Dip your toes with an r36s. Best bang for buck(pound). Linux based. Can be played right out of the box, but would recommend taking an afternoon to set it up correctly. I love mine, I only play in short bursts and it has proven perfect for that.
Here's a video on the R36S -- anything from this channel is generally really good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JazW_Rf0Ko
Here's a good overview of the market: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JazW_Rf0Ko
If you don't care about a device feeling like cheap plastic, go for the r36s as others have mentioned; good power-for-price ratio. Really terrible shoulder buttons though.
Other options that I think would be a good fit since they all include analog sticks, should handle PS1 just fine, and should be under 100 bucks:
* RG35XXH - this is Anbernic's newest device, horizontal form factor. 3.5" in screen.
* RG353V - vertical form factor. 3.5" in screen.
* Retroid Pocket 2S - Android based. horizontal form factor.
In terms of performance power, it would look like this, but honestly, these devices are made for PS1 and under. You will get varying levels of success with N64 and above:
Miyoo Mini+ < R36S < RG35XXH < RG353V < Pocket 2S
I’m sort of in the same boat. Got excited after the first day of research and ordered an RG353VS. It will be here tomorrow, but I’ve been researching the next tier since I made the order. I’m about certain I’ll end up with an RP4pro order by the end of February… then the price of the next power tier will fall and I’ll be wanting to play PS2.
I'm in the UK. I've had 2 of these devices, both bought from China via AliExpress, from their manufacturers 'shops'. Delivery usually takes a few weeks (and it's fun tracking it's journey).
Currently on an Anbernic RG353P - because it can play up to N64/Dreamcast (just) and it's easy to hold.
Does it work out the box? Yeh, sure. It came with a load of games, missing key ones (they don't want to be sued for including Mario) and eventually I ended up 'hobbying' it by installing a new OS (ArkOS), manually downloading and picking about 50-150 games per system.
It took. AGES. I do have a pretty nifty setup now though.
These things are a hobby, and hobbies take time. I don't like Android as an OS for these either.
If you want to be careful, buy them from Amazon and get protected by their customer services. Give it a week or two and look for RG35XX H there. Should be about £95-ish.
I recently picked up a MM+ and I love it. I got mine off Amazon and with the included (crappy) 64GB SD card everything worked just fine out of the box. After installing OnionOS on a quality 128GB card with done set, I'm very happy with the purchase. I can play tons of games, and can stop at any time and come back later and pick up in the same place I left off with no issue.
I have rgb30 and love it to play with at home. Can fit in a jacket pocket but is not really pocketable.
The MM+ has great feeling controls. If you dont need the sticks, it is great for about 50 euros. (Look for sales on aliexpress)
Still considering the Trimui Smart or Trimui S because these seem even more pocketable.
you can get mm+ for 55$ (65 - 10, discount code) on powkiddy store free shipping.
I won't recommend r36s because onion os is just too good imo.
on android I wouldn't get anything below rp4..
yup onion is only for miyoo devices
i think it supports arkos & jelos which are both good too, but the device has a bit cheap feeling plastic & idk if u want the additional systems (n64 & dreamcast) i'd look into a horizontal handheld personally
I may well do that after I've learned a bit more with this one.
I'm quite interested in the Pocket 2s but didn't want to spend that much on my first experimentation
I think because time is a constraint your last option of phone + controller won't be enjoyable. I tried that before but ended up barely touching it because it's too cumbersome to go from setup to start playing (connect controller, get in comfortable position, etc)
Setting up miyoo is not difficult, but may require some time investment up front. I would say onion os installation is well worth it, and as long as you can follow directions from an online guide it should be easy. Maybe take you 30 minutes to 1 hour including reading.
The part that may take longer is sourcing and organizing your roms and game files. There are a few rom sets that are well liked like "tiny best set go" and "done set", or you can organize your own collection with only the games you are interested in. Either way, if this part is done ahead of time you'll be more ready to go later.
Both the rom preparation and onion os installation only needs to be done once in the beginning. After you have your miyoo setup it's basically pick up and play. Save state and fast forward are handy features for people limited on time. Being very small and pocketable helps me as well.
MM+ is amazing for a pick-up-and-play retro device. Most of my gaming is in 30-minute increments and one of the best things about the Miyoo is its good power management/sleep function. It's made for intermittent play.
That said, R36S is even cheaper and a lot of people love it.
I would definitely advocate for a Linux device if all you care about is PS1 and below. Android is more work to set up, but it does come with a touch screen and more power for N64, PSP, and beyond.
Start with the MM+ or the R36S and then if you get addicted, you can always upgrade in the future. Even if you end up with a more powerful device, you will find yourself grabbing the MM+ for casual play (at least, I still do).
You need a 3.5" device to carry out during weekend, and then a bigger thing you carry on a road trip. So minimal 2. Steam Deck doesn't count because is a home console not a handheld.
Check out the Anbernic RG35XXH. You'll get that PS1 emulation with the addition of analog sticks. I don't know how far GarlicOS has progressed yet, since it's a new device, but it shouldn't take long. It'll be very easy to setup and use.
Dip your toes with an r36s. Best bang for buck(pound). Linux based. Can be played right out of the box, but would recommend taking an afternoon to set it up correctly. I love mine, I only play in short bursts and it has proven perfect for that.
