing out of all the premium functions this thing does 😂. What DMG is better designed than this?
Android handheld with a price of steam deck, small screen, 8:7 aspect ratio and no second analog stick
As one wise man once said: "What were they thinking?"
also respect to Russ for name the price right off the gate
LOL, not gonna pay that price ever for a retro handheld
Nobody’s telling you to 😂
Every day a new handheld is born
Russ, I think the trick to the touchpad is to keep your thumb on it…Swiping is whats causing issues for most reviews I have seen.
I greatly appreciate the long video.
But $590 as reviewed, $340 to start? Thank goodness they still included a microSD slot, they could have been really greedy with those SKUs and locked down storage behind those prices.
Still, that's a big nope for me. too many other options between 400-600.
You'd think they could afford a headphone jack at this price. JFC.
Yeah, I head phone jack would be welcome
I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see a new device with a volume wheel as opposed to buttons. I wish volume wheels and sliders were standard again.
The analogue volume sliders and wheels used to create scratchy noises - perhaps that is why they died off 🤷
Sums it up with this statement..."If you got your hands on one you would love it. Whether or not you're willing to pay that price to get to it is another story."
Finally, a good review on this device. Thanks Russ, you never disappoint
missed opportunity for making the analog trackpad part a hotswappable module
Thanks Russ and I appreciate all the extras included in this review. It helped give a better idea of the DMG and definitely seemed like a lot of extra work. Again, all very much appreciated.
Putting aside issues of cost and niche, my issue is the the design. If the trackpad and stick were replaceable like the GPD XP+ and people could slot in different controls in different configurations, that would help. Or if AYA NEO would like to stick with static controls in a vertical handheld with this chipset, my advice would be to look up the design of the Famicom G-boy. That would change some of the nostalgia, it would be less like a premium Gameboy and more like a new Gamecube and Wii specific handheld. In that case, I would encourage AN to really lean in go with the Gamecube button layout. Considering the expense of a custom G-Boy, this would be something special and the chipset/screen would match the emulation use case. Either that or I'm still pushing for a Sega Nomad inspired design with clicky NGPC style stick. If LCL can make NEOGEO Pocket Color emulation handheld, recreate the stick and not have it cost an insane amount of money, it has to be possible for one of these companies.
Wow, it's nice... But oooffff that price. I'd buy it for $250USD
Yea man I have one of those trampoline experiences myself lol. Mine was the first time I came across a Sega Game Gear and just thinking how incredible it was to be able to play “Genesis/snes quality” full color backlit games on a handheld device - and even watch tv with a tv tuner!!! That moment just blew me away and has always stuck with me to this day.
And mind you this was YEARS after the game gear had released in 1990 - I’m talking prob like 1997ish when I was 6 or 7, but even then it still seemed so revolutionary since Nintendo made us wait until freakin 2003 to give us a proper backlit display on a Gameboy.
Up until that point I always viewed handhelds (as cool as they were and I loved my gameboys) as kind of gimmicky and “less than” console versions. But it was at that moment I think I fully realized the possibilities that ONE DAY not too far off in the future we’d be able to play full console like games on a handheld system (even if it ate thru like 6AA batteries, that was fine w me lol).
Still, even tho I dreamt of the possibilities and foresaw a lot of what was coming, I don’t think I ever realized just how far it’d go to where now you can have a full size, insanely powerful PC in the palm of your hands with something like the ROG Ally and how those systems have completely just revolutionized EVERYTHING all over again! And it’s hard to imagine what the future still holds in that regard but where ever we go from here, I’m sure I’ll be excited to see what it is until the day I die.
Love the story time analogy-hits home in a very real way!
Like, I sat here and watched this entire video, cause when you see Russ post a new RGC video, you say, "yeah man, I wanna watch it" but I'm super confused.
Like... who exactly is this handheld for?
It's stupidly expensive. I hate to be just like Steam Deck guy, but for that cash, why don't you go get an Odin 2?
