Retroid Pocket 3 game handheld manufacturer GoRetroid has a high influence in the handheld game market with its reliable products and very competitive prices.
In September 2022, after months of Goretroid development and promotion, the Retroid Pocket 3 is finally released. The price of the basic version is 119$, and the price of the higher RAM version rises to 129$. It has a good performance at this price, which is surprising.
The Retroid Pocket 3 uses Android instead of the operating systems commonly found on other gaming consoles, such as RetroPie or Linux-based systems. That keeps the Retroid Pocket 3 ahead, as the Android interface is familiar to smartphone users and new handheld gamers alike. Instead of having to flip through step-by-step guides or watch detailed YouTube tutorials, most users will have a smoother experience within a familiar system when loading and managing games.
Alternatively, GoRetroid recently launched the Retroid Pocket 3+, which costs a little more. However, the Retroid Pocket 3 is also well worth a look.
Specifications
The Retroid Pocket 3 features Imagination's PowerVR GE8300 GPU, a high-performance graphics processor ideal for entry-level devices.
The detailed parameters of Retroid 3 are as follows:
SoC: Zhanrui Huben T310
GPU：Imagination PowerVR GE8300
Memory: 2GB and 3GB optional
Storage: 32GB (expandable SD card)
Display: 4.7-inch high-definition HD touch screen, screen ratio 16:9
Battery: 4000mAh
Connectivity: 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
System: Android-based GoRetroid game launcher and front-end interface
Released in 2019, the PowerVR GE8300 is ideal for many cost-sensitive mobile consumer devices, achieving a good balance of power, performance, and area. So it's no surprise that it's still used in many SoCs today, such as the PowerVR GE8300 in Amazon's Fire Stick 4K TV stick. Inside the Zhanrui Huben T310 SoC produced using the 12nm process, the GE8300 runs at a frequency of 800MHz, which balances performance and power consumption. (If you're looking for the latest GPU solution, check out the IMG BXE-4-32 MC1 GPU.)
IMG BXE-4-32 MC1 GPU
https://www.imaginationtech.com/product/img-bxe-4-32-mc1/
Bluetooth 5.0 can support Bluetooth headsets and game controllers. You can connect the game console to the TV through the micro-HDMI interface, increase the game display resolution to 720p, and experience the game more easily while lying on the sofa. In addition to the 3.5mm headphone jack, there is a USB-C port that can be used for charging or connecting it to a laptop or PC.
Considering that the handheld is powered by Android, it makes sense to use a touchscreen. I used to use an Android handheld that didn't have a touchscreen, and it was a pain. The 4000mAh battery can last up to 5-6 hours, but it depends on what kind of games you play, because high-quality games will consume more power, and are also affected by factors such as screen brightness.
appearance design
The design of the Retroid Pocket 3 is easily compared to the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is like Nintendo's little brother. The overall design is clean, stylish and comfortable. GoRetroid keeps it simple, which is great. Many handheld systems use extra buttons and unique designs, which of course sometimes work.
The Retroid Pocket 3's screen is fantastic. At maximum brightness (which drains the battery), the small screen is more saturated and sharp than the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite. While not as vibrantly colored as the Nintendo Switch OLED model, the Retroid Pocket 3 still outshines the other two, and any other handheld at this price.
The button layout is basically good too, following the same structure that many gaming systems have adopted over the years. The analog sticks feel great, as do the side buttons. Inside the GoRetroid box, you'll find the extra replace button. It's a matter of personal preference, whether you like more rubbery buttons or buttons with a more "clicky" feel. My only gripe with the buttons is the placement of the start and select buttons, which are on the top of the handheld. While this isn't a drawback, it might take a little getting used to, especially if you regularly play games that require you to press these buttons.
For me, the only regret about the design and appearance of the Retroid Pocket 3 is that there is no LED indicator to remind it to power on or off. As a device for everyday use, when it is locked, the screen (according to user settings) does not indicate whether the device is on or off. It would be better if there were LED indicators to remind the device whether it is on, off, low battery or charging. Many of my previous handheld devices had this feature, so I'm used to it, and of course if you're not used to it, it wouldn't occur to you.
set up
When GoRetroid developed Retroid Pocket 3, ease of use was its primary consideration. When you start running the system, you'll see a list of several emulators that are ready for immediate download. Once you have the ROM and installed it, you can start the game directly.
There are two ways to use Retroid Pocket 3. You can use GoRetroid's own Retroid Launcher as the front-end interface, which can classify and organize games and ROMs. Its layout is very clean and resembles the Nintendo Switch home screen, with sections above that you can navigate via the touchscreen or a controller. When a game is selected, such as the Game Boy Color, the partition opens and gives you a list of available ROMs. Just select to start the game.
