UPDATE: lots of folks weren't happy with the comparison chart's color scheme, which used tiermaker.com standards. I get it, it's not very logical! I thought I was being a cool gamer dad by using what the kids these days use. Here is an updated chart with more logical colors. I also added the RG405M due to a few requests, and made some amendments that I missed in the first chart (Wii should be "A" on the RP5, PSP should be "C" on the RG Cube). retrogamecorps.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rp-mini-review.018.png
May I ask what's keeping the RP5 for GC, Wii, PS2 from reaching S? Is it just because it's projected based on the RP Mini hardware, and not fully tested yet? OR maybe the screen AR?
@@kurojngyuki it’s very close to S tier with the SD865 but it will have performance limitations and emulator compatibility with some games, which makes me hesitate to give it that highest grade. The Odin 2, AYANEO Pocket S, and Odin 2 Mini would likely make S tier since they can basically handle anything the emulator can produce, but they are outside the scope of my chart due to price and size.
It’s tricky as when it comes to colour recognition everyone wants different things; the tier colours make sense to me as I’ve seen those tier colours before, but what I would say is that for accessibility it helps to have contrast between the colours and the text - so basically dark colours have white text and light colours have black text. Shades of one colour are also much better than all different colours for colourblind people as often different colours look the same, but this can look less appealing for those who have “normal” colour vision. As with everything, you can’t please everyone Russ and you can only do your best!👍
Russ, you are the most efficient content creator in this space. No fluff; no wasted commentary. You deliver all the pertinent info without being bland. You have found the perfect balance of being informative and entertaining.
Whole heartedly agree!!! Ever since I found his channel he's the only UA-camr I watch when it comes to anything about handheld PC's or emulation and retro gaming!!!!👍💯❤️
After watching this video, I decided to buy the 'Retroid Pocket 5.' Thank you for such a thorough and detailed analysis. It really helped me make up my mind!
@JS-sv4ol im not the above commenter but I decided for the 5 too. The 5 is not that much bigger, is just a tiny bit wider thats all. Then, 4:3 content is bigger and more resolution on the 5 too. Also you can try and use widescreen hacks on many games and consoles. Also, the 5 has better specs, and arguably a much better design with an almost edge to edge screen with no visible bezels. And its just $10-20 more. So I see no reason to not get the 5 instead
Bigger screen and still pocketable ships with android 13 plus I play most on ps1 ps2 psp and GameCube so definitely big screen for the win. Oh and some ds
$20 more comes with a a much bigger screen, a bigger battery, and 2 more gigs of ram. once the 5 model starts shipping i see a price drop coming for the mini.
Based on the chart shared at the end of the video, the Retroid Pocket 5 offers a significant advantage in almost every category. Its AMOLED screen, larger size, and high resolution make it perfect for smooth gaming sessions, especially with demanding games. Whether it’s retro titles or Android games, the RP5 provides excellent fluidity and performance, ensuring that everything runs seamlessly while playing.@@JS-sv4ol
Agreed, this really is a great way to summerize everything and even though it's subjective might be really handy for newcomers or for a quick check how a certain device compares to others for a special use case.
I like the chart very much, but the use of the colours really triggers my OCD, how is red the best, green in the middle and blue and pink at the bottom ranking. ahhhh
It's worth remembering that almost all of the ScummVM library fits 4:3 nicely - as do many DOS titles. Don't sleep on those classic PC games for 4:3 screens!
I think the RP Mini has been the handheld that I've been looking for all this time, I've been wanting a 4:3 handheld powerhouse that can do PS2/GC/maybe even some Wii for the longest time and it seems like this might be it. Thanks again for the informative review Russ!
I can't grab a snack and/or drink because I'm prepping for a medical procedure 😭 Thanks for all your hard work, Russ, people like you make this hobby even more fun than it already is!
Probably gonna pick this one up over the bigger version. That screen is perfect for ps2 and gamecube. I would only want a larger screen if it had a 4:3 aspect ratio.
7:55 thank you so much for finally featuring an Android phone game (zzz) on a review for one of these devices. This was one of my main reasons to look for an Android hand held console, and seeing zzz finally be tested on a device by a channel as reputable as yours makes me happy.
if you get the black one, because it has a glass front + AMOLED, the bezels are practically invisible whatever aspect ratio game you play. Biggest flex of this handheld in my opinion.
Good point, I avoided the black models because of fingerprinting and smudging, but "eliminating" those bezels is definitely a compelling reason to get one!
Thanks for sharing and also commenting on all the games you did, especially for GCN, Wii, and PS2, as those are some of the best reasons to get this device IMO. I also enjoyed seeing the lesser known games you showed off (like the Sonic Racing games as opposed to... well, we won't talk about that...).
Does anyone else feel like Russ not using Nintendo footage anymore has actually been a good thing? I feel like the game footage has been more interesting personally
Great review as always. As for the Retroid Pocket 5 ( I have it ordered ) we have to remember it's targeting a higher resolution so some of the newer systems might run slightly worse because of that alone, but the bump to android 13 and linux should improve things too. Also the table at the end was a great move, very easy to get an overview of things
That comparison was bloody awesome. I do hope you do a whole vid of comparing these retro handheld systems. By price category would be nice. Comparing their Performance, Battery Life, Controls, Screen, Form Factor, etc. There are a lot of options and sometimes the difference can be minimal to huge. Also, because there may also instances that older models may still be worth a try and these kind of vids can remind or suggest those options to those who don't know about them.
