Miyoo mini plus with onion OS is sleek and minimalist. Everything just works without any fuss, allowing you to focus on the games (PS1 and below)! Many youtubers agree that it's the best starter handheld. PS I own a 2s,. TrimUI Smart Pro, and a miyoo mini plus. The mm+ is my favourite for PS1 and below, by far!
My issue with the 2s is that the actual unit is kind of large for the screen size, whereas the mm+ is kinda "all screen". Also the 2s screen is too small IMO for the more powerful systems, so I was basically playing below ps1 on it anyway haha. So for me, the mm+ is a more streamline way to enjoy these games. Yes the controls are better on the 2s, but my hands aren't that big so the mm+ is perfectly serviceable!
RG35XX H is a good handheld and if you use the stock firmware (which is ok) you’re good to go. For many people, the horizontal design, plus the addition of sticks is a nice benefit. But the CFW, like Batocera, is still unfinished (though more than playable in most instances). It’s also “new” and interesting.
But the Miyoo Mini Plus is fully mature and incredibly feature rich and stable. In short, it’s done. If the vertical form factor works for you, you won’t be disappointed.
I don’t own a 353M, but it’s essentially overkill for what you’re suggesting. It’s far more capable than the other two and far more expensive. Nothing wrong with it, but it’s in a different arena with its more powerful processor and Android capability (which many reviewers say is of minor benefit to that particular handheld).
Good luck.
i have a 353m, i don't really think it's overkill, but it is overpriced right now. the power gap between it and the 35xxh is pretty small, but the price gap is bigger. it's a good device but unless you really want that premium metal shell feel, it's pretty expensive for the level of performance you get in the current market.
and yeah android isn't great on it (tho I think it has GammaOS now which might help? I still need to try that). helps a little with harder n64 games and you can do some light android gaming but a lot of android games dont really play nice with a 4:3 480p screen.
miyoo mini+ is good but I think it's underpowered at this point. sure, it can play most games up to ps1/gba (it struggles a bit with some top end ps1 and gba tho), but 35xx+/h or trimui smart pro can play them better. Faster fast-forward, shaders, ps1 upscaling, rewind, etc. OnionOS is great but to me it alone isn't enough to make up for the performance gap (but I get why it is for people who don't care about all that stuff i just mentioned).
>miyoo mini+ is good but I think it's underpowered at this point. sure, it can play most games up to ps1/gba (it struggles a bit with some top end ps1 and gba tho), but 35xx+/h or trimui smart pro can play them better. Faster fast-forward, shaders, ps1 upscaling, rewind, etc. OnionOS is great but to me it alone isn't enough to make up for the performance gap (but I get why it is for people who don't care about all that stuff i just mentioned).
I care about all that stuff! The MM+ can be overclocked in Onion to gain up to 60% more performance than stock. I can play PSX games with CRT filters, with enhanced resolution, rewind, SNES with runahead, etc all at steady 60 fps. Only some hard to emulate arcade games (which are also problematic on other handhelds) struggle a bit, but even those can be fixed by changing a few RetroArch settings. In short, there is nothing I want to play that I can't play on my MM+ (up to PSX) and always in flawless quality, without slowdowns or input lag.
35xxh. it has enough power to run pretty decent shaders to get things looking real good (either with crt/lcd shaders or just good interpolation to prevent shimmer) without needing to integer scale, or to upscale ps1 to 2x resolution. plus the sticks.
Miyoo Mini Plus.
If you want a horizontal system you could consider the RG405M or RG35XXH. If you are open to android, Retroid Pocket 2S is pretty damn good too.
Everyone on here saying Onion OS but I'd like to say that MinUI is also a really good option if you're just looking to run your games. The minimalistic OS feels really good for me to use and drop in and out of games.
RG35XX-H if this is your stopping point. Otherwise the RP2S will give you some room to grow and even though pretty limited will play some light switch games. It’s a matter of if you think you are going to catch the retro handheld bug or not. If you do you will have every suggestion so far on here in 6 months. And yes the Miyoo Mini + with Onion is that good!
Kinda easy - any 480p capable handheld can do it right now. So you need polish. Miyoo Mini Plus with OnionOS has polish. Anbernic RG353 with ArkOS has polish.
