In relation to handheld gaming, you might drown within the variety of choices to select from. One of the simplest ways to slim issues down is to think about what you’re searching for out of a handheld. Would you like one thing palm-sized that may simply slip right into a entrance pocket? Or are you cool with one thing bigger that may be tossed in a bag, whereas nonetheless being viable for every day use? It’s honest to say that the ROG Ally, for instance, is just not precisely one thing you need to lug round continually, however its uncooked energy makes up for these drawbacks.
However what for those who’re searching for one thing that may act as a jack-of-all-trades, able to operating a large swath of video games with out the large footprint of a Steam Deck-like? Among the best choices on that entrance is the Retroid Pocket 5, however even that critically-acclaimed gadget has some drawbacks. The all-glass entrance implies that you really want a cumbersome case to maintain the gadget secure in a bag, and its ergonomic design makes long-form dual-analog gaming fairly awkward. Properly, Retroid is again and appears to have tackled a few of these points with the Retroid Flip 2.
The Retroid Flip 2’s internals, display screen, and buttons are similar to the much-loved Pocket 5. But it surely’s the externals which have gotten essentially the most consideration. It’s, in spite of everything, a clamshell. The design clearly hearkens again to the Nintendo DS, and like that gadget, there’s no actual want for a separate protecting case for the Flip 2. In my two weeks of testing, I’ve tossed this factor in my bag with nary a priority that the display screen would get tousled. It’s nice for peace of thoughts, whereas additionally guaranteeing that I don’t want to hold round a ton of bulk.
The clamshell design gives one other profit. As a result of the complete decrease half of the gadget is devoted to housing the Flip 2’s buttons and sticks, there’s far more room to make every part extra ergonomically reachable than on the Pocket 5. Most smaller handhelds normally excel at both analog or D-pad gaming, however the Flip 2 is the primary smaller gadget I’ve used the place I’m capable of simply bounce backwards and forwards between the analog sticks and D-pad in the midst of a sport. The off-set controls are an enormous aid in comparison with the almost-vertically stacked controls of the Retroid 5.
That mentioned, there are drawbacks to the clamshell design that stop it from being extra comfy than, say, a Steam Deck or a conventional controller. As a result of the gadget wants to really shut on itself, the analog sticks have to be recessed in little divots, which make them really feel rather less exact. Regardless of the divot, they’ve the identical vary of movement of a typical, raised analog stick, however there does appear to be a slight drop in accuracy. If you happen to’re not frightened about aggressive play with this gadget, although, you shouldn’t have an excessive amount of hassle right here.
The opposite ergonomic situation you might run into is that the Flip 2 is, just like the DS, largely flat on its again, which is solely not as comfy to carry as one thing that molds a bit extra to your fingers. I bumped into comparable points the primary time I picked up a Nintendo Change 2, for instance. However in comparison with the hand-cramping I skilled attempting to get analog gaming to work on the Retroid Pocket 5, I discovered the Flip 2 to be much more comfy.
I additionally in all probability received’t know for fairly a while whether or not the hinge on the Flip 2 is able to withstanding a whole lot, if not 1000’s, of opens and closes. The hinge on the Nintendo DS ultimately acquired a telltale wobble when the consistency of its plastic began to put on down. Retroid does have expertise with clamshells, and reworked the unique Retroid Flip after severe sturdiness points, so I’m hopeful that the Flip 2 will final a number of years on the very least.
Sadly, a number of years is likely to be how lengthy I’ll have to attend earlier than I check one other handheld made in China, the place Donald Trump’s tariff insurance policies have made this gadget absurdly costly for these dwelling within the U.S.. However for everybody else, you’ll be happy to know that the clamshell heyday is again in a giant approach.