Correction: the black circle on the back of the device isn’t the speaker, that’s the air intake. The (stereo) speakers are the thin lines at the bottom. I’ll do a teardown in my full review so that I don’t make any further dumb mistakes. This channel is really going downhill!
It wasn’t really clear either way. Naaaahhh with how oversaturated the flashy designs and interpretations of the handheld genre make it hard to find the simplest of things! There should be a standard somewhere 😂
Mistake around 19:09 : that little circle on the back is the air intake not a speaker. It actually does have 2 speakers to the peft and right of the circle
I personally prefer clamshells, even if they are thicker. The 3ds was my all-time favorite handheld and if I had thought it through more I would have kept it. I loved the build quality of the 3ds and it lived in my pockets as a kid. I hope more of these devices move to clamshells.
@@AMidgetWalrus Yeah, my 3DS had the misfortune of being owned by me and i can tell you for sure that thing fell anywhere from 30-50 times i owned it since 2014 and finally met its demise last year with the hinge breaking and having it's final, most unexpected fall that broke it in half and the top screen died, i'm not sure if the battery died or not recently since my charger is pretty unreliable but i'm surprised it survived that long in my care, absolute beast
Poor thing looked like it had been grinded against granite at the end but it fought tooth and nail to provide me with amazing games and over 5000 hours in smash total
I've owned most console, and sold every last one of them. I have no physical games or consoles. Exactly why I got into handheld emulation devices, to reclaim what I foolishly threw away, in some small way. Besides, even if it's not the real thing, my younger self would faint at the idea of having every game I ever wanted all in my pocket.
I was just thinking, with all these portables that have come out in the last few years, one would think that some company would have perfected the design and just make the hardware updates. But, every single one that comes out now, has a different design and feel. Great videos BTW!!
the more random nonsense changes they made, the bigger the chance someone who already owns a different model will buy another one just because it's the "hot new thing". IMO the biggest problem with these is that these companies pump them out too quickly and they have very mild upgrades between each other
I hope retroid keeps these flip systems up. I use a New 3DS as my main gaming handheld that I bring everywhere, so I think I would love to have a retroid flip take that role (when i'm not playing DS or 3ds games at least)
i feel like this is proof that there could of been a lot of life in a successor to the 3DS. especially a DS that would have triggers like this ones and the clickable sliders
You aren't wrong, but I think Nintendo realised that the a 3DS2 or whatever would potentially eat into potential Swtich sales because they'd largely appeal to the same market. The Switch has sold incredibly well precisely because it integrated the already massive market for portable Nintendo consoles into the fledgling market for Nintendo home consoles.
I think the biggest thing I would like to see addressed in a full review is the difference between a Pocket Flip and a Pocket 3+. It sounds like they have the same chips and screens, but the button choice, layout, form factor and the like are quite different. Perhaps talking about who would prefer one version or the other could be helpful.
I've been watching your videos for a very long time now and for some strange reason, this video resonated with me quite a lot. I have been postponing buying a handheld for about 3 years now and have been overwhelmed by the competition and diversity brought to us from companies like Anbernic, Miyo and Retroid. This video convinced me to get a Retroid Pocket Flip. I have always loved flip devices, from Flip phones to laptops. This small but powerful piece of hardware will be the one I bring with me everywhere for the foreseeable future. Thank you so much for this channel Russ, keep up the amazing work.
I see QuackShot on your CRT and I approve. As someone who has walked around with 2 phones in one pocket (my daily driver was unreliable for awhile) I will agree that it's noticeable. Even with loose jeans. Fun to see a video of a new clamshell, because it's my favorite form factor.
Great video as always, Russ. Really appreciate your attention to details. I've loved my Indigo flip so far and feel much as you do. The sliders are actually amazing and your comment about 4:3 not being an issue is spot on. I like the chunky buttons as they feel premium. Grip and case seem pointless. As for the space in the middle - I'm gonna put a nice sticker there :)
Your reviews just have a better feel to them than others; you're always even-keeled, unbiased, and your voice is a joy to listen to! Thanks as always, Russ! I may pick one of these up to upgrade from my RP2+. Despite the Flip's flaws, I'm a sucker for clamshells.
The unit that I bought actually came with a custom-cut foam mold that fits the Flip nice and snug inside the otherwise-too-big case. Absolutely love your videos, definitely the reason I am into retro handhelds in the first place :D
@@Bmanritchie*does it once* "They have a history of doing it!" I guess technically yeah they do because of the one time, but it also wasn't meant to happen. The RP3 was delayed beyond belief, if it weren't, the plus would have came out much later after the og one.
I was excited when this was announced. Mainly because I like having the screen in that position. It feels like it’s less strain and more comfortable. I was waiting for your feedback though. I’m sold.
Just here to watch and support the channel! Even though I am happy with my RP3+ and Deck, I love to watch every review. It's almost cathartic at this point haha... also I need your theme for my ringtone.
I was waiting for your review on this and I can't wait for the full in-depth one soon! I'm a sucker for clamshell designs and I've yet to get into the Retroid ecosystem but I think this one is really selling me on it. I'm a little worried that I'll get this and they'll improve on a bunch of flaws with a revision months down the line, but that sort of thing is always going to be the case with evolving tech, especially portable handhelds. Once I can spare save up enough for it, I'm absolutely going to get this thing! Now just to decide if I want watermelon or black...