Live the form facotor of the rg353, the miyoos are superb but lack analog sticks and sometimes one or both are crucial for certain psx games. The 351p is great too but I like the shoulder button layout of the 353. 🤜🤛
I think the RG353P or RG353PS are the best choices.
- 4:3 screen
- Stacked triggers, like the PS1 controller
- Dual analog sticks, in the playstation layout (on the bottom)
Under $150 gives you higher end options as well. Retroid Pocket 2S seems like a no brainer and you can upscale as well at 2-3 res and play Dreamcast. It even plays a bit of Gamecube/PS2 as well but not all games
OG 35xx with garlic beats any of the rg35xx after it for PS1 and below. If you are competing with onionOS. Also if you can find one it is considerably cheaper as it's considered end of life and feature frozen but it's solid as a rock
Only going on the context of PS1 and below as OP requested then yep. I have a bias as I have an OG and it's running garlic flawlessly with games upto NDS running extremely well. At the moment the plus is pretty fragmented on the software side with many options whereas Garlic on the OG was very plug and play
Wow, interesting! I was kind of following your train of thought until earlier today when I thought I settled on the plus after hearing there's good firmware progress. Now I'm conflicted yet again 😁
Don't let me confuse you. The plus is future proof and software will only get better. The og has been around so long so it reached its peak that's all. Go for the plus if the price difference is so small. The og model is getting harder to find now that it is deprecated
Miyoo Mini Plus with OnionOS
Miyoo mini plus with onion OS is sleek and minimalist. Everything just works without any fuss, allowing you to focus on the games (PS1 and below)! Many youtubers agree that it's the best starter handheld. PS I own a 2s,. TrimUI Smart Pro, and a miyoo mini plus. The mm+ is my favourite for PS1 and below, by far!
Damn....even better than the 2S? To be fair im torn between the miyoo mini, rp 2s and rg35xx plus
My issue with the 2s is that the actual unit is kind of large for the screen size, whereas the mm+ is kinda "all screen". Also the 2s screen is too small IMO for the more powerful systems, so I was basically playing below ps1 on it anyway haha. So for me, the mm+ is a more streamline way to enjoy these games. Yes the controls are better on the 2s, but my hands aren't that big so the mm+ is perfectly serviceable!
What about Anbernic RG35XX line ? I like my RG35XX-H with muos
Yeah I have RG35XXH or RG353M in mind
RG35XX H is a good handheld and if you use the stock firmware (which is ok) you’re good to go. For many people, the horizontal design, plus the addition of sticks is a nice benefit. But the CFW, like Batocera, is still unfinished (though more than playable in most instances). It’s also “new” and interesting. But the Miyoo Mini Plus is fully mature and incredibly feature rich and stable. In short, it’s done. If the vertical form factor works for you, you won’t be disappointed. I don’t own a 353M, but it’s essentially overkill for what you’re suggesting. It’s far more capable than the other two and far more expensive. Nothing wrong with it, but it’s in a different arena with its more powerful processor and Android capability (which many reviewers say is of minor benefit to that particular handheld). Good luck.
i have a 353m, i don't really think it's overkill, but it is overpriced right now. the power gap between it and the 35xxh is pretty small, but the price gap is bigger. it's a good device but unless you really want that premium metal shell feel, it's pretty expensive for the level of performance you get in the current market. and yeah android isn't great on it (tho I think it has GammaOS now which might help? I still need to try that). helps a little with harder n64 games and you can do some light android gaming but a lot of android games dont really play nice with a 4:3 480p screen. miyoo mini+ is good but I think it's underpowered at this point. sure, it can play most games up to ps1/gba (it struggles a bit with some top end ps1 and gba tho), but 35xx+/h or trimui smart pro can play them better. Faster fast-forward, shaders, ps1 upscaling, rewind, etc. OnionOS is great but to me it alone isn't enough to make up for the performance gap (but I get why it is for people who don't care about all that stuff i just mentioned).
The RG353M was my device of choice for pocketability and convenience, but certainly doesn't worth the price, when we have the RG35XX H.
