Such an exciting time for mobile gaming. I remember when android handhelds with dedicated controls were a niche, now they're almost a staple. Another grear video tak. Keep up the good work.
I remember playing on an old Nexus 4, using a quirky little controller that came with a phone bracket… MOGA? Pretty sure it was a MOGA. What a time to be alive, man.
I moreso feel like skip the AYN Odin Pro. It is in a weird middle category between the Retroid Pocket 2+ or the Valve Steam Deck. So get those two devices instead. The device you should buy first is the Steam Deck. It offers the highest value, so get it asap. And that is great for gaming around the house, and maybe when you're someplace else like at a sleepover, camp, or sitting in the car (for kids). So it has limited portability. But if you want something that is actually pocketable, then later get the Retroid Pocket 2+. It's a phenomenal device, and between the two you will have a great time, so much so, that I find it difficult to recommend the Ayn Odin Pro. I mean, the Ayn Odin Pro isn't really pocketable. For that you would instead use the Retroid Pocket 2+. You can wear your jeans, slide them in, and head outdoors ready. So you might instead decide to just chuck your Odin Pro it in your backpack, well then I would ask, why wouldn't you just throw the Steam Deck in your backpack instead? The size and weight differences will be negligible when in a backpack, but the experience is much better on Valve's machine. Again, the best value option is Valve Steam Deck. If you only have $300 and can afford the Ayn Odin Pro and can't afford the Steam Deck... I say, keep your money, save up a little more, then get the Steam Deck. And do it quick, before all the scalpers mess it up like they did with PS5 prices.
@@ekinteko I ended up buying a japanese Vita and hacked it. It has several PS2 ports(It's also 100% compatible with PSP which also had some PS2 ports). I think we are still a ways away from an affordable pock-able PS2 emulation device.
@@ekinteko Dude stop marketing the steam deck it’s probably perfect for some but for some of us, like me, it looks ugly, uncomfortable, and weighs too much, the Odin pro in comparison can fit in my pockets so the thing you said about pocketability depends on the size of pockets you have. Also pc gaming on a handheld looks atrociously uncomfortable to me. Point being stop shilling the Steam Deck to everyone because not everyone thinks it looks like the holy grail of handheld gaming.
@Teh Psychedelic Dude if anything the retroid pocket 2+ looks like the holy grail to me, perfect size for portability and it can do everything I personally want from it, what’s annoying is when I tell someone that I suggest they get something when you have no idea what they exactly want. Like what the dude in the original comment I replied to stated.
I’m worried I’ll be confused by fiddling with all the emulator settings. Or just how to use the device in general. How user friendly is it? Are there instructional resources for idiots like me?
Emulator setup can be simple, but only when you've gotten used to it. For newcomers, it can be a little daunting, so I highly recommend checking out Taki or Retro Game Corps' setup tutorials on any mobile retro devices you're interested in. P.S. If this is your first time stepping into the mobile retro gaming scene, consider getting a Retroid Pocket 2+ instead of the Odin. The Odin is excellent, but the RP2+ is a lot less steep price-wise, yet still a powerful little device for emulation up through Dreamcast.
wow im fan of ur .mov series really crack me up anyway if u have powerful gaming phone u dont need to much thinkering just put the game rom in the folder (and bios if u playing ps2) and boot it up some emu gonna give u step by step but other are hard to configure (retroarch)
the amount of effort it took to make this video specially when you had to explain the fact as to how the 845 with active cooling rips everything !!!!!! hats off man and thanks for quality content like these
Great review Taki. Amazing on the in depth temperature and performance specs. It’s been a great ride seeing thins device come to be, and thanks to Andy and his team, and thanks for helping get the word out there too Taki.
I think a lot of us were hesitant to back such a new player in the market space. They have done great job bringing this product to life, and as a collector I'm much more likely to purchase their next product. I look forward to a slightly smaller more powerful, sleek device. I also hope for best in class speakers for use as music player and movie viewer. Good video.
Incredibly good video! Your video series on the Odin Pro is excellent 👌 You deliver the best and most in-depth content in the handheld area! You are a role model, thank you for that 👍🙏 You inspire me and Odin will take care of the rest 🤩 Greetings from a fan from Germany ✌️
If you are getting a handheld this year, depending on budget, get a Retroid Pocket 2+, an Odin, or a steamdeck. For size portability and battery life, I love the Odin. Moonlight streaming from my desktop as well as Xbox cloud game streaming and ps5 remote play makes it a perfect addition.
Mid-range emulation and low-end android gaming: RP2+ High-end emulation and android gaming, and very low-end pc gaming: odin handheld (except for the lite) Very high end emulation and mid-range pc gaming: Steam Deck
Agreed, that seems to be the perfect trio. I've got a Retroid Pocket 2+ on order and I'm really, really tempted by this Odin for some of the more demanding emulation. I have a lot of GC content I would love to revisit and this seems like the perfect fit.
To tack onto the list, I'd say another solid purchase if you don't care about emulation past PS1 and you don't mind the absence of analog sticks, the MiiYoo Mini is really good for emulation and pocketability. Less that $100, to boot!
Heh, those are exactly the options I am looking at. Got the RP2+ to play GBA and SNES and put it in my jacket pocket for lunch breaks at work. Just ordered the Odin for my GameCube and some PS3 nostalgia. Have my $5 down for the next round of steam deck reservations and that's going to be for more modern games and things like indies that end up taking a year to get to the switch and at a premium price.
The price is too steep for me as the original $99 RP2+ becomes almost $175 in my country and the Odin Pro/Lite will be doubled. I have a 3DS but playing Killer 7, No More Heroes 1 & 2, Viewtiful Joe on the go would be nice. I can get Sony XZ2 for cheap, but is it comparable with Odin performance wise because they sport the same cpu, gpu, and ram (4gb)?
“Odin exists”, I dunno why but this send shivers up my spine. It sets the bar higher for others to compete. Excellent detailed benchmark showcase Taki! Thank you very much!
The Odin really looks amazing. I love that they have transparent color options as well. I'm looking forward to your Odin Lite coverage because I'd be really interested in that device.
