Retroid Pocket 2 Android Handheld Game Console, Dual Boot for Android and retro game console Multiple Emulators Console Handheld 3.5 Inch Display 4000mAh Battery Retro Gaming System (Indigo)

After playing with this thing for a couple of days, I can confirm that it is a pretty good handheld emulator for the price. Since it runs on Android you are able to download apps from the play store, and after purchasing My Boy! and DraStic (not preinstalled), I can confirm that the Retroid pocket is easily able to keep up with the best emulator software as well as the GBA and DS titles themselves. DS is notoriously hard to emulate on a handheld, and DraStic operates surprisingly well with minimal frame drop. Also the Retroid is capable of keeping up with the fast forward features of many emulators. As far as the preinstalled emulators on the Retroid go, they are all functional and I haven’t encountered any problems apart from spending a chunk of time mapping controls. I haven’t done any exact measurements on the battery, but it really surprised me. Of course it depends on how taxing the games you play are and what your brightness is, but I have been able to play GBA and DS games for over 5 hours without needing to charge. In other words, I really like that the sufficient battery life complements its portability.When it comes to physical features, some of the buttons on the Retroid feel a little stiff, but that’s better than being super loose in my opinion. The D-pad isn’t in an optimal spot, and since it is a bit stiffer than something like a DS or Vita D pad, it could get pretty uncomfortable pretty quickly which is why I use the Joystick for long play and switch to the D pad when more precise input is needed. The left Joystick is pretty smooth and responsive so I haven’t had any problems with it. The right Joystick (or slider) is similar to the slider found on a 3ds except this one is a bit stiffer. I’m not sure what games would require it, so I am just glad that it is out of the way of my right hand. Overall, the device is thick enough to fit my hands extremely well and small enough to be portable which is what I look for in handhelds.I think this device is definitely worth the website price of $80, but I’m not sure if an extra $40 is worth the ease of going through Amazon. Consider looking at their website first. At the end of the day this device does what it claims to do and does it pretty well. You may have to put some effort into customizing some of the software to get used to it, but once you know how to navigate the system you’ll be flying around enjoying plenty of retro games.Before you buy the Retroid:WATCH AS MANY VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE AS YOU CAN. There are plenty of tutorial and setup videos that can help you make an informed decision.Also, if you’re considering getting the purple one, just know that the actual color is a bit darker and the buttons are WHITE white and get dirty easily. My left joystick has actually started to wear a bit and it is showing a bit of pink beneath the white coat, so I honestly wish I’d gotten a black one.If you are looking for a more premium FEELING device, consider waiting for the release of Anbernic’s RG351M which is rumored to be out in nearly a month. It’s shell will be aluminum, not plastic, and the D pad would have better placement. However, the 351M is supposed to be missing many software performance features that the Retroid has, but a lot of this is subjective anyway. It wouldn’t hurt to take a look at some of Anbernic’s products though, as they have a much larger community behind them where customers are constantly innovating along side the company.If you do buy the Retroid:Some additional purchases I think are necessary are a 64gb SD card or higher. The system comes with a 32gb but somewhere between 20-25gb is already taken up. If you only plan on playing a few select series, then I wouldn’t worry about it since many old ROMs are measurable in kb and you won’t need the space.If you’re trying to emulate DS games, you’ll need to purchase DraStic from the play store for 5 bucks. It’s worth it with all of the features it comes with. Running DS games on a single screen handheld has never been easier.Once your Retroid comes in I highly recommend just going through some YouTube videos on setting it up and finding out what areas on your system you need to be interested in and what areas you can ignore. Hope this helps.

To preface this as I write this, I have returned home from work to find my Retroid Pocket 2 waiting for me in the mail so this is my first impression from the initial hour or so of owning the device. I'll list some of my pros and cons, then add my thoughts on everything later.Pros: Comes with games pre-loaded, can easily download more from multiple sources. Compact design (smaller than a Nintendo Switch!) that can easily go inside of a bag or maybe your pocket if you're wearing baggy pants. The dual boot modes offer an immensely customizable experience and you should receive a step-by-step guide via email from the company that gets you right to the Retroid OS (Where the preloaded ROMs are).Cons: The cursor and gamepad navigation is a teeny bit annoying, swapping between multiple input types on the Android OS and it makes typing needlessly time consuming. It might just be a problem with my unit but when switching between boot modes there's an audible popping noise from within the case, near the home/start/select buttons and speaker.Overall: If you don't already know how to import ROM files for your emulators or are a stick in the mud who's against it this product isn't for you, but if you're like me and want an easy way to bring a bunch of games on-the-go this will work wonders.