I feel like an advantage to the small 4:3 display on a small form factor device is the benefit to ergonomics. You're able to have the analog sticks more towards the center than being inline with the face buttons / d-pad which leads to more natural hand postions.
Actually cancelled my AYANEO Pocket Micro for this. I loved the micros premium build and shape, but I already spend plenty of time with my miyoo mini and have no complaints about how it handles lower end systems. I don’t need a glorious-looking brick which does the same thing as a handheld I already have. Meanwhile I have full confidence that I’ll love the pocket mini for its power and size. I have almost no interests in large, switch sized handhelds and just want something I could play on the train to work comfortably. Cannot wait for this.
@@TaporeeeI think the complaint is more "there's room in the case, why not use it?" (Which Russ gave a probable explanation for - they're using "off the shelf" parts, not custom designed ones.)
Excelent review, I’ll Stay With my RG Cube because DS and 3DS are Important to me, but My God I really enjoy your channel and all your work, thanks man!
Once again, all the questions I got are answered before even having to ask a thing. This, may just be what I have been needing for that dreamcast/saturn performance. Great vid, dude!
Ah, you ended the video with MGS3!! Thanks Russ for all you do! You're the best retrohandheld reviewer in all of UA-cam. Can't wait for my 16-bit Mini to arrive in the mail!!
Good review! The Retroid Pocket Mini looks great. I already have a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro that I am more than happy with, so I will be passing on any additional retro handhelds for now. It is amazing how far the technology has come that you can comfortably play PS2 and GameCube games on a smaller device without breaking the bank!
Should've made A or S tier green, or just used a gradient from green to white to red, for the chart at the end. A bit hard to read at a glance. But yeah that chart is why I'm going to go with the rp5, A and S across the board (except GB), should be an amazing all-rounder.
Thanks for the feedback, I used the standard tiermaker color scheme from their website! I agree that if I did this with my own color scheme I would have used a logical color gradient.
Wow. This is perfect for PS2/Gamecube and down. Small, AMOLED, native ratio, powerful enough, good sized sticks. I never really expected something this good at that niche.
That part! They have to pick through, what's basically, screens previously meant for smartphones. There is nothing touching this & the difference between this & a 4 inch, is negligible. I have got the new Anbernic RG406V, which granted isn't OLED, is actually a damn nice LCD, but regardless of what screen technology they have, or could have had, size alone, the difference is hardly noticeable & I was playing Zelda: Echoes of Time, on mine last night & this thing only got warm, as to be expected & not hot at all.
This makes me want a RP5, a dock, and to set up a screen at my PC station just for it... and maybe to wait a month after launch for some tweaks with the OS they're working on.
I think you should swap those colours in your final slide. Red is always bad lol on first glance my brain says Red and orange = worse. Green is good. Green is go. Green is a tick and yet green is a C. I'd say Blue should be S, Green should be A, B yellow, C orange and D red.
I used the color scheme established by tiermaker.com, since I used their tier ranking, which has been a pretty solid tier standard for several years in many gaming circles. But I agree, I considered using my own natural color scheme as well.
Great review of a great device. Can’t wait to get mine. The 5 looks superb but I already have a SD OLED so can’t justify another non-pocketable device.
This looks pretty good. I've been on the fence about getting a retro handheld game player because I'm not confident with the build quality. This looks like it's pretty good quality. Thanks for the thorough review!
Wow, that's a very loud face button. It's even louder on RP4 Pro (and RP2S). I had to add masking tape on the part where the button's stem will hit after pressing just to lessen the noise. Now I'm conflicted because I really don't like noisy buttons and I don't want to do that mod again if possible. On the other hand, RP Mini is what RP2S I want to be. It also has android 10, meaning Syncthing will be able to access saves on Aethersx/Nethersx and Dolphin (main build) without any problem 😅 Thanks for the very informative review as always Russ! Keep up the good work!
Had the same concern. I don’t use the 2S due to the button noise. Ordered a 5 myself, and will try swapping over a set of 4pro buttons/membrane if they are too clacky. Your tape idea sounds good too.
Thank you for this review, very thorough, and this device looks amazing. But man now I'm so excited about the RP5, the more versatile screen plus the bigger battery are game changers for me.
As much as I love the form factor, I don’t think my eyes can handle such a small screen. 4” might be okay, but even then it’s pushing it. The 4.7” on the RP4P is probably as small as I want to go, so giving that this device is so nice, I might wait till the 5 review to decide if I should upgrade so long as there aren’t any issues. Great review as always, man! 🙌🏻
I'm waiting for the RP5. As you said, I think it will be a much more versatile device, and it's also a better fit for me because I hate letterboxing and don't mind pillarboxing. This review has me even more excited for the RP5 now that I know what the Mini is capable of performance-wise. You're always so thorough with your reviews and I really appreciate it, Russ.
Definitely grabbing the Mini. A highly portable handheld that can handle Dreamcast, PS2, and Gamecube? And it looks like a white Japanese Saturn? Perfection.
