I'm 100% at a point where my Odin 2 Base does everything I need it to and I can't imagine what a new handheld would do to make me buy another, but I'm still active on r/SBCGaming and I like knowing what's out there for when newbies show up asking for recommendations.
I do the same thing for pretty much every popular category of electronics. I love it but can't afford all the things, but I'm "the guy" in my family everyone talks to before they buy a new gizmo so I get to use all the cool gadgets vicariously through them.
After your recent community post, I pulled the trigger on a RGB30. Just barely got to play around with it and I am very excited. You weren't kidding about the screen
@@MasDouc I have yet to test a lot of things but Smash Bros worked albeit it'll lag every now and again. It's my first handheld so got some learning to do
I have the miyoo mini plus and so far ive been enoying it but I'm so tempted to buy the RGB30, i mostly play, neo geo, snes, GBA and gbc, would you recommend it?
At $69 with a rk3566 and a 16:9 720p display, I ordered this as soon as it opened up. I’m familiar with the rk3566 JelOS builds so I know I’m happy with it before it ever shows up.
Russ, I love these reviews. They're thorough, and detailed, but they're well paced. I love putting one on a second monitor as I do some work, keep it up!
I came here to watch how to use my ROG Ally Extreme, one month later I now have the 405M, Retroid Pocket 2S, 35xx plus and Miyoo Mini Plus. Gotta stop this until the AMD 8 series handhelds come out, or until a 4:3 small form factor OLED handheld console becomes available
Russ, your video content is so epic I wish you reviewed other things or people copied your style for other product reviews! I don't think anyone stands up to the quality of your videos! As always thank you so much!
Thank you for mentioning the value. Turok 2 cost about $140 on release when adjusted for inflation. Times are tough for a lot of people, but we do tend to take entertainment value for granted these days.
@@MasDouc Nah, I had an N64 in high school and the prices for games was ridiculous. All my friends had PS1 and could get way more games for less even without modding the console. Ocarina of time was £70 in the U.K. on release.
Just bought one thank you for the review. I've been very undecisive with purchasing a retro handheld because I wanted a bigger screen for older games and this is exactly what I was looking for!!
You can drill a small 3/16" hole in the plastic trigger directly over the screw head, to then use a Phillps screw driver to access the final 2 screws to remove the board without potentially damaging the triggers. I purchased the x55 Green color and it's been a really good device for the price 75 with carrying case and only the 16GB OS TF card. Been using the latest version of RockNix OS 20240702 and it's been much improved over the previous version, but there's still small software quirks but I can live with them, and am enjoying playing retro games, I've been playing them on a larger screen via HDMI, it's been really enjoyable.
What a great device! I'm happy I also pre-ordered the clear blue and it should be here in a few days. Honestly, the pre-order price of $70 is a great value. Well done man! 🥰
I love Powkiddy devices, primarily because they come (really) ready to be used (with JELOS installed). If only other manufacturers could follow their example (and if Powkiddy's hardware quality could be better).
Very excited for this because of the screen and color. I’ve started a little collection of blue devices and this will be a very welcomed addition. Especially with the $20 off coupon I got from Russ!
Looks good. I was possibly going to buy an X55 but this is likely a bit better size for me. It has less clicky buttons and looks quite a bit better - especially the clear blue. It also looks like I can use a straight copy of my RGB30 2nd disc in it. Thanks for your great review. You're a salesman too! (I bought one).
Placed my order, but ETA is September which is presumably a placeholder for unknown shipping date.. Edit: it arrived after a month for me. Satisfied with the hardware quality. The only maybe I have with this is if I were to buy something that's higher spec in the future (say a Steam Deck), then that would make this hardware obsolete.
Powkiddy decided to cut out the middle man on the one i just received. The right shoulder button was broken straight out of the box. Didnt even need to take it apart like Russ did for the video. The wifi also seemed to not work either. The screen seemed fantastic too but the plastics felt of oversll poor quality. The SD card was sitting very slightly out of the system. Here's hoping they dont push back too much on me returning it to them. I dont want a replacement .
Unreal how many copy paste handhelds have come out over the last year that have the exact same specs lmao!! These companies have no fucking clue what to do next! It's pathetic really.@@Pridetoons
8:56 The RP4/P does NOT have a slightly smaller screen. It isn't 4.9in size. It is notably smaller, measuring at 4.7in diagonal. It's the same screen as the flagship 2015 iPhone 6, or the budget 2022 iPhone SE3. With that said, the PowKiddy has smaller bezels but is still a larger device than the RP4. When it comes to bang for buck in terms of comfort and pocketable, the gold standard seems to be the PS Vita Slim. With the RP4 being barely pocketable, it is hard to call the larger PowKiddy as being pocket-friendly. You would need very loose clothing with oversized pockets, and not just regular jeans and shorts. The more apt explanation is that this has a much worse/smaller screen than something like the AYN Odin2, ASUS ROG Ally, or the SteamDeck OLED. Those are all portable devices that require a backpack. As you already pointed out, and many other reviewers fail to disclose. Keep up the good work.