I love the transparent color options too, but I believe those choices don't have LEDs on the sides nor on the analog sticks. I don't have many devices with LED lighting effects, so I might enjoy that more than a transparent one.
I want to thank you Taki. You introduced Odin to me and because of you I backed them back in August. You are the man and a key member in the Retro Emulation Scene.
About differencies between Base and Pro. Currently for Android a Switch emulator, Skyline, is developing. It can't run something like Metroid Dread now, but when it could - it would eat RAM like a hungry shark. So having 8 Gb with that in perspective would be nice. Thanks for showing us this beauty!
Fantastic review. Between you and RGC, I've got a good feeling about this project and this handheld. I backed AYN after seeing first shipment reviews, and seen a recent update to controls. I'm sure that means I'll possibly get a late shipment, but worth it. Thanks again for the in-depth review, I really liked seeing the cooling aspect and mobile phone comparisons, was excellent.
Odin and SteamDeck are pushing the limits of powerful handhelds and providing a great value. Arguably, the Miyoo mini and Retroid Pocket 2+ are pushing the limits of budget/ value handhelds. These 4 devices at their 4 respective prices ($60, $99, $240, and $400) represent what you should want/ expect from a handheld manufacturer at each price point. The Miyoo has it's flaws from a customer service/ software standpoint, but it's still the best $50-60 handheld in terms of hardware.
Damn you Taki, I just bought an RP2+. The graph of the Odin with active cooling on basically killed me. Now I want one. Anyway, best review I've seen in a long time, thank you.
what's the difference between a RP2+ and Odin? Do the hand helds have auto install of emulators and free access to all of a system's video game library?
I done the same thing and I bought RP2 and I have lost my interest on it somehow because N64 emulation is not so great as I was hoping. Now Odin is so much better in every category but it's not so cheap either. I would have bought it if I hadn't bought Xiaomi Pad 5 pro which by the way it's very good in emulation and has big screen and I can play it with external controller.
@@rcarfang2 Odin is much more powerful, has a bigger screen and is $100 more than rp2+. There is no legal way to get the games on to them, as you will either have to pirate or dump the roms on to an sd card
I think it's still a bit pricey for an emulation Machine. Still, the best option right now. Gives me good hopes for the future of this type of products
200$ for GameCube and wii and PS2 on the go why do you think it is expensive considering the competition yeah a steam deck might be a better option for gaming as it's pc on the go and can play all the system across the board.
@@gibiati8295 Steam Deck is infinitely better FOR ME* They are people who much prefer to play retro game and for this ODIN is just the best, your taste doesn't equal all the world human being taste. Steam deck is still a wonderfull console but we just can't say that one is better than the other, it's just too different. It's like saying star wars is better than lord of the ring, both are amazing but everybody have a preference for either star wars or lord of the ring.
So this handheld may meet my ultimate quota: "If it can play R-Type Final well, I'll buy it." Didn't think it'd happen so soon. Bonus in playing Viewtiful Joe...portably!
My Odin Pro Super Pack bundle arrived yesterday. I haven't taken the time to boot it up yet, but I did unbox the device. It looks and feels very premium. I'm looking forward to setting it up. I chose the white color. I wasn't sure I would like the color I chose but I like the bright white body with black controls. I thought about getting the black color but now that I've seen it, the white color was the correct choice for me. I will get a lot of use from this devise in both handheld and docked mode. This will certainly keep me busy while I wait on a Steam Deck and probably well beyond. I'm very pleased to see AYN set a new benchmark in affordable handheld consoles. It will be interesting to see what Anbernic comes up with to compete with the Odin. I know if I watch this channel, I'll see whatever the competition comes out with next.
Thank you very much Taki, you are the single best youtuber and probably human when it comes to advice on this kinda thing. I ordered my pro256 superpack and Im really excited. Thank you Taki!!! YOU ROCK!!!
Hey. You invented a test today. You are amazing and the best at these reviews. I have never seen someone compare handheld versus phone graphic performance.... and cooling make that much of a difference. You changed the wolrd a little today. You opened up doors for people and inventors. Thank you. P.s. I wonder if this device could run Adobe suite.
Odin is no longer the ceiling, it is the new floor for all other handhelds. Other Chinese handheld maker need to make a product on par, cheaper or better than Odin or become obsolete.
i instant bought this thing beacause its been a long time that i wanted gamecube and wii emulation for a good price and nice performances on a handheld. I cant wait to receive it !
Odin seems like what I've been waiting for ever since I was like 15 yo, it's really sad that because of not living in one of the few officially supported countries it ships to, it's so unaffordable for me. I literally feel heartbroken lmao
I'm excited to see what the performance/temps are like on the lite... I would imagine it runs cooler, and those 2x A78 cores should be plenty powerful... Hopefully the GPU is just powerful enough! Not that I really plan on playing much more than dreamcast/ps1 games anyway, but just in case I feel like trying some gamecube...
Awesome, thank you- Can you please do a full review on docked performance as well? or a supplemental video to add that? I thought I may have saw dropouts in docked mode on other videos.
Damn if I was only going to do emulation with it this device is impressive enough I would consider canceling my Steam Deck reserve. Really impressive device and super glad to see some a company bring something like this to the table. Android based handhelds have a bright future in front of them with this being the new standard.
They have no future as u need illegal methods to get an emulator or rom in the first place, companies like nintendo wont allow such things as they are prob the most fked company, i think thats also why those retro consoles remakes came out of nowhere
@@JOYBOY_D_ emulators aren't illegal and you can legally get roms. That doesn't even matter because illegal Roms are easy to get without even torrenting.
@@schmecklin377 And yet nintendo biggest problems are still illegal roms no matter if u can use it legal or not. i doubt they will do anything towards to that
@@JOYBOY_D_ If they really couldn't sell their handheld devices that let you emulate because "muh laws," then Nintendo would've done something about it already. This has been happening for years now and Nintendo doesn't care unless you're selling roms and trying to make your own remake of a game.
