Oh, refreshing honesty. Thank you for not just making another Anbernic commercial like 98% of the other reviewers out there. I just got my xxsp yesterday and haven't had much time with it. What I can say so far though is what it lacks in non-clickiness, it makes up for in hot nostalgia. Excellent video. Subscribed!
Thanks, glad you liked it! I want to believe that most of the really positive reviews are from people who are just overexcited about it, so I'm going with that for now.
A refreshing review. And just in time too. I recently bought an Arc-D, and was considering the SP as well. But this review has made me think twice. I also have an RG28XX, so perhaps this isn't worth it.
If you really like the GBA form factor, you'll probably still like it, despite its flaws. I don't regret it, but I don't think its as great as most reviews have made it out to be. I'm also hearing anecdotally that the transparent ones may not have the battery door creak. But who knows, I can't verify that one. Plus I hate transparent game systems, lol. I don't want to see the insides when I'm playing, especially when lights are involved, it's distracting.
The more I see these emulator systems, the more I wonder if a actual new system that is based off of older tech could be feasable sometimes. Like an modern version of an 8-bit system that is build for more modern displays and internet access.
Yeah, that's something I've thought about a lot myself, having a modern platform with limited tech to see what people would creatively do within those limitations. There are a few devices on the computer side of things taking this approach, like the Commander X16, but the prices are so high on everything they just aren't worth it right now, IMO. Maybe a bigger company will experiment with something down the line somwhere. I'd love to see a no-polygon 16-bit system with faster speeds and more capable graphics and sounds than we saw in the old days, I think that'd be the 2D gaming technology sweet spot.
@InglebardGaming Could be like the Pico 8 fantasy console, but instead of using an obscure coding language and game memory as limitations, this system could use actual hardware limitations instead. Seems like an interesting ideal. I wonder if it would be actually feasible or if the console needs something more to it.
@magiccardmaker3588 yeah, Pico 8 is an interesting concept in general, but like you, I'd be more interested in actual hardware than a theoretical 'device.'
@@InglebardGaming I'm not an hardware expert at all, but could we limit the polygonal ability of such a machine to make games look like a 2D-HD kinda look like Octopath Traveler.
Just got this yesterday as well. While I like the idea of this device and really wanted to keep it; I don't think it is worth it. There are too many little things that don't work as they should; which add up to an experience that is sub par; even compared to their previous devices. Some games have frame pacing issues, the dpad has this issue with the pivot; where it will lock up; if certain diagonals are pressed, the screen (while not terrible at all) is not as good as the RG35xx, 35Xx plus or the Arc D and it is just slightly bulkier than it needs to be. None of these issues alone would be a problem, but add to the fact that I also had to tinker a bit and add shaders (which were missing initially but I had to download them separate, (as the native shader made the screen look dimmer and have worse frame pacing) and all the other issues; just takes away from the enjoyment of playing games on it. Again; it has an amazing form factor and features that the other handhelds don't have; but this feels like an unfinished product and while it is on the cheap side price wise; it's not that cheap to where I would overlook these things. Anbernic has such great ideas and potential, but they need to step up their polish game and not treat these devices as a fundraising attempt to make gradually better ones.
Yeah, I can totally understand. There are a lot of issues with it that it seems like most people are just glossing over right now. I still do like it and plan to do some portable Nintendo gaming on it, but I definitely expected it to be a bit better.
Very good real world review. I think people are on a nostalgia hype honeymoon phase right now. Lol. As with TH-cam there are alot of sponsorships so they should be taken with a grain of salt when the media train sends out their batch of review units. I'm also waiting for minw to arrive
Thanks! I'm a little surprised that this is getting such high praise in most reviews. It's good and I like it, but it isn't THAT good. I think it's more nostalgia goggles than anything else, though.