Nearly placed an order on the bluey, but then I saw that Odin 2 was available again 😅 I just hope Odin will land at my doorstep in April, for my birthday
Having the option to change the LED to red (a much more night vision-safe color) or turn it off completely is an excellent addition, I hope more manufacturers take this into account. Searing-bright green, white, and blue LEDs really need to be phased out. Oh well, at least it keeps the black electrical tape makers in business.
I was an X55 guy, but didn't eventually purchase it after first posts showing problems with units dying without any specific reason. Now, this press is even worse, which broke my heart. Thought, maybe this one would be a nice candidate only to see the flaw with the trigger buttons. For the moment, staying with my RK2023 unit and maybe time to try looking for a source to get Odin Lite...
Hey Russ, do you think you could add the specific core being used to the top left text when doing the emulation showcase? It would greatly help with performance comparisons since we can see it playing a game just fine, but the core might be innaccurate so when we get the device the experience might not be as expected. To be more specific, it would be nice to know if the core being used is mgba/gpsp/vba, or in playstation 1's case, it would be nice to know if it runs in duckstation/swanstation or if it is pcsx rearmed only, etc.
Hi, thanks for the request, I’ve made a recent change where I will only show a specific core if I deviate from the default emulator in the OS. So with this video I used the default emulator option in JELOS every time, they have it pretty finely tweaked. N64 can require some tweaking but the default one worked okay for my demonstration in this video. But I can keep that in mind for future videos!
You are simply the GREATEST retro handheld reviewer ever... You are always friendly, very informative, up-to-date, and always trying to help fellow gamers save money. Much respect!
Thank you for your review, I ordered one around January 26. It is a good replacement for my RG35XX that I accidentally broke. I agree with you about the insane value of RGB10MAX3 and also an insane name 😂
Russ- one more question. You didn't test Nintendo DS in your video (which i think would look cool on this 5 inch screen!). Does it work or not on this handheld? Please update. Thanks!
For Moonlight, I used a TP Link AC600 usb wifi card and this worked extremely well. I have been streaming PC and Gamcube, Wii, switch, PS2, etc games at 720p to the RG10 Max 3, as a handheld, and also connecting to my TV and streaming in 1080p (bluetooth gamepad). It is completely smooth, with no stuttering or lag that I can detect. Definitely does not work much above 1080p. I tried 1440p, and it would be fine some of the time, but with signifcant stuttering, several times a minute. I use this for streaming at least half of the time, and I am completely happy with it in this use case
just once I want there to be a retro handheld released that doesn't label the buttons. It's meant to be an "every system" so I'd rather not just label them with the nintendo layout. Let's keep them blank but sleek. Maybe I'm just crazy.
Have they started shipping (or did Russ get a review unit before everyone else?) it's unclear on their website. Can someone clarify? (Also, if they started shipping, how long did it take, since it's coming from China). Thanks guys
Just bought a new sealed one from an American seller for $30+$7.99 shipping I was gonna get an Anbernic RG35XXH or RG40XXH but from what I've learned about it I'll be happy with this as a horizontal handheld.
Since the Ally I haven't seen the need to look any further. However I am in love with Russ's videos, especially the information he provides teaches me a lot about the market and the direction of gaming.
Great review as usual! I am trying to understand what handheld to buy in this price-SOC category that I think suits the kind of games I would like to play. To what I understand this one has the same internal hardware as the rgb30 and x55, and I can't decide... A bigger screen than the rgb30 sounds nice but I'd like to stay relatively compact hence this one seems the good one, however... As I seem to understand the only difference is the ram quantity, correct? Is the double ram quantity on the x55 making significant difference, and in this case for which systems exactly? I mean, I guess there will be no noticeable difference for SNES, for instance, but on higher end systems what difference does this make?
It’s going to always come down to personal preference. The Max 3 is smaller, has quieter buttons that are located in logical positions, is d-pad centric, and with thinner bezels. I appreciate that we have choice!
Oh dang! I think this is the device I've been waiting for - comparable size and performance with my RGB 10 Max 2, but I can make a it a mini console with mini HDMI and bluetooth! AND a translucent shell!
Arguably, 1 of my favorite things about these Retro Handhelds; is the consistency; of the Operating System, usually Android - where I pretty much know what I'm getting into, even on a new Handheld That means spending less time having to learn a brand new interface & setup, on a new device - & more time setting it up, & getting down to business Considering that; if they all (mostly) have the same or similar OS - Operating System, same menus, same interface, same Settings, etc - then I can approach each new Device as - I know what I'm getting into, how to set it up, what Settings to tweak, what programs to install, etc - & I've got a new device, all set up
It's all Linux based, even android. There are some amazing people out there making these custom OS for these devices that are usually shipped with crap OS.