I have a question about the analog sticks: How are they precise in comparison to the rp2+'s, since they look the same model? Rp2+'s are really a letdown for me, even the left one: dead zone is a factor, and the stick itself is never well centered.
This device looks incredible and fun, though I'd be curious how the value compares now that it's full price ($300-400 for base or pro) in a world where Steam Deck also exists ($399 base). I'd love to know if you have any thoughts about advantages this has over steam deck (other than just being a more portable size).
I feel like the Deck is for a different market. The Deck is more of a "hand held" PC and this is meant to be for lower end stuff in a smaller form factor. I think the Deck is a better value but it couldn't replace the Odin in every use case. Also good luck getting your hands on a Deck anytime soon if you didn't reserve day one last summer.
@@madgodzilla12465 Yeah different markets is right, Odin seems to be more light and portable and is able to fit in some pants pockets while Steam Deck wouldn't be able to fit in really any pocket, also it being more light means it would be more comfortable to play in bed. And where the Steam Deck can only play a limited (albeit growing) Steam library, the Odin should be able to play practically any Android game, and its ability to boot into W11 increases the game library even more, like for instance Xbox emulation might be possible on the Odin, and of course some easier to run Windows and Steam games. And you can do all that on the Odin right now, while the Steam Deck is not as feature rich and is not likely to reach its full game and emulation potential for months if not years as people try to figure out Steam OS. Both are great in their own respects and have their own merits.
@@relaxingrain8395 Big emphasis on the smaller form factor. The Odin could easily fit in a back pocket as its not that much larger than a smartphone. The Deck on the other hand would be too bulky for that. For most people the Deck is the obvious choice as its a badass handheld for the money but its just big enough I really wouldn't consider it ultra portable.
I had doubts about the use of Snapdragon 845 (I thought the 870 was the sweet spot being the last TSMC manufactured Qualcomm SoC) but this proves how the active cooling is so effective.
I favorite thing about the Odin Pro right now is that, if/when they figure out HDMI out in Windows, it has potential to be a true converged device. I'm sure that productivity won't be amazing on an 845, but I am almost positive it will be a better experience than Dex on my Galaxy S10.
Really interested in this device and will most likely pick up the base version soon after i get payed, emulation on the go and the ability to dock and play on a tv is king for me.
The Odin doesnt really compete with the Steam Deck .. Odins competion is the RG552 .. RP2+ etc (or if you dont want to use controller and phone combo etc).. and it blows them out of the water! The Steam Decks competition is the Aya Neo .. the OnexPlayer etc and for the price the Steam Deck is a much better deal .. but as for the Odin and the Deck .. get both if you can as there a place for both!
They don't compete. At all. That's probably why I canceled my Odin Pro and went for the Steam Deck instead. And after seeing the previews it seems like the best decision ever.
@@MrNobodylikesyou when/if steam makes a console and not a handheld, then I'll go nuts. Until then the Odin will be about as large a handheld I can manage. Lol
this looks so good.... was getting rdy to order one but the reports on reddit of the shoulder buttons breaking on these hasn't been very confidence inspiring
The comparison to phones with higher tier chipsets is golden! It clearly shows what a difference it makes with a meaningful cooling system. SD870 has the least issues due to throttling but phones with it still cost a lot, I'd have to buy a decent controller (Currently I only consider Backbone One for Android because it has wired connection and 3.5mm headphone jack) which is available late 2022 and adds significant costs. On the flipside I can update my phone in the future and pair it with Backbone and smartphones have better oled screens in general. Edit: A big thank you!!
I'm not personally interested in the Odin as I think it's a bit too big for what I'm looking for but I can't deny that it moves the entire market segment forward, especially at the killer price point. I'm also really curious about how Windows on ARM performance shakes out and if it ends up being able to run x86 games decently through the built-in emulator.
Yeah, that's why I waited so long too is the size. I got the RP2+ for a pocketable device but I decided to go for the Odin too for my 3D handheld emulation needs. Going to play everything I can from the GameCube, PS2 and maybe some Wii stuff. At least Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn/Path of Radiance.
Taki-san, after watching several of yours (and ETA’s) I decided to return my 512GB Steam Deck and instead saved almost $300 by purchasing the Ayn Odin. It looks to be so much more my type of handheld than the Steam Drek.
Awesome review. You covered absolutely everything in much detail and at one point you addressed a question i had in mind about the base model. The fact that the base model is adequate is amazing. Thanks for this!
I’m in the same boat, it’s hard tho because it’s size is a huge pro compared to the steam deck but ultimately having the steam library on the go plus better PS2 and GameCube emulation (hopefully) wins in my opinion. I’m also glad I got the RP2+ because now I know android doesn’t offer much other than emulation.
Haha I changed my mind on the steam deck. Not only would I get it probably a year from now, I don't think it's necessary since I have a nice PC I can stream to the Odin with. Waiting on a transparent purple Odin pro
Got mine for the super early bird price, and am definitely happy I took the risk. I've been looking for a device that can do everything this thing can for a while. I can't get enough of going through my old favorite games and getting retro achievement!
@@Pr0f3_YT No no, that's over $1000 in Hong Kong dollars. So the lite model is about $200 US. That's the price I was able to get the base model for with the early bird price.
@@leon96776 Once I got the tracking number, it took about four days to get it to me. But I live in a country very close to China, so that made it faster. Since I was an early bird purchaser, I was able to get the first batch of devices sent out before the Chinese new year holiday.
Great video .. glad you touched on the cooling as i dont think many realise just how well this 845 performs. My Odin seems to out perform my Galaxy s10 .. and theres the added bonus that the form factor is much better.
Thank you - Id love to see a set-up for how to install emulators, especially on the odin pro as I placed an order yesterday. As a beginner it would be great to watch.
This thing is the perfect size. The Steam deck is like a surfboard in comparison. But its difficult to buy this at the moment. Long wait times and import taxes plus high shipping costs.
Ayn has officially made everything in this price range irrelevant. I'm so glad I backed this project. I can't wait to see how this shakes up the current market.
