Retroid makes some of my favourite retro-gaming handhelds. The company was responsible for shifting me from Team Linux to Team Android in this space, making anything beyond an Evercade (with its unique physical carts) a hard sell to satisfy my retro gaming urges. But the company has now teased the Retroid Pocket Duo. So what does this mean for retro handhelds – and what would it take for me to buy one?
It’s worth noting Retroid isn’t the first company to provide a modern spin on the Nintendo DS. Anbernic just released its RG DS Plus – albeit with specs that have caused people to gripe that it’s more like an RG DS Minus. The King of Modern DS Castle right now is the Ayn Thor, an impressive device with dual AMOLED displays, but a price to match – and also very long lead times for shipping.
Screens time
Until now, Retroid dabbled with pieces of the dual-screen puzzle in different devices. The Pocket Flip had the form factor. And an add-on display let you turn existing single-screen Retroid handhelds into a slightly unwieldy dual-screen machine.
I’m a big fan of the Retroid Pocket 6 and the 4:3-aspect Pocket Nova – and also adored the DS. But, as my Pocket Nova piece said, it’ll take a lot to convince me to add to my already absurd handhelds collection. At the very least, the Pocket Duo will need to match the Nova’s quality (power, controls, display, build), have an insanely robust hinge, and not wallop your wallet until it begs for mercy.
Right now, there’s just a console shrouded in shadow and a video with EXTREMELY ROUSING MUSIC (on X – sorry). So here’s hoping when the Duo does arrive, it’s not two bad.
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