All them tiny Handheld who shall not deserve its own Thread

[ClockworkCoder]

Not a retro gaming device, but this open source project with an e-ink screen, keyboard and clamshell design, reminiscent of old PDAs looks pretty interesting:

GitHub - ashtf8/PocketMage_PDA: An E-Ink PDA device using the ESP32 S3.

An E-Ink PDA device using the ESP32 S3. Contribute to ashtf8/PocketMage_PDA development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[matzesu]

Well the Retroid is nice, and a cool Handheld but also a Thicking Timebomb of some sorts (Hinge might Crack at some point), also wouldnt it be awesome to have 2 Screens instead of one?
So i did preeordered the "Ayn Thor" in the Purple Transparent Version whit 16 gig Ram and 1 tb internal Storage, i think i will put my Roms also in the Internal Storage then
My other plan was to have the DS Lite for DS Stuff, and the New 2DS XL for 3DS, but maybe its better to have anything at one Handheld ..

 

[TeDaDeS]

Im only have not that demanding PC Games: The most Demanding where maybe Farming Sim 25 and this should work fine, I will test this on Thursday ..
I found out that I did a Mistake to my Steamdeck: Its downloads quite fine as long its running : As early as you put it in Hibernate/Standbye by pushing the Button (you need to try it a few times as this Hardware Flaw is still there that the Button some times get stuck), its doesn't Download anything at all ..

Correct, unlike the Switch it doesn't download when stand-by. I does go to stand-by after completing downloading, and in desktop mode you can turn off the screen earlier to save power.
I think it's the most requested feature, a low power download mode when standby. So, if it's not introduced with this Steamdeck it will be in the next.

Is there an option to download games while in sleep mode? :: Steam Deck General Discussions

I got my steam deck yesterday and I wanted to download monster hunter on it while I went to sleep for the night. I put it on sleep mode and it continued back on where it started when I checked on it a few minutes ago. Is there something for it to download in the settings?

steamcommunity.com

Not a retro gaming device, but this open source project with an e-ink screen, keyboard and clamshell design, reminiscent of old PDAs looks pretty interesting:

GitHub - ashtf8/PocketMage_PDA: An E-Ink PDA device using the ESP32 S3.

An E-Ink PDA device using the ESP32 S3. Contribute to ashtf8/PocketMage_PDA development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

I would like a solar panel on top, link it to home assistant via wifi, would be great. Not sure what it would be really useful for, but it looks nice.

 

[kuru]

BTW retroid sell a 2nd screen add-on

Retroid Dual Screen Add-on

Retroid Dual Screen Add-on(include back clip): 1. 5.5" AMOLED screen (107% sRGB coverage | 100,000:1 contrast ratio | 500 nits peak brightness) 2. 120/150/180 degree click-stop hinge 3. Support pass-through charge 4. Dedicate buttons for brightness setting 5. Official devices support: RP Mini/RP...

www.goretroid.com

And check out this crazy transforming dual-screen handheld

 

[TeDaDeS]

BTW retroid sell a 2nd screen add-on

Retroid Dual Screen Add-on

Retroid Dual Screen Add-on(include back clip): 1. 5.5" AMOLED screen (107% sRGB coverage | 100,000:1 contrast ratio | 500 nits peak brightness) 2. 120/150/180 degree click-stop hinge 3. Support pass-through charge 4. Dedicate buttons for brightness setting 5. Official devices support: RP Mini/RP...

www.goretroid.com

And check out this crazy transforming dual-screen handheld

It's €521 so not an insta-buy. While it looks cute and peaks my interest, it's also looks bulky.
It would the impulse buy if I would still have room for impulse handheld purchases.

 

[kuru]

Depending on the config it's not pleasant to hold and reaching shoulder buttons is weird IIRC. Retro Game Corps made a video about it. Great channel BTW.

 

[matzesu]

Therefore its quite nice that whe have now the joice for different DS Handhelds, this thing, the Ayaneo Android DS (there is also an bigger Windows Version of it), the Ayn Thor i did preeordered..
My big plan was basically to just use my DS Lite for GBA (Modules) and DS (Flashcard) and the New2DSXL for the 3DS Games as well as the Flip2 for Emu and Android Stuff, but when i can get all of them in one Handheld, i take the All in One Solution ..

Which dosnt mean i will not play Modules anymore: I will get me the Modretro Chromatic as a sort of nice Gameboy, and maybe i will use my Gameboy Micro now for the GBA Games as its still a nice Handheld ^^

The Thor will get released in 2 Months (Mid Oktober), i hope whe see in this time some fottage of actual Gameplay, it will be faster than the Flip2 allready, .. but a tiny bit wider..

 

[matzesu]

I did change my mind: I did send Ayn an Cancel Request: as long as my Flip2 dont shows an sign of an Crack, i would suggest its one of the Units that will survive until its Batterie lost its Charging Cycles ..,
The Flip2 is set up now for most of the stuff: i even got the PS1 Games to work that got an Copy Protection in Europe, and i also did fix the issue that some games want run from the Retro Launcher as there was an issue whit the File Direction..

 

[matzesu]

Another change of my Mind: Did preeorder the Ayn Thor again: In New3DS Color whit 256gb (the Pro Version), beside the obvous DS/3DS Thing its should serve lots of nice Quality of Live Features like an Status Monitor, or if future Emulator Updates will support it hopefully stuff like Safestates on a Touch ^^, And other things: Open an Browser for an Gaming Guide, or Youtube Music while you play an Longtime Game like an Farming Simulator or something ..