Assuming this has the guts of the Retroid 3/3+, I'm genuinely really interested in this. I love clam-shells for their pocketability over slab designs, but haven't found one with decent amount of horse power (without totally breaking the bank) prior to this. Not big on the flairs because I just imagine them stabbing into my thigh constantly, and I'm gonna wait assuming Retroid will release some model revision in a matter of months, but overall I like it.
When it came to my 3ds and NN2ds, i always found myself putting the device on the desk and angling the screen up a click or 2 when i felt too lazy to hold it. the fact that the back props it up slightly along with that viewing angle, i don't actually have to adjust the angle at all, its a nice viewing angle sitting on the desk fully open and i appreciate it for that. It's also not resting on the triggers like some handhelds/controllers so pressing in the triggers doesn't feel hindered.
My only problem with analog sliders is they're harder to replace if they break where as with small sticks in these handhelds there's sort of a standard design that makes them easy to swap in new ones
I kinda thought this form factor was unnecessary, but honestly with the screen at a higher angle relative to your hands, it's slightly easier on your neck
I think the next big thing to do would be to make a dual screen handheld with capacitive touch screen support for finger or stylus as the current situation is not great for DS/3DS games where you have to switch between the top and bottom view. I would buy one of those as the rest seems to be an iteration of the same thing and I already have a Steam Deck and a little Anbernic.
Could you please look into why Retrododo had a bad experience with the battery life via sleep mode? He claims it drains 25% - 35% battery overnight, which is the main thing I dislike about my RG552. Also, please test performance vs. the RG405M as he also claimed it is more powerful even with the same chipset, likely due to the lower screen resolution.
Have an idea. What about if you put the unit inside the mesh gate above in the case rather than where the grip would be place and use the rest of excess space for accessories, would that work out better?
It does seem like it takes a lot from the 3ds, but also it should maybe take more, even if it's not striving to be the 3ds. The buttons on a New/3ds are some of my favorite experiences with buttons ever, to the point where I want a controller that has that exact same feel (but I'll probably never get one). I also LOVE the slide pad, and hearing that these ones are highly competitive with Nintendo's real deal is extremely encouraging... but this device just isn't there yet. But I can see another version being clickbaited (in a good way) as "The "new" 3ds" in the future if they play their cards right, and hearing that even casual family members are interested in it is also very encouraging. If there's no way to turn the slide pads into cursors on-screen (which it seems like it'd be really good for), then the next best thing would be to include a stylus so that you still don't have to touch the screen with your bare hands (looking back, probably the reason they include the cloth...) I dunno. I hope things go well and people do enjoy this version of the device for what it does for them now and that they can expand upon what works about it to make something even more popular in the future.
Thanks for mentioning the lack of back and home. Even with a touchscreen I feel like the last little detail that’s a dealbreaker for me is the absence of those buttons. I like cloud gaming and remote play a lot, and I really dislike touchscreen alternatives to the Xbox Button and PS button, and plenty of emu apps benefit from one additional button for accessing the emu menus.
Retroid is unparalleled in this space when it comes to the thoroughness of their design. They are great at considering user experience, and little things like the sliders being difficult to accidentally L3 on. Great stuff. Hopefully Anbernic, Miyoo and PowKiddy feel the heat.
So with these SP-style clamshell devices it would seem they'd be PERFECT for either one player but especially multiplayer on the go connecting two controllers and using the console as a miniature screen. Is that possible here? That'd be so awesome. Also ALL of these consoles need BT audio. Surely not that many people walk around with wired headphones anymore (?).
I'm so looking forward to the RP3+ firmware update video! I wrote off Gamecube and PS2 games completely but I'm interested in putting at least some of those games on my system after that update, I'm waiting for the community to find out what games are full speed now.
I have three issues with the Pocket Flip, and the first is the "pill" shape. Nintendo went with curved or blocky with the DS family to reduce sharp edges. My second issue is with the flared analog triggers, though that really cant be changed if they want to retain the analog functionality. Third is the protruding hinge. The SP and DS solution of integrating it into the upper screen frame was a good call but that would add quite a bit of height to the Flip if they did that.
I think I’m going to wait and see what the next generation of retro handhelds can do. I have a steam deck and an RG35XX and they pretty much cover all my bases. A more portable powerhouse capable of reliable GameCube around 100-150 would be nice though!
Dude, I love your reviews, you analyze every aspect of any console throughy, and you are very good at the games you play, that makes the gameplay experience more reliable. Keep up the good work. The problem is... I haven't decided which retro console should I get. ^^'
Hope to see your take on the video out on this device and how it performs. Especially when enabling bluetooth for pairing controllers and maybe even a audio speaker.
not super interested in this but I kept an eye on it to see how the 4 might turn out, the analog triggers and firmware updates are a good sign, I just want the whole ps2 library running with no tweaking
Thanks for this preview, I was able to change my order from the Sports Red to the Watermelon after as I don't like how the Sports Red attracts fingerprints.
Love this "Quick" impressions video! I can see a Retroid Pocket Flip 2, with a thinner version, maybe using a higher resolution screen. That would be mind blowing :) At this current version, I rather stick with my AYN Odin Lite. But I love Clamshell devices, but this isn't different enough to scratch my itch.
