Agreed. Really enjoying my 2S as my first retro emulation handheld, but a 4.3-4.5", or even 5", 4:3 panel with an upgraded chip would be so sick... Like something bigger than a RG405M / V(4"), ARC(4"), TrimUI Smart Pro(4.1"), or even KT-R1(4.2") at 4:3 from Retroid would be amazing. I mean stuff like the Powkiddy X55, Ayaneo Pocket Air, and Switch Lite have 4.5" of 4:3 with their 16:9 displays. Odin 2 is 4.9" for 4:3.
in your shot of the 2 editions opened up, you can see some thermal pads on the metal case that look to line up with the 2 heat sinks. I am guessing the better thermals is because they are using the metal case as a giant heat sink as well. It would be interesting if you ran your heat load test for several hours if (a) the temps get higher and (b) does the case get warm enough to tell the difference.
The RP4 is widescreen, which is not ideal for retro consoles. I would pick 4:3 every single time. For me the top pick is the Anbernic RG353P because of its 640 x 480 124 Hz display, insane battery life and form factor. I have an Rog Ally and the 353P gets way more use. I am hoping for an updated RG353P with a better chip set and a higher resolution AMOLED 4:3 124 Hz display.
The RP2S is perfect if you just want to play all of the 4:3 retro consoles up to Dreamcast and don't care about PS2/GCN, which the base RP4 isn't really ideal for either. More power isn't necessary if you're not going to use it anyway.
Most people can't tell the difference between 'natural' metal and a metal coloured paint job, do we know for sure that it's actually an uncoated version that won't chip or scratch? Because Joey's right, the 'gun metal' (definitely not just, y'know, 'grey') is so blah. Personally, I'm legit sad Retroid won't be ripping me off an additional fifty quid for a green version :D.
Key Takeaways: - The man wants color on his metals. 😂 - The 2S metal appears to run cooler than the plastic edition by about 20 degrees due to heat sink. - The device price goes for about $149, high price tag considering the RP4 availability. All in all thanks for pushing new videos while there’s a lack of new content from other content creators. (Probably out celebrating the Chinese holiday)
I'm surprised you'd think metal would be worse at handling and dissipating heat considering plastic straight up melts before metal would when heating is poorly done in any electronic device. Glad to see it's a well done metal version though, looks very sleek but wish they did more than one color. Probably gonna wait for it to drop in price before I ever pick it up.
thermodynamics is very tricky. since metal does conduct heat you'd think it would dissipate better. But thats not what you want heat to do. you want heat to escape, not conduct into the shell of a unit. that means heat is "building up". The plastic's resistance to heat will allow the heat to escape out the vents (or ports) of the device. In general, plastic performs much better because of this. Also ambient air is not a great conductor of heat, typically you want a fan blowing cool air coming through. So yeah, the metal will store up the heat, but nothing is really allowing it to dissipate quickly. Also a metal shell will absorb sun and other outside heat influences. I suppose in the winter it might do well but overall no.
Pity the screen wasn't made 4.7" Inch aswell. I always feel the metal versions have that premium feel like you mentioned, problem is they always get released after you've just bought the plastic version 🙄
Agree, there seems to be room for increasing the screen even only using the wasted space of the bazels. Maybe increasing the resolution would have been bit more tricky on sw and performance side, but a 5" 640x480 would have already been better (at least for the old guys like me 😂) and... Would've justified the price increase a little more
@@JoeysRetroHandhelds Do you think I could add my own? And would it help? My 2s gets pretty warm when emulating PS2. I use my Steam Deck for most PS2, but I love the portability of the 2s
Thansk for the video and also for the loooong complaint about the color, in some moments it appeared you were refraining yourself for being... Let's say... More direct 😂 And btw, completely agree, what were people thinking while answering the pool? This is by all means a toy, it needs to be funny and beautiful, not boring and "elegant" (if it even is, elegant...)
