What first emulation handheld would you recommend?

Submitted ⁨⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨Karcinogen@discuss.tchncs.de⁩ to ⁨retrogaming@lemmy.world⁩

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.

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Redkey@programming.dev ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
If you’re not going to jailbreak a New 3DS (probably my choice if I was focusing on DS and 3DS games, because those real dual screens make a difference), then why not just get a controller to use with the smartphone you probably already have in your pocket? Even a mid-range smartphone will match or beat most inexpensive handhelds for retro game emulation.

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missingno@fedia.io ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
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...

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- tanisnikana@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
  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.
  
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DmMacniel@feddit.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
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.

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- squaresinger@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
  I second the 3DS. Compact, cheap, runs 3DS games perfectly and emulates a ton of older systems even including Windows 98.
  
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Strider@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
As many others have said, get a 3DS. I’d recommend either a new 3DS (non xl is my favorite but, well, small) or 2DS (not new, the new is a fragile bitch).

I also own lots of anbernic devices I’d recommend but not for that use. That would then require a quite powerful device but in the end lack the polish and use of a native 3DS.

You can also do… Things with any 2/3ds nowadays. Just in case you didn’t know.

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the16bitgamer@programming.dev ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
When it comes to playing DS/3DS games the best hardware I found that can do it well is an iPad… or a 3DS.

No one is really focusing on making a good stylus for tablets and the iPad works well for DS games. And it has enough power to play and do everything else… except 3DS since Apple didn’t permit JIT.

3DS on the other hand is easy to mod, easy to run archived games and does everything nicely. Sure it takes time to setup, but it’s worth it.

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sic_semper_tyrannis@lemmy.today ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
Retro Game Corps on YouTube has been on a trend of reviewing all the very recent DS emulation handhelds that are and will be soon hitting the market. It’s a pretty new thing you’re wanting to do, otherwise use an Android phone/tablet.

You can also install homebrew on your 3DS to unlock more potential.

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Dotcom@lemmy.ml ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
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.

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Nikls94@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
On the go! Modded 2ds/3ds themselves. At home I personally prefer a MacBook + iPad combo, where the iPad is the touchscreen and the Mac is the top screen

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Auster@thebrainbin.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
Would phones count? I have a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, and it's surprisingly powerful for its release year. Can even tackle some PS2 games through AetherSX2. Also works with 3DS emulation, at least from what I tested of Bravely Second.

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- diemartin@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
  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.
  
  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)
  
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  - Auster@thebrainbin.org ⁨16⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    Dunno how it is through Retroarch, but what I used was a separated program, Lime3DS ("Azahar" now? Got the APK in the short window it was named that)
    
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- Auster@thebrainbin.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
  If not, only other 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, PS1 and some PC games through source ports (and heavy graphical downgrades when needed).
  
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MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
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.

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EarlGrey@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
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.

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bizarroland@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
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.

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