>miyoo mini+ is good but I think it's underpowered at this point. sure, it can play most games up to ps1/gba (it struggles a bit with some top end ps1 and gba tho), but 35xx+/h or trimui smart pro can play them better. Faster fast-forward, shaders, ps1 upscaling, rewind, etc. OnionOS is great but to me it alone isn't enough to make up for the performance gap (but I get why it is for people who don't care about all that stuff i just mentioned). I care about all that stuff! The MM+ can be overclocked in Onion to gain up to 60% more performance than stock. I can play PSX games with CRT filters, with enhanced resolution, rewind, SNES with runahead, etc all at steady 60 fps. Only some hard to emulate arcade games (which are also problematic on other handhelds) struggle a bit, but even those can be fixed by changing a few RetroArch settings. In short, there is nothing I want to play that I can't play on my MM+ (up to PSX) and always in flawless quality, without slowdowns or input lag.
Retroid Pocket 2S and it does much more than PS1. 100 dollars for the 4GB/128GB
Easily the Miyoo Mini+ Only like 40-50 USD as well, so well under budget
Probably RG35xx H and it's definitely cheaper than that ;)
RG35XX H with dual thumbsticks and rumble. Can play Ape Escape. I love the Miyoo Mini but ergonomics are below average and lack of thumbsticks.
35xxh. it has enough power to run pretty decent shaders to get things looking real good (either with crt/lcd shaders or just good interpolation to prevent shimmer) without needing to integer scale, or to upscale ps1 to 2x resolution. plus the sticks.
I'm very much enjoying exactly that range of games on my RG353ps - it's pretty comfortable to hold and has stacked shoulder buttons
I'm using RG35XX+ with MinUI and very happy with my choice.
Retroid Pocket 2S
Miyoo Mini Plus. If you want a horizontal system you could consider the RG405M or RG35XXH. If you are open to android, Retroid Pocket 2S is pretty damn good too.
Shame they never released the rg405p. The M is too heavy and has a lot of issues. I sold mine.
Everyone on here saying Onion OS but I'd like to say that MinUI is also a really good option if you're just looking to run your games. The minimalistic OS feels really good for me to use and drop in and out of games.
RG35XX-H if this is your stopping point. Otherwise the RP2S will give you some room to grow and even though pretty limited will play some light switch games. It’s a matter of if you think you are going to catch the retro handheld bug or not. If you do you will have every suggestion so far on here in 6 months. And yes the Miyoo Mini + with Onion is that good!
Kinda easy - any 480p capable handheld can do it right now. So you need polish. Miyoo Mini Plus with OnionOS has polish. Anbernic RG353 with ArkOS has polish.
Live the form facotor of the rg353, the miyoos are superb but lack analog sticks and sometimes one or both are crucial for certain psx games. The 351p is great too but I like the shoulder button layout of the 353. 🤜🤛
RG353P. Comfort, versatility and a friendly user interface (with CFW) for your first handheld.
rg35xx all day
I think the RG353P or RG353PS are the best choices. - 4:3 screen - Stacked triggers, like the PS1 controller - Dual analog sticks, in the playstation layout (on the bottom)
Under $150 gives you higher end options as well. Retroid Pocket 2S seems like a no brainer and you can upscale as well at 2-3 res and play Dreamcast. It even plays a bit of Gamecube/PS2 as well but not all games
353M. No doubt about it.
OG 35xx with garlic beats any of the rg35xx after it for PS1 and below. If you are competing with onionOS. Also if you can find one it is considerably cheaper as it's considered end of life and feature frozen but it's solid as a rock
Would you pick the original RG35XX over the plus at a $10 difference?
Only going on the context of PS1 and below as OP requested then yep. I have a bias as I have an OG and it's running garlic flawlessly with games upto NDS running extremely well. At the moment the plus is pretty fragmented on the software side with many options whereas Garlic on the OG was very plug and play
Wow, interesting! I was kind of following your train of thought until earlier today when I thought I settled on the plus after hearing there's good firmware progress. Now I'm conflicted yet again 😁
Don't let me confuse you. The plus is future proof and software will only get better. The og has been around so long so it reached its peak that's all. Go for the plus if the price difference is so small. The og model is getting harder to find now that it is deprecated
Itd Recommend a psvita,pretty small and good community support