There were rumors that Retroid was prototyping a handheld with MTK D900 and a 6” 1080p display as an “S” model, essentially making an Odin Lite clone. Considering that Retroid and Ayn are owned by same corporation, they might have access to surplus Odin parts (D900, display). A 6” display won’t fit in RPF body, so perhaps they’ll release a larger clamshell. I don’t get using these old SOCs either? The last 3 products from Retroid were kind of meh.
All these handhelds look really nice, especially the rp3 and miyoo mini+, but i still can’t justify it when I already have a vita, 3DS and a steam deck. Great job, Russ, as always
As someone who does own all of the above (modded) and sometimes multiple times over (both style vitas, etc), The RP3 is really fantastic, and so is the miyoo mini (id imagine the plus isnt as appealing though). The RP3/flip is indeed worth it though, as its an HD PSP/DS/N64/PSX, a mini steam deck (to an extent), and an android OS. It is its own entity. Vita for vita and slightly nicer psp/psx games. 3DS for 3DS, DS, SNES, GBA. Steam Deck for PC, PS2, GC, and some PS3/NSX. RP3/F for Android, HD versions of PSP, DS, N64, PSX, GBA and a little PS2/GC. Its the HD-ing of the mentioned systems that makes a big difference, while still being pocketable. Yes, you can use the steam deck to do what an rp3/f can do, but not at that size.
I got the indigo color for my wife because she had an indigo Gameboy Advance when she was in Middle School and indigo GameCube.. I got it for her with the intention to remain deeply GameCube and Gameboy games she has not noticed any lag or stutter while playing any of her GameCube games so I guess mission accomplished great little handheld
I would totally but this device if it had a better chip that could play ps2... That's a very nice design and I like the sliders... And they are hall sensor as well, that's very impressive.
I like where this model is going, but I hope we see some changes for a revised model: 1) Since there's the empty space in the middle, I hope front firing speakers are hoping to be put there. 2) Better D Pad. I like it's placement, but I hope for a better one 3) A more powerful chip, I assume this is already in the works since the cooling isn't really needed for the chip that's in it and I assume futureproofing for a more powerful model. I understand the hinge adds a lot of QC issues and thus why a lot of these companies don't do it, but I'd wish we'd get an upgrade of the Q90 with better build quality, better screen (and keep it 4:3) and more powerful specs, basically what the Rg35XX can do.
Just curious when you think you might do another video on the 3DS, with emphasis on installing more than 40 DS games? Thanks for everything that you do! ❤
Seems nice but I think it still needs a little more power. I'd probably go for the second one if it runs Gamecube flawlessly. Wouldn't mind a cheaper version with less power but a quality build. Heck I think at this point I just want a modular upgradable one since they make new ones so fast.
as someone who struggles using the original 3DS and the RP2, I dont really know how readily id want this device. Definitely a little sad it has sliders instead of thumbsticks, but understand why. Still so happy to see clamshells available for those who want them!
I'm a big fan of flips and that Watermelon color is nice on the eyes with the black showing through. Those sliders look surprisingly nice too. I didnt expect to see you streaming a nice game like Horizon 5 on that so thats cool.
Love the vid as usual Russ. That RGB bulb you've got there in the scene looks nice but it's making the jump cuts extra jarring. Probably not a big deal, but something I noticed.
I really want to like this, as I love clamshell devices, but I just can't. All that open space on the lower face and you still couldn't do up-firing speakers, Retroid? Down-firing speakers are probably one of my biggest pet peeves on any mobile device. Plus, while I know many people don't mind them, I don't care for slider analog sticks. I guess I'm sticking with my 3+. Thanks again for a great video, Russ!
Tbh I think the circle pads are a non starter for me. I know the device is already on the thick side and implementing recessed Switch like sticks would only make it worse, but controls are probably the thing I care most about on anything larger than a Miyoo Mini classic. Any compromise in that department is an extremely tough sell.
New drinking game: Take a shot/drink a beer ever time Russ says, "here". Three of us played. One of us died. :( Keep up the most excellent videos, Russ!
I play inverted and have been told its like having a joystick attached to my head. Down is dow and up is up. But tilt back is up and tilt forward is down. The sliders make me go back to standard up/down because there is no tilt
I’ve been reading comments on Reddit from those who’ve received their RPF only to find runs or missing paint on their shiny but defective Sport Red finishes. Despite Retroid’s assurances, the Sport Red is nothing more than paint. Areas of their RPFs have no paint at all, or too much paint that’s run. I tend to believe those comments as Retro Dodo’s review unit was also missing paint. How on Earth could Retroid send out a defective unit to a RUclipsr for review?! I’ve worked with automotive paint and finishing and had real concerns when I initially saw that color. It was so obvious it was paint. If that paint isn’t applied _perfectly_ the high gloss paint will reveal and amplify any defects in the finish. I passed on RPF, but if I were going to buy I’d avoid the Sport Red. It’s been unusually hit or miss with Retroid on their recent product launches. It’s quite bizarre considering that Retroid and Ayn (makers of the incredibly premium Odin) are actually owned by the same company. I own an RP3 and an Odin Lite and nothing can touch the Odin’s premium feel at a similar price point. Odin Lite also includes LTE voice & data, simply insert a SIM. Odin’s Geekbench scores are nearly 3x the RPF for a $35 increase in cost. Had Retroid updated their SOC to something a bit more powerful, I’d have taken a closer look. It’s unclear why the RPF offers a meh SOC in such a fancy case? When is Retroid going to get serious about providing some real power in their handhelds?
