Retro Game Corps

Big news! I've teamed up with Adam from PCWorld to start a new podcast. It's called Expedition: Handheld, and it will be a weekly audio/video podcast going over handheld news, our own DIY handheld projects, answering FAQs, and more. We're going to focus on both handheld PCs and ARM-based (Android, Linux) handhelds.

The show will be hosted on PCWorld's Full Nerd Network channel, and the trailer is now live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x1zZ...

For those wondering, this is in addition to my regular Nerd Nest podcast appearances, but with more of a dedicated handheld spin. We're aiming for ~1-hour episodes, and the first episode will be out this Saturday!

14 hours ago | [YT] | 1,205

Retro Game Corps

After the AYANEO community poll I hosted last month, 45% of participants voted for me to purchase retail units for review. So when the company reached out last month to send me a review unit for their Pocket S Mini, I declined their offer and purchased my own from their store. Here's a breakdown of the experience:

- Purchased via an anonymous email address on 31JAN, it shipped on 11FEB, and arrived via 4PX shipping on 23FEB to a PO Box I set up.
- I bought the lowest-spec 8GB RAM model in white for $319, and shipping was $20. No additional import or tariff charges for me.
- AYANEO posted incorrect battery specs at the time of sale (they blamed it on their factory), and the unit shipped with a 4700mAh battery instead of the advertised 6000mAh size. As compensation, they sent all customers a Pocket Air Mini (2GB model, $90 value) with their purchase, and that arrived in the same box. I was sent an email asking me to fill out my color preference on a Google Sheets doc, and they allowed customers to upgrade their unit to the 3GB RAM model for an additional $10.
- The device came with a carrying case, thumbstick caps, and some stickers.
- I've discovered some hardware faults in my initial testing that I think are worth further investigation and reporting: occasional strange screen effects when waking the device from sleep, the B button often gives a double input (a nightmare when navigating menus), and screen ghosting on my unit is particularly bad when playing retro games.

I'm still debating whether to devote my usual 40+ hours making an in-depth review video, let me know in the comments if that's something you'd like to see.

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1 day ago | [YT] | 1,749

Retro Game Corps

The latest issue of my newsletter went out this morning! It comes out every Sunday and collects all of my recent videos plus the latest news and deals, and the games I’m currently playing. You can read the latest archive here or sign up to receive it via email or RSS: buttondown.com/retrogamecorps/archive/RGC-006/

4 days ago | [YT] | 865

Retro Game Corps

A new Dolphin update had added support for TriForce arcade games on Android! This includes the two Mario Kart Arcade GP games and F-Zero AX. Retro Tech Dad has a good setup guide video, check it out here: https://youtu.be/foinaXkwFvw

6 days ago | [YT] | 1,812

Retro Game Corps

Not a lot of sales on Amazon recently (likely due to rising RAM/storage prices), but this cheap portable monitor is $50 right now.

This is a 15.6" 1080p 60Hz monitor, the quality isn't the best but I've found these monitors work well in a pinch as an external display. It uses USB-C video input so you can plug it directly into devices like those from Retroid and AYN.

Affiliate link: amzn.to/4rsmn1K
Non-affiliate: www.amazon.com/MNN-Portable-15-6inch-Ultra-Slim-Sp…

I've also been adding a deals roundup each week in my newsletter, you can read the archived issues here and sign up to be emailed when they release on Sundays: news.retrogamecorps.com/

1 week ago | [YT] | 939

Retro Game Corps

I am constantly traveling back and forth from the studio with random handhelds, and I have a rotating cast based on what I’m reviewing or testing at the moment. The one handheld that currently has a permanent spot on my home desk is the Retroid Pocket Classic. I pick it up most days to play a few minutes here or there, and it remains my favorite vertical handheld: good performance, beautiful screen, and nice classic controls.

Retroid Pocket Classic review: https://youtu.be/HQOBdhnnQkM
"Four months later" follow-up video: https://youtu.be/aFScJixrmRI

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,840

Retro Game Corps

AliExpress is currently running a Valentine's Day sale on their website. Individual prices aren't groundbreaking (everything is pretty expensive right now), but they are offering some coupon codes which help make them competitive.

Here are the US-based codes. If you are in a different region, I recommend going to the AliExpress homepage for your region, and then click on their sale banner and you should see them. The "RGC" codes were provided to me by AliExpress but have a limited amount of uses; try the other code if that one is expired!

2RGC = $2 off $15
4RGC or USSS04 = $4 off $29+
6RGC or USSS06 = $6 off $49+
10RGC or USSS10 = $10 off $79+
20RGC or USSS20 = $20 off $159+
30RGC or USSS30 = $30 off $249+
45RGC or USSS45 = $45 off $369+
USSS60 = $60 off $499+

These links should ship for free from US warehouses so there won't be any tariffs applied, but be sure to double-check during checkout.

Some highlights:

Miyoo Mini Flip ($47 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3kj6H2X
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256810581126485.html

Miyoo Mini Plus ($47 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4BUdtC7
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809946073854.html

Miyoo Flip v2 ($41 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3pZSIiT
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808611804650.html

Anbernic RG35XXSP ($47 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4PKwETV
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256810550380063.html

Anbernic RG35XXH ($50 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3NOOM1v
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809958235616.html

Anbernic RG40XXV ($54 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3mzjSbN
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809945701708.html

TrimUI Brick ($55 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2RXNAuX
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809251663658.html

TrimUI Brick Hammer ($75 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4lS5EEF
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809532019532.html

Anbernic RG DS ($95 after coupon)
Affiliate link: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3Oy0IZh
Non-affiliate: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805675990557.html

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2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 776

Retro Game Corps

Issue #4 of my newsletter went out this morning!

You can read it here (click on the "Archives" link at the top) or sign up to get it via email: news.retrogamecorps.com/

Here is what you'll find this week:
- Recaps of my recent videos
- My Winter 2025 music playlist
- The biggest handheld news of the week
- Games I've been playing (both retro and modern)
- Some deals I found
- Behind the scenes pics

I'm having a lot of fun with these, and I hope you find them helpful!

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 812

Retro Game Corps

My orange retail Retroid Pocket 6 just arrived, and it is GORGEOUS. It has a slight metallic look to it, almost golden to the eye. I'll be sure to feature it in my Retroid Pocket 6 starter guide, which will be my next video release.

Here's my RP6 review in case you missed it: https://youtu.be/4ByeyqlasHY

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,980

Retro Game Corps

The Mangmi Pocket Max is now available for pre-order, for $199 during the first week of sale. Super Early Bird orders will also come with free mechanical micro-switch modules, and you can use code MANGMI5 for an extra $5 off.

Here is my review video of the handheld. https://youtu.be/zDlPCjdOaCM

It's a very good streaming experience for $199, with its AMOLED 7" 144Hz display and roomy controls; but once it gets up to $240 retail, I don't see it as being as good of a deal.

Affiliate link: tinyurl.com/MangiMax
Non-affiliate: mangmi.com/products/mangmi-pocket-max

As a reminder, the AYN Odin 2 Portal (similar screen and size but much more powerful) is currently on sale for $250. More info: youtube.com/post/UgkxZ6xk4rZqgtuk4BguG-jvcOihnQB2g…

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 689