And the control scheme. Bizarre. Just Bizarre. I get the vertical form factor but just one stick? Some janky touchpad? Non-analog shoulder buttons??? Honestly Russ, when I saw that handheld and the outline around the stick and touchpad I swear to god I thought that thing literally could be pulled out of the handheld and swapped in with an actual dual stick setup or something.
This thing has the guts to play GameCube, PS2 and Switch perfectly, and the control scheme and screen dimensions to do exactly none of those systems. WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU PAY THAT MUCH FOR A COMPROMISED EXPERIENCE? I don't care how nice it is to hold it. It's really hard to recommend this over something like the Odin 2 at that price, or hell, even the RP5 that might not play switch but sure as hell has a second analog stick and triggers. If it really is only going to be able to realistically play PS1 and below, you don't need that kind of power. Go with the Ambernic vertical, it's like HALF the price!!
I'm just really lost on what Ayaneo is doing here. Like what market are you targeting with this overpriced nonsense? And this isn't even the first Ayaneo handheld that's left me scratching my head. The entire thing is bizarre.
Hold their feet to the fire Russ. This company has clearly lost their way.
I’ve been waiting for your video before making a purchase, glad I waited. I’ve been looking for something I can take when I don’t wanna lug around the steam deck and your videos have been so helpful. It’s a great looking device but I think I’m going with the chunky RG406V. I want a vertical device and think for me it’s a middle ground between the pocket dmg and the RG40xxv, I hate the charging issues of those and it’s pretty cool that I can play some GameCube and some android games. It might turn into a dead cells machine. Thank you!
Wow man, that price alone makes me satisfied with my Analogue Pocket (again, also being able to play my physical games) since I want it just for handheld consoles.
Great review! Not having a second analog stick is kind of a dealbreaker for me for something in this price range, though the trackpad could have some uses. Gonna stick with the Miyoo Mini Plus for older games and the SteamDeck OLED for everything else.
anything i would play on this would not require the power it has, and anything i would play that would require the power it has i would rather play on my odin 2. you really gotta be a dmg fan to pay this much for this
Snack: grabbed
Drink: acquired
TrimUI Smart Pro playing Golden Sun: in hand
Hour-long Retro Game Corps review: about to be watched
i love that you start off this video with the price.
Android + Winlator + Mouse-mode trackpad = pocket retro RTS machine...
Also the perfect pocket DOOM runner.
I think the display is probably its most attractive feature.
Don't forget the pocket test in the next video hopefully
Looks really rad but gonna wait for the "year late bird sales."
Jesse Eisenberg of Retro Game Corps Makes the Best Reviews. Good Review Man
I really love this thing. I don't need it, and yeah, for the price it's nothing one should buy on a whim, but I love that it exists. It makes me happy. :)
Can we take a moment to appreciate the irony of "unpolised" being misspelled at the end? Great review, great looking device, but gotdam it's pricey. Will wait for the next next gen version.
I loved this review I can definetely relate to the trampolin story! As someone who started playing less and less games as I grew up, I can definetely see myself spending some $400+ just for having that same feeling again
Insanely priced like why not just get a steam deck at that point
Pre-ordered this on Indigogo like zillion years ago. Hopefully it ships this month like they claim it will. I do most of my gaming on the steam deck OLED, PC, PS5 etc but I also really enjoy retro gaming and a lot of those scum point and click adventure titles from the 80’s and 90’s ( day of the tentacle, space quest etc ) The touchpad, it’s small form factor and really great display will make a great machine for those old adventurer titles and classic SNES, Dreamcast etc.
Not a cheap machine but not much more than the analog pocket and a lot more capable IMO.
Russ you are a goddamn boss. I love the effort you put into your videos
someone looked at analogue pocket and said thats too affordable and too simple to play to plug and play
That in the smallest config (and the Evo in the biggest) and its Happy Xmas 🎉🎉
I’ve watch so many reviews and no one shows it docked. Finally!! I knew the snack master wouldn’t let me down
There is no use case to justify that price point. Insane
Great video tho :D
I love your channel! been watching since 2022
Omg it's Christmas.. the upload I've been waiting for, haha.
