¶ Retroid Pocket 2+
The Retroid Pocket 2+ is a portable games console that runs Android 9. This is succeeded by the Retroid 3, but I don't own one of those so you won't see a page for that.
¶ Specs
- 640×480 resolution, 70mm by 52mm
- 32GB EMMC (system reportedly takes 7.1 GB)
- Left analog stick, right slider stick (think PSP)
- No push button functionality of analog sticks
- 4-way D-Pad, 4 face buttons
- Physical home, select, start buttons at front
- L + R, ZL + ZR shoulder buttons
- Android 9
- TF card (microSD) slot
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Mini HDMI
- USB-C (no fast charging)
¶ Ergonomics
I wouldn't call my hands particularly large or small—they handle a standard computer keyboard fine. To me, the console feels on the smaller size, which is great because it fits in the pocket easily. It's not so great in that extended play does cause some soreness in the fingers.
My right thumb on the face buttons has to rest its lower segment on the right slider stick, which isn't comfortable.
I do get some sticking on L1 + R1 shoulder buttons, which isn't ideal.
¶ Software
¶ Retroarch
I mainly use Retroarch as the main front end to play games.
Not having L3/R3 means that the shortcut for quick menu you're limited to L2+R2.
Some shaders work, but others are too taxing for the system so you may experience lower framerates than expected (this is bad of course).
bsnes has trouble picking up the controller again coming out of sleep when you hit the power button/home button, so now I'm using mesen. It might be my setup though (I have run-ahead and automatic delay on). My inputs sometimes get eaten.
mGBA's core has an option to adjust palettes which tones down the colours for a backlit panel.
ScummVM works, but unsets the option for Audio voice and subtitles each run so it's a little frustrating.
¶ OpenTyrian
Rebinding physical keys doesn't work. It plays fine otherwise, but my technique suffers for it.
¶ OpenTTD
It really wasn't made for 640 by 480 or physical keys, but the touchscreen controls work fine.
¶ Papers, Please
Definitely wasn't made for this screen. I wouldn't play it on this device.