NINTENDO DS:I included photos to show what DS games will look like on the Retroid Pocket 3.5" screen. Your options are side-by-side screens. You can swap the screens or do full screen. Side-by-side is VERY tiny making it hard to play many games. You'd need a magnifying glass like they use to make for the old Gameboy's in order to see both screens side by side. It has me squinting.From what i saw on Youtube. The 5" inch screens will allow you to have side-by-side DS screens which use up the WHOLE screen. Making it easier to see.______________________WARNING:This is not something you buy and play right away.This device is a project for people who are experienced with Emulators.Don't buy it for young kids unless they are old enough to do their own research online and can figure out how to use the device (YouTube is great to learn)Once you set it up, it's great but it's also frustrating to setup and use. Once you're in your game however it's fun.MY SUGGESTION:If you're clueless. Research FIRST. BEFORE you buy it. Create a folder on your desktop PC. Add all the game system folders and games in it. This will go onto your SD card later. IF YOU CANNOT DO THAT, then DON'T buy this device. It's too complicated for you.I just bought the Retroid Pocket 2 and I'm experienced with Emulators but i spent more time customizing everything vs playing it. I'm working to finish customizing it so i can begin enjoying it.______________________GAME COMPATIBILITY:EVERY retro system and handheld works until you reach a certain point. Maybe a future upgrade like android 8.0+ (in the future) will fix some issues but this device is limited by it's hardware.PSP = Hit or miss (don't buy this for PSP games, games that work are just an added bonus)Hotshots golf: Tiny bit of lag, screen goes black when i hit the ballWipeout: Runs too slowStreet Fighter: Non stop black flickering on screenMetalSlug: Lags too muchBejeweled: Audio issue, fixed it by going to the audio settings and turning on an option for bluetooth. Runs perfect after thatSega Dreamcast = Hit or miss. FlyCast emulator is reported to do a good job running dreamcast. I haven't fully tested this system.N64 = Didn't test this yet. I would think some games would be a hit or miss also. 3D intense games cause the problem and N64 has a lot of 3D games BUT it could be a hit or miss and you might get lucky to get a game running decently.PS1 = I played Twisted Metal 2, runs full speed, sounds good. No issues. I think PS1 runs really wellI didn't test many of the other systems but many of the older retro systems should work well.______________________HDMI OUT:It works i tested it. I played Sega Genesis on my 65" 4K TV. No lag. Sound is fine but having a TV sound bar makes it REALLY GOOD! BUT not surprising it LOOKS BAD because these old retro games weren't designed to be played on such a large screen. BUY a LONG HDMI cord and sit back really far and it should look slightly better (Assuming you plan to use the Retroid Pocket 2 as your main controller)Also change your TV aspect ratio. It helps.While connected with HDMI you can continue to use the Retroid Pocket 2 controls to play the game. So you won't need an external controller. You just need a much longer HDMI cord so you can sit back at a comfortable distance. (This is only for 1 player, for 2 players you will want Bluetooth controllers)I saw an option that says you can turn off the Retroid Pocket 2 LCD screen when you are connected via HDMI to a TV. I didn't know this was an option when i tested the HDMI out. I accidentally found that option. This is a HUGE bonus. No one has mentioned this. Now you know.______________________I see internet rumors of a Retroid Pocket 3 coming out in 2021 but it's already July 2021, Not sure if it's true or not. Maybe it's just clickbait. But i have hope a Retroid Pocket 3 is coming and I HOPE it will be a similar design but much more improved.If so i will buy it and will gladly pay more to own it.Retroid Pocket 3 UPDATE i want:- More power / better hardware to handle PSP games!- Touch Screen (useful overall, especially when customizing settings, typing, searching and in DS games)- 5+" Screen (that will be useful for DS games to play with larger side-by-side screens)- Put the D-PAD at the top. Put the two Joysticks at the bottom (use the left joystick design)- BOTH joysticks should be analog joysticks.- Make joysticks clickable buttons so they can be mapped in emulators & useful for PlayStation games- Add more buttons like "EXIT" = Escape key and "Menu" which can be mapped in the Emulator apps.