Hello my friend. I agree with you 100%. I really enjoy this in fact even though it doesn't have the power of the four Pro I think I might end up playing this more often. Love the videos and I'm inspired by you to do better on my own channel
Excellent review. Will be waiting for an upgrade to this model. If they don't mess up the design and we get a larger gammet of PS2/GC then it would be a go for me. Hoping that will replace my daily driver the RGB30 (but man I love that thing).
I enjoyed this review even though I have no real desire to buy a metal 2S. I love metal, but it's kind of in an odd place pricing-wise. I don't mind plastic at all so I'd probably step up to the base Pocket 4 for the same money and get a ton more performance. Unpopular opinion, perhaps: Of the four color options presented I think gunmetal was by far the right choice. It kind of looks like a piece of vintage tech which, considering what this will be used for, is a very appropriate vibe. I wish more tech came in this color because it's as professional looking as black, but has a bit more character. Nobody is going to think you are a child playing with a toy when you're using this on the bus or during your lunch break. The PSP had an optional silver variant that could look gunmetal in the right light. Whenever I get around to reshelling my black 3K (all the paint on the back fell off - luckily it's matte black under the paint so it doesn't look bad as-is) I'm going to pick that Mystic Silver colorway. Why didn't I go with silver to begin with? Because black is also very nice and, more importantly, was the only color on the store shelf that I could walk out the door with, after paying of course.
I come at it from a different angle that I honestly don't really care what people think when they see me playing a device and that has no bearing in the colors I like :) but I can see how others might be self conscious or still have those thoughts.
@@JoeysRetroHandhelds I respect that. I hope that how I phrased that part of my comment wasn't offensive or came across as judgemental. Upon a re-read I can see how it could've been. If it was, I'm sorry. When I typed that bit about how other people won't think you're a kid playing with a toy; what I was picturing was using it in public, because that's the only reason I'd buy a 2S sized handheld in the year 2024, and a flashy color drawing unwanted attention from my local vocal culture warriors. Discretion being the better part of valor and all that. For what it's worth; the gunmetal really does look sleek to my eyes. I associate silver and silver adjacent colors with being premium when it's applied to electronics. I presume that's a holdover from being a kid during the CRT days when it seemed like the Sears and Wal-Mart electronics sections were sorted by color as much as price. The silver TV and stereo sets usually cost more than the black stuff on offer. So, I'd pick that gunmetal color even if there were no other outside influences besides my own biases.
Agreed with this, i usually go for black to draw less attention to myself when playing some games during my lunch break at work. As a father of 3 kids 5 and under, its often the only time available to me to play in the day. Want to still look semi professional. Pre ordered the 4 pro... in black.
Does NetherSX2 run ps2 games better or no? I have a huge PS1 and PS2 library but I don't wanna install their PAL ROM counterparts just to get them running.
I think the thing is that the heat sinks on the metal reach the metal and the wide area helps dissipate the heat. Plastic doesn't do a very good job of that at all and you might even end up with melted plastic spots where the heatsinks are.
I just have to chime in. Psp on this is awesome I use full screen on fighting games it looks good. I also play them on my psp but prefer this screen better for psp .. yeah I know some might think I'm crazy but I love my retroids I own. Even better than my odin pro
I have an Odin pro I bought a month ago. They announced the RP4 a day after my Odin arrived. I still decided to buy the RP4. Who knows, maybe I’ll sell the Odin. It is still really nice and comfortable, but I’m definitely a bit more excited for the RP4 than I was for the Odin.
Hey Joey, been loving your videos and just subscribed. Random question. Can I take my old Nintendo Switch branded micro SD card and use it on these retro devices? Or do I have to reformat it first on PC or on the retro handheld itself? I've ordered the RG405V.
Uh, really depends if it's Fat32 or exfat, if so, you could theoretically use them on these Android Handhelds but for anything that can do PS2 or switch, you want exfat.