I have been playing my RGB30 from Powkiddy a lot lately, but I find the Retroid Pocket Mini and the RP5 are very enticing... I might have to get either the mini or the 5! Thank you for a great review, Russ.
Awesome video as always. I knew when I saw the announcement of the RP5 that it was very probably gonna be the device for me, and I think ill definitely be picking it up now.
Every review i dread watching just because it's so long. But every review I like it anyway because by the end I basically know more than the actual product store information.
I have been chatting with ETA and Aden Walls about this new mini and I feel the thing to really look out for is the expansion of the docking features AND the optional use of AR glasses. AR glasses are becoming more affordable technology and if we can get proper 1080p video out of the mini then the differences between the big and little sibling could vanish with a simple $15-20 USB-C dock OR a gen 1 Xreal air headset for just around $200. Now I do realize the AR glasses are a bit expensive to be suggesting as a $200 "accessory" to a $200 device, but many people already have them and it IS fair to suggest a $15-20 docking station/ dongle. Once the docking mode is fixed, the 4:3 handheld will also be a 16:9 console. Streaming and native 16:9 will be excellent This is not to say you should ignore the wonderful 4:3 screen. It's to say you are not limited by it.
I've been looking for a nice device to mostly play GBC/GBA and PS1 games and was really close to buying an AYANEO Pocket Micro, but I think the RP Mini will get far more support going forward. As much as I like the 3:2 screen and sleek design of the Micro compared to the bulbous design of the Mini, I can't help but feel like buying into the AYANEO business model would leave me feeling burned in the long run. Hoping the Mini's display being higher resolution and AMOLED will really elevate the experience in person. Ordered one in black so the bezels would disappear. Hoping it'll be my hands down go-to pocketable device, tired of always looking for the next best thing!
I have an RP5 on pre-order from day one, as it seems to fix most of the annoyances of the RP4. This video helped me feel happy about my decision, the Mini's screen is just too small for me to really enjoy games. Wondering if the extra 2GB of RAM will boost performance on PS2/NS a bit as well.
I like these videos so much that i watch them even though I'll never buy another device with a screen this small, especially when its meant to play higher end systems.
Nah, I don't have the attention span to sit at a stationary monitor, but tablets feel too big. I think my switch lite has the perfect portability and comfortable grip for me. (Got the retroid flip but it's a bit chunky, was thinking of picking up the mini and giving the flip out as a prize for family Christmas games.)
43:42. Question regarding the ratings. A 5,5 inches, 16:9 screen will display 4:3 content with 4,45 inches diagonal. Yeah, it has large black bars on the sides but at the end of the day the picture is larger and you can add an overlay or whatever. So, size really matters. Would you agree or am I oversimplifying?
@shecklesmack9563 n64 doesnt run well on most devices and he's really been wanting to play magic pengel so I need a device that can play ps2. I'm too stingy with my steamdeck lmao
I am a bit torn on this one; 95% of my retro gaming is on 8 and 16 bit era so the RG Cube fitted my needs great with those great ergonomics and bright screen… but I honestly prefer Linux based devices for avoiding all the different emulators and having something like retroarch or ArcOS so if Retroid will really release that option I think I might go all in with the RPmini
Finally showcasing the Dirge of Cerberus! Thank you, I thought my Odin 2 settings for the game were not finetuned, but you proved my initial suspicions as right - it's not suitable for Nether. Also, I would add to the list the first Shadow Hearts game - it's acting similar to the Sly Cooper games.
Great video. Just a suggestion, on your final graph, the colors should be the other way around. S should be the blue one, not the red one. Was very confused for a minute on why it got so many "reds". Red usually means very bad, blue is a good color for S tier.
Thanks for the feedback, I addressed it in the pinned comment of this video. Long story short, I used the tiermaker.com color standards and many people didn't like that, so I made a new chart.
@@RetroGameCorps I didn't read it I'm sorry. But you are right, your comment was right there pinned! My bad. Thank you for reading and answering random comments, makes us feel like we are actually interacting with you. See you on your next video!
Thank you! Here i was thinking I'm done with these, but i REALLY want this one! Just gonna wait to see what linux is looking like - i really don't get a long with android
I think this might be the device that breaks me and causes me to get an Android device for the first time. It just looks too perfect for the kinds of things i would want to use it for. Thanks for the in-depth review!
The RP Mini is cool, but I'm passing in favor for the GC colorway RP5. Got it via early bird price. Can't wait for it, and for Russ's review of the RP5
Great video. LOVE the channel. If I may make a request/suggestion... Please include NCAA Football '06 (PS2) in your testing, if you don't mind. There is an awesome mod for '06 that modernizes the game with current day uniforms, playoffs, and more. It's called NCAA NEXT. I know there are a lot of people in our little modding community that would love to see how NCAA 06 in specific performs on this device! (as well as future devices) I know you tested '09 in this video and that is greatly appreciated. Honestly, the performance is probably no different between the two games, but I wanted to give you a heads up about the NCAA '06 mod and ask that you please continue to test NCAA 06 or 09 on PS2 as often as you can in these videos moving forward. Thanks so much!