Great review, thanks! Comparing 1:1 with the RGB30, do you have a preference between the two? I’m torn between which to get (my only other device is a RG35xx non plus)
New to retro Handheld stuff..looking to get something but with so many whats a decent one for $100 give or take a little with a 5 in plus screen and with bt..wifi and hdmi that can play atleast most n64 games..
Hi! Waiting my rgb10 max 3 in 2-3 days now, and... Jelos has been taken down, at least for powkiddy and rk3566 devices in general, grat timing! You mention in the video that this device benefits from many custom FWs, i guess basis the fact that the chioset and general HW architecture is very common, however, this is a new device, what custom FW works with it that you know of? Thanks!!
I’ve seen other reviews for this product and noticed that when they exit the game it takes about 20 seconds just to go back to the menu. Has there been an update to fix that?
I love my RGB30, but still I'm the opinion that neither its 1:1 ratio nor the RGB10Max3's 16:9 ratio is the best solution. 4:3 with 720p (960x720) would be just perfect for these devices. A little wider than the RGB30 but a litte narrower than the RGB10Max3. That would be the perfect compromise between screen size and overall size.
@@JamesPound Yes, 1280x960 would be even better, I would immediately buy it if such a device in this form factor with 4:3 and high resolution would be existing. But for some reason still nobody did it. Just the usual 480p crap so far :(
I would say that we are close to that. Maybe a couple years, but I can imagine something in this price range and design for anything PS2 or GC related 👍
Hey Russ, I see during your video at 56 seconds in you show your Emulation Station Desktop and it appears it is on this handheld as well. Are you able to play Dead Cells on this RGB10 MAX 3?
Trying to decide between this and the RG-Arc, most of the games I would play would only use the D-pad but the wider screen for GBA and DS could be nice. I’m still leaning Arc because when it comes to tech I’ve learned to figure out what I want out of my device and then find the least expensive way to do it well or you’ll get distracted by other bells and whistles while your shopping. And for me I think the Arc fits that bill.
Good review , Russ! It is really a shame that PowKiddy devices still have the dpad false diagonals issues. It is even more unfortunate that this one is even more difficult to mod. Even if the device is $70, I still would not want to risk damaging it. It seems like a pretty good device all around (especially for the price). For me, though, I'm very picky about dpads and preventing false inputs, so even if I was going to pick up a new retro handheld, I would still probably pass on this one.
It would've been awesome if they had scaled up the design of the RGB10 Max 3 to use the bigger screen of the X55. I think the RGB30 is still the best choice of Powkiddy's RK3566 devices.
Is there any other custom firmware that can be put on this? Is there a place we can download the JELOS firmware (I think they dropped it from their website)? I want to replace the stock SD card that came with it.
At this point, watching these comparisons, I want all of the higher end (at least price-wise) handhelds to have switchable controls on the left hand side (like joycons). One left hand "joycon" for D-pad on top and one for D-pad on the bottom. That will solve a lot of the ergonomics.
Nice channel💪🏼. I am new in this world, i was just going to but the new Anbernic rg35xx H but looking this rgb10 max 3 i get confused. Witch one do you recommend? Thank you 🎮
Plan on picking one up once they hit Amazon. Have a RGB30 but not really happy w/ it. Main issue is the chip is a hot spot that becomes uncomfortable rather quickly. And as much as I like the screen for the classic consoles it sucks for anything beyond them. I don’t have issues w/ black bars and I’m not sure why people do in general. This one looks to be more my speed, just wish it was 5.5”.
In my experience, clear plastics tend to be far more brittle than solid opaque colors, as often transparent plastic is formulated very differently than opaque, so it's likely the solid color units would be less likely to break when disassembling.
I just ordered an X55 yesterday, and when I saw this review in the feed, I panicked a bit. Seeing the comparison here, I was quite relieved. I only paid 80 for the X55, and I still think I like it better than this one.
Want to buy my first retro handheld ever. Still deciding between this rgb10max3 or x55. The only concern is battery life around 2-4 hours from this video compared to 8 hours that powkiddy claimed. But i think it is enough for casual gaming session.
🚨 This device and chipset just got dropped from JELOS entirely. It will not receive mainline linux kernel like planned, and it won't receive any updates. It is recommended to turn it on and off after charging or it will drain overnight. Sleep mode does not work. Several widescreen portmaster games need more RAM than this has. Battery indicator is unreliable and jumps around. WIFI constantly cuts out. This device is full of flaws, and is a terrible value at any price. Do not buy this handheld, it is e-waste. Support was dropped before presale was even over.
I know this is old, but for the record it is supported in Rocknix. This was a new device when JelOS was about to be deprecated, so they didn't add support. Now that JelOS has been forked into Rocknix, the RGB10 Max 3 is supported and is receiving updates.