@@suhtangwong Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I can't remember if I actually formatted it on my Switch or not, but if I did, how do I re-format it? Just via a PC program or can the RG405V just do it? Or is it now 'stuck' to only being used on the Switch? I can't find any info online about reformatting console micro sd cards.
its there any way that we can buy the "heatsinks" for the plastic version? or make something about for the heat? im thinking about make some mini holes in the case x.x dbz BT3 get very hot and lows the fps
It's cool but god-awful color. Gun Metal color really?? What about Platinum or Gold color for a metal edition??? Those might have a better shot. As for me, I'll save those 150 bucks and maybe put into getting the 4Pro. Already got the Odin 2 so not sure any of these will be worth my time or money.
They need to lower the price like they did with the plastic models. The metal version isn't any more capable than the plastic models and it's priced the same as the base RP4. And, most importantly, it's not even pink!
타인의 시선을 전혀 개의치 않는 사람도 있는가 하면, 게임기를 만지작거리면서도 여전히 점잖아 보이길 원하는 사람도 있는 것 같아. 두 부류를 모두 만족시킬 수 있도록, 적어도 두 종류의 색상이 나왔으면 정말 좋았겠다. (더할 나위 없는 '금속' 색상인 지금의 제품이 마음에 들긴 해) 나는 이 제품이 배송 오면 psp 에뮬레이터로 MHFU를 플레이하고 싶은데, 게임기 성능이 이를 가능하게 해줄지는 모르겠네..
You gotta be kidding right? Most people prefer the metal version, as they are somehow more premium. But static can damage metal devices and I just prefer the material of plastic over metal. Imo.
No need to get angry. Historically the plastic version outsells metal by quite a bit for any of these handhelds, so it's not an unpopular opinion to say most people prefer plastic.
Joey: look at all these beautiful colors! 😊
Subscribers: Gun Metal 🗿🗿🗿🗿
Ngl, the gunmetal is the best one imo I love the natural metal appearance over colors that chip off eventually.
I just want a 4 or 4.5inch RP2s, please give 🍻 still has the best retro design.
Agreed. Really enjoying my 2S as my first retro emulation handheld, but a 4.3-4.5", or even 5", 4:3 panel with an upgraded chip would be so sick...
Like something bigger than a RG405M / V(4"), ARC(4"), TrimUI Smart Pro(4.1"), or even KT-R1(4.2") at 4:3 from Retroid would be amazing.
I mean stuff like the Powkiddy X55, Ayaneo Pocket Air, and Switch Lite have 4.5" of 4:3 with their 16:9 displays. Odin 2 is 4.9" for 4:3.
@@Ap616 4” square aspect master race
in your shot of the 2 editions opened up, you can see some thermal pads on the metal case that look to line up with the 2 heat sinks. I am guessing the better thermals is because they are using the metal case as a giant heat sink as well. It would be interesting if you ran your heat load test for several hours if (a) the temps get higher and (b) does the case get warm enough to tell the difference.
I LOVE the metal RP2S but the fact u can get an rp4 base for the same price cant be ignored.
Yep, I think for most people that'll be the play. For me, 2S all the way.
But it's the form factor that people like. Everyone has different opinions.
The RP4 is widescreen, which is not ideal for retro consoles. I would pick 4:3 every single time. For me the top pick is the Anbernic RG353P because of its 640 x 480 124 Hz display, insane battery life and form factor. I have an Rog Ally and the 353P gets way more use. I am hoping for an updated RG353P with a better chip set and a higher resolution AMOLED 4:3 124 Hz display.
The RP2S is perfect if you just want to play all of the 4:3 retro consoles up to Dreamcast and don't care about PS2/GCN, which the base RP4 isn't really ideal for either. More power isn't necessary if you're not going to use it anyway.
I think I like the gunmetal best since you shouldn’t have to worry about the metal color coming off
Most people can't tell the difference between 'natural' metal and a metal coloured paint job, do we know for sure that it's actually an uncoated version that won't chip or scratch? Because Joey's right, the 'gun metal' (definitely not just, y'know, 'grey') is so blah. Personally, I'm legit sad Retroid won't be ripping me off an additional fifty quid for a green version :D.