Love your videos! One thing that kinda distracts me since i started noticing it, you start a lot of your sentences with "And so" or just "and" or "but" or "now". Dunno if I am the only one bothered by this or not so just ignore me lol. Edit: Ok i did some text analysis. You said 381 sentences You started 128 with "And" 28 of which were "And so" 29 sentences start with "So" 26 sentences start with "Now" 26 sentences start with "But" Here an example of 8 sentences in a row starting with "And": And so while usually don't give advice about which color you should buy, I do think your color choice really matters here when it comes to the flip. And as a quick reminder from left to right, the names of these are Sport Red, Watermelon, and Indigo. And like I mentioned earlier, the Sport Red one is the review unit that was sent to me. And the first thing you can see is this one is insanely glossy, way more than any other handheld that I own. And in addition to that glossiness, it's also a huge fingerprint magnet. And if you've watched any of my other videos, you know this is like a pet peeve of mine. And so if this is a pet peeve of yours, you're probably not going to want to have the glossy texture right here. And I don't know, you might like that color factor. I had fun doing this so keep it up lol
Glad to hear your thoughts on the color choice. I ordered the 16bit color. Mine finally arrived stateside, hopefully I'll have it in a few days. I will say the shipping sucks, i ordered within minutes of it going live and it shipped 1 week late then spent an entire week in Dong Guan without moving. Hopefully it's worth the wait
This looks so cool! However, oh my god the circle pads.... It looks like sony woke up from a fever dream and designed a controller with even worse stick position than the dualshock sticks. For me, thats a dealbreaker. It would be literally impossible for me to use those sticks.
I found an Odin Lite locally for $220 and snatched it up. It's the 6GB, 128GB model and has Sakura buttons and the upgraded analog sticks. Really love how it feels in the hands and performance has been great
![I Can't Stop Playing the Retroid Pocket Flip [Review]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/b9ouWAOtpro/mqdefault.jpg)
![I Can't Stop Playing the Retroid Pocket Flip [Review]](/img/tr.png)
Correction: the black circle on the back of the device isn’t the speaker, that’s the air intake. The (stereo) speakers are the thin lines at the bottom. I’ll do a teardown in my full review so that I don’t make any further dumb mistakes. This channel is really going downhill!
You're still right about one thing: the speakers belong on the front, not the back.
It wasn’t really clear either way.
Naaaahhh with how oversaturated the flashy designs and interpretations of the handheld genre make it hard to find the simplest of things!
There should be a standard somewhere 😂
The "cheat sheet" at timestamp 03:50 shows you. Great video, the size comparisons were really helpful!
You’re slippin’ Russ.😂
Pfft, how dare you make a single mistake, Russ! Unsubscribed!
Mistake around 19:09 : that little circle on the back is the air intake not a speaker. It actually does have 2 speakers to the peft and right of the circle
Mistake around the third line, left is spelled L-E-F-T not P-E-F-T.
@@markkimo pwned
@@gghetto9284 I believed that spellde pawned and not pwned
@@jamesyu5212 You wool'd think that
I personally prefer clamshells, even if they are thicker. The 3ds was my all-time favorite handheld and if I had thought it through more I would have kept it. I loved the build quality of the 3ds and it lived in my pockets as a kid. I hope more of these devices move to clamshells.
GBA SP and OG 3DS XL are the two toughest consoles I own. Both took a beating and are still around to this day.
@@AMidgetWalrus Yeah, my 3DS had the misfortune of being owned by me and i can tell you for sure that thing fell anywhere from 30-50 times i owned it since 2014 and finally met its demise last year with the hinge breaking and having it's final, most unexpected fall that broke it in half and the top screen died, i'm not sure if the battery died or not recently since my charger is pretty unreliable but i'm surprised it survived that long in my care, absolute beast
Poor thing looked like it had been grinded against granite at the end but it fought tooth and nail to provide me with amazing games and over 5000 hours in smash total
I loved my 3ds. It fell off my bed and literally snapped in half. After way too long, I'm finally going to get a clamshell again.
I've owned most console, and sold every last one of them. I have no physical games or consoles. Exactly why I got into handheld emulation devices, to reclaim what I foolishly threw away, in some small way. Besides, even if it's not the real thing, my younger self would faint at the idea of having every game I ever wanted all in my pocket.
I was just thinking, with all these portables that have come out in the last few years, one would think that some company would have perfected the design and just make the hardware updates. But, every single one that comes out now, has a different design and feel. Great videos BTW!!
the more random nonsense changes they made, the bigger the chance someone who already owns a different model will buy another one just because it's the "hot new thing". IMO the biggest problem with these is that these companies pump them out too quickly and they have very mild upgrades between each other
@@batmabel It has been a nightmare the last couple of weeks trying to figure out which device I need. JEESH!
@@batmabel agreed. Building anything good/consistent is the last thing they want. They are selling hope that the next one will be better
The community makes the CFW to run anyway. These companies should just focus on making the hardware as good as possible imho.