I just ordered a white X55 for $80 yesterday, and I discovered this device later last night. I was immediately torn especially with this one being $70 right now, but I think made the right decision. The X55 has a better dpad, 5 GHz WiFi, and the slightly bigger screen. I do think the ergonomics look quite a bit better on the RGB 10 Max 3, and the triggers are night and day for sure... but there are mods for the X55 to fix the larger triggers' sound. Do you think I made the right call, or does the RGB10 Max 3 supercede the X55?
Personally for near flawless Sega Saturn and below Emulation with 3DS, GameCube, PS2, and Switch Emulation as bonuses the RGB10 Max 3 Pro isn't too bad honestly.
As an owner of an RGB30 the only thing that makes this better is the larger screen and the ergonomics, which I feel like at least the ergonomics could be fixed if someone on Etsy really wanted to make an extra buck or two. But the RGB 30 is still more pocketable. I guess now we wait three months to see if they drop an RGB10max 3 pro+ to fix the issues that this new one created.
Need help deciding! Lol. The market is saturated, but I'm looking for something that can work up to, but not necessarily including PS2/GC, with horizontal form factor with joysticks. I can't decided between the Anbernic 405m, Powkiddy RGB10 Max3, and Powkiddy X55. Any help is appreciated!
Hi in your knowledge how is the choossen between new powkiddy rgb10max3 , powkiddy x55 and NEW ANBERNIC RG ARC-S if a wanna focus on SNES/GBA and N64 ?? i need to hurry up to take advance of the -20$ discount if any powkiddy is the choosen, thnks
When I see that Retro Game Corps logo, on a new device in review - I know to expect a good, fully in depth review - & possibly, a new Handheld to add to the list
![The Best Retro Handheld Under $90 Right Now [PowKiddy X55]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GRWvXiwTn-w/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm not buying another handheld yet I still watch almost every 40-minute review Russ posts.
What is wrong with us?
Truth glad it is split up to show what can be skipped
This is the way.
I'm 100% at a point where my Odin 2 Base does everything I need it to and I can't imagine what a new handheld would do to make me buy another, but I'm still active on r/SBCGaming and I like knowing what's out there for when newbies show up asking for recommendations.
I do the same thing for pretty much every popular category of electronics. I love it but can't afford all the things, but I'm "the guy" in my family everyone talks to before they buy a new gizmo so I get to use all the cool gadgets vicariously through them.
This is what retro handhelds are all about in my book. Cheap and cheerful.
After your recent community post, I pulled the trigger on a RGB30. Just barely got to play around with it and I am very excited. You weren't kidding about the screen
As long as you don't expect to play N64 it's great
@@MasDouc I have yet to test a lot of things but Smash Bros worked albeit it'll lag every now and again. It's my first handheld so got some learning to do
@@MasDouc Mario, Quest, and Paper Mario have worked fine for me. It's not the worst at N64
I have the miyoo mini plus and so far ive been enoying it but I'm so tempted to buy the RGB30, i mostly play, neo geo, snes, GBA and gbc, would you recommend it?
@@josedelpino4854 For those systems, the Miyoo Mini+ is fine though I'd wager the RGB30 will be far more comfortable for longer sessions.
"Depending on the type of game you're playing, (...) that could be a matter of life or death"
I like how you take your job seriously!
My favorite part of every video are the words 'Hadoukenable' and 'Shoryukenable'
for me the complete opposite
i'm really a huge fan of russ, but every time he uses these 2 words i have to take a deep breath...
@@EliasPfaiffer😂😂
I always wonder how many takes it takes for him to say it right lol
@@EliasPfaiffer The duality of man...
@@EliasPfaiffersame here 😊
Love the ergonomics, no grip case needed! I can't think of another device under $150 that looks this comfy, anywhere.
At $69 with a rk3566 and a 16:9 720p display, I ordered this as soon as it opened up. I’m familiar with the rk3566 JelOS builds so I know I’m happy with it before it ever shows up.
Would be cool if you add "time to boot device" and sleep mode battery drain in your next reviews
Russ, I love these reviews. They're thorough, and detailed, but they're well paced. I love putting one on a second monitor as I do some work, keep it up!
Seems like the new entry level budget king! Great value for $70!
If I didn't already have a RGB10, an X55, and an Anbernic ARC D I'd be up for this. But I think I have enough 3566 devices 😊
thank you for doing the contra test; nobody else on youtube does this and is super helpful
Dont forget the hadoukanable and shoryukanable tests too
I came here to watch how to use my ROG Ally Extreme, one month later I now have the 405M, Retroid Pocket 2S, 35xx plus and Miyoo Mini Plus. Gotta stop this until the AMD 8 series handhelds come out, or until a 4:3 small form factor OLED handheld console becomes available
Russ, your video content is so epic I wish you reviewed other things or people copied your style for other product reviews! I don't think anyone stands up to the quality of your videos! As always thank you so much!
Thank you for mentioning the value. Turok 2 cost about $140 on release when adjusted for inflation. Times are tough for a lot of people, but we do tend to take entertainment value for granted these days.
