Back in my middle and high school days, my friends always had the high-end gear: the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo (SNES), TurboDuo, and the Neo Geo.
At my house, we had the trusty 8-bit NES. It was a powerful machine in its own right, but I couldn’t help but feel envious of my friends.
I remember the visual shock of seeing the protagonist transform into a wolf in Altered Beast on the TurboGrafx-16. I was floored by the fact that you could play Fatal Fury 2 and Art of Fighting 2 right in your living room with the Neo Geo. I gasped in awe at the intensity of Goku’s special moves in Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden on the SNES. And the flashy animations on the TurboDuo? They blew my mind—I couldn’t tell if I was watching an anime or playing a game. It was pure chaos in the best way possible.
I used to save up my allowance to buy gaming magazines, playing the games in my imagination just by staring at the screenshots. Sadly, all those magazines I collected vanished somewhere along the way—lost while I was away for military service. But they remain precious memories to me.
I remember making a vow to myself while playing Art of Fighting 2 at the arcade. “Just wait! When I grow up and make my own money, I’m going to buy every single 16-bit console and arcade game out there.” That was my wish.
Time flew by like an arrow. We shifted from the analog age to the digital era. I went from a student to a middle-aged man. I’ve built a family, I’m raising kids, and I’m busy living in the present. But sometimes, the nostalgia hits, and memories of those games suddenly come rushing back.
And then, I remembered that old wish.
Wait… realized that my wish actually did come true! Haha.
Whether it’s during my commute or lying in bed after tucking the kids in, this handheld retro game console in my hands is exactly what I wished for.
Inside this tiny portable device lives every console my friends had and all those games I wanted. I can pull it out and play whenever I want! My dream really became reality.
I guess I should thank my younger self for making that wish.
Retroid has released both the Retroid Pocket 5 and its smaller sibling, the Pocket 5 Mini. However, many users complained about the smaller screen size.
Then, quite suddenly, Retroid dropped the V2 version — and it’s now officially available on their website. I managed to get my hands on one and gave it a proper test.
One of the biggest strengths of the Pocket 5 Mini is its light weight.
The regular Pocket 5 weighs about 282 g, but the Mini tips the scale at only 233 g — incredibly light. Among all handhelds in the 200-gram class, this one easily leads in performance.
It uses the same Snapdragon 865 chipset as the Pocket 5 — the very same chip found in the Galaxy S20 Plus.
Unlike smartphones that can throttle performance due to heat (since they lack a fan), the Pocket 5 Mini includes active cooling, keeping frame drops under control even during demanding games.
Performance: Even at 3× internal resolution, PS2 games run smoothly without lag.
Kunoichi — a game that usually stutters on many handhelds — runs beautifully on this device.
Onimusha 2 also plays effortlessly.
Tekken 5 runs perfectly fine too.
Even Super Robot Wars Impact performs like a charm.
However…
When you open the map view, things get tough for us 40- or 50-something gamers with aging eyes.
It’s really hard to tell the units apart! On the 2D tactical map, you can only distinguish red and blue units — but identifying the individual mechs is nearly impossible, even with the upgraded 3.9-inch display.
On PSP, the screen appears slightly cropped at the top and bottom — so everything looks smaller.
If you adjust the display scaling in the PSP emulator, it becomes much more comfortable to watch.
At 1:1 aspect ratio, it feels crisp and clear —
But returning to the original ratio makes it tiny again. Oh, my eyes… if only I could get my youth back!
Nintendo DS requires some tweaking too — the left and right edges may get cut off depending on the layout.
Still, NDS games run extremely well.
If the Pocket 5 Mini V2 handles Tekken 5 smoothly, then Tekken 3 (PS1) is absolute perfection. Even when you crank up all the graphical enhancements in the core settings, it doesn’t break a sweat.
Famicom (NES) originally had an 8:7 pixel aspect ratio, but on CRT TVs it was stretched to 4:3. With the emulator set to 8:7, you get a much more natural and satisfying view.
Super Famicom (SNES) uses a similar ratio — set it to 8:7 and it looks fantastic on the V2 screen. This is one of the biggest visual advantages of the new version.
Game Boy titles, with their nearly 1:1 aspect ratio, look perfect on the V2 display.
Neo Geo Pocket games also match beautifully with this screen.
And Game Boy Color runs wonderfully as well. You can enjoy most portable console titles in their original aspect ratios, almost identical to the feel of real hardware.
Surprisingly, even Game Boy Advance titles look good — though you’ll notice thin letterbox bars on top and bottom, the image fits the V2 display naturally.
I also compared PS2 gameplay between the Pocket 5 and Pocket 5 Mini V2. The difference? Practically none in performance. However, those tiny map screens will definitely test your eyesight!
When it comes to Super Famicom games, the V2’s native 8:7 ratio really shines. Despite the smaller screen, it doesn’t feel cramped compared to the Pocket 5.
Same goes for Famicom titles.
NDS games are surprisingly enjoyable too.
Interestingly, GBA graphics even appear sharper on the Mini V2 — whereas on the Pocket 5 you can clearly see the pixel grid.
When it comes to Game Boy, the Pocket 5 Mini V2 wins hands down.
If you enjoy long sessions — say, a full hour of Super Robot Wars — you’ll appreciate the comfort and lightness.
For comparison: playing the same game on the Odin 2 while lying down can make your wrist ache after an hour. The Mini V2, however, feels feather-light.
Verdict
If you value portability and want to enjoy classic consoles like the Famicom and Super Famicom in their authentic screen ratios, the Retroid Pocket 5 Mini V2 is highly recommended.
It’s also a great choice for those who want smooth PS2 performance in a compact form.
However, if your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, you might be happier sticking with the Pocket 5 instead — the larger display makes a real difference.
A Few Notes
Bluetooth audio can disconnect occasionally in the subway — more often than on the Pocket 5 — but it only happens in weak-signal areas.
Charging: Supports fast charging. Don’t use a 5 V 1 A charger — it may overload and overheat. Always use 5 V 2 A or 9 V chargers for safety.
Enjoy your retro gaming life! 🎮 — Super Asurada 77
