This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/sbcgaming by /u/Parking_Entrance_793 on 2024-07-21 18:50:48+00:00.

I will update this post from time to time as prices change.

As of July 2024

Prices refer to Aliexpress stores before promotions and discounts.If you want to buy locally, expect the price to be 50-100% higher, but you will also receive warranty and service.

When purchasing devices on Aliexpress, you must assume that:

a) Delivery time will be 6 to 20 days

b) a microSD card, if included, will only be suitable for trash (plan the purchase of a card in your budget)

c) stay away from stores whose name is “Shop (string of numbers)”

d) Buy in stores with opinions and comments in which the purchased item is shown.

e) The warranty for the device from Aliexpress is fiction, unless “the shipment did not arrive or the device is broken on the day of receipt”. 14 days or confirmation of receipt on aliexpress is the END of your warranty.

f) Look for devices that have Custom Firmware (CFW), i.e. devices that improve the community because the factory firmware is usually terrible.

Price $30

At this price, there is already a device with reasonable power.We can get a device that correctly emulates consoles up to and including PSX and partially up to 50% of the library) N64, Dreamcast and PSP.

I would expect a system with 4 small cores, a 640x480 2.8-3.5 inch screen.At least 512MB RAM and community support in the form of CFW.

Currently, the two most popular devices are:

• R36s (based on SOC RK3326)
• Miyoo A30 (new console based on the A33 chip)

Price $50

This is where devices come in that emulate PSX at full speed and run over 50% of games from consoles such as N64/Dreamcast/PSP.

Currently the most popular are:

• Anbernic RG35XX family in versions “2024,Plus,H,SP” based on SOC H700 (3.5 inches 640x480)
• Trimui Smart Pro console with a 5-inch screen, 16:9 format, 720p resolution with A133+ processor)
• Powkiddy RGB20S (RK3266) 3.5 inch 640x480

For observation, I do not recommend it for USD 50 because it is too expensive or lacks a good CFW (as in M18)

• Powkiddy v10 (RK3266) 3.5 inch 480x320 screen (new I would expect it in the $30 class)
• M18 / R43Pro (RK3566) - no good CFW yet - may be the cheapest RK3566 (we are waiting for today)
• XU10 (RK3266S) - better made than R36s, another RGB20 clone but USD 50 is too much)
• Miyoo Mini Plus - not today, weak CPU despite great CFW is no longer enough (maybe for $30 when it drops, currently riding on reviews)

Price 75 USD

Currently, in this price class we will get similar performance to the $50 class, but usually better made or made of better materials, sometimes a larger screen or with a better resolution, we can also get a slightly better chip, e.g. RK3566

Example devices are here:

• Powkiddy RGB10 MAX3 based on SOC RK3566 with 720p screen in 16:9 format
• Powkiddy RGB20SX or older RGB30 based on SOC  RK3566  with 720x720pix screen
• Anbernic RG40XX-H based on the H700 SOC like the RG35XX family but with a larger screen.

For observation

• Powkiddy X55  RK3566 720p 16:9 screen, but 90USD is too much, 75USD will be good.
• Anbernic Arc RK3566 (currently from 80USD device with Android and Linux but no analog sticks)

Price USD 100-200USD

In this class, I would expect an Android-based device with 4GB RAM and a 1080p screen capable of running PS2 and GameCube games.

In the lower range, older 1-2 year old models with Unisoc T610/T618 processors, in the upper range I would expect Unisoc T820 or Mediatek G99.

Lower price USD 100-150

• Anbernic RG505/RG405 with T618 chip, has CFW in the form of GammaOS
• Retroid Pocket 2s with Unisoc T610 chip, 4:3 640x480 screen

Higher price around USD 200

• Anbernic RG556 with Unisoc T820 chip, 5.5-inch screen 16:9 1080p
• Anbernic Cube with Unisoc T820 chip, 1:1 screen, 720p
• Retroid Pocket 4 Pro with Mediatek D1100 chip, 4.7-inch screen, 750p 16:9

for observation

• Ayaneo Pocket micro with the Mediatek G99 system (premiere ahead)
• ZPG A1 Unicorn with Mediatek G99 chip (we are waiting for reviews and opinions)

Price class 300USD…    SteamDeck is King

It is also worth considering purchasing factory consoles for USD 100-150 (PLN 500-600) with hardware compatibility, PS Vita will easily support games for PS Vita, PSP and PSX and lower, Nintendo 3DS will support GBA and NDS in hardware. Nintendo Lite is also a strong enough console for Nintendo consoles including the N64 or PSP.