That was back when most people were paid a decent wage and rent and costs of products were fairly priced.
@@MasDoucstop it. You clearly aren't old enough to have been there. That's literally what inflation means -_-
@@MasDouc
Nah, I had an N64 in high school and the prices for games was ridiculous. All my friends had PS1 and could get way more games for less even without modding the console.
Ocarina of time was £70 in the U.K. on release.
@@MasDoucMy salary picked up quite a bit in my mid 40 's. I'm definitely doing much better financially than I was 10 years ago.
Just bought one thank you for the review. I've been very undecisive with purchasing a retro handheld because I wanted a bigger screen for older games and this is exactly what I was looking for!!
These products suck hard I bought the rgb10max 2 when it came out and it broke on its own after 2 months of use
@@plukingrevisitedonline6884 i have the retroid pocket 2 right now. Its still going to be an upgrade
I was getting mad choosing between Trimui Smart Pro and Powkiddy X55 (mostly for GBC and PS1) and now I find out also about this one
I'm the same now between this one and TrimUI Smart Pro..which one you chose?
You can drill a small 3/16" hole in the plastic trigger directly over the screw head, to then use a Phillps screw driver to access the final 2 screws to remove the board without potentially damaging the triggers. I purchased the x55 Green color and it's been a really good device for the price 75 with carrying case and only the 16GB OS TF card. Been using the latest version of RockNix OS 20240702 and it's been much improved over the previous version, but there's still small software quirks but I can live with them, and am enjoying playing retro games, I've been playing them on a larger screen via HDMI, it's been really enjoyable.
What a great device! I'm happy I also pre-ordered the clear blue and it should be here in a few days. Honestly, the pre-order price of $70 is a great value. Well done man! 🥰
I love Powkiddy devices, primarily because they come (really) ready to be used (with JELOS installed).
If only other manufacturers could follow their example (and if Powkiddy's hardware quality could be better).
We'll get it there.
I'm still rocking my Max 2. I LOVE the ergonomics of the Max 2.
Same here. I have other devices but rhe rg10max is very special...very light, wonderful screen, really enjoyable❤
Ditto, I'd still be rocking mine too if it wasn't broken right now.
@BrianEmmons well if you're going to replace it, the Max 3 in this video looks great.
I'm about to buy the X55 a little bit later.
@@Pridetoonsdont do it. Controls really suck! I prefer rgb30
Super glue and baking soda is your friend Russ for that type of plastic repair.
Neat handheld. 👍
Russ, when I click on our videos the tune plays in my head before it does in the video, you and your videos are so good!
Very excited for this because of the screen and color. I’ve started a little collection of blue devices and this will be a very welcomed addition. Especially with the $20 off coupon I got from Russ!
Can you compare both Powkiddy RGB10 Max 3 vs Ambernic RG35XX H see which better for your Money
I think you convinced me to get the first of these devices that you do such a good job covering. Time to get back into retro!
I wish Retroid would include a ergo shape into the shell like this...
That's never going to happen unfortunately.
Could happen at some point.
Isn't 1gb of ram big step back from x55 which has 2, along with going back to 2,4ghz wifi? The form factor and size is perfect.
Looks good. I was possibly going to buy an X55 but this is likely a bit better size for me. It has less clicky buttons and looks quite a bit better - especially the clear blue. It also looks like I can use a straight copy of my RGB30 2nd disc in it. Thanks for your great review. You're a salesman too! (I bought one).
Placed my order, but ETA is September which is presumably a placeholder for unknown shipping date.. Edit: it arrived after a month for me. Satisfied with the hardware quality. The only maybe I have with this is if I were to buy something that's higher spec in the future (say a Steam Deck), then that would make this hardware obsolete.
Powkiddy decided to cut out the middle man on the one i just received. The right shoulder button was broken straight out of the box. Didnt even need to take it apart like Russ did for the video. The wifi also seemed to not work either. The screen seemed fantastic too but the plastics felt of oversll poor quality. The SD card was sitting very slightly out of the system. Here's hoping they dont push back too much on me returning it to them. I dont want a replacement .
You nailed that jump🔥 Thanks Russ!
10 seconds ago on my recommended is crazy lol
I know right!
Unreal how many copy paste handhelds have come out over the last year that have the exact same specs lmao!! These companies have no fucking clue what to do next! It's pathetic really.@@Pridetoons
8:56 The RP4/P does NOT have a slightly smaller screen. It isn't 4.9in size. It is notably smaller, measuring at 4.7in diagonal. It's the same screen as the flagship 2015 iPhone 6, or the budget 2022 iPhone SE3.