Thanks Russ, I was waiting for your opinion on this one specifically. I think I will wait for your review of the RP5 before making a purchase. Please use the "table" again, it made a comparison very easy to visualise. At this point in time, I think RP4 Pro might be what I want, but RP5 also might be as well. Also, thank you very much for your work. I live in Australia, so the exchange rate kind of kills buying multiple devices for me (eg. RP5 Mini is about $500 + shipping. The Odin 2 is like $800?). But as you can see it can get very expensive very fast.
It's been a bit over three years since I bought my first retro devices (an Anbernic RG351M followed shortly by a RG351P, and then an RG351MP with a truly unusable d-pad), and I've been waiting for something with a 4:3 OLED screen, solid controls, front firing speakers, and at least a slightly larger display size than the 3.5" of my 351V. I can't quite tell if they did at least one thing I hate and put the audio jack on the bottom, but with decent speakers I could probably live with it. I love my Steam Deck, but honestly it can apply uncomfortable pressure on the hands when playing intense games, and of course it's massive. I'll wait a bit to see if they make any changes to the buttons on the Mini, but I definitely see myself buying one of these in the near future.
UPDATE: lots of folks weren't happy with the comparison chart's color scheme, which used tiermaker.com standards. I get it, it's not very logical! I thought I was being a cool gamer dad by using what the kids these days use. Here is an updated chart with more logical colors. I also added the RG405M due to a few requests, and made some amendments that I missed in the first chart (Wii should be "A" on the RP5, PSP should be "C" on the RG Cube). retrogamecorps.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rp-mini-review.018.png
i could never be mad at u russ
interesting
May I ask what's keeping the RP5 for GC, Wii, PS2 from reaching S? Is it just because it's projected based on the RP Mini hardware, and not fully tested yet? OR maybe the screen AR?
@@kurojngyuki it’s very close to S tier with the SD865 but it will have performance limitations and emulator compatibility with some games, which makes me hesitate to give it that highest grade. The Odin 2, AYANEO Pocket S, and Odin 2 Mini would likely make S tier since they can basically handle anything the emulator can produce, but they are outside the scope of my chart due to price and size.
It’s tricky as when it comes to colour recognition everyone wants different things; the tier colours make sense to me as I’ve seen those tier colours before, but what I would say is that for accessibility it helps to have contrast between the colours and the text - so basically dark colours have white text and light colours have black text. Shades of one colour are also much better than all different colours for colourblind people as often different colours look the same, but this can look less appealing for those who have “normal” colour vision. As with everything, you can’t please everyone Russ and you can only do your best!👍
Russ, you are the most efficient content creator in this space. No fluff; no wasted commentary. You deliver all the pertinent info without being bland. You have found the perfect balance of being informative and entertaining.
Totally agree, also I’ll recommend ETA Prime!
Yet so consistent it feels illegal to get such good videos with such good consistency
Whole heartedly agree!!! Ever since I found his channel he's the only UA-camr I watch when it comes to anything about handheld PC's or emulation and retro gaming!!!!👍💯❤️
@@danielvillanueva3792 ETA kind of hypes every single product.
@@danielvillanueva3792 ETA Prime tries very hard to please the manufacturers in his reviews
Perfect timing , im gonna grab a snack and say "Yes man ,i do" to every question
"Do you want to brick your device" "Yea man I wanna do it"
"Would you like to proceed with installation?" "I'm thinking yeah man, I wanna do it"
@@MechaMugendo i wanna watch russ’ newest video? Yea man, I wanna do it
Do you think that’s what Russ said during wedding ceremony?
After watching this video, I decided to buy the 'Retroid Pocket 5.' Thank you for such a thorough and detailed analysis. It really helped me make up my mind!
What was the deciding factor for you? Having a tough time evaluating still
@JS-sv4ol im not the above commenter but I decided for the 5 too. The 5 is not that much bigger, is just a tiny bit wider thats all. Then, 4:3 content is bigger and more resolution on the 5 too. Also you can try and use widescreen hacks on many games and consoles. Also, the 5 has better specs, and arguably a much better design with an almost edge to edge screen with no visible bezels. And its just $10-20 more. So I see no reason to not get the 5 instead
Bigger screen and still pocketable ships with android 13 plus I play most on ps1 ps2 psp and GameCube so definitely big screen for the win. Oh and some ds
$20 more comes with a a much bigger screen, a bigger battery, and 2 more gigs of ram. once the 5 model starts shipping i see a price drop coming for the mini.
Based on the chart shared at the end of the video, the Retroid Pocket 5 offers a significant advantage in almost every category. Its AMOLED screen, larger size, and high resolution make it perfect for smooth gaming sessions, especially with demanding games. Whether it’s retro titles or Android games, the RP5 provides excellent fluidity and performance, ensuring that everything runs seamlessly while playing.@@JS-sv4ol
This chart is incredible, I could watch a whole video of you breaking down the most popular devices with a chart like this!
Agreed, this really is a great way to summerize everything and even though it's subjective might be really handy for newcomers or for a quick check how a certain device compares to others for a special use case.
I like the chart very much, but the use of the colours really triggers my OCD, how is red the best, green in the middle and blue and pink at the bottom ranking. ahhhh
My Mrs has just ordered me a Retro Game Corps t-shirt for Christmas 👍🏻 Appreciate all you do for the handheld community.