@@InglebardGaming yeah I saw the SP form factor and knew it would be super popular since people have been clamoring (lol) for a good clamshell for a long time. (V90 is pretty bad) I'm seeing Japanese reviewers even picking them up which isnt that common to see. I feel it will reach mainstream status in terms of popularity like the Miyoo Mini. But it isn't perfect like some have us believe. TH-cam is notorious for being super biased with sponsored reviews as well.
great review!, the dpad is a deal breaker for me since I usually like to play shooters (shmups), why is so hard for handheld manufacturers to just mimick or blatantly copy the miyoo mini plus dpad design?, that dpad is pretty good.
Yeah, I understand, I knew some people would feel that way which is why I brought it up. It's too bad, not sure how they got that aspect wrong. I'm fine with it mimicking a GBA SP dpad, but that GBA SP dpsd never had that problem.
We won't know that until it's been out for a while. There's a small gap between the battery and SoC so it might be OK. Adding even a thin heatsink will press directly against the battery which is another reason I haven't done it. And like I said in the video, for me, the system hasn't ever gotten uncomfortably warm to hold... except during charging.
Really seems like you got a bad one. Mine didnt have most of those issues. Also i only use the RA menu as most everything is optimized on it. My battery also last for awhile depending on the game. But good for people to see its a mixed bag. Could get a good one or one with issues. I also dont agree with included roms. Only because i dont wanna see more legal action by nintendo. I dont care how you get the roms aside from that.
I don't think that I got a "bad" one as I've seen most of the issues I had mentioned by other people in other places since I put this up. Anbernic isn't exactly a name associated with quality, as their screen issues with the RG Cube have shown. I do really like the Arc though. Weird on that one they didn't include any ROMs but did include pirated emulators from the play store when you boot into Android.
@InglebardGaming I'm just going off experience, I've been doing this about 10 years. For me Anbernic is the higher quality. I considered retroid 2nd but after the flip powkiddy may move up from 3rd. Yeah they dropped the ball with the cube screen. All but 1 of my anbernic devices have been flawless. The 300x is the only bad one I got.
@ExiledRetro Me too, I've had indie portables since the earliest of the GPD days. So far, I'd say AYN is the best there is at the moment, love the Odin 2. But looking at the SP, first, I still gave it a 7 out of 10. I like it. I just think there are simple things Anbernic could have done to improve it without affecting the price. I have nothing against Anbernic, I'd still consider buying their stuff if it looked interesting. But I'm going to criticize them for the stuff they do that's worthy of being criticized. The Arc is around the same price and just feels like a better product with better components, for example (I gave it an 8).
@InglebardGaming same here lol. Also when I consider my top quality list I mean massively produced Chinese handhelds. My AYN Loki Max is my favorite hands down. But AYN, Aya Neo I put in a separate category. I also count x86 as a stand alone category
@@InglebardGaming i have not played the console sorry but it seems like for the price point it's an amazing system if you look at it as a 2d or strictly a GBA replacement. The screen is miles better than the original GBS sp. The battery is also bettery. Headphone jack included. For 70 bucks it's so cheap vs a used gba sp on Ebay. I think for the price this is more than capable gba sp replacement. It also happens to play thousands of other games from many reteo consoles. It's so good
Oh, refreshing honesty. Thank you for not just making another Anbernic commercial like 98% of the other reviewers out there. I just got my xxsp yesterday and haven't had much time with it. What I can say so far though is what it lacks in non-clickiness, it makes up for in hot nostalgia. Excellent video. Subscribed!
Thanks, glad you liked it! I want to believe that most of the really positive reviews are from people who are just overexcited about it, so I'm going with that for now.
I just got an RG353VS yesterday, thing is cool. It even plays Dreamcast just fine!
Who ask?
@@Champs859 Your mother, pass the message along!
A refreshing review. And just in time too. I recently bought an Arc-D, and was considering the SP as well. But this review has made me think twice. I also have an RG28XX, so perhaps this isn't worth it.