With that said, the PowKiddy has smaller bezels but is still a larger device than the RP4. When it comes to bang for buck in terms of comfort and pocketable, the gold standard seems to be the PS Vita Slim. With the RP4 being barely pocketable, it is hard to call the larger PowKiddy as being pocket-friendly. You would need very loose clothing with oversized pockets, and not just regular jeans and shorts. The more apt explanation is that this has a much worse/smaller screen than something like the AYN Odin2, ASUS ROG Ally, or the SteamDeck OLED. Those are all portable devices that require a backpack. As you already pointed out, and many other reviewers fail to disclose. Keep up the good work.
Nearly placed an order on the bluey, but then I saw that Odin 2 was available again 😅
I just hope Odin will land at my doorstep in April, for my birthday
Having the option to change the LED to red (a much more night vision-safe color) or turn it off completely is an excellent addition, I hope more manufacturers take this into account. Searing-bright green, white, and blue LEDs really need to be phased out. Oh well, at least it keeps the black electrical tape makers in business.
Our dream content, these types of vids, Russ. Thank you!
I love that you talked about the moonlight capability of this device.
6:18 He said it!!! he said the thing!!
I was an X55 guy, but didn't eventually purchase it after first posts showing problems with units dying without any specific reason. Now, this press is even worse, which broke my heart.
Thought, maybe this one would be a nice candidate only to see the flaw with the trigger buttons. For the moment, staying with my RK2023 unit and maybe time to try looking for a source to get Odin Lite...
Hawaii???
Dude really is living the dream!
Good for you.
Hey Russ, do you think you could add the specific core being used to the top left text when doing the emulation showcase?
It would greatly help with performance comparisons since we can see it playing a game just fine, but the core might be innaccurate so when we get the device the experience might not be as expected.
To be more specific, it would be nice to know if the core being used is mgba/gpsp/vba, or in playstation 1's case, it would be nice to know if it runs in duckstation/swanstation or if it is pcsx rearmed only, etc.
Hi, thanks for the request, I’ve made a recent change where I will only show a specific core if I deviate from the default emulator in the OS. So with this video I used the default emulator option in JELOS every time, they have it pretty finely tweaked. N64 can require some tweaking but the default one worked okay for my demonstration in this video. But I can keep that in mind for future videos!
You are simply the GREATEST retro handheld reviewer ever...
You are always friendly, very informative, up-to-date, and always trying to help fellow gamers save money.
Much respect!
Thank you for your review, I ordered one around January 26. It is a good replacement for my RG35XX that I accidentally broke. I agree with you about the insane value of RGB10MAX3 and also an insane name 😂
That is the exact thing that happened to me. My kids broke the RGXX35's screen. I only just found this after ordering the X55 for $80 though.
@@JamesPound larger screen, better wifi, double ram for just $10 different, i think it still great deal 😁
I broke my Miyoo mini V2/v3 so i replaced it with a mini v4. I was gonna get the RG35XXH but i think this RGB Max 10 is the better buy.
Russ- one more question. You didn't test Nintendo DS in your video (which i think would look cool on this 5 inch screen!). Does it work or not on this handheld? Please update. Thanks!
For Moonlight, I used a TP Link AC600 usb wifi card and this worked extremely well. I have been streaming PC and Gamcube, Wii, switch, PS2, etc games at 720p to the RG10 Max 3, as a handheld, and also connecting to my TV and streaming in 1080p (bluetooth gamepad). It is completely smooth, with no stuttering or lag that I can detect.
Definitely does not work much above 1080p. I tried 1440p, and it would be fine some of the time, but with signifcant stuttering, several times a minute.
I use this for streaming at least half of the time, and I am completely happy with it in this use case
I’m a simple man, I see a new Retro Corps Video… I watch it.
That is what simple single men do!
I find your reviews strangely comforting.
just once I want there to be a retro handheld released that doesn't label the buttons. It's meant to be an "every system" so I'd rather not just label them with the nintendo layout. Let's keep them blank but sleek. Maybe I'm just crazy.
Man I never get tired of the retro gaming corps uploads.
Have they started shipping (or did Russ get a review unit before everyone else?) it's unclear on their website. Can someone clarify? (Also, if they started shipping, how long did it take, since it's coming from China). Thanks guys
They are in love with that rockchip 😂 When will they stop using it
Just bought a new sealed one from an American seller for $30+$7.99 shipping I was gonna get an Anbernic RG35XXH or RG40XXH but from what I've learned about it I'll be happy with this as a horizontal handheld.
For people wanting info, this device is basically the RGB30 but stretched.
Since the Ally I haven't seen the need to look any further. However I am in love with Russ's videos, especially the information he provides teaches me a lot about the market and the direction of gaming.
Been waiting impatiently for this review!
Great review as usual! I am trying to understand what handheld to buy in this price-SOC category that I think suits the kind of games I would like to play. To what I understand this one has the same internal hardware as the rgb30 and x55, and I can't decide... A bigger screen than the rgb30 sounds nice but I'd like to stay relatively compact hence this one seems the good one, however... As I seem to understand the only difference is the ram quantity, correct? Is the double ram quantity on the x55 making significant difference, and in this case for which systems exactly? I mean, I guess there will be no noticeable difference for SNES, for instance, but on higher end systems what difference does this make?