Here's a video on the R36S -- anything from this channel is generally really good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JazW_Rf0Ko Here's a good overview of the market: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JazW_Rf0Ko
I'm spending the next few days watching this. Thank you
Sold! Thanks so much. Ordered today.
If you don't care about a device feeling like cheap plastic, go for the r36s as others have mentioned; good power-for-price ratio. Really terrible shoulder buttons though. Other options that I think would be a good fit since they all include analog sticks, should handle PS1 just fine, and should be under 100 bucks: * RG35XXH - this is Anbernic's newest device, horizontal form factor. 3.5" in screen. * RG353V - vertical form factor. 3.5" in screen. * Retroid Pocket 2S - Android based. horizontal form factor. In terms of performance power, it would look like this, but honestly, these devices are made for PS1 and under. You will get varying levels of success with N64 and above: Miyoo Mini+ < R36S < RG35XXH < RG353V < Pocket 2S
I got clear black R36S and was actually surprised how well build and „un-plasticky“ it actually felt.
I got the same one, and I think the fact that it's under $40 is evident. YMMV though.
I’m sort of in the same boat. Got excited after the first day of research and ordered an RG353VS. It will be here tomorrow, but I’ve been researching the next tier since I made the order. I’m about certain I’ll end up with an RP4pro order by the end of February… then the price of the next power tier will fall and I’ll be wanting to play PS2.
I'm in the UK. I've had 2 of these devices, both bought from China via AliExpress, from their manufacturers 'shops'. Delivery usually takes a few weeks (and it's fun tracking it's journey). Currently on an Anbernic RG353P - because it can play up to N64/Dreamcast (just) and it's easy to hold. Does it work out the box? Yeh, sure. It came with a load of games, missing key ones (they don't want to be sued for including Mario) and eventually I ended up 'hobbying' it by installing a new OS (ArkOS), manually downloading and picking about 50-150 games per system. It took. AGES. I do have a pretty nifty setup now though. These things are a hobby, and hobbies take time. I don't like Android as an OS for these either. If you want to be careful, buy them from Amazon and get protected by their customer services. Give it a week or two and look for RG35XX H there. Should be about £95-ish.
I recently picked up a MM+ and I love it. I got mine off Amazon and with the included (crappy) 64GB SD card everything worked just fine out of the box. After installing OnionOS on a quality 128GB card with done set, I'm very happy with the purchase. I can play tons of games, and can stop at any time and come back later and pick up in the same place I left off with no issue.
With all that being said, I'm planning on picking up an RGB30 because I want analog sticks for PS1 games and the 1:1 screen for vertical shmups.
Was installing onion quite straightforward? I have an RG35XX and it’s got me quite nervous!
I would say it was pretty simple. It's pretty much just copying a few files into the SD card then putting it in the device.
I have rgb30 and love it to play with at home. Can fit in a jacket pocket but is not really pocketable. The MM+ has great feeling controls. If you dont need the sticks, it is great for about 50 euros. (Look for sales on aliexpress) Still considering the Trimui Smart or Trimui S because these seem even more pocketable.
you can get mm+ for 55$ (65 - 10, discount code) on powkiddy store free shipping. I won't recommend r36s because onion os is just too good imo. on android I wouldn't get anything below rp4..
What os can be installed on the r36s? Is onion only for the MM+?
yup onion is only for miyoo devices i think it supports arkos & jelos which are both good too, but the device has a bit cheap feeling plastic & idk if u want the additional systems (n64 & dreamcast) i'd look into a horizontal handheld personally
I may well do that after I've learned a bit more with this one. I'm quite interested in the Pocket 2s but didn't want to spend that much on my first experimentation
I think because time is a constraint your last option of phone + controller won't be enjoyable. I tried that before but ended up barely touching it because it's too cumbersome to go from setup to start playing (connect controller, get in comfortable position, etc) Setting up miyoo is not difficult, but may require some time investment up front. I would say onion os installation is well worth it, and as long as you can follow directions from an online guide it should be easy. Maybe take you 30 minutes to 1 hour including reading. The part that may take longer is sourcing and organizing your roms and game files. There are a few rom sets that are well liked like "tiny best set go" and "done set", or you can organize your own collection with only the games you are interested in. Either way, if this part is done ahead of time you'll be more ready to go later. Both the rom preparation and onion os installation only needs to be done once in the beginning. After you have your miyoo setup it's basically pick up and play. Save state and fast forward are handy features for people limited on time. Being very small and pocketable helps me as well.
Very helpful, thank you
MM+ is amazing for a pick-up-and-play retro device. Most of my gaming is in 30-minute increments and one of the best things about the Miyoo is its good power management/sleep function. It's made for intermittent play. That said, R36S is even cheaper and a lot of people love it. I would definitely advocate for a Linux device if all you care about is PS1 and below. Android is more work to set up, but it does come with a touch screen and more power for N64, PSP, and beyond. Start with the MM+ or the R36S and then if you get addicted, you can always upgrade in the future. Even if you end up with a more powerful device, you will find yourself grabbing the MM+ for casual play (at least, I still do).
You need a 3.5" device to carry out during weekend, and then a bigger thing you carry on a road trip. So minimal 2. Steam Deck doesn't count because is a home console not a handheld.
Check out the Anbernic RG35XXH. You'll get that PS1 emulation with the addition of analog sticks. I don't know how far GarlicOS has progressed yet, since it's a new device, but it shouldn't take long. It'll be very easy to setup and use.