Look up the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1. It's an upcoming SoC that's supposedly meant for gaming handhelds. Unfortunately there is literally zero info on how it stacks up to the 8 Gen 1, but it's safe to say it will be a few steps up from the 845. So far only Asus has a prototype that there is any footage of. If that prototype actually becomes a retail product, or if the G3x platform takes off and we get several handhelds with that SoC, there may end up being an Android handheld that doubles the performance of the Odin. I just hope it's used by a manufacturer that pays as much attention to detail as Ayn did. Considering the Razer Kishi, I really doubt Asus will be that manufacturer.
If I hadn’t bought a Steam Deck, I would instantly get this. I will wait a little while before picking it up. It can be a nice secondary handheld for my Steam Deck!
Thanks Taki well put together video i do agree AYN has done a great job even with the setbacks they had. I have the base model but i would like to get a Lite model just for the heck of it.
I ordered it 2 months ago. Support say to me after holiday my pro model is comeing. Atm i emulate my games on a New 3DS XL with IPS Display. And i really love it soo mutch with LUMA 3DS really perfect and i love this device. And the New 3DS is one of the last High Quality and best looking Handhelds. And after so many years to see the 3D effect again its verry funny. I have the Hyrule Edition and its insane :) Greetings
Is the plan for the Base to continue to have the larger battery? Indegogo still shows the 5000mah battery in the base. Looking to order now but want the bigger battery.
Thank you for demoing jak and daxter. I find this very important for ps2 emulation considering from what I've seen it's a very big benchmark for these gaming devices.
Great video, Taki. Did you run the Gamecube and PS2 games on internal storage or microSD? If you could advise on a suitable microSD for emulating these platforms, it'd be really appreciated!
So looking forward to receiving mine but sadly won’t be till March or more than like April. First venture into retro gaming and handhelds. Taki your site led me to this device after much research. Thank you. Hope there are simple guides coming to get the best emulation experience from the device for us newbies
Honestly if this thing had an OLED screen it would be PERFECT... One day I'll be playing modern Warfare 2 multiplayer on something like this in full speed and that's gonna be a glorious day!
Speaking of budgets and a deal. I'm still wondering how the Odin Lite will do after you made your video on it theoretical performance. That seems cool to me.
I assume you are using CPU Float for onscreen metrics? How do you add custom values like "mW" and "MHz" or arrange the vertical layout with a second column and CPU/GPU usages in percent values? Can you point me to a website where the configuration is explained? Thank you in advance.
![The new KING of Emulation [AYN Odin]](/img/1.gif)
Odin exists.
Give me for free are like agift
Can you make a tutorial on how to properly set up the windows 11 OS on the odin base/pro
@@harshathbablu8324 Don't Ask For Free Stuff
@@TheRealEncy why because
@@harshathbablu8324 There is noting more expensive than free.......
Such an exciting time for mobile gaming. I remember when android handhelds with dedicated controls were a niche, now they're almost a staple. Another grear video tak. Keep up the good work.
I remember playing on an old Nexus 4, using a quirky little controller that came with a phone bracket… MOGA? Pretty sure it was a MOGA.
What a time to be alive, man.
Between this and steam deck, the future of hand held gaming seems to be bright
I moreso feel like skip the AYN Odin Pro.
It is in a weird middle category between the Retroid Pocket 2+ or the Valve Steam Deck. So get those two devices instead.
The device you should buy first is the Steam Deck. It offers the highest value, so get it asap. And that is great for gaming around the house, and maybe when you're someplace else like at a sleepover, camp, or sitting in the car (for kids). So it has limited portability. But if you want something that is actually pocketable, then later get the Retroid Pocket 2+. It's a phenomenal device, and between the two you will have a great time, so much so, that I find it difficult to recommend the Ayn Odin Pro.
I mean, the Ayn Odin Pro isn't really pocketable. For that you would instead use the Retroid Pocket 2+. You can wear your jeans, slide them in, and head outdoors ready. So you might instead decide to just chuck your Odin Pro it in your backpack, well then I would ask, why wouldn't you just throw the Steam Deck in your backpack instead? The size and weight differences will be negligible when in a backpack, but the experience is much better on Valve's machine.
Again, the best value option is Valve Steam Deck. If you only have $300 and can afford the Ayn Odin Pro and can't afford the Steam Deck... I say, keep your money, save up a little more, then get the Steam Deck. And do it quick, before all the scalpers mess it up like they did with PS5 prices.
very bright for sure, im super excited. an odin pro with a snapdragon 8 gen 1 would be so awesome, especially if windows 11 added support for that SOC
@@ekinteko I ended up buying a japanese Vita and hacked it. It has several PS2 ports(It's also 100% compatible with PSP which also had some PS2 ports). I think we are still a ways away from an affordable pock-able PS2 emulation device.
@@ekinteko Dude stop marketing the steam deck it’s probably perfect for some but for some of us, like me, it looks ugly, uncomfortable, and weighs too much, the Odin pro in comparison can fit in my pockets so the thing you said about pocketability depends on the size of pockets you have. Also pc gaming on a handheld looks atrociously uncomfortable to me. Point being stop shilling the Steam Deck to everyone because not everyone thinks it looks like the holy grail of handheld gaming.
@Teh Psychedelic Dude if anything the retroid pocket 2+ looks like the holy grail to me, perfect size for portability and it can do everything I personally want from it, what’s annoying is when I tell someone that I suggest they get something when you have no idea what they exactly want. Like what the dude in the original comment I replied to stated.
I’m worried I’ll be confused by fiddling with all the emulator settings. Or just how to use the device in general. How user friendly is it? Are there instructional resources for idiots like me?
Watch Taki's video on how to set up your phone as an emulator device. It's not rocket science
Emulators are incredulously simple
Emulator setup can be simple, but only when you've gotten used to it. For newcomers, it can be a little daunting, so I highly recommend checking out Taki or Retro Game Corps' setup tutorials on any mobile retro devices you're interested in.