I’d still recommend the new X55 over it as it has a bigger screen, better WiFi chip, and double the ram.
Thanks. I was looking for confirmation, that's what I bought last night.
It’s going to always come down to personal preference. The Max 3 is smaller, has quieter buttons that are located in logical positions, is d-pad centric, and with thinner bezels. I appreciate that we have choice!
@@RetroGameCorps can’t lie logical volume buttons are always great 🔥
Oh dang! I think this is the device I've been waiting for - comparable size and performance with my RGB 10 Max 2, but I can make a it a mini console with mini HDMI and bluetooth! AND a translucent shell!
Arguably, 1 of my favorite things about these Retro Handhelds; is the consistency; of the Operating System, usually Android - where I pretty much know what I'm getting into, even on a new Handheld
That means spending less time having to learn a brand new interface & setup, on a new device - & more time setting it up, & getting down to business
Considering that; if they all (mostly) have the same or similar OS - Operating System, same menus, same interface, same Settings, etc - then I can approach each new Device as - I know what I'm getting into, how to set it up, what Settings to tweak, what programs to install, etc - & I've got a new device, all set up
It's all Linux based, even android. There are some amazing people out there making these custom OS for these devices that are usually shipped with crap OS.
Great review, thanks! Comparing 1:1 with the RGB30, do you have a preference between the two? I’m torn between which to get (my only other device is a RG35xx non plus)
New to retro Handheld stuff..looking to get something but with so many whats a decent one for $100 give or take a little with a 5 in plus screen and with bt..wifi and hdmi that can play atleast most n64 games..
Hi! Waiting my rgb10 max 3 in 2-3 days now, and... Jelos has been taken down, at least for powkiddy and rk3566 devices in general, grat timing! You mention in the video that this device benefits from many custom FWs, i guess basis the fact that the chioset and general HW architecture is very common, however, this is a new device, what custom FW works with it that you know of? Thanks!!
I’ve seen other reviews for this product and noticed that when they exit the game it takes about 20 seconds just to go back to the menu. Has there been an update to fix that?
Here and got my snack ready!
I love my RGB30, but still I'm the opinion that neither its 1:1 ratio nor the RGB10Max3's 16:9 ratio is the best solution. 4:3 with 720p (960x720) would be just perfect for these devices. A little wider than the RGB30 but a litte narrower than the RGB10Max3. That would be the perfect compromise between screen size and overall size.
That would be interesting, the ultimate for me would be a 1280x960 device for a perfect 2x 4:3 integer scale from 480p.
@@JamesPound Yes, 1280x960 would be even better, I would immediately buy it if such a device in this form factor with 4:3 and high resolution would be existing. But for some reason still nobody did it. Just the usual 480p crap so far :(
RGB10Max3 looks great for N64, i just cant justify $158 for the Rp2S.
who designed this needs a raise, imagine the looks of this thing but with Ps2 and GameCube functionality?
I would say that we are close to that. Maybe a couple years, but I can imagine something in this price range and design for anything PS2 or GC related 👍
Hey Russ, I see during your video at 56 seconds in you show your Emulation Station Desktop and it appears it is on this handheld as well. Are you able to play Dead Cells on this RGB10 MAX 3?
Between this an the recent ambernic rg35xxH, which is about same price, what's your favourite?
Trying to decide between this and the RG-Arc, most of the games I would play would only use the D-pad but the wider screen for GBA and DS could be nice. I’m still leaning Arc because when it comes to tech I’ve learned to figure out what I want out of my device and then find the least expensive way to do it well or you’ll get distracted by other bells and whistles while your shopping. And for me I think the Arc fits that bill.
Good review , Russ! It is really a shame that PowKiddy devices still have the dpad false diagonals issues. It is even more unfortunate that this one is even more difficult to mod. Even if the device is $70, I still would not want to risk damaging it.
It seems like a pretty good device all around (especially for the price). For me, though, I'm very picky about dpads and preventing false inputs, so even if I was going to pick up a new retro handheld, I would still probably pass on this one.
It would've been awesome if they had scaled up the design of the RGB10 Max 3 to use the bigger screen of the X55. I think the RGB30 is still the best choice of Powkiddy's RK3566 devices.
I love all three personally. 😊
Is there any other custom firmware that can be put on this? Is there a place we can download the JELOS firmware (I think they dropped it from their website)? I want to replace the stock SD card that came with it.
At this point, watching these comparisons, I want all of the higher end (at least price-wise) handhelds to have switchable controls on the left hand side (like joycons). One left hand "joycon" for D-pad on top and one for D-pad on the bottom. That will solve a lot of the ergonomics.
Oh my god! I'm so glad I pre-ordered this!
If you had to choose between this, the RG35XXX H, or the Retroid Pocket 2s, which would you choose? They are all similar-ish in price.