Just say my wife, stop trying to be clever
But we’re not married, we’ve been together for 11 years. Plus, we’re Scottish. It’s just a general cultural term for us.
@@alexanderfleming9104 bad day?
Thank you for showing NCAA football, you actually read the comments. Not that i doubted you but wow.❤
AND he even gave some thought into the team, picking his hometown school Hawaii.
@@HeelBJC saw that, and I'm pretty sure they were playing my school Boise state. Couldn't be more pleased haha
It's worth remembering that almost all of the ScummVM library fits 4:3 nicely - as do many DOS titles. Don't sleep on those classic PC games for 4:3 screens!
Difficult to play those games on my rg353m. Screen is way too small, imo.
@@jinstinky501 Bigger issue is constantly fiddling with settings because of how awkward old DOS games are on modern hardware
Hope competitors are taking detailed notes. I am convinced as far as value options go that Retroid Pocket is thinking the right way.
The saturn colourway is growing on me the more I see it!
That’s the one I ended up getting
Same. I originally ordered the 16bit thinking it had a white shell....when I saw it was grey I emailed them and asked to change for the Saturn one...
Stop clout chasing
I think the RP Mini has been the handheld that I've been looking for all this time, I've been wanting a 4:3 handheld powerhouse that can do PS2/GC/maybe even some Wii for the longest time and it seems like this might be it.
Thanks again for the informative review Russ!
Yup for those who don't want 16:9 this is it.
Almost there. Make it clamshell and add another bigger screen on top.
It's amazing how much continuous performance you can squeeze out of these mobile chips when you put a fan on them.
I can't grab a snack and/or drink because I'm prepping for a medical procedure 😭 Thanks for all your hard work, Russ, people like you make this hobby even more fun than it already is!
Hope the procedure goes well! I'll have two snacks and drinks for you!
have an extra for me I can't snack since I am sick in bed 😢
I got back from a 3 day hospital stay.
Got my healthy snacks.
I needed a new Retro Game Corps video...thank you Russ
Hope it all goes well for you!
Fingers crossed
Probably gonna pick this one up over the bigger version. That screen is perfect for ps2 and gamecube. I would only want a larger screen if it had a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Keep in mind that the Mini has Android 10 and if you want to run light weight Switch games you need at least Android 11.
Perfect unless you want to read text or see wtf you're doing
@@pieceofschmidtgamer Or, as per in the video, the Android 10 fork of Yuzu can be used to play lightweight Switch games.
@@pieceofschmidtgamertrue although retroid I think said they’re anticipating android 13 in November or later this month? Still very valid point
@@Patriotic_Eagle1995well considering I'll be playing games on it and not reading books, I think I'll be fine 😂
7:55 thank you so much for finally featuring an Android phone game (zzz) on a review for one of these devices. This was one of my main reasons to look for an Android hand held console, and seeing zzz finally be tested on a device by a channel as reputable as yours makes me happy.
if you get the black one, because it has a glass front + AMOLED, the bezels are practically invisible whatever aspect ratio game you play. Biggest flex of this handheld in my opinion.
I was thinking the same. Black is a must for that reason
Good point, I avoided the black models because of fingerprinting and smudging, but "eliminating" those bezels is definitely a compelling reason to get one!
Thanks for sharing and also commenting on all the games you did, especially for GCN, Wii, and PS2, as those are some of the best reasons to get this device IMO. I also enjoyed seeing the lesser known games you showed off (like the Sonic Racing games as opposed to... well, we won't talk about that...).
For years i enjoyed my current rom library and did not feel the need to upgrade my Anbernic rg351v… until now. Thanks for the detailed spreadsheet!
Out of nowhere I discover this channel and it's quickly becoming my favorite, love it, keep it up man!
Does anyone else feel like Russ not using Nintendo footage anymore has actually been a good thing? I feel like the game footage has been more interesting personally
Completely agree! Other systems have better color palettes too which is great🤌🏽
Great review as always. As for the Retroid Pocket 5 ( I have it ordered ) we have to remember it's targeting a higher resolution so some of the newer systems might run slightly worse because of that alone, but the bump to android 13 and linux should improve things too.
Also the table at the end was a great move, very easy to get an overview of things
Never thought to see the day that a 4:3 Screen would get such a Premium Build. Such as having an OLED Screen installed with the SnapDragon Chip!
That comparison was bloody awesome. I do hope you do a whole vid of comparing these retro handheld systems. By price category would be nice. Comparing their Performance, Battery Life, Controls, Screen, Form Factor, etc. There are a lot of options and sometimes the difference can be minimal to huge. Also, because there may also instances that older models may still be worth a try and these kind of vids can remind or suggest those options to those who don't know about them.
Is that a mini in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? 😏
Happy to see you 😈
@@RenoNV775 Happy for a 3 inch device?
😐
Both! 😄
@@cryptofitnessandgaming-cfg It's not the size of the tool, it's how much it's capable of
I feel like an advantage to the small 4:3 display on a small form factor device is the benefit to ergonomics. You're able to have the analog sticks more towards the center than being inline with the face buttons / d-pad which leads to more natural hand postions.
This is a serious amazing review. The Ranking section is so awesome. It is something I've been aching to see for ages. Many thanks.