Only thing that sucks is that i have to setup anything again, i will read me in how to copy over at least Playstation2, PSP and Gamecube Safegames/States, as they are the Systems i did play the most serious

Oh and as its a completly new start, i dont have these Data on it from the Retrolaunchers i did test on the Flip2..

 

[rygD]

I am strongly considering getting an Analogue Pocket. What are some reasons I shouldn’t?

 

[TeDaDeS]

I am strongly considering getting an Analogue Pocket. What are some reasons I shouldn’t?

• It's relatively expensive compared to the 1-in-a-100 Chinese clone handhelds
• it mostly does Gameboy games, you can get the accessories to play more systems, compared to the these generic emulator handhelds that play many systems
• dock accessory costs extra, not just an USB-C output for video

It didn't stop me from getting one though, but I did get the Retroid Flip 2 for Android support also. As the Analogue Pocket takes original cartridges, it's a good alternative/addition to the original Gameboys.

 

[netcat]

I am strongly considering getting an Analogue Pocket. What are some reasons I shouldn’t?

AP is a work of art. It's the best GB experience I am aware of. The screen looks so good and the shaders are really nice.

Don't forget it also plays tons of arcade, handheld and 16-bit games - perfectly. Old games need to be fast and AP does them justice.

The only drawback imo is the battery is not replaceable.

 

[rygD]

AP is a work of art. It's the best GB experience I am aware of. The screen looks so good and the shaders are really nice.

Don't forget it also plays tons of arcade, handheld and 16-bit games - perfectly. Old games need to be fast and AP does them justice.

The only drawback imo is the battery is not replaceable.

You are supposed to talk me out of wanting it.

Yeah, I was irritated when I saw they want you to send it in for battery replacement. Has anyone opened theirs, or looked through the case I guess if you have a clear one, to see if it really needs to be sent in? I’m not sure how they connect batteries on all these newfangled devices with no user replaceable battery.

 

[TeDaDeS]

It's the best GB experience I am aware of. The screen looks so good and the shaders are really nice.

Yes, my only complaint would be that it's too good. Like watching a movie at home instead of the theater, but in reverse.

I only just found out there are many (unofficial) cores you can run

Analogue Pocket

This site was created to document openFPGA cores and their related devices.

openfpga-library.github.io

 

[rygD]

I only just found out there are many (unofficial) cores you can run

Officially unofficial, but evidence points strongly that many of them are from Analogue (I can’t remember the official unofficial username right now). Those, and because I am a game boy junkie (i have tons of modded original hardware) plus nanoloop (I have it for DMG/pocket/color and my phone) plus I want to try FPGAs, are the main reason I want it. Every time it popped up here or in my internet activities I tried to ignore it, but then the Chromatic started showing up, and seemed like a knock off of the Pocket from a company I don’t want to support, with less functionality, but with standard batteries and a metal case. I kinda like the design, but the more I researched, the more the Pocket seems like something I would actually use frequently. I could also eventually get rid of some of my real game boys, so that others can enjoy them (I would keep a DMG or two, and my prized Extreme Green Game Boy Pocket) which is something I have been looking for an excuse to do anyway. It all just depends on if the Analogue Pocket really works as well as I hope (my primary GB game is Tetris, so if it can keep up with me and not give me too many issues with the d pad, then Analogue may beat Nintendo for me).

Sorry about the wall of text. The earliest I would get it is around the end of the year, so until then I am trying to talk myself out of it. It seems the perfect option for me. Too perfect.

 

[rygD]

I think Spiritualized gives us the “unofficial, but only because of laws” cores. Can’t recall where I heard it, but it was the way they phrased the handful of initial releases.

 

[netcat]

What made me bite the bullet on the AP was the realisation that a GBA + everdrive was a suboptimal way to experience GB Tetris. It uses emulation (goomba) and feels sticky and slow. AP runs it perfectly so I'm back to my life goal of getting 500k points.

If I only wanted DMG I'd go for a Chromatic. But it's nice to be able to show off 16-bit games too.

 

[matzesu]

I did yesterday experience some WiiU Emulation on the Flip2 in Preparation for the Thor though which will get much nicer for this because of more Power and an build in second Screen, but this way i have allready the stuff on my SD Card .. , works quite good, after i did figure out that its not only need Citra and the Wux Files, but also an .txt whit the Game Keys, its runs Mario Kart 8 whit a bit stutter, and also the HD Remakes of Zelda Wind Waker, ..
I did also Preeorder the Chromatic GBC, cant wait to play Super Mario Land on it which became an Tradition now ..

 

[rygD]

If I only wanted DMG I'd go for a Chromatic. But it's nice to be able to show off 16-bit games too.

If I only wanted DMG I would stick with my backlit ones.

Give me the bad, people! I read that some people with clear cased Pockets have noticed cracking in the case. Not a problem for me, as I want the black one.

Tell me they randomly explode, or beat you up while you sleep.

 

[undexsym]

I'm sorry but it's over. You have already made your decision.
Look at the beauty. Emulation is for plebs. Look at how beautiful it is. Gambatte is inaccurate trash. Imagine all the gaming you will do on it.

After days/weeks of hype driven research and discussion the only things left to do are to make the purchase, wait for delivery, unbox, set it up and put on the shelf for when you have time to play with it.
Please post your ebay listing here.