This looks great but I can't justify paying Steam Deck prices for a retro handheld
I've been waiting for your review on this one since I saw Dweeb and others cover it. I already ordered one over Thanksgiving break - only the base model in white (8GB). Yes, it's really expensive, but this is an end game vertical handheld for me. I wanted something that I won't feel compelled to upgrade from.
I wish they went with a slightly less powerful chip inside to bring the price down because Switch emulation on here probably isn't the best experience but still, it's kinda nice that it'll be powerful for a long time to come. Also wish they allowed you to get the retro coloring at the lower spec tiers.
Who is the target market for this?? It looks awesome, but no matter how amazingly you equip a Nissan Sentra, nobody is paying $70k for it.
I hope that otger manufacturers see that we DO want this large chunky retro form factor and release realistically priced handhelds
Hmm, I wonder if reviewers are influenced by the price of an object. If this thing cost 150, would he have said the EXACT same thing? The amount of bias will probably vary from person to person. Interesting to think about.
Edit: Great work on the video. Very thorough, as always.
I love how Russ justifies screen stretching: it just looks better.
Not something I'd ever buy, but something I could definitely see myself keeping if I ever had one, if that makes sense.
It's a slick system. Not how I'd really want my system to be, I don't really like trackpads, especially as replacements for second analog sticks, so it doesn't serve me well as a higher-end system, but it has a lot of utility for the handheld sphere. PSP in particular really needs an analog stick and you can't really get by with most N64 games without one, either, even though I think having a two-stick system is better in general if you're going to reach that far since you'll probably be playing a little higher at that price-range.
But yeah... I mean it's no slouch for style and function, so it would be a cool system to have. It's definitely sleek and stylish, and has a pretty innovative design, but I think it's one of those things where if I were going to start playing PSP and some higher-end systems like Gamecube or PS2, I wouldn't aim for a DMG design in my systems. I would aim for a proper horizontal handheld with at least two hall-effect sticks.
Hard for me to congratulate them on it with it being so pricey, but I'm sure this is probably *the perfect system* for someone out there, so congrats to whoever that is. I can't really criticize it too heavily because it does serve a particular niche, but even still, that price is a _bit_ absurd.
the price is simply outrageous!!!
next please...
I mean, it is about the same price as an Odin 2 for about the same performance. Not that surprising of a price.
@@snowolf494sure but no even the ODIN portal reaches $700..... and that's a 16:9 OLED with 2 stick and infinitely better ergonomics and temps
@@snowolf494 ODIN 2 = GOAT!!
please don't compare this overpriced product with the GOAT...please!
THANK YOU for showing some NCAA footage!
I never had a gameboy but my cousins let me borrow one once where I didnt have batteries but split an old ac adapter wires for power. It worked but I couldnt move far from the wall, I would buy this now that I can afford it.
Wow. That price is insane i tell you!!
It Looks awesome but way out of my price range I just stuck around cause I enjoy RGC videos 😁
gonna have to post how many people clicked off around 1:30 hahaha
Too much power which is pointless for consoles like gcn and ps2 due to small screen
These buttons is something I always wanted from anbernic handhelds. I hate glossy flat buttons in latest anbernic handhelds.
Miyoo Mini Plus got this beat.
It sits in my pockets all the time because it’s pocketable.
It is affordable so it gets played in public without fear of dropping it or getting stolen.
Most importantly, Onion OS makes it so convenient to play with its streamlined OS and quick resume.
@@wingn3849 same, I see no reason to stop using my MM+
Most people will stick with GB/GBC/GBA in this form factor as well. So I don't see the value of this ayaneo device, even if impressive, at this price point.
Miyoo Mini Plus doesnt play ps2 and gamecube
@agamaz5650 that's not worth $300 more than the MM+ lmao
I wish Ayaneo made it cheaper with a Snapdragon 888 chip or similar. I can't justify DMG having the same chip as Pocket S or Evo. I would've bought it if it was around $200~250. Nice design, but more of a showpiece than a practical handheld.
I own a Pocket S and think it was a better value than Odin 2 mini. I don't think I have a negative bias toward Ayaneo like many in this community.
Power went out in my home up here in Quebec. Pretty frosty inside right now while waiting for the electrician 🥶
Thanks for distracting me from the cold with a warm video, Russ.
