Retro Joy Lab 레트로 즐거움의 활력소

[태그:] Tech Review

  • Choosing a Retro Handheld Based on Your Stage of Fatherhood

    Hello, this is Super Asurada 77.

    Usually, people choose retro game consoles based on price and performance specs. While that works for the younger crowd, for a family man balancing work and childcare, the criteria change completely. It’s not about the fastest processor—it’s about how much “Dad Time” you actually have.

    Here are my recommendations for the best handhelds tailored to your specific stage of parenting.

    1. The “New Dad” Stage (Toddler / 1-2 Years Old) Recommendation: Anbernic RG35XX SP

    If you are a dad in your early 30s with a toddler, the RG35XX SP is your best friend.

    Let’s be honest—you can’t just sit on the couch and game openly anymore. You need something for those short, stealthy sessions while the baby is finally napping. This device is compact, foldable, and perfect for sneaking in quick gaming breaks without getting caught. It’s the compact economy car of handhelds—small, efficient, and gets the job done.

    2. The “Elementary School” Stage (Mid-30s, Lower Grades) Recommendation: Anbernic RG Cube

    For this stage, I recommend the RG CUBE.

    Think of this as the reliable sedan (like a Honda Civic or Hyundai Elantra) of the handheld world—a perfect balance of design, performance, and price. You’ve finally graduated from all-day diaper duty, but you aren’t completely free yet. This device fits that “in-between” phase perfectly, offering a great experience for the pockets of free time you’re starting to get back.

    3. The “Upper Elementary” Stage (Mid-30s, Higher Grades) Recommendation: Retroid Pocket 5

    At this point, you need the Retroid Pocket 5. It offers stable performance, much like a solid mid-size sedan (think Sonata or Camry).

    Parenting is getting a little easier, and you’re starting to see glimpses of “me time” again. This console is perfect for blowing off steam and enjoying some PlayStation 2 games comfortably. It’s a reliable daily driver that won’t let you down.

    4. The “Middle/High School” Stage (Early 40s) Recommendation: RG477M

    Time flew by so fast you can barely remember the sleepless nights, right? Consider this device a reward for your survival.

    The RG477M feels like a premium full-size sedan—think Hyundai Grandeur (Azera) or a Lexus. It has a luxurious metal build and a heavy, quality feel. It plays PS2 games at 3x resolution without breaking a sweat, and that 4.7-inch 4:3 screen is absolutely optimized for retro gaming. You’ve earned this upgrade.

    5. The “Veteran Dad” Stage (Late 40s) Recommendation: AYN Odin 2

    Now we are talking about high performance. The Odin 2 is the Genesis G80 of handhelds—pure luxury and power.

    It handles high-end games with plenty of headroom. If you want a zero-compromise experience that reflects your status as a veteran dad, this is the one.

    6. The Ultimate Setup Recommendation: AYN Odin 2 Portal

    If the Odin 2 is a luxury sedan, the Odin 2 Portal is the high-end luxury SUV (like the GV80).

    By this age, you’ve become immune to your wife’s side-eye. She’s used to your hobbies now. You’ve earned the right to sprawl out on the living room sofa, comfortable and unbothered, enjoying your games on a top-tier device.

    So, which stage of fatherhood are you in, and which console fits your life right now?

    Original article in Korean: [link]

  • Is the Retroid Pocket 5 the King of Android Handhelds?

    Hey everyone, it’s SuperAsurada77.

    Today, let’s talk about the Retroid Pocket 5, currently available from Retroid.

    This is an Android-based gaming handheld. Usually, when you game on a standard smartphone, heat buildup leads to thermal throttling, causing frame rate drops and lag. However, the Retroid Pocket 5 features an active cooling fan on the back. Even when things heat up, the fan keeps the device cool, meaning you’ll experience almost zero throttling.

    It’s an Android device truly optimized for gaming, running on Android 13 out of the box.

    Connectivity: Looking at the bottom, there’s a slot for a Micro SD card. It supports both a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C audio, so you have plenty of options for sound.

    Controls: The L2 and R2 triggers are analog, allowing for precise pressure control—a huge plus for racing games.

    However, since the analog stick is positioned quite close to the D-pad, there is a little bit of thumb interference when playing action games, though it’s not a dealbreaker.

    Cooling & Ergonomics: You can actually see the fan through the back panel. It stays quiet most of the time, but once you fire up heavy 3D games, the smart fan kicks in to dissipate the heat.

    The grips are ergonomically designed and feel decent in the hand, though I wouldn’t say they are the most comfortable I’ve ever used.

    Specs & Weight: Weighing in at 282g (under the 300g mark), it has the perfect heft for portability.

    The processor is a Snapdragon 865—the same chip found in the Samsung Galaxy S20. This means it can handle PS2 games at 2x resolution without breaking a sweat.

    Performance Test: Nightshade (Kunoichi) First up is the PS2 classic, Nightshade (known as Kunoichi in Asia). This title stuttered a bit on the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, but on the Pocket 5, it runs flawlessly at 2x resolution. I set the graphics backend to Vulkan for this one.

    Performance Test: Onimusha 2 Onimusha 2 also runs great at 2x resolution. However, a quick tip: if you use OpenGL, the character models might turn invisible. Make sure to select Vulkan to fix this glitch.

    Performance Test: Soulcalibur II Soulcalibur II had some minor stuttering on the RP4 Pro at 2x resolution, but here on the Pocket 5? It’s buttery smooth.

    Performance Test: Soulcalibur III Soulcalibur III also runs perfectly at 2x resolution.

    Performance Test: Tekken 5 Tekken 5 handles 2x resolution with no issues.

    Performance Test: Virtua Fighter 4 Virtua Fighter 4 is solid at 2x resolution.

    Performance Test: WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain WWE Here Comes the Pain also runs great at 2x resolution.

    Screen, Battery & Verdict: Needless to say, PSP games run effortlessly—even God of War runs well at 4x resolution.

    The bezels are thin, and since it’s an OLED panel, the true blacks are incredible. When playing 4:3 content, the letterboxing blends perfectly with the bezels, creating the illusion that you’re playing on a native 4:3 device.

    Since it’s Android, you can install Netflix and YouTube. You can also listen to music via Bluetooth headphones while gaming. It’s the size of a standard phone, making it the perfect companion for your subway or bus commute.

    Important Charging Warning: Unlike budget retro handhelds where high-voltage chargers can fry the motherboard, the Retroid Pocket 5 actually requires a charger that supports 9V or higher (PD charging) for fast and stable charging. If you try to use an old 5.1V charger, you risk overheating the charger itself.

    Battery Life: The efficiency is impressive. I played Super Robot Wars Impact (PS2) for about an hour and a half, and it only drained about 10% battery. Also, while the RP4 Pro used to get warm, the RP5 stays incredibly cool. I really love this aspect of the device.

    Conclusion: All things considered, the Retroid Pocket 5 is the best retro handheld I’ve played so far. The only downside? The price. It’s a bit steep (over $200 USD).

    I’m already looking forward to Retroid’s next product. Please, Retroid, give us a 4-inch+ device with a native 4:3 screen next time!

    Note on Setup: Keep in mind that Android handhelds don’t come with emulators pre-installed. There is a stock launcher, but I barely use it.

    https://blog.naver.com/superasrada77/223371973989

    Outro: Please refer to my other blog posts for guides on setting up RetroArch and other frontends to get your library organized.

    Happy retro gaming, everyone!

    Original article in Korean: [link]