P.S. If this is your first time stepping into the mobile retro gaming scene, consider getting a Retroid Pocket 2+ instead of the Odin. The Odin is excellent, but the RP2+ is a lot less steep price-wise, yet still a powerful little device for emulation up through Dreamcast.
wow im fan of ur .mov series really crack me up
anyway if u have powerful gaming phone u dont need to much thinkering just put the game rom in the folder (and bios if u playing ps2) and boot it up
some emu gonna give u step by step but other are hard to configure (retroarch)
No you’re probably screwed if that all sounds difficult
the amount of effort it took to make this video specially when you had to explain the fact as to how the 845 with active cooling rips everything !!!!!! hats off man and thanks for quality content like these
Great review Taki. Amazing on the in depth temperature and performance specs. It’s been a great ride seeing thins device come to be, and thanks to Andy and his team, and thanks for helping get the word out there too Taki.
Been waiting for this! So hype!
I think a lot of us were hesitant to back such a new player in the market space. They have done great job bringing this product to life, and as a collector I'm much more likely to purchase their next product. I look forward to a slightly smaller more powerful, sleek device. I also hope for best in class speakers for use as music player and movie viewer. Good video.
Incredibly good video! Your video series on the Odin Pro is excellent 👌 You deliver the best and most in-depth content in the handheld area! You are a role model, thank you for that 👍🙏 You inspire me and Odin will take care of the rest 🤩 Greetings from a fan from Germany ✌️
If you are getting a handheld this year, depending on budget, get a Retroid Pocket 2+, an Odin, or a steamdeck. For size portability and battery life, I love the Odin. Moonlight streaming from my desktop as well as Xbox cloud game streaming and ps5 remote play makes it a perfect addition.
Mid-range emulation and low-end android gaming: RP2+
High-end emulation and android gaming, and very low-end pc gaming: odin handheld (except for the lite)
Very high end emulation and mid-range pc gaming: Steam Deck
Agreed, that seems to be the perfect trio. I've got a Retroid Pocket 2+ on order and I'm really, really tempted by this Odin for some of the more demanding emulation. I have a lot of GC content I would love to revisit and this seems like the perfect fit.
To tack onto the list, I'd say another solid purchase if you don't care about emulation past PS1 and you don't mind the absence of analog sticks, the MiiYoo Mini is really good for emulation and pocketability. Less that $100, to boot!
Heh, those are exactly the options I am looking at. Got the RP2+ to play GBA and SNES and put it in my jacket pocket for lunch breaks at work. Just ordered the Odin for my GameCube and some PS3 nostalgia. Have my $5 down for the next round of steam deck reservations and that's going to be for more modern games and things like indies that end up taking a year to get to the switch and at a premium price.
The price is too steep for me as the original $99 RP2+ becomes almost $175 in my country and the Odin Pro/Lite will be doubled. I have a 3DS but playing Killer 7, No More Heroes 1 & 2, Viewtiful Joe on the go would be nice. I can get Sony XZ2 for cheap, but is it comparable with Odin performance wise because they sport the same cpu, gpu, and ram (4gb)?
Thanks for taking the time to address build quality, it matters.
Taki, your reviews are the best when it comes to handhelds. Nothing comes close. I very much appreciate the amount of work you put in your videos!
Cheers Taki, great job on the cooling section.
I appreciate the background and theme decision for this video
Good eye. I wanted to clearly show what the shell looks like because people thought it was white. :D
“Odin exists”, I dunno why but this send shivers up my spine. It sets the bar higher for others to compete. Excellent detailed benchmark showcase Taki! Thank you very much!
Mad respect to you being honest to the manufacturers of these handhelds.
This review was absolutely amazing. Cant wait to get my hands on an Odin. Thanks for the insight on all these videos!
The Odin really looks amazing. I love that they have transparent color options as well. I'm looking forward to your Odin Lite coverage because I'd be really interested in that device.
I love the transparent color options too, but I believe those choices don't have LEDs on the sides nor on the analog sticks. I don't have many devices with LED lighting effects, so I might enjoy that more than a transparent one.
@@Cyko.. Good to know! I thought the LEDs looked nice on the model in the video.
@@stefandesu LEDs are a huge waste of battery life. Would be incredibly stupid to use those.
I want to thank you Taki. You introduced Odin to me and because of you I backed them back in August. You are the man and a key member in the Retro Emulation Scene.
About differencies between Base and Pro. Currently for Android a Switch emulator, Skyline, is developing. It can't run something like Metroid Dread now, but when it could - it would eat RAM like a hungry shark. So having 8 Gb with that in perspective would be nice. Thanks for showing us this beauty!
I don't think any device that's not a SD 888 will probably never be able to play switch games, but that's just my opinion heh..
By the time Skyline is ready, there'll be better handhelds out.
@@KyleRuggles SD 888 is about to be outdated already. G3x.
@@fcuk_x you're right too, but I hope that Skyline could run commercial 3D-games soon, maybe after a year of development.
Very good explained. Potential device. Hope this comes to Amazon soon.
I love the channel. I can always count on you for a great recommendation and detailed review. Enjoy the Odin!
Fantastic review. Between you and RGC, I've got a good feeling about this project and this handheld. I backed AYN after seeing first shipment reviews, and seen a recent update to controls. I'm sure that means I'll possibly get a late shipment, but worth it. Thanks again for the in-depth review, I really liked seeing the cooling aspect and mobile phone comparisons, was excellent.
Odin and SteamDeck are pushing the limits of powerful handhelds and providing a great value. Arguably, the Miyoo mini and Retroid Pocket 2+ are pushing the limits of budget/ value handhelds. These 4 devices at their 4 respective prices ($60, $99, $240, and $400) represent what you should want/ expect from a handheld manufacturer at each price point. The Miyoo has it's flaws from a customer service/ software standpoint, but it's still the best $50-60 handheld in terms of hardware.
Damn you Taki, I just bought an RP2+.
The graph of the Odin with active cooling on basically killed me.
Now I want one.
Anyway, best review I've seen in a long time, thank you.
what's the difference between a RP2+ and Odin? Do the hand helds have auto install of emulators and free access to all of a system's video game library?