Actually cancelled my AYANEO Pocket Micro for this. I loved the micros premium build and shape, but I already spend plenty of time with my miyoo mini and have no complaints about how it handles lower end systems. I don’t need a glorious-looking brick which does the same thing as a handheld I already have. Meanwhile I have full confidence that I’ll love the pocket mini for its power and size. I have almost no interests in large, switch sized handhelds and just want something I could play on the train to work comfortably. Cannot wait for this.
Exactly this.
People moaning about screen size, don't realise the value of genuinely portable condoles for everyday commutes
@@TaporeeeI think the complaint is more "there's room in the case, why not use it?"
(Which Russ gave a probable explanation for - they're using "off the shelf" parts, not custom designed ones.)
@@DC-ud4tq fair point
I just know that GBA on a black SFC RPMini will look amazing with the bezels blending into the all front glass
Excelent review, I’ll Stay With my RG Cube because DS and 3DS are
Important to me, but My God I really enjoy your channel and all your work, thanks man!
I wasn’t even considering this device and now I’m excited for it. Thank you for sharing your opinion
Once again, all the questions I got are answered before even having to ask a thing. This, may just be what I have been needing for that dreamcast/saturn performance. Great vid, dude!
Ah, you ended the video with MGS3!! Thanks Russ for all you do! You're the best retrohandheld reviewer in all of UA-cam. Can't wait for my 16-bit Mini to arrive in the mail!!
Good review! The Retroid Pocket Mini looks great. I already have a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro that I am more than happy with, so I will be passing on any additional retro handhelds for now. It is amazing how far the technology has come that you can comfortably play PS2 and GameCube games on a smaller device without breaking the bank!
Should've made A or S tier green, or just used a gradient from green to white to red, for the chart at the end. A bit hard to read at a glance. But yeah that chart is why I'm going to go with the rp5, A and S across the board (except GB), should be an amazing all-rounder.
Thanks for the feedback, I used the standard tiermaker color scheme from their website! I agree that if I did this with my own color scheme I would have used a logical color gradient.
Wow. This is perfect for PS2/Gamecube and down. Small, AMOLED, native ratio, powerful enough, good sized sticks. I never really expected something this good at that niche.
Hey Russ. Amazing review as ever. Thanks for including some sports games in the video I really appreciate being able to see those working. Thank you!
Ah loved the spreadsheet at the end, that is a great breakdown! Excellent review - Stubbs 🎉
My excited just rocketed. Can’t wait until it’s delivered
Remember, this 4:3 OLED is literally rare as it gets so that’s why they went with this screen size… the market has no other bigger OLED screen.
That part! They have to pick through, what's basically, screens previously meant for smartphones. There is nothing touching this & the difference between this & a 4 inch, is negligible. I have got the new Anbernic RG406V, which granted isn't OLED, is actually a damn nice LCD, but regardless of what screen technology they have, or could have had, size alone, the difference is hardly noticeable & I was playing Zelda: Echoes of Time, on mine last night & this thing only got warm, as to be expected & not hot at all.
@@JustinPennito the 406v screen is super nice, I agree! I am in love with it. My rp4 plus is getting salty about it
This makes me want a RP5, a dock, and to set up a screen at my PC station just for it... and maybe to wait a month after launch for some tweaks with the OS they're working on.
I dont know but the Pocket 2S is my favorite design. Would love a reasonably powerful handheld that does not get too warm in the case of the 2s.
imo they should have stayed with the 2s design for the mini, the mini just seems like an ayaneo product/psvita now and doesn't feel retro at all
@@DarkCybrid they should stayed whit ips and go for 4'' instead keep cost low like Rp2s we have ambergenic 40xxh but it pretty bad
@@DarkCybrid Agreed. Very generic looking.
two things i wanted to know here.
1. how it looks in my pocket pants
2. does switch look good to play
u got it covered thanks man
I think you should swap those colours in your final slide. Red is always bad lol on first glance my brain says Red and orange = worse. Green is good. Green is go. Green is a tick and yet green is a C. I'd say Blue should be S, Green should be A, B yellow, C orange and D red.
I used the color scheme established by tiermaker.com, since I used their tier ranking, which has been a pretty solid tier standard for several years in many gaming circles. But I agree, I considered using my own natural color scheme as well.
Great review of a great device. Can’t wait to get mine. The 5 looks superb but I already have a SD OLED so can’t justify another non-pocketable device.
This looks pretty good. I've been on the fence about getting a retro handheld game player because I'm not confident with the build quality. This looks like it's pretty good quality. Thanks for the thorough review!
Thank you for playing Terranigma, Secret of Mana and Twin Snakes, Russ.
Wow, that's a very loud face button. It's even louder on RP4 Pro (and RP2S). I had to add masking tape on the part where the button's stem will hit after pressing just to lessen the noise. Now I'm conflicted because I really don't like noisy buttons and I don't want to do that mod again if possible. On the other hand, RP Mini is what RP2S I want to be. It also has android 10, meaning Syncthing will be able to access saves on Aethersx/Nethersx and Dolphin (main build) without any problem 😅
Thanks for the very informative review as always Russ! Keep up the good work!