Retroid Pocket 3 comes in a variety of colors and has a built-in Retroid Launcher
Of course, you can also think of the Retroid Pocket as an Android machine. Retroid Launcher is essentially just another app on your device that can be treated like an app. This means that the entire device can function like any other Android device, with a customizable home screen, your own apps and widgets, arranged according to your needs (within the limits of Android, of course). Importantly, being an Android device, it can download almost any app from the Google Play Store and take full advantage of the Retroid Pocket 3's controls. For example, you can download Genshin Impact and use the buttons to control the game (although on a low setting, because the game is too performance-hungry!).
If you've got your ROM ready and the right emulator downloaded, Retroid Launcher can help you with very little effort to set it up. However, there are a few areas that can be a bit confusing for some newbies.
Since this is an Android device, many of the apps you use will naturally be read as Android programs; most or all emulators will be loaded with on-screen buttons (just like on a smartphone). With many emulators, you can simply use any button on the Retroid Pocket 3 and the screen overlay disappears, but some require you to make changes in the navigation menu. Settings and changes should be saved on most apps, which is a one-time occurrence, but those in-app settings aren't always the easiest to use.
For those who want to personalize their experience, you can dig a little deeper into the settings of these emulator apps and experiment with settings like acceleration (or select switches), adding filters to make video games look like they used to That, like CRT effects or adding a greenish tint to the original Game Boy games, or even tweaking the aspect ratio to get it just right. These can all be modified as long as you take the time to find where they are in the settings. If you're new, my suggestion is to watch a guide or two, as one wrong change can ruin your experience.
As a Retroid Pocket 3 owner, you need to be aware of the way your device catalogs, many apps and emulators will not automatically locate your ROM resources. You need to know where and how to get them. This can be done in two easy ways. One is to save all ROMs to an SD card and insert it into the device. This way, you can choose external storage. Alternatively, if you don't use external storage, you can connect the Retroid Pocket 3 to a PC or laptop and create a folder or clear path to save the ROM to. That way, whenever a prompt comes up, you know where to look. This is not common compared to other handheld systems, which in my experience have done a better job of doing this, usually automatically, but they don't have the convenience of Android.
Overall, if you just want to play games and nothing else, the overall setup is pretty simple, especially compared to its competitors, which often require additional software downloads or detailed steps, even if not for Android or smartphones Familiar people can quickly get started and start the game.
performance
For its price, Retroid Pocket 3 is an ideal choice for handheld gamers, its performance far exceeds its price, it can run stably and smoothly to PSP games, including but not limited to: NES, SNES, Game Boy , Game Boy Color, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation, PSP, Sega Master System, Game Gear, Sega Saturn, and most Dreamcast games.
In addition, as mentioned earlier, the quality of the screen is also very good, which makes many classic games look more exciting than before. If you want to play with the settings, you can also upgrade some games to a higher level, and the high-definition screen will give you a more immersive gaming experience.
Games other than those listed above are not worth trying. For example, you can get games for the GameCube and PlayStation 2, but they run so slow that they're barely playable, and it's not worth the trouble of tweaking the settings to an acceptable level.
Crazy Taxi from Sega Dreamcast runs on Retroid Pocket 3, take a nostalgia trip
It's worth mentioning that despite the great screen, the in-game text can sometimes be difficult to read, especially when you're opening games that aren't dedicated to consoles, which requires connecting a bluetooth controller to the TV!
In addition, on this Android device, you also have access to a large number of cloud games, and they perform very well. As long as you have at least one working cloud gaming account, you can easily get high-spec games, which look and work well, but you need to ensure a strong network connection.
Usually when buying a handheld gaming system you should know what it can and cannot play, and for the price of the Retroid Pocket 3 you get a very powerful system with a significant advantage over similarly priced competitors that you can experience A variety of Android games, coupled with a great screen display, is still very satisfying.
at last
The Retroid Pocket 3 is one of the best handheld game consoles out there, and at $119-$129, it's worth checking out.
While it's larger than the competition, it has the best screen and performance is class-leading at this price point, and the size part is understandable. Because it's a bit larger than the competition, it offers comfortable holding for adults and kids alike, and it's available in a variety of colors so you can pick your favorite to make a statement, or choose to emulate the original The "retro" design look of the Game Boy.
For me it's worth tweaking the settings to get the most out of your console and performance, and also buying an SD card to store the ROMs as you'll want to try out all the games.
Original link: https://blog.imaginationtech.com/review-retroid-pocket-3
Disclaimer: This article is an original article, and the author, source and original link must be indicated when reprinting.
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