@@torq21 The Steamdeck lol, yes it's way more cost. yes its more biggerer. but emulates up to PS3 so far. (switch too), b
The circle thing on the back is actually the air intake. The flip does have dual speakers. It's the 2 "lines" on the back side
Mine finally shipped!
Looking forward to your review of it as well bud 👍
I hope retroid keeps these flip systems up. I use a New 3DS as my main gaming handheld that I bring everywhere, so I think I would love to have a retroid flip take that role (when i'm not playing DS or 3ds games at least)
Same man. I modded my 2ds xl so there’s no point of me getting one the retro units. Granted I still like watching videos on them tho 😂
Do you still get any street passes?
i feel like this is proof that there could of been a lot of life in a successor to the 3DS. especially a DS that would have triggers like this ones and the clickable sliders
You aren't wrong, but I think Nintendo realised that the a 3DS2 or whatever would potentially eat into potential Swtich sales because they'd largely appeal to the same market. The Switch has sold incredibly well precisely because it integrated the already massive market for portable Nintendo consoles into the fledgling market for Nintendo home consoles.
I would love to see a Switch that's been modified to be a clamshell. Make it so it fits inside of the dock and still outputs and I'd be in love.
I feel like this handheld in the video is more similar to the GBA SP
I think the biggest thing I would like to see addressed in a full review is the difference between a Pocket Flip and a Pocket 3+. It sounds like they have the same chips and screens, but the button choice, layout, form factor and the like are quite different. Perhaps talking about who would prefer one version or the other could be helpful.
I've been watching your videos for a very long time now and for some strange reason, this video resonated with me quite a lot. I have been postponing buying a handheld for about 3 years now and have been overwhelmed by the competition and diversity brought to us from companies like Anbernic, Miyo and Retroid. This video convinced me to get a Retroid Pocket Flip. I have always loved flip devices, from Flip phones to laptops. This small but powerful piece of hardware will be the one I bring with me everywhere for the foreseeable future.
Thank you so much for this channel Russ, keep up the amazing work.
25:35 Anyone else notice the timing of the shell transition from the Flip to the DS?
I see QuackShot on your CRT and I approve.
As someone who has walked around with 2 phones in one pocket (my daily driver was unreliable for awhile) I will agree that it's noticeable. Even with loose jeans.
Fun to see a video of a new clamshell, because it's my favorite form factor.
Great video as always, Russ. Really appreciate your attention to details. I've loved my Indigo flip so far and feel much as you do. The sliders are actually amazing and your comment about 4:3 not being an issue is spot on. I like the chunky buttons as they feel premium. Grip and case seem pointless. As for the space in the middle - I'm gonna put a nice sticker there :)
That was quick, Russ!
That's what his wife said.
@@jamesyu5212 I knew someone would make that joke.
Your reviews just have a better feel to them than others; you're always even-keeled, unbiased, and your voice is a joy to listen to! Thanks as always, Russ! I may pick one of these up to upgrade from my RP2+. Despite the Flip's flaws, I'm a sucker for clamshells.
The unit that I bought actually came with a custom-cut foam mold that fits the Flip nice and snug inside the otherwise-too-big case. Absolutely love your videos, definitely the reason I am into retro handhelds in the first place :D
Thank you for posting so often❤
Feels like a solid gen 1 hopefully they take the feedback and make a great gen 2
Honestly waiting on a RPF+ as of now.
Retroid has a history now of making plus options only months later.
I think the next model is likely to be a Pocket 3s or a Pocket 4 with a new SoC and then they’ll upgrade the Flip to the new SoC after that.
Hopefully the next model could have a 2nd screen and better chip, we really need a ds emulation device
@@Jckfrbn There will never be an Android Handheld with two screens.
@@Bmanritchie*does it once*
"They have a history of doing it!"
I guess technically yeah they do because of the one time, but it also wasn't meant to happen. The RP3 was delayed beyond belief, if it weren't, the plus would have came out much later after the og one.
Loving the progress all of these systems are making.
I do love clam shell designs, but they still need some work to just compare to a 3DS or DS.
@nicholas don't really keep up with things it sounds. And no one is forcing you to buy them.
@nicholas then why are you bothering with the video and commenting on other people?
I dont really have the money to buy these handhelds but still love watching handheld reviews like this, thanks for the vid!
You can start slowly with 35xx or miyoo mini+
I was excited when this was announced. Mainly because I like having the screen in that position. It feels like it’s less strain and more comfortable. I was waiting for your feedback though. I’m sold.
Just here to watch and support the channel! Even though I am happy with my RP3+ and Deck, I love to watch every review. It's almost cathartic at this point haha... also I need your theme for my ringtone.
I was waiting for your review on this and I can't wait for the full in-depth one soon! I'm a sucker for clamshell designs and I've yet to get into the Retroid ecosystem but I think this one is really selling me on it. I'm a little worried that I'll get this and they'll improve on a bunch of flaws with a revision months down the line, but that sort of thing is always going to be the case with evolving tech, especially portable handhelds. Once I can spare save up enough for it, I'm absolutely going to get this thing! Now just to decide if I want watermelon or black...
Assuming this has the guts of the Retroid 3/3+, I'm genuinely really interested in this. I love clam-shells for their pocketability over slab designs, but haven't found one with decent amount of horse power (without totally breaking the bank) prior to this.