Had the same concern. I don’t use the 2S due to the button noise. Ordered a 5 myself, and will try swapping over a set of 4pro buttons/membrane if they are too clacky. Your tape idea sounds good too.
Jets To Brazil! Dude, you don’t fail with the band shirts.
Thanks for showing NCAA. That's the big one for me. Glad to see it running so well.
Me too! 😊😊
I requested it in the last post, I was very pleased to see him show it. My man
Same here.
Thank you for this review, very thorough, and this device looks amazing. But man now I'm so excited about the RP5, the more versatile screen plus the bigger battery are game changers for me.
As much as I love the form factor, I don’t think my eyes can handle such a small screen. 4” might be okay, but even then it’s pushing it. The 4.7” on the RP4P is probably as small as I want to go, so giving that this device is so nice, I might wait till the 5 review to decide if I should upgrade so long as there aren’t any issues. Great review as always, man! 🙌🏻
Thank you so much for testing Shin Megani Tensi DD Saga! I appreciate it.
No problem!
This is honestly pretty tempting, like it does a lot of what I've really been looking for.
I'm waiting for the RP5. As you said, I think it will be a much more versatile device, and it's also a better fit for me because I hate letterboxing and don't mind pillarboxing. This review has me even more excited for the RP5 now that I know what the Mini is capable of performance-wise. You're always so thorough with your reviews and I really appreciate it, Russ.
Definitely grabbing the Mini. A highly portable handheld that can handle Dreamcast, PS2, and Gamecube? And it looks like a white Japanese Saturn? Perfection.
RP2S for that price is an unbelievable value.
Such a great job. Amazing video man. You nailed this review and how you broke it down. Man i am eager to get my RP5. 🤩
Dude you killing it im learning so much from you RetroGameCorps keep the great work Brother😊
I have been playing my RGB30 from Powkiddy a lot lately, but I find the Retroid Pocket Mini and the RP5 are very enticing... I might have to get either the mini or the 5! Thank you for a great review, Russ.
So glad I pre-ordered the rp5 now. Glad to see that it will do exactly what I want it to do. Thanks Russ!
Thank you for including Viewtiful Joe in the testing, my good man 🙏
This review really really makes me excited for the RP5
Awesome video as always. I knew when I saw the announcement of the RP5 that it was very probably gonna be the device for me, and I think ill definitely be picking it up now.
Not in a rush, but pretty confident this will be my next purchase as upgrade from my current RG405M. Thanks for the detailed look.
Every review i dread watching just because it's so long.
But every review I like it anyway because by the end I basically know more than the actual product store information.
I have been chatting with ETA and Aden Walls about this new mini and I feel the thing to really look out for is the expansion of the docking features AND the optional use of AR glasses. AR glasses are becoming more affordable technology and if we can get proper 1080p video out of the mini then the differences between the big and little sibling could vanish with a simple $15-20 USB-C dock OR a gen 1 Xreal air headset for just around $200.
Now I do realize the AR glasses are a bit expensive to be suggesting as a $200 "accessory" to a $200 device, but many people already have them and it IS fair to suggest a $15-20 docking station/ dongle.
Once the docking mode is fixed, the 4:3 handheld will also be a 16:9 console. Streaming and native 16:9 will be excellent
This is not to say you should ignore the wonderful 4:3 screen. It's to say you are not limited by it.
Omg you really listened and tested dark cloud 2… you are undefeated my man. Thank you
I've been looking for a nice device to mostly play GBC/GBA and PS1 games and was really close to buying an AYANEO Pocket Micro, but I think the RP Mini will get far more support going forward. As much as I like the 3:2 screen and sleek design of the Micro compared to the bulbous design of the Mini, I can't help but feel like buying into the AYANEO business model would leave me feeling burned in the long run. Hoping the Mini's display being higher resolution and AMOLED will really elevate the experience in person. Ordered one in black so the bezels would disappear. Hoping it'll be my hands down go-to pocketable device, tired of always looking for the next best thing!
It's definitely the top 4:3 portable gaming handheld right now. I'd be tickled pink to have one.
I have an RP5 on pre-order from day one, as it seems to fix most of the annoyances of the RP4. This video helped me feel happy about my decision, the Mini's screen is just too small for me to really enjoy games. Wondering if the extra 2GB of RAM will boost performance on PS2/NS a bit as well.
I like these videos so much that i watch them even though I'll never buy another device with a screen this small, especially when its meant to play higher end systems.
Nah, I don't have the attention span to sit at a stationary monitor, but tablets feel too big. I think my switch lite has the perfect portability and comfortable grip for me. (Got the retroid flip but it's a bit chunky, was thinking of picking up the mini and giving the flip out as a prize for family Christmas games.)
I've been thinking about upgrading from my Miyoo Mini, and I'm pretty excited to see the RP5.
Fantastic review Russ. I don't want to buy this due to smaller screen but your review is not helping me stick to my decision. Great stuff.
43:42. Question regarding the ratings. A 5,5 inches, 16:9 screen will display 4:3 content with 4,45 inches diagonal. Yeah, it has large black bars on the sides but at the end of the day the picture is larger and you can add an overlay or whatever. So, size really matters. Would you agree or am I oversimplifying?
Can't wait to play nothing but Nintendo games on this
Hell yeah
Are you buying Switch games just to dump onto this device?