Key Takeaways:
- The man wants color on his metals. 😂
- The 2S metal appears to run cooler than the plastic edition by about 20 degrees due to heat sink.
- The device price goes for about $149, high price tag considering the RP4 availability.
All in all thanks for pushing new videos while there’s a lack of new content from other content creators. (Probably out celebrating the Chinese holiday)
Thanks for the summary!
My first emulation handheld and it's this one! I'm excited!!
I'm surprised you'd think metal would be worse at handling and dissipating heat considering plastic straight up melts before metal would when heating is poorly done in any electronic device. Glad to see it's a well done metal version though, looks very sleek but wish they did more than one color. Probably gonna wait for it to drop in price before I ever pick it up.
thermodynamics is very tricky. since metal does conduct heat you'd think it would dissipate better. But thats not what you want heat to do.
you want heat to escape, not conduct into the shell of a unit. that means heat is "building up". The plastic's resistance to heat will allow the heat to escape out the vents (or ports) of the device.
In general, plastic performs much better because of this.
Also ambient air is not a great conductor of heat, typically you want a fan blowing cool air coming through. So yeah, the metal will store up the heat, but nothing is really allowing it to dissipate quickly. Also a metal shell will absorb sun and other outside heat influences. I suppose in the winter it might do well but overall no.
Looks good, those thermal pads are transferring the heat to the case, and using the case as a sync (pointless with plastic)
Pity the screen wasn't made 4.7" Inch aswell. I always feel the metal versions have that premium feel like you mentioned, problem is they always get released after you've just bought the plastic version 🙄
Agree, there seems to be room for increasing the screen even only using the wasted space of the bazels.
Maybe increasing the resolution would have been bit more tricky on sw and performance side, but a 5" 640x480 would have already been better (at least for the old guys like me 😂) and... Would've justified the price increase a little more
That wont happen with the metal version. The change would be very expensive and not worth it. Its just manufacturing one on one.
@@ks1ngh27 yeah I guess you're right
4” square aspect master race
Would be good for a future new 2s.
I bought my transparent green RP2s during the 11/11 sale and I don't have heat sinks where the metal one does
Thanks!
@@JoeysRetroHandhelds Do you think I could add my own? And would it help? My 2s gets pretty warm when emulating PS2. I use my Steam Deck for most PS2, but I love the portability of the 2s
A bit out of my knowledge range, I'm honestly not sure.
What was the price with shipping during the 11/11 sale?
50% from never been a good option for metal case upgrade.
$20 would make difference conversation.
Thansk for the video and also for the loooong complaint about the color, in some moments it appeared you were refraining yourself for being... Let's say... More direct 😂
And btw, completely agree, what were people thinking while answering the pool? This is by all means a toy, it needs to be funny and beautiful, not boring and "elegant" (if it even is, elegant...)
Hello my friend. I agree with you 100%. I really enjoy this in fact even though it doesn't have the power of the four Pro I think I might end up playing this more often. Love the videos and I'm inspired by you to do better on my own channel
Well said!
Excellent review. Will be waiting for an upgrade to this model. If they don't mess up the design and we get a larger gammet of PS2/GC then it would be a go for me.
Hoping that will replace my daily driver the RGB30 (but man I love that thing).
I enjoyed this review even though I have no real desire to buy a metal 2S. I love metal, but it's kind of in an odd place pricing-wise. I don't mind plastic at all so I'd probably step up to the base Pocket 4 for the same money and get a ton more performance.
Unpopular opinion, perhaps: Of the four color options presented I think gunmetal was by far the right choice. It kind of looks like a piece of vintage tech which, considering what this will be used for, is a very appropriate vibe. I wish more tech came in this color because it's as professional looking as black, but has a bit more character. Nobody is going to think you are a child playing with a toy when you're using this on the bus or during your lunch break.