@@rcarfang2 if you have to ask you're not ready buy either one
I done the same thing and I bought RP2 and I have lost my interest on it somehow because N64 emulation is not so great as I was hoping. Now Odin is so much better in every category but it's not so cheap either. I would have bought it if I hadn't bought Xiaomi Pad 5 pro which by the way it's very good in emulation and has big screen and I can play it with external controller.
@@rcarfang2 Odin is much more powerful, has a bigger screen and is $100 more than rp2+. There is no legal way to get the games on to them, as you will either have to pirate or dump the roms on to an sd card
BTW thank you so much Taki for comparing X3 Pro and Odin pro.🤧
You're an amazing youtuber!!
I think it's still a bit pricey for an emulation Machine. Still, the best option right now. Gives me good hopes for the future of this type of products
200$ for GameCube and wii and PS2 on the go why do you think it is expensive considering the competition yeah a steam deck might be a better option for gaming as it's pc on the go and can play all the system across the board.
@@shlokshah5379 200$ to relive experiences I've already had like 42043024014012 fucking times? LOL no thanks. Steam Deck is infinitely better.
@@gibiati8295 Steam Deck is infinitely better FOR ME* They are people who much prefer to play retro game and for this ODIN is just the best, your taste doesn't equal all the world human being taste.
Steam deck is still a wonderfull console but we just can't say that one is better than the other, it's just too different.
It's like saying star wars is better than lord of the ring, both are amazing but everybody have a preference for either star wars or lord of the ring.
Love the device and love your content Taki. Thanks so much.
So this handheld may meet my ultimate quota:
"If it can play R-Type Final well, I'll buy it."
Didn't think it'd happen so soon. Bonus in playing Viewtiful Joe...portably!
oh finally I find a video that shows someone pocketing this thing. I've been looking for pics or videos of it in a pocket for months
Taki was TRIGGERED about those triggers. lol
My Odin Pro Super Pack bundle arrived yesterday. I haven't taken the time to boot it up yet, but I did unbox the device. It looks and feels very premium. I'm looking forward to setting it up. I chose the white color. I wasn't sure I would like the color I chose but I like the bright white body with black controls. I thought about getting the black color but now that I've seen it, the white color was the correct choice for me. I will get a lot of use from this devise in both handheld and docked mode. This will certainly keep me busy while I wait on a Steam Deck and probably well beyond. I'm very pleased to see AYN set a new benchmark in affordable handheld consoles. It will be interesting to see what Anbernic comes up with to compete with the Odin. I know if I watch this channel, I'll see whatever the competition comes out with next.
Would be perfect if the white models bezels were white instead, get some skin on them for a seamless aesthetic.
Debrand incoming
@@TakiUdon Really!? I hope so! Would love to skin this, but I got the transparent purple so maybe not so much lol.
@@TakiUdon or pop skin
Would be perfect if the screen was in 4:3 aspect ratio, since 90 percent of all retro games are in that aspect ratio anyways.
Great in-depth analysis. That kind of shuts up those thinking that a controller connected to a phone is a better option.
Thank you very much Taki, you are the single best youtuber and probably human when it comes to advice on this kinda thing. I ordered my pro256 superpack and Im really excited. Thank you Taki!!! YOU ROCK!!!
Hey. You invented a test today. You are amazing and the best at these reviews.
I have never seen someone compare handheld versus phone graphic performance.... and cooling make that much of a difference.
You changed the wolrd a little today. You opened up doors for people and inventors.
Thank you.
P.s.
I wonder if this device could run Adobe suite.
It can run PS (might also run Premiere).
Amazing ... I'm just stunned. Again thank you.
Odin is no longer the ceiling, it is the new floor for all other handhelds. Other Chinese handheld maker need to make a product on par, cheaper or better than Odin or become obsolete.
If they can actually deliver to all who want it. Yes.
i instant bought this thing beacause its been a long time that i wanted gamecube and wii emulation for a good price and nice performances on a handheld. I cant wait to receive it !
Not being snarky, but like how do you even play Wii on this? Does the emulation convert the reticle controls to the joystick?
How did you like the system?
Omg! Im ordering this for myself! Love you taki! Hope i can have a collab with you someday!
Odin seems like what I've been waiting for ever since I was like 15 yo, it's really sad that because of not living in one of the few officially supported countries it ships to, it's so unaffordable for me. I literally feel heartbroken lmao
you could mail it to someone and have them send it to you :)
I'm excited to see what the performance/temps are like on the lite... I would imagine it runs cooler, and those 2x A78 cores should be plenty powerful... Hopefully the GPU is just powerful enough! Not that I really plan on playing much more than dreamcast/ps1 games anyway, but just in case I feel like trying some gamecube...
Awesome, thank you- Can you please do a full review on docked performance as well? or a supplemental video to add that? I thought I may have saw dropouts in docked mode on other videos.
Damn if I was only going to do emulation with it this device is impressive enough I would consider canceling my Steam Deck reserve. Really impressive device and super glad to see some a company bring something like this to the table. Android based handhelds have a bright future in front of them with this being the new standard.
They have no future as u need illegal methods to get an emulator or rom in the first place, companies like nintendo wont allow such things as they are prob the most fked company, i think thats also why those retro consoles remakes came out of nowhere
@@JOYBOY_D_ emulators aren't illegal and you can legally get roms. That doesn't even matter because illegal Roms are easy to get without even torrenting.
@@schmecklin377 And yet nintendo biggest problems are still illegal roms no matter if u can use it legal or not. i doubt they will do anything towards to that
@@JOYBOY_D_ if they wanted to do something about it they would make the games available for purchase
@@JOYBOY_D_ If they really couldn't sell their handheld devices that let you emulate because "muh laws," then Nintendo would've done something about it already. This has been happening for years now and Nintendo doesn't care unless you're selling roms and trying to make your own remake of a game.
I have a question about the analog sticks:
How are they precise in comparison to the rp2+'s, since they look the same model?
Rp2+'s are really a letdown for me, even the left one: dead zone is a factor, and the stick itself is never well centered.
