I’ve been enjoying Pokemon Black 2 on my DSi XL, but I’m looking for something that can emulate other systems.
Performance wise, I’m looking for something that can play 3DS/2DS games. I’ll play only a handful of games to relive my childhood before moving onto other systems. I’m skipping the AYN Thor since in the long run, I’ll be playing mostly single screen games.
I really want something portable and pocketable, but putting it in my school bag is an option.
It needs to have good battery life. I play for only a couple of hours a day, just in between college classes, but I would like for it to last a few days.
Well, if you’re specifically looking to play DS/3DS games, original hardware is the best way to do so. There are a few dual screen devices that hit the market recently, but IMO I don’t think it’s worth being an early adopter of any of those just yet.
For every other single screen platform though? Really depends on what you’re looking for in terms of form factor, price, feature set, and what games you want to play. There are so many good options on the market that you’re probably better off looking into them and deciding what looks like the best fit for you. Retro Game Corps is an excellent source for reviews.
Personally, I bought a Miyoo Mini Plus two years ago, and I liked it so much I wish I’d bought a more expensive model with analog sticks. But I also like it just enough that I haven’t been able to justify spending money on an upgrade right now, because whenever I do there’ll still be something better right around the corner…
I’m a bit frustrated about how quick the Miyoo Mini Plus’ battery goes. I’m just playing Pico-8 games and I get maybe an hour and ten minutes.
For me my favourite has been the RG34XX the GBA looking one. Due to nostalgia and the fact that I mostly play GBA games, but it works great for PS1 and SNES etc too.
I value silent buttons and a dim screen since I mostly play at night in bed beside my significant other and thankfully unlike most anbernics, this one is pretty silent compared to most. It could be better but manufacturers seem to not care about how silent or dim their handhelds can be so I often open up mine and mod them with foam and vinyl in specific places. Doing that to this one has made me pretty happy with it, whereas with my previous ones I never even really got close to what this one was like by default. Mostly thanks to them not using cheap clicky switches for the triggers.
You are looking primarily to play 3ds Games? Mmmh…
Have you considered a 3ds/2ds? They are the best at playing those games. Just hack it and you can play older games as well.
But if it’s really going to be an emulator handheld, dual screen handhelds are still fresh and buggy so I would hold out a little and check out Russ from retro games corps or tech dweeb on YouTube for updates.
I second the 3DS. Compact, cheap, runs 3DS games perfectly and emulates a ton of older systems even including Windows 98.
The 3DSXL is the best. Hands down. It has native support for 3DS/DS games as you’d expect, however it also has native support for GBA games (As in not emulated).
Obviously not for GBA carts, and you do need to do a bit of fuckery to get them to work, but work they do.
And that’s not including the emulators.
I got one of the cheap R36s’s off of Aliexpress for like 40 bucks, and it does okay, but it still throws me for a loop from time to time with a special key combo needed to exit a game.
The good part about it is that it comes pre-installed with a bunch of games, so you don’t have to go searching for them. The bad side is the aforementioned key combos.
I have an Ayn Odin 2 that has been pretty solid. It does up through PS2 really well and I’ve had luck with some switch games and some 3ds games.
Would phones count? I have a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, and would recommend it as it’s surprisingly powerful for its release year. Can even tackle some PS2 games through AetherSX2 and using a vanilla Android. Also works with 3DS emulation, at least from what I tested of Bravely Second.
Second this. My Redmi 12 can run heavier PSP games and NDS. I didn’t try 3DS yet as I don’t know any worthwhile games and RetroArch requires some setup IIRC, which I haven’t been in the mood to do. Didn’t try PS2 either.
Just find a suitable gamepad. I have a cheap PS2 shaped ergonomic one I got for like 15 USD (it just says X3 Wireless Controller or some such; don’t remember the brand)
If not, only other pocket system I’m familiar with for emulation is the PS Vita, but given being from the same generation as the 3DS, the most it can run is Saturn (emulator got dropped from Retroarch so maybe not ideal?), PS1 (through emulator and native support in the PSP mode) and some PC games through source ports (and heavy graphical downgrades when needed).