The PSP had an optional silver variant that could look gunmetal in the right light. Whenever I get around to reshelling my black 3K (all the paint on the back fell off - luckily it's matte black under the paint so it doesn't look bad as-is) I'm going to pick that Mystic Silver colorway. Why didn't I go with silver to begin with? Because black is also very nice and, more importantly, was the only color on the store shelf that I could walk out the door with, after paying of course.
I come at it from a different angle that I honestly don't really care what people think when they see me playing a device and that has no bearing in the colors I like :) but I can see how others might be self conscious or still have those thoughts.
@@JoeysRetroHandhelds I respect that. I hope that how I phrased that part of my comment wasn't offensive or came across as judgemental. Upon a re-read I can see how it could've been. If it was, I'm sorry.
When I typed that bit about how other people won't think you're a kid playing with a toy; what I was picturing was using it in public, because that's the only reason I'd buy a 2S sized handheld in the year 2024, and a flashy color drawing unwanted attention from my local vocal culture warriors. Discretion being the better part of valor and all that.
For what it's worth; the gunmetal really does look sleek to my eyes. I associate silver and silver adjacent colors with being premium when it's applied to electronics. I presume that's a holdover from being a kid during the CRT days when it seemed like the Sears and Wal-Mart electronics sections were sorted by color as much as price. The silver TV and stereo sets usually cost more than the black stuff on offer. So, I'd pick that gunmetal color even if there were no other outside influences besides my own biases.
That makes more sense! Gunmetal is your jam :)
Agreed with this, i usually go for black to draw less attention to myself when playing some games during my lunch break at work. As a father of 3 kids 5 and under, its often the only time available to me to play in the day. Want to still look semi professional. Pre ordered the 4 pro... in black.
Ive been waiting to purchase another handheld but wouldn’t want to miss out on a better deal😅
The 2s is solid but the screen not being 4 inches really hurt it for me.
Great video joey!
Awesome video Joey, I really need to use my RP2S more, definitely not using it to its potential.
Don't worry, so do I!
I have clear green 2s and its most beutiful thing I own
The gun metal color is clearly the best, you trying to convince us or yourself otherwise? 😂
That thing looks sleek. Thanks for the breakdown. You're right, the blue metal one would have been cooler.
Right on
Blue metal plus colored buttons honestly.
Lucy gets it!
@@JoeysRetroHandhelds Always colored buttons, for the win.
The more time I spend on my RP2S, the more I love it ❤ a metal version? I would have loved a gold one 🥇
P.S.: NetherSX2 is hugely recommended!
Does NetherSX2 run ps2 games better or no? I have a huge PS1 and PS2 library but I don't wanna install their PAL ROM counterparts just to get them running.
@@lucykaede5863 I am noticing some slight performance improvements with NetherSX2
What, no injuries? That's as boring as the RP2s' color 😂. J/K glad no Joey's were hurt in this review.
It's a Christmas miracle!
I just got my 2S today Jan 31, and it doesn't have the added heat sinks
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks joey🎉
Keep the clear green front with the metal back. that MAY look cool.
Retroid, can you just add heat syncs to the plastic one?
I think the thing is that the heat sinks on the metal reach the metal and the wide area helps dissipate the heat. Plastic doesn't do a very good job of that at all and you might even end up with melted plastic spots where the heatsinks are.
I wonder if this guy likes the gunmetal color or not
I wish they added a black metal version.
I just have to chime in. Psp on this is awesome I use full screen on fighting games it looks good. I also play them on my psp but prefer this screen better for psp .. yeah I know some might think I'm crazy but I love my retroids I own. Even better than my odin pro
I have an Odin pro I bought a month ago. They announced the RP4 a day after my Odin arrived. I still decided to buy the RP4. Who knows, maybe I’ll sell the Odin. It is still really nice and comfortable, but I’m definitely a bit more excited for the RP4 than I was for the Odin.