Not big on the flairs because I just imagine them stabbing into my thigh constantly, and I'm gonna wait assuming Retroid will release some model revision in a matter of months, but overall I like it.
When it came to my 3ds and NN2ds, i always found myself putting the device on the desk and angling the screen up a click or 2 when i felt too lazy to hold it. the fact that the back props it up slightly along with that viewing angle, i don't actually have to adjust the angle at all, its a nice viewing angle sitting on the desk fully open and i appreciate it for that. It's also not resting on the triggers like some handhelds/controllers so pressing in the triggers doesn't feel hindered.
Obviously I don't know for sure, but it looks like you could file down those little hinge stoppers a bit if you wanted it to open a little more
You have a nice screen and video out available in a compact shell. Considering other options out there, the form factor is neat.
I just bought and set up 2+ version like you seggested, and already complete dozen games from my childhood!
My only problem with analog sliders is they're harder to replace if they break where as with small sticks in these handhelds there's sort of a standard design that makes them easy to swap in new ones
To me having the clam shell design makes sliders an easy sacrifice
Can't wait for full review on the channel
I kinda thought this form factor was unnecessary, but honestly with the screen at a higher angle relative to your hands, it's slightly easier on your neck
I think the next big thing to do would be to make a dual screen handheld with capacitive touch screen support for finger or stylus as the current situation is not great for DS/3DS games where you have to switch between the top and bottom view. I would buy one of those as the rest seems to be an iteration of the same thing and I already have a Steam Deck and a little Anbernic.
I'd like to see them do a take on the GBA SP in this sort of style. Maybe make it a bit thicker and slightly rounded.
Wake me up when the Retroid Pocket Flip + comes out. 😂
Could you please look into why Retrododo had a bad experience with the battery life via sleep mode? He claims it drains 25% - 35% battery overnight, which is the main thing I dislike about my RG552. Also, please test performance vs. the RG405M as he also claimed it is more powerful even with the same chipset, likely due to the lower screen resolution.
Have an idea. What about if you put the unit inside the mesh gate above in the case rather than where the grip would be place and use the rest of excess space for accessories, would that work out better?
Just ordered my RPF and can't wait to get it.
Are you going to make a setup video with all your recommendations? I would watch the shit out of that. Love the content. Thanks for all you do
It does seem like it takes a lot from the 3ds, but also it should maybe take more, even if it's not striving to be the 3ds. The buttons on a New/3ds are some of my favorite experiences with buttons ever, to the point where I want a controller that has that exact same feel (but I'll probably never get one). I also LOVE the slide pad, and hearing that these ones are highly competitive with Nintendo's real deal is extremely encouraging... but this device just isn't there yet. But I can see another version being clickbaited (in a good way) as "The "new" 3ds" in the future if they play their cards right, and hearing that even casual family members are interested in it is also very encouraging.
If there's no way to turn the slide pads into cursors on-screen (which it seems like it'd be really good for), then the next best thing would be to include a stylus so that you still don't have to touch the screen with your bare hands (looking back, probably the reason they include the cloth...)
I dunno. I hope things go well and people do enjoy this version of the device for what it does for them now and that they can expand upon what works about it to make something even more popular in the future.
Great review, you answered allot of my questions. Have a nice week!
Glad I’m not the only inverted joystick guy!!
The color variation talk really helped!
Thanks for mentioning the lack of back and home. Even with a touchscreen I feel like the last little detail that’s a dealbreaker for me is the absence of those buttons. I like cloud gaming and remote play a lot, and I really dislike touchscreen alternatives to the Xbox Button and PS button, and plenty of emu apps benefit from one additional button for accessing the emu menus.
Retroid is unparalleled in this space when it comes to the thoroughness of their design. They are great at considering user experience, and little things like the sliders being difficult to accidentally L3 on. Great stuff. Hopefully Anbernic, Miyoo and PowKiddy feel the heat.
They and AYN seem to be the only ones actually getting feedback from gamers in the West and it shows!
That purple one looks incredible
I bought the Sports Red during the pre-order phase, and it just shipped today :)
For me, the only gripe design wise is the jarring empty real estate of the lower half of the clamshell that I feel could have been better optimized.
So with these SP-style clamshell devices it would seem they'd be PERFECT for either one player but especially multiplayer on the go connecting two controllers and using the console as a miniature screen. Is that possible here? That'd be so awesome. Also ALL of these consoles need BT audio. Surely not that many people walk around with wired headphones anymore (?).
The analog sticks on the plus will be like the analogs coming to the new miyoo clamshell. Im going to wait for that
I'm so looking forward to the RP3+ firmware update video!
I wrote off Gamecube and PS2 games completely but I'm interested in putting at least some of those games on my system after that update, I'm waiting for the community to find out what games are full speed now.
I have three issues with the Pocket Flip, and the first is the "pill" shape. Nintendo went with curved or blocky with the DS family to reduce sharp edges. My second issue is with the flared analog triggers, though that really cant be changed if they want to retain the analog functionality. Third is the protruding hinge. The SP and DS solution of integrating it into the upper screen frame was a good call but that would add quite a bit of height to the Flip if they did that.
I think I’m going to wait and see what the next generation of retro handhelds can do. I have a steam deck and an RG35XX and they pretty much cover all my bases. A more portable powerhouse capable of reliable GameCube around 100-150 would be nice though!