If you really like the GBA form factor, you'll probably still like it, despite its flaws. I don't regret it, but I don't think its as great as most reviews have made it out to be.
I'm also hearing anecdotally that the transparent ones may not have the battery door creak. But who knows, I can't verify that one. Plus I hate transparent game systems, lol. I don't want to see the insides when I'm playing, especially when lights are involved, it's distracting.
The more I see these emulator systems, the more I wonder if a actual new system that is based off of older tech could be feasable sometimes. Like an modern version of an 8-bit system that is build for more modern displays and internet access.
Yeah, that's something I've thought about a lot myself, having a modern platform with limited tech to see what people would creatively do within those limitations.
There are a few devices on the computer side of things taking this approach, like the Commander X16, but the prices are so high on everything they just aren't worth it right now, IMO. Maybe a bigger company will experiment with something down the line somwhere. I'd love to see a no-polygon 16-bit system with faster speeds and more capable graphics and sounds than we saw in the old days, I think that'd be the 2D gaming technology sweet spot.
@InglebardGaming Could be like the Pico 8 fantasy console, but instead of using an obscure coding language and game memory as limitations, this system could use actual hardware limitations instead. Seems like an interesting ideal. I wonder if it would be actually feasible or if the console needs something more to it.
@magiccardmaker3588 yeah, Pico 8 is an interesting concept in general, but like you, I'd be more interested in actual hardware than a theoretical 'device.'
@@InglebardGaming I'm not an hardware expert at all, but could we limit the polygonal ability of such a machine to make games look like a 2D-HD kinda look like Octopath Traveler.
Man thank you! The dpad ended the dream for me.
Sorry! Who knows, maybe they'll fix it in a revision down the road, wouldn't be the first time they did something like that.
Did you notice the buzz sound while starting and exiting the game... its so annoying during night time...
I saw other people talk about it but I didn't notice it myself. Next time I use it I'll listen for it.
Just got this yesterday as well. While I like the idea of this device and really wanted to keep it; I don't think it is worth it. There are too many little things that don't work as they should; which add up to an experience that is sub par; even compared to their previous devices. Some games have frame pacing issues, the dpad has this issue with the pivot; where it will lock up; if certain diagonals are pressed, the screen (while not terrible at all) is not as good as the RG35xx, 35Xx plus or the Arc D and it is just slightly bulkier than it needs to be. None of these issues alone would be a problem, but add to the fact that I also had to tinker a bit and add shaders (which were missing initially but I had to download them separate, (as the native shader made the screen look dimmer and have worse frame pacing) and all the other issues; just takes away from the enjoyment of playing games on it. Again; it has an amazing form factor and features that the other handhelds don't have; but this feels like an unfinished product and while it is on the cheap side price wise; it's not that cheap to where I would overlook these things. Anbernic has such great ideas and potential, but they need to step up their polish game and not treat these devices as a fundraising attempt to make gradually better ones.
Yeah, I can totally understand. There are a lot of issues with it that it seems like most people are just glossing over right now.
I still do like it and plan to do some portable Nintendo gaming on it, but I definitely expected it to be a bit better.
this is why I never buy the first batch of these devices. Usually later batches fix any issues that come up in the first batch
Very good real world review. I think people are on a nostalgia hype honeymoon phase right now. Lol. As with TH-cam there are alot of sponsorships so they should be taken with a grain of salt when the media train sends out their batch of review units. I'm also waiting for minw to arrive
Thanks! I'm a little surprised that this is getting such high praise in most reviews. It's good and I like it, but it isn't THAT good. I think it's more nostalgia goggles than anything else, though.