You’re awesome!
This device looks great. The price being high is all relative based on values and needs. Personally, i dont approach this hobby just from a "bang for buck" value standpoint. I'll splurge within a reasonable budget if it will bring more satisfaction. It's not like it's a console where i have to go buy games for it...just a one time purchase and you're good to go. This device looks ideal for the games i play. I had been considering the 406v, but this DMG just seems a bit more special imo.
Buy it you won’t regret
Seems like AYANEO is learning and refining...I get the comments on the pricing, but they make premium handhelds...I don't have a problem with that, and more competition and options is great for all of us.
Just get an Odin 2 base model or a steamdeck. With that spec on that form factor, it'll be counter productive when using it for upper tier gaming and emulation.
They definitely set themselves apart with the design though, very different looking than other verts on the market, which is VERY refreshing
Smallest config is totally fine for this RETRO gaming handheld
King of vertical handhelds? Absolutely
King of not vfm? Absolutely
I know you don't really like the analogue pocket, but it' be good to get a comparison
A gameboy that plays gamecube, show that for someone in early 2000's, it should be 🤯
cant believe my eyes when I see the price !
Refurbished or new SteamDeck are still WAY more value at these prices. Great review!
Hahaha, I love the software experience being unpolished on the device itself and then there's a couple of small small editing mistakes through the review. Including that spelling error at the end.
Damn, the retail prices of more beefy versions are close to rog ally.
Wish it didn't have the track pad. It's so beautiful, just the trackpad kills it. Settled for the RG406V instead.
I don’t think a dual-stick setup works on the handheld without major redesign because of how small the sticks are. But I agree dual-stick input would use that power much better, playing any games other than rpgs with that trackpad is a huge pain in the ass.
Too expensive
I'm torn on this one. I had a preorder in and cancelled it. For me I just feel it's too expensive -vs- the 406v for what you get. Yes this has a lot of cool things on it, volume wheel, performance switch, the screen etc. But to spend more money and then have the controls be weird for some of the games I'd want to play? If they'd gone dual sticks I'd be in. But for me, I think I'd rather deal with performance issues on a budget with the 406v instead of control issues for more than 2x the price. But it's not an easy decision for me. And to be clear I'm team vertical. I have a y700 with gamesir g8+ that handles anything I need.
Thanks for the review. Like you said at the end, it's a hard sell at this price point. Enough so I had one on order and cancelled it.
For that money I'd expect 2 hall effect sticks and a built-in projector.
It's very expensive but I'm not surprised, it's AYANEO after all.
Brooo showing yuzu gameplay playin with fire 🔥
ah damn! didn't know it had a trackpad that actually makes sense!
is the experience $400 more than a rp5?
I don't know if that Banjo-Kazooie example holds up. The C buttons are your camera controls, but they're also used in button combos to cover all of abilities you unlock throughout the game. Using a touch pad to simulate a right stick that's simulating four action buttons seems not great.
That said, I totally get that Banjo is here as a substitute for showing a different 3D platformer that has C button camera controls which will remain unnamed.
If you need another example, I can recommend Rocket: Robot on Wheels. Its setup is basically identical to the plumber game, with first-person view, rotation and zoom on the four buttons, so they're never action buttons.
It's a high quality and nice looking game, too. Not Banjo-tier but pleasing enough to look at. Developed by Sucker Punch who went on to make the Sly Cooper games.
Could indeed possibly work for Ultra Red Dude 3-score and 4
Fantastic review. I've been looking for a GameBoy-like device that not only hits me in the nostalgia feels, but can also play modern mobile titles. This looks to be it. Can't wait for my preorder to ship 👍🏿
What a wonderful looking machine. If only it wasn't so expensive! I'll stick with my steam deck and rg35xx+!
These OLED screens are looking so good that the video looks superimposed onto the device.
I guess the SoC must be real expensive. The GPU seems to be stronger than what's in a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. And Ayaneo is one of the only companies that uses it
Ayaneo seems to be incredibly greedy when it comes to the prices of all their consoles.
The price is absolutely outrageous.