Thanks with this plus the full review you sold me and with the $10 off code I got the carrying case as well
Dude, I love your reviews, you analyze every aspect of any console throughy, and you are very good at the games you play, that makes the gameplay experience more reliable. Keep up the good work. The problem is... I haven't decided which retro console should I get. ^^'
If they had made it in a similar form factor to the GameBoy SP I would buy it in a heartbeat.
This is the first time since RG351V that I fancy a new little handheld 👍
I'd rather wait for a solid PS2 clamshell. I'd use a double sided sticky pad between the handheld and the grip, should make it more solid.
Hope to see your take on the video out on this device and how it performs. Especially when enabling bluetooth for pairing controllers and maybe even a audio speaker.
not super interested in this but I kept an eye on it to see how the 4 might turn out, the analog triggers and firmware updates are a good sign, I just want the whole ps2 library running with no tweaking
Hey Russ, you might be able to put some double-sided velcro strips on the back of the flip and the grips! It would most likely be a bit more snug. : )
Thanks for this preview, I was able to change my order from the Sports Red to the Watermelon after as I don't like how the Sports Red attracts fingerprints.
Russ, the case should have come with a foam inlay that allows you to store the Flip more securely without having to use the grip.
Yes, you are right. I already have ideas for that case to make the most use out of space anyway. Glad I bought one.
Love this "Quick" impressions video!
I can see a Retroid Pocket Flip 2, with a thinner version, maybe using a higher resolution screen. That would be mind blowing :)
At this current version, I rather stick with my AYN Odin Lite.
But I love Clamshell devices, but this isn't different enough to scratch my itch.
There were rumors that Retroid was prototyping a handheld with MTK D900 and a 6” 1080p display as an “S” model, essentially making an Odin Lite clone.
Considering that Retroid and Ayn are owned by same corporation, they might have access to surplus Odin parts (D900, display). A 6” display won’t fit in RPF body, so perhaps they’ll release a larger clamshell.
I don’t get using these old SOCs either? The last 3 products from Retroid were kind of meh.
All these handhelds look really nice, especially the rp3 and miyoo mini+, but i still can’t justify it when I already have a vita, 3DS and a steam deck.
Great job, Russ, as always
As someone who does own all of the above (modded) and sometimes multiple times over (both style vitas, etc), The RP3 is really fantastic, and so is the miyoo mini (id imagine the plus isnt as appealing though). The RP3/flip is indeed worth it though, as its an HD PSP/DS/N64/PSX, a mini steam deck (to an extent), and an android OS. It is its own entity.
Vita for vita and slightly nicer psp/psx games.
3DS for 3DS, DS, SNES, GBA.
Steam Deck for PC, PS2, GC, and some PS3/NSX.
RP3/F for Android, HD versions of PSP, DS, N64, PSX, GBA and a little PS2/GC. Its the HD-ing of the mentioned systems that makes a big difference, while still being pocketable.
Yes, you can use the steam deck to do what an rp3/f can do, but not at that size.
I got the indigo color for my wife because she had an indigo Gameboy Advance when she was in Middle School and indigo GameCube.. I got it for her with the intention to remain deeply GameCube and Gameboy games she has not noticed any lag or stutter while playing any of her GameCube games so I guess mission accomplished great little handheld
Indigo one looks so clean!
Retro Dodo broke the hinge tabs on purpose and it still worked fine.
I want to know if the ribbon inside holds up over many foldings
I would totally but this device if it had a better chip that could play ps2... That's a very nice design and I like the sliders... And they are hall sensor as well, that's very impressive.
You're setting a high standard for how first impressions should be.
How cool thanks for the code and review!
we love you Russ! mistakes or not, we are here because of you!
I like where this model is going, but I hope we see some changes for a revised model:
1) Since there's the empty space in the middle, I hope front firing speakers are hoping to be put there.
2) Better D Pad. I like it's placement, but I hope for a better one
3) A more powerful chip, I assume this is already in the works since the cooling isn't really needed for the chip that's in it and I assume futureproofing for a more powerful model.
I understand the hinge adds a lot of QC issues and thus why a lot of these companies don't do it, but I'd wish we'd get an upgrade of the Q90 with better build quality, better screen (and keep it 4:3) and more powerful specs, basically what the Rg35XX can do.
Website said 'are you sure you want to order' ... 'Yeah man, I wanna do it'
Why does that fan sound so retro? It's.... cute
Just curious when you think you might do another video on the 3DS, with emphasis on installing more than 40 DS games? Thanks for everything that you do! ❤
Seems nice but I think it still needs a little more power.
I'd probably go for the second one if it runs Gamecube flawlessly.
Wouldn't mind a cheaper version with less power but a quality build.
Heck I think at this point I just want a modular upgradable one since they make new ones so fast.
as someone who struggles using the original 3DS and the RP2, I dont really know how readily id want this device. Definitely a little sad it has sliders instead of thumbsticks, but understand why. Still so happy to see clamshells available for those who want them!
I'm a big fan of flips and that Watermelon color is nice on the eyes with the black showing through. Those sliders look surprisingly nice too. I didnt expect to see you streaming a nice game like Horizon 5 on that so thats cool.