@@InglebardGaming yeah I saw the SP form factor and knew it would be super popular since people have been clamoring (lol) for a good clamshell for a long time. (V90 is pretty bad) I'm seeing Japanese reviewers even picking them up which isnt that common to see. I feel it will reach mainstream status in terms of popularity like the Miyoo Mini. But it isn't perfect like some have us believe. TH-cam is notorious for being super biased with sponsored reviews as well.
great review!, the dpad is a deal breaker for me since I usually like to play shooters (shmups), why is so hard for handheld manufacturers to just mimick or blatantly copy the miyoo mini plus dpad design?, that dpad is pretty good.
Yeah, I understand, I knew some people would feel that way which is why I brought it up. It's too bad, not sure how they got that aspect wrong. I'm fine with it mimicking a GBA SP dpad, but that GBA SP dpsd never had that problem.
would the cpu and battery placement be an issue overtime?
We won't know that until it's been out for a while. There's a small gap between the battery and SoC so it might be OK.
Adding even a thin heatsink will press directly against the battery which is another reason I haven't done it. And like I said in the video, for me, the system hasn't ever gotten uncomfortably warm to hold... except during charging.
You know young lad, this is only a $56 U.S. system right? Pretty cheap for what you're getting. Trust me kid, it's a damn good value.
After shipping it's over $70, which I said in the video, along with that the price is pretty good a few times.
@@InglebardGaming Fair enough lad. All good.
I think I'll stick with the Arc. Never liked this form factor for shoulder buttons.
Overall, the Arc is definitely better.
Really seems like you got a bad one. Mine didnt have most of those issues. Also i only use the RA menu as most everything is optimized on it. My battery also last for awhile depending on the game. But good for people to see its a mixed bag. Could get a good one or one with issues. I also dont agree with included roms. Only because i dont wanna see more legal action by nintendo. I dont care how you get the roms aside from that.
I did switch to MuOs so I can play Stardew Valley and Axiom Verge on my 35xxsp. Which I like better than the stock bs they use.
I don't think that I got a "bad" one as I've seen most of the issues I had mentioned by other people in other places since I put this up. Anbernic isn't exactly a name associated with quality, as their screen issues with the RG Cube have shown. I do really like the Arc though. Weird on that one they didn't include any ROMs but did include pirated emulators from the play store when you boot into Android.
@InglebardGaming I'm just going off experience, I've been doing this about 10 years. For me Anbernic is the higher quality. I considered retroid 2nd but after the flip powkiddy may move up from 3rd. Yeah they dropped the ball with the cube screen. All but 1 of my anbernic devices have been flawless. The 300x is the only bad one I got.
@ExiledRetro Me too, I've had indie portables since the earliest of the GPD days. So far, I'd say AYN is the best there is at the moment, love the Odin 2. But looking at the SP, first, I still gave it a 7 out of 10. I like it. I just think there are simple things Anbernic could have done to improve it without affecting the price. I have nothing against Anbernic, I'd still consider buying their stuff if it looked interesting. But I'm going to criticize them for the stuff they do that's worthy of being criticized. The Arc is around the same price and just feels like a better product with better components, for example (I gave it an 8).
@InglebardGaming same here lol. Also when I consider my top quality list I mean massively produced Chinese handhelds. My AYN Loki Max is my favorite hands down. But AYN, Aya Neo I put in a separate category. I also count x86 as a stand alone category
Oh you bought a retro console and complained about included roms. Lamn review. Nit picked everything. Go buy a real sp
I already have an SP. Sorry you thought the review was lamn. That makes me very urpset
@@InglebardGaming i have not played the console sorry but it seems like for the price point it's an amazing system if you look at it as a 2d or strictly a GBA replacement.
The screen is miles better than the original GBS sp. The battery is also bettery. Headphone jack included.
For 70 bucks it's so cheap vs a used gba sp on Ebay.
I think for the price this is more than capable gba sp replacement. It also happens to play thousands of other games from many reteo consoles. It's so good
Your old age. Lol. Good one kid.
You must be new here. I'm almost 50.
@@InglebardGaming New to this channel, not to the scene or planet Earth as I'm 15 years your senior young lad; I'm 66 this fine year.