This device looks incredible and fun, though I'd be curious how the value compares now that it's full price ($300-400 for base or pro) in a world where Steam Deck also exists ($399 base). I'd love to know if you have any thoughts about advantages this has over steam deck (other than just being a more portable size).
I feel like the Deck is for a different market. The Deck is more of a "hand held" PC and this is meant to be for lower end stuff in a smaller form factor. I think the Deck is a better value but it couldn't replace the Odin in every use case. Also good luck getting your hands on a Deck anytime soon if you didn't reserve day one last summer.
@@madgodzilla12465 Yeah different markets is right, Odin seems to be more light and portable and is able to fit in some pants pockets while Steam Deck wouldn't be able to fit in really any pocket, also it being more light means it would be more comfortable to play in bed. And where the Steam Deck can only play a limited (albeit growing) Steam library, the Odin should be able to play practically any Android game, and its ability to boot into W11 increases the game library even more, like for instance Xbox emulation might be possible on the Odin, and of course some easier to run Windows and Steam games. And you can do all that on the Odin right now, while the Steam Deck is not as feature rich and is not likely to reach its full game and emulation potential for months if not years as people try to figure out Steam OS. Both are great in their own respects and have their own merits.
@@madgodzilla12465 but if you can run all those emulators on the steam deck then wouldn't it make it a better bang for your buck?
@@relaxingrain8395 Big emphasis on the smaller form factor. The Odin could easily fit in a back pocket as its not that much larger than a smartphone. The Deck on the other hand would be too bulky for that. For most people the Deck is the obvious choice as its a badass handheld for the money but its just big enough I really wouldn't consider it ultra portable.
@@madgodzilla12465 that makes sense . Thanks for explaining.
I had doubts about the use of Snapdragon 845 (I thought the 870 was the sweet spot being the last TSMC manufactured Qualcomm SoC) but this proves how the active cooling is so effective.
Awesome review! Thanks!
I favorite thing about the Odin Pro right now is that, if/when they figure out HDMI out in Windows, it has potential to be a true converged device. I'm sure that productivity won't be amazing on an 845, but I am almost positive it will be a better experience than Dex on my Galaxy S10.
Really interested in this device and will most likely pick up the base version soon after i get payed, emulation on the go and the ability to dock and play on a tv is king for me.
Great video. Thanks.
The Odin doesnt really compete with the Steam Deck .. Odins competion is the RG552 .. RP2+ etc (or if you dont want to use controller and phone combo etc).. and it blows them out of the water! The Steam Decks competition is the Aya Neo .. the OnexPlayer etc and for the price the Steam Deck is a much better deal .. but as for the Odin and the Deck .. get both if you can as there a place for both!
They don't compete. At all. That's probably why I canceled my Odin Pro and went for the Steam Deck instead. And after seeing the previews it seems like the best decision ever.
Yeah, I have super tiny hands. No way I'm buying a clunky steam deck. They're cool but they're is no way I could play one comfortably
@@kaitd3816 I think the Steam Deck is a lot bigger than people realise.
@@MrNobodylikesyou Steam Deck is a surfboard. 😂
@@MrNobodylikesyou when/if steam makes a console and not a handheld, then I'll go nuts. Until then the Odin will be about as large a handheld I can manage. Lol
4:13 most badass 2nd spot steal ever!
this looks so good.... was getting rdy to order one but the reports on reddit of the shoulder buttons breaking on these hasn't been very confidence inspiring
The comparison to phones with higher tier chipsets is golden! It clearly shows what a difference it makes with a meaningful cooling system. SD870 has the least issues due to throttling but phones with it still cost a lot, I'd have to buy a decent controller (Currently I only consider Backbone One for Android because it has wired connection and 3.5mm headphone jack) which is available late 2022 and adds significant costs. On the flipside I can update my phone in the future and pair it with Backbone and smartphones have better oled screens in general. Edit: A big thank you!!
I'm not personally interested in the Odin as I think it's a bit too big for what I'm looking for but I can't deny that it moves the entire market segment forward, especially at the killer price point. I'm also really curious about how Windows on ARM performance shakes out and if it ends up being able to run x86 games decently through the built-in emulator.
$270 shipped isn't exactly a killer price point.
@@fcuk_x for what it does in emulation yes it is lol
Yeah, that's why I waited so long too is the size. I got the RP2+ for a pocketable device but I decided to go for the Odin too for my 3D handheld emulation needs. Going to play everything I can from the GameCube, PS2 and maybe some Wii stuff. At least Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn/Path of Radiance.
@@fcuk_x Tell that to people paying $260 on Amazon for a RG552 that can only play half the games this can.
Taki-san, after watching several of yours (and ETA’s) I decided to return my 512GB Steam Deck and instead saved almost $300 by purchasing the Ayn Odin. It looks to be so much more my type of handheld than the Steam Drek.
Awesome review. You covered absolutely everything in much detail and at one point you addressed a question i had in mind about the base model. The fact that the base model is adequate is amazing. Thanks for this!
I just got a RP2+. I feel like getting an Odin would be a waste if Im already getting a steam deck
That's what I'm thinking. Emulate ps2 with a wireless controller. I want the android gaming scene too. The retroid pocket 2+ has android 9 and is dope
I’m in the same boat, it’s hard tho because it’s size is a huge pro compared to the steam deck but ultimately having the steam library on the go plus better PS2 and GameCube emulation (hopefully) wins in my opinion. I’m also glad I got the RP2+ because now I know android doesn’t offer much other than emulation.
Haha I changed my mind on the steam deck. Not only would I get it probably a year from now, I don't think it's necessary since I have a nice PC I can stream to the Odin with. Waiting on a transparent purple Odin pro
People on reddit shit on this guy for no good reason imo keep up the great work!
Got mine for the super early bird price, and am definitely happy I took the risk. I've been looking for a device that can do everything this thing can for a while. I can't get enough of going through my old favorite games and getting retro achievement!
What was the early price. The current price is at over $1000 which makes me wonder where the affordable comes from
@@Pr0f3_YT No no, that's over $1000 in Hong Kong dollars. So the lite model is about $200 US. That's the price I was able to get the base model for with the early bird price.