Love the vid as usual Russ. That RGB bulb you've got there in the scene looks nice but it's making the jump cuts extra jarring. Probably not a big deal, but something I noticed.
I really want to like this, as I love clamshell devices, but I just can't. All that open space on the lower face and you still couldn't do up-firing speakers, Retroid? Down-firing speakers are probably one of my biggest pet peeves on any mobile device. Plus, while I know many people don't mind them, I don't care for slider analog sticks. I guess I'm sticking with my 3+. Thanks again for a great video, Russ!
I think the downsides I can get over. I will wait for a more powerful version though since I already have an RP3+. Thanks for the helpful videos!
The case also comes with a foam insert which holds the device snug in place without the grips.
Since it's an android device I really wish that void in the center had the android nav buttons.
Tbh I think the circle pads are a non starter for me. I know the device is already on the thick side and implementing recessed Switch like sticks would only make it worse, but controls are probably the thing I care most about on anything larger than a Miyoo Mini classic. Any compromise in that department is an extremely tough sell.
The watermelon color looks so good
New drinking game: Take a shot/drink a beer ever time Russ says, "here". Three of us played. One of us died. :( Keep up the most excellent videos, Russ!
Just ordered using your code so thanks you for that, please make a setup video as I suck at that stuff lol
I play inverted and have been told its like having a joystick attached to my head.
Down is dow and up is up.
But tilt back is up and tilt forward is down.
The sliders make me go back to standard up/down because there is no tilt
A speaker and utility buttons on the face would be such good upgrades.
I’ve been reading comments on Reddit from those who’ve received their RPF only to find runs or missing paint on their shiny but defective Sport Red finishes.
Despite Retroid’s assurances, the Sport Red is nothing more than paint. Areas of their RPFs have no paint at all, or too much paint that’s run. I tend to believe those comments as Retro Dodo’s review unit was also missing paint. How on Earth could Retroid send out a defective unit to a RUclipsr for review?!
I’ve worked with automotive paint and finishing and had real concerns when I initially saw that color. It was so obvious it was paint. If that paint isn’t applied _perfectly_ the high gloss paint will reveal and amplify any defects in the finish. I passed on RPF, but if I were going to buy I’d avoid the Sport Red.
It’s been unusually hit or miss with Retroid on their recent product launches. It’s quite bizarre considering that Retroid and Ayn (makers of the incredibly premium Odin) are actually owned by the same company. I own an RP3 and an Odin Lite and nothing can touch the Odin’s premium feel at a similar price point. Odin Lite also includes LTE voice & data, simply insert a SIM. Odin’s Geekbench scores are nearly 3x the RPF for a $35 increase in cost.
Had Retroid updated their SOC to something a bit more powerful, I’d have taken a closer look. It’s unclear why the RPF offers a meh SOC in such a fancy case? When is Retroid going to get serious about providing some real power in their handhelds?
Love your videos! One thing that kinda distracts me since i started noticing it, you start a lot of your sentences with "And so" or just "and" or "but" or "now". Dunno if I am the only one bothered by this or not so just ignore me lol.
Edit:
Ok i did some text analysis.
You said 381 sentences
You started 128 with "And" 28 of which were "And so"
29 sentences start with "So"
26 sentences start with "Now"
26 sentences start with "But"
Here an example of 8 sentences in a row starting with "And":
And so while usually don't give advice about which color you should buy, I do think your color choice really matters here when it comes to the flip.
And as a quick reminder from left to right, the names of these are Sport Red, Watermelon, and Indigo.
And like I mentioned earlier, the Sport Red one is the review unit that was sent to me.
And the first thing you can see is this one is insanely glossy, way more than any other handheld that I own.
And in addition to that glossiness, it's also a huge fingerprint magnet.
And if you've watched any of my other videos, you know this is like a pet peeve of mine.
And so if this is a pet peeve of yours, you're probably not going to want to have the glossy texture right here.
And I don't know, you might like that color factor.
I had fun doing this so keep it up lol
Glad to hear your thoughts on the color choice. I ordered the 16bit color. Mine finally arrived stateside, hopefully I'll have it in a few days. I will say the shipping sucks, i ordered within minutes of it going live and it shipped 1 week late then spent an entire week in Dong Guan without moving. Hopefully it's worth the wait
This looks so cool! However, oh my god the circle pads.... It looks like sony woke up from a fever dream and designed a controller with even worse stick position than the dualshock sticks. For me, thats a dealbreaker. It would be literally impossible for me to use those sticks.
A speaker grill should have been installed on the front of the device between the d-pad and the buttons. So much dead space there.
Pocket flip plus will be the one you want to grab in a few months.
Congrats on 300k!!! 🥳
I'll wait for Valve to release the Steam Clam.
Arghhhhh, desiding between this and RG405M is gonna be so tough...
I'd love it if you made a comparison video between them!
Kinda funny how the hardshell case is a minor complaint when back in the day we would have killed for those things to protect our screens.
I found an Odin Lite locally for $220 and snatched it up. It's the 6GB, 128GB model and has Sakura buttons and the upgraded analog sticks. Really love how it feels in the hands and performance has been great
Yeah Man, You Need To Do It! That’s Russ’s favorite saying. 😂
Anyway, I just received my Flip today. I purchased the Sport Red and I’m loving it!