- Move "Select" to the top left, Move "Start" to the top right. That's more natural.- "Admin Buttons" put below the screen...Bottom left: Home and Menu Bottom Right: Escape- Add bigger battery to increase battery life- Add 5Ghz to make it possibly useful with SteamLink. (Maybe i'm wrong but this only does 2.4Ghz)- Add screen brightness shortcut in android- Add larger Y,X,B,A buttons to make them more comfortable- Shoulder buttons. Make them longer or move them slightly more inwards. So users fingers sit on top of the buttons more naturally without having to bend fingers so much.- Move power button to the bottom the device. To the left or right of the SD card. So it's out of the way.- CHANGE the back of the device. There's a small square shape slippery surface on the back of the device where the Retroid Pocket LOGO is. IT's NOT A STICKER. It's a weird design you can't even see the INFO it's HIDDEN. The fingers naturally sit in that little square. It's uncomfortable and slippery. REMOVE that. Print the LOGO right on the plastic and make it all one surface texture.- Remove the LOGO from the front of the design to make more space. Logo on the back is best.- Keep the device light weight. I love how light weight it is.- Make the "HOME" button send you back to the android page ONLY if you hold it for a few seconds to reduce users accidentally pressing it.- LAUNCHER app is needed for 3rd party Front-Ends. The built in one, i don't have access to it, not sure why.- SWAP the SD card position with the USB slot. Create a USB-C docking station. Then you can put the Retroid Pocket down into the docking station to charge the device and also hold it while you use an external controller or if you want to watch videos on the device.Docking station won't work for the Retroid Pocket 2 because the USB slot is at the top.- Some people want a clamshell option. How about making an external clamshell LCD screen that attaches to the Retroid Pocket 2 and 3? It will plug into the USB slot and attach to the body of the Retroid Pocket. You can then add or remove it anytime and it will serve as a dual screen for DS games. Sell it as an add-on accessory.______________________RETROID POCKET 2 FRONT-END APP:It's a nice start but not great because1. The online market place doesn't work. I get errors when trying to check for games. I don't wish to download any games i just wanted to browse it. But i can't, i get an error.2. Limited games come with the device (not good for new users who don't know how to add games)3. I'm not 100% sure yet but i don't think you can customize the Retroid Front-End app to manually add your own game files??? BUT I want to try.The Retroid Pocket 3 should come with a Front-End app that is fully customizable.Let users add their own games, emulators, artwork, video clips, etc...The app should also scan and download artwork and video clips for all your game files. That would be amazing!Also separate each console with nice artwork. Hyperspin Front-End is a great example. Hyperspin looks amazing. Make the Retroid Front-End app look more like Hyperspin.______________________LAUNCHER APP:There's a "Launcher" app on this Retroid Pocket 2 that allows you to change what loads first when you boot up the device. So if you use a Front-End you can make it load first. I see the "Launcher" app in the android "apps" section of the device. BUT it's NOT an app i can select. The only thing i can do is force the app to quit. But i can't use the app. I need that app in order to make a Front-End work.If anyone had that issue and knows the solution i would love to know.MAYBE i can find another launcher app in the Google Play Store and use that instead.______________________ADDING to my Review:- I found that the brightness shortcut works but only when you're in the Retroid Pocket Front-End app NOT in the android side.- I tested N64, Mario Kart 64 and it runs 95-99% perfect. It's like having a N64 in your pocket.- Tested street fighter on dreamcast using retroarch. It ran poorly but when using Flycast (via the Retroid app) it ran 99% perfect.So there's still some hope more games could run well with better emulators / updates to the Retroid Pocket.______________________IN SUMMARY:Great device. I recommend buying it (if you know what you're getting yourself into)Reasons not to buy it? You want a 5+" screen.There's maybe 1 or 2 other similar devices to the Retroid Pocket 2 that i saw which have a 5+" screen BUT they aren't anymore powerful than this Retroid Pocket 2. The differences are the screen size, shoulder button design and they cost more $. I think one or both might even be touch screens.