@@lambasted6886yes... I'm sure he's buying them... 😅
@DC-ud4tq Oh of course he is right? The Switch and it's games are very much being sold.
@@lambasted6886 because switch is the only Nintendo console
I was just about to take a nap in 45 mins and boom, this video popped out from the notification 😂
Depending on Linux/ports support this will be my new handheld. Very excited about this one.
Anbernic needs to get a hold of this Snapdragon chip, so we can get a dozen different form factor choices. 😎
This is exactly what I wanted. A powerful, high res , and 4:3 handheld capable of playing ps2 games.
I'm gonna buy this for my boyfriend for his birthday! He loves goemon so I think this would be good for that :)
FYI most if not all Goemon games will play perfectly on devices for a fraction of the price as this.
@shecklesmack9563 n64 doesnt run well on most devices and he's really been wanting to play magic pengel so I need a device that can play ps2. I'm too stingy with my steamdeck lmao
That chart is absolutely amazing!!!
Im can't wait to add this one to the collection! Thanks Russell
I am a bit torn on this one; 95% of my retro gaming is on 8 and 16 bit era so the RG Cube fitted my needs great with those great ergonomics and bright screen… but I honestly prefer Linux based devices for avoiding all the different emulators and having something like retroarch or ArcOS so if Retroid will really release that option I think I might go all in with the RPmini
Finally showcasing the Dirge of Cerberus! Thank you, I thought my Odin 2 settings for the game were not finetuned, but you proved my initial suspicions as right - it's not suitable for Nether. Also, I would add to the list the first Shadow Hearts game - it's acting similar to the Sly Cooper games.
The quality and thoughtfulness of your reviews is refreshing and inspiring to be frank. Well done, and thank you.
This might be my first retro handheld I buy just because of its form factor and its hardware
Let’s gooooooooo 19:14 Jak runs awesome. That single-handedly might have me upgrade my RP4P
Great video. Just a suggestion, on your final graph, the colors should be the other way around. S should be the blue one, not the red one. Was very confused for a minute on why it got so many "reds". Red usually means very bad, blue is a good color for S tier.
Thanks for the feedback, I addressed it in the pinned comment of this video. Long story short, I used the tiermaker.com color standards and many people didn't like that, so I made a new chart.
@@RetroGameCorps I didn't read it I'm sorry. But you are right, your comment was right there pinned! My bad. Thank you for reading and answering random comments, makes us feel like we are actually interacting with you. See you on your next video!
Thank you! Here i was thinking I'm done with these, but i REALLY want this one!
Just gonna wait to see what linux is looking like - i really don't get a long with android
I think this might be the device that breaks me and causes me to get an Android device for the first time. It just looks too perfect for the kinds of things i would want to use it for. Thanks for the in-depth review!
Looking forward to the Pocket 5.
They are saying it’s bad because of android 10
@@InferxnoNope. Android 13.
@@keithbolves278 what?? Everyone is saying Android 10 but I know it says android 13 on website..
The RP Mini is cool, but I'm passing in favor for the GC colorway RP5. Got it via early bird price. Can't wait for it, and for Russ's review of the RP5
So extremely tempting. Thanks for the info!
Great video. LOVE the channel. If I may make a request/suggestion... Please include NCAA Football '06 (PS2) in your testing, if you don't mind. There is an awesome mod for '06 that modernizes the game with current day uniforms, playoffs, and more. It's called NCAA NEXT. I know there are a lot of people in our little modding community that would love to see how NCAA 06 in specific performs on this device! (as well as future devices) I know you tested '09 in this video and that is greatly appreciated. Honestly, the performance is probably no different between the two games, but I wanted to give you a heads up about the NCAA '06 mod and ask that you please continue to test NCAA 06 or 09 on PS2 as often as you can in these videos moving forward. Thanks so much!
Wow thanks Russ it was me who requested ffxxii to be tested. Looks good. 👍
Showing Yuzu at a time like this... You're a brave man Russ.
This is so exciting as someone who grew up on xbox. Can't wait to see further development for this
Thanks Russ, I was waiting for your opinion on this one specifically. I think I will wait for your review of the RP5 before making a purchase. Please use the "table" again, it made a comparison very easy to visualise. At this point in time, I think RP4 Pro might be what I want, but RP5 also might be as well.
Also, thank you very much for your work. I live in Australia, so the exchange rate kind of kills buying multiple devices for me (eg. RP5 Mini is about $500 + shipping. The Odin 2 is like $800?). But as you can see it can get very expensive very fast.
Russ keeping them coming ! Thanks Pal !
It's been a bit over three years since I bought my first retro devices (an Anbernic RG351M followed shortly by a RG351P, and then an RG351MP with a truly unusable d-pad), and I've been waiting for something with a 4:3 OLED screen, solid controls, front firing speakers, and at least a slightly larger display size than the 3.5" of my 351V. I can't quite tell if they did at least one thing I hate and put the audio jack on the bottom, but with decent speakers I could probably live with it.
I love my Steam Deck, but honestly it can apply uncomfortable pressure on the hands when playing intense games, and of course it's massive. I'll wait a bit to see if they make any changes to the buttons on the Mini, but I definitely see myself buying one of these in the near future.