I’m really happy with this thing. I was considering getting the RG SP but it was a solid $20-30 more expensive, since it’s the newest model. Meanwhile, good offers were being made for the 34XX-SP which is basically the same device.
Initial impressions:
- The yellow model looks great IRL. It’s less saturated than in the picture.
- 4:3 games are really not that small on the screen, the bezels aren’t an issue like everyone says they are.
- Controls are great, they’re clicky but not annoying or loud. The bumpers are way better than the ones in the RG35XX-H. I’m surprised how much I love the thin D-pad. The only thing I actively dislike is how loud the function button is.
I get the idea of a perfect GBA SP clone but analogue sticks are so useful. So I’d prefer a 34XX-SP.
My ideal would be GBA SP form factor with a single analogue stick where the speaker is currently and two speakers where the analog sticks are.
The reasoning is the hardware supports up to N64 perfectly. So a single analogue joystick in the middle would match the N64 controller.
Trying to reach into the middle for the stick doesn’t sound super ergonomic.
It’s actually easier than trying to have it on the bottom corner because the sp form factor is narrow. Your thumbs naturally rest in the middle. I bought a 34xxSP as a gift so I spent some time with it setting it up.
These things are pretty cheap though. I think the trend is towards grabbing different handhelds for different systems, rather than trying to find The One Handheld to Rule Them All.
Yeah I have many for different purposes like the RG CubeXX just for classic 3:4 arcades like Pacman and SpaceInvaders. Which is why a N64 specific would be nice given the CPU can do N64 before you need to make compromises.
Do you get irritated by those analog sticks?
Not at all. They’re not in the way when I’m playing on the Dpad or face buttons so after some time you forget they’re even there. The device would visually look cleaner without them, so I can see why some people would prefer the new one without the sticks.
As for playing on the sticks, they’re OK. They’re quite small and not super comfy, but they’re definitely nice to have if you’re playing a game that uses them like some PS1 racing games.
They’re very recessed and don’t really get in the way. They aren’t great joysticks, but they’re nice to have for games that really need them.
It’s lovely! Enjoy playing on it!
How are the ergonomics? When I so much as look at something this small, my hands start cramping up
It’s better than you’d expect but still a bit cramped. You’ll have to curl your fingers in the back when holding it which might get uncomfortable when doing it for a long time. I think it’s fine unless you’re playing multiple hour sessions.
If ergonomics are your #1 concern you’re likely better off with a horizontal handheld so your hands can hold the whole thing without issues.
That checks out. I’ve got the R36S handheld and despite being a bit bigger (or so it seems) even that is too cramped for me. I don’t usually get to game for long stretches, but it is a factor.
Whats the most intensive system this can play well? I am assuming all 2D stuff probably works fine, but how is N64, PSX, Dreamcast, and PSP? I don’t expect anything newer than that to do too well, and PSP might be too much for it as well.
It can handle everything up to PS1 perfectly (including GBA). I played a lot of PS1 on it now. It can also handle a lot of Dreamcast but probably not the more intensive games. I played a lot of Crazy Taxi on it and it seems to work just fine.
It can only run simple PSP games. I tried running Tekken 6 on it and it just kept dropping frames and slowing down.
Ah, so it seems about the same as the R36S I have already. I would prefer something more pocketable, but at the price its hard to consider compared to what I already had. If the performance was a bit better it might have been more enticing. I wouldnt ever expect GameCube or PS2 games or anything, but I think N64 and Saturn shouldn’t be so difficult on devices of this from factor and price.
I have the RG35XX+ It can run PSP pretty good, there’s ways to optimize performance. I should have gotten an Anbernic with a joystick to play the better PSP and N64, but I’m happy playing GBA
not bad for a SP clone.
I miss my SP…wish I never had to sell it.
I got a lot of those handheld and this one is my daily driver enven in front of more powerful one
Hows it feel in a pocket? Id love to find something small enough to not be annoying to carry to big enough to use.
It’ll fit in most pockets but this thing is pretty thick, so you’ll have a visible square bulge on your average jeans haha. It’s about ~2.5x thicker than my phone when closed. It’s just small enough to be pocketable but it’s definitely more practical to carry it in bigger pockets or a jacket pocket.
That said, the new model (RG SP) is thinner than this one, so that one might be better. You might also like the Miyoo Mini Flip which is smaller overall.
I hadn’t seen the mini flip! I love my miyoo so thats on the maybe list