Get the retroid pocket 2s.
Nice channel💪🏼. I am new in this world, i was just going to but the new Anbernic rg35xx H but looking this rgb10 max 3 i get confused. Witch one do you recommend? Thank you 🎮
Plan on picking one up once they hit Amazon. Have a RGB30 but not really happy w/ it. Main issue is the chip is a hot spot that becomes uncomfortable rather quickly. And as much as I like the screen for the classic consoles it sucks for anything beyond them. I don’t have issues w/ black bars and I’m not sure why people do in general. This one looks to be more my speed, just wish it was 5.5”.
Where is the chip located that it gets hot? Also, is there any potential that this might affect the battery at some point in your opinion?
This better then trimui smart pro?
I want to ask does ben 10 vilgax attacks work well on the PSP emulation here?
In my experience, clear plastics tend to be far more brittle than solid opaque colors, as often transparent plastic is formulated very differently than opaque, so it's likely the solid color units would be less likely to break when disassembling.
I just ordered an X55 yesterday, and when I saw this review in the feed, I panicked a bit. Seeing the comparison here, I was quite relieved. I only paid 80 for the X55, and I still think I like it better than this one.
The X55 is much better than the Max3s. Glad I purchased the X55.
Another great video! Really looking forward to your next entry in your "Top X Games from a certain console" series. Loved the NES one!
Want to buy my first retro handheld ever. Still deciding between this rgb10max3 or x55. The only concern is battery life around 2-4 hours from this video compared to 8 hours that powkiddy claimed. But i think it is enough for casual gaming session.
Do we know when they will start shipping?
Is there a way to turn off the LED you see through the transparent case?
EDIT: If I had waited another minute, I'd have my answer...
At this point after buying an rg35xx and 2 r36s handhelds. I'm only buying a steam deck next.
🚨 This device and chipset just got dropped from JELOS entirely. It will not receive mainline linux kernel like planned, and it won't receive any updates. It is recommended to turn it on and off after charging or it will drain overnight. Sleep mode does not work. Several widescreen portmaster games need more RAM than this has. Battery indicator is unreliable and jumps around. WIFI constantly cuts out. This device is full of flaws, and is a terrible value at any price. Do not buy this handheld, it is e-waste. Support was dropped before presale was even over.
Damn what the fuck? As close as they could get to a rug pull while still selling the product lol
will the x55 be a good purchase??
I know this is old, but for the record it is supported in Rocknix. This was a new device when JelOS was about to be deprecated, so they didn't add support. Now that JelOS has been forked into Rocknix, the RGB10 Max 3 is supported and is receiving updates.
Appreciate the detailed reviews👍
So do you believe this is better than the Powkiddy x55? I wanna know before I buy
Been putting alot of hours into my RGB30
in Linux there's most likely a way to reverse the volume buttons. Just got to get xbindkeys running somehow, probably just needs access to a terminal
I wish companies would stop pointing REALLY bright power lights directly at your eyes on handhelds.
Awesome review with excellent info as always. Also I had no idea there was a Bucky O’Hare arcade game. Kinda blew my mind.
I just ordered a white X55 for $80 yesterday, and I discovered this device later last night. I was immediately torn especially with this one being $70 right now, but I think made the right decision. The X55 has a better dpad, 5 GHz WiFi, and the slightly bigger screen. I do think the ergonomics look quite a bit better on the RGB 10 Max 3, and the triggers are night and day for sure... but there are mods for the X55 to fix the larger triggers' sound.
Do you think I made the right call, or does the RGB10 Max 3 supercede the X55?
They’re both great options, and if you favor WiFi and a larger screen you made the right choice for you!
Personally for near flawless Sega Saturn and below Emulation with 3DS, GameCube, PS2, and Switch Emulation as bonuses the RGB10 Max 3 Pro isn't too bad honestly.
so the OTA update at 22:42 is not viable anymore?
As an owner of an RGB30 the only thing that makes this better is the larger screen and the ergonomics, which I feel like at least the ergonomics could be fixed if someone on Etsy really wanted to make an extra buck or two. But the RGB 30 is still more pocketable. I guess now we wait three months to see if they drop an RGB10max 3 pro+ to fix the issues that this new one created.
Need help deciding! Lol. The market is saturated, but I'm looking for something that can work up to, but not necessarily including PS2/GC, with horizontal form factor with joysticks. I can't decided between the Anbernic 405m, Powkiddy RGB10 Max3, and Powkiddy X55. Any help is appreciated!
Hi in your knowledge how is the choossen between new powkiddy rgb10max3 , powkiddy x55 and NEW ANBERNIC RG ARC-S if a wanna focus on SNES/GBA and N64 ?? i need to hurry up to take advance of the -20$ discount if any powkiddy is the choosen, thnks
When I see that Retro Game Corps logo, on a new device in review - I know to expect a good, fully in depth review - & possibly, a new Handheld to add to the list