I'm going to buy the retroid 4 soon as it lands on Amazon. Just in case there is a issue with it Amazon will replace fast.
Hey Joey, been loving your videos and just subscribed. Random question. Can I take my old Nintendo Switch branded micro SD card and use it on these retro devices? Or do I have to reformat it first on PC or on the retro handheld itself? I've ordered the RG405V.
Uh, really depends if it's Fat32 or exfat, if so, you could theoretically use them on these Android Handhelds but for anything that can do PS2 or switch, you want exfat.
It's best to reformat and start from there.
@@suhtangwong Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I can't remember if I actually formatted it on my Switch or not, but if I did, how do I re-format it? Just via a PC program or can the RG405V just do it? Or is it now 'stuck' to only being used on the Switch? I can't find any info online about reformatting console micro sd cards.
Hey, just check my recent RP4 Setup Guide. I show how to format it in the first few minutes :)
@@JoeysRetroHandhelds Thanks!
Who the frig actually prefers the silver metal to the other colors?
its there any way that we can buy the "heatsinks" for the plastic version? or make something about for the heat? im thinking about make some mini holes in the case x.x dbz BT3 get very hot and lows the fps
Turns out they're not heatsinks, but actually gaskets that transfer heat to the metal shell.
I do not know if they're available to purchase.
Just checking: Does the regular 2S get heat if you stick with Dreamcast and PSP but don't go higher than that?
I want to buy one, even though I have a 4 pro on the way. A metal 2s and 4pro set would be AWESOME
Hey Joey gunmetal I know you like it. Thank me later 😊. Great video as always.
Are your buttons scratched on your gunmetal? I noticed the walls of my buttons are scratched and same goes for my bumpers from the front.
Mine sadly seemed to develop 2 stuck pixels :(
Do you think we can do a heatsink mod for the plastic rp2s like this?
Gunmetal looks amazing. Color is weird. Just like the clear plastic look
Metal would disperse heat better than plastic.
You have to do the scratch test like what Russ from Retro Game Corp does.
I'd rather not, I bought this with my own money, it's not a review unit.
I wonder if they will make a metal RP4/4P
More than likely.
dang. silver was easily the worst choice. just make them all.
what is that small device on the table next to the miyoo mini?
It's this cool dude - amzn.to/47OYUNl
It's cool but god-awful color. Gun Metal color really?? What about Platinum or Gold color for a metal edition??? Those might have a better shot. As for me, I'll save those 150 bucks and maybe put into getting the 4Pro. Already got the Odin 2 so not sure any of these will be worth my time or money.
What's the measured weight of each of them?
Watch the video :)
I want a 4 pro metal
They need to lower the price like they did with the plastic models. The metal version isn't any more capable than the plastic models and it's priced the same as the base RP4.
And, most importantly, it's not even pink!
Ultimate rg405m killer
4min in and we are still at „I don’t like the color“…
타인의 시선을 전혀 개의치 않는 사람도 있는가 하면, 게임기를 만지작거리면서도 여전히 점잖아 보이길 원하는 사람도 있는 것 같아.
두 부류를 모두 만족시킬 수 있도록, 적어도 두 종류의 색상이 나왔으면 정말 좋았겠다. (더할 나위 없는 '금속' 색상인 지금의 제품이 마음에 들긴 해)
나는 이 제품이 배송 오면 psp 에뮬레이터로 MHFU를 플레이하고 싶은데, 게임기 성능이 이를 가능하게 해줄지는 모르겠네..
You gotta be kidding right? Most people prefer the metal version, as they are somehow more premium. But static can damage metal devices and I just prefer the material of plastic over metal. Imo.
No need to get angry. Historically the plastic version outsells metal by quite a bit for any of these handhelds, so it's not an unpopular opinion to say most people prefer plastic.
Static can damage metal devices? Eh?
Nobody wants a device that looks like a kids toy. They want something more professional looking for Adults.
As an adult, other people's concerns about the color of the device I play Pokemon on is the furthest from my mind.