U remember how long they take u to send it to u?
@@leon96776 Once I got the tracking number, it took about four days to get it to me. But I live in a country very close to China, so that made it faster.
Since I was an early bird purchaser, I was able to get the first batch of devices sent out before the Chinese new year holiday.
Thanks for the info, I probably won't get it until March then 😂lol thanks 💪🏼@@titantim
Great video .. glad you touched on the cooling as i dont think many realise just how well this 845 performs. My Odin seems to out perform my Galaxy s10 .. and theres the added bonus that the form factor is much better.
Thank you - Id love to see a set-up for how to install emulators, especially on the odin pro as I placed an order yesterday. As a beginner it would be great to watch.
Nice video! My Odin ships in June…. i hope
This thing is the perfect size. The Steam deck is like a surfboard in comparison. But its difficult to buy this at the moment. Long wait times and import taxes plus high shipping costs.
Do you know the out the door price? Shipping time to the states?
@@alucardyork Just guessing but $300 for the pro. Including shipping. Shipping time I dont know around 1+ month
So is the Base model you mention in this video the Lite model listed ion their Indiegogo page??, as i cant see a Base model?
Looks like they did something stupid.
@@TakiUdon So there was 3 models, but now they've removed the base model??
Bought a pro last week...gonna take a month or two to come in probably. But super pumped.
Hi! Where can I find your little panda holding a katana? Love it ;-)
This video definitely earned a sub from me you answered questions I had tha to other videos were able to
Ayn has officially made everything in this price range irrelevant. I'm so glad I backed this project. I can't wait to see how this shakes up the current market.
What's it like so far?
Watching both Taki's and 👍 Mr OnionsAreGross' (Chicken's owner)
Retro Game Corps today.
Awesome 🙌
Look up the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1. It's an upcoming SoC that's supposedly meant for gaming handhelds. Unfortunately there is literally zero info on how it stacks up to the 8 Gen 1, but it's safe to say it will be a few steps up from the 845. So far only Asus has a prototype that there is any footage of.
If that prototype actually becomes a retail product, or if the G3x platform takes off and we get several handhelds with that SoC, there may end up being an Android handheld that doubles the performance of the Odin. I just hope it's used by a manufacturer that pays as much attention to detail as Ayn did. Considering the Razer Kishi, I really doubt Asus will be that manufacturer.
Great video keep up the good work, would be great to see a video on the Odin lite
11:20 correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the odin pro overclocked when it is high performance mode?
Damn this is the original and its looking good - NOW the Odin 2 Pro is out and is even better. Insane.
I like that fps test. At least now I know this thing is stronger than my personal cell phone.
Steam Deck & Ayn is going to force competitors to up their game.
TAKE MY MONEY!!! Could not find a bad review.
If I hadn’t bought a Steam Deck, I would instantly get this. I will wait a little while before picking it up. It can be a nice secondary handheld for my Steam Deck!
Always great reviews 👍 it would be cool if you reviewed houses too
I'm crazy with this console
Thanks Taki well put together video i do agree AYN has done a great job even with the setbacks they had. I have the base model but i would like to get a Lite model just for the heck of it.
Very close to my Steamdeck, If I did not already order that, this would be a must buy.
Id love to see some Scummvm running.
I ordered it 2 months ago. Support say to me after holiday my pro model is comeing. Atm i emulate my games on a New 3DS XL with IPS Display. And i really love it soo mutch with LUMA 3DS really perfect and i love this device. And the New 3DS is one of the last High Quality and best looking Handhelds. And after so many years to see the 3D effect again its verry funny. I have the Hyrule Edition and its insane :) Greetings
Is it difficult to purchase from their site, I'm in USA I noticed it says Hong Kong dollars. Really interested in buying one!!
17:43
Me looking at my terrified wallet: “I’m sorry little one”
That's what _she_ said...
😂
I'd love to get this. But I'm poor lol. But looks a fantastic handheld.
If a playable emulation experience of Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction can be had with the Odin, I will have reached peak nostalgia
Great video and channel! Is the ps2 emulation performance the exact same between the base and pro models?
Is the plan for the Base to continue to have the larger battery? Indegogo still shows the 5000mah battery in the base. Looking to order now but want the bigger battery.
Could you do a follow-up video comparing power consumption in Windows apps vs Android?
Yes, I can.
Thank you for demoing jak and daxter.
I find this very important for ps2 emulation considering from what I've seen it's a very big benchmark for these gaming devices.
I see no glossy plastic, yes! I'm really interested in owning one.
Great video, Taki.
Did you run the Gamecube and PS2 games on internal storage or microSD? If you could advise on a suitable microSD for emulating these platforms, it'd be really appreciated!
GameCube was off a cheap "OV" branded SD. PS2 games were a mix of SD or a 2.5" HD connected by USB.
@@TakiUdon thank you!
@Logia SD Highly doubt you'd improve performance using a slower SD card.
So looking forward to receiving mine but sadly won’t be till March or more than like April. First venture into retro gaming and handhelds. Taki your site led me to this device after much research. Thank you. Hope there are simple guides coming to get the best emulation experience from the device for us newbies
I got my Odin Pro a month ago, and I've been playing Pokemon games on it since then.
I want to get into N64 and Wii gaming with this device.
You definitely do those games
great device, just hope ayn keeps their promise to fix my r1, alot of people in the discord have a broken one too
Honestly if this thing had an OLED screen it would be PERFECT...
One day I'll be playing modern Warfare 2 multiplayer on something like this in full speed and that's gonna be a glorious day!
OLEd gives a really nice screen, but on the contrary spoils the retro feel.
Speaking of budgets and a deal. I'm still wondering how the Odin Lite will do after you made your video on it theoretical performance. That seems cool to me.
I assume you are using CPU Float for onscreen metrics? How do you add custom values like "mW" and "MHz" or arrange the vertical layout with a second column and CPU/GPU usages in percent values? Can you point me to a website where the configuration is explained? Thank you in advance.