Dude seriously!! One of the best features of Android was the fact that i could hop on amazon and get replacement batteries as soon as i bought a new phone. Made my workday so much better as i would swap out batteries during my long shifts
Agree, I ended up somehow damaging the mic on my ipod touch after I changed the battery, then I damaged the home button on a iphone 5s back in the day, also by changing the battery.
I’ve had mine for a few months now and I love it. The clamshell design is great. I just installed the custom firmware, so I am looking forward to a few improvements there. All in all a highly recommended device! Love your videos too!
There’s a link in this video’s description that will lead you to a step-by-step guide with download links. Yes, you can use the MicroSD card that came in the package, but the included MicroSD card is cheap and prone to having bad sectors and eventually dying. So, I recommend saving a backup to your computer right away, and when the included MicroSD card dies you can just load up a new MicroSD card (Even a good Sandisk is cheap!!) from the backup.
I discovered you channel about a month ago and I'm so impressed by the depths you go through to give me all the information that I need to make an informed choice. Not only do you answer questions that I have but also ones that I haven't even thought of yet but were just as important. Thanks for everything so far.
your work is awesome. not only the thorough review, but also the hints that unlock a decent playing experience, like putting a custom firmware on these devices. thank you for your effort!
I've just bought a rg350p. But I have to say that I also love these clamshell designs and I 'm also surprised of how well this device emulates 80-90 classic 2D games. Great review.
Thank you for everything you do for the retro handheld community, Russ! I don't think I ever would have bought a v90 without your extremely thorough and considered review, and your guide made it an easy project to optimize the hell out of it! On a grad student budget, even something like the v90 isn't an easy impulse buy to indulge but you gave me a very clear picture of what to expect. Thanks to you I was able to make an informed decision for my first retro handheld and I could not be happier with my purchase
i bought this in black in 2024 after i already had the 35xxsp!!! i can now understand its qualities... its smaller, its the smallest if the miyoo flip comes out... it hasnt yet.... i bought this because of the miyoo cfw i saw running on it.... the 64gb stock card is actually scarily rammed full of content!!! didnt know you could fit that much in a 64gb card and didnt know there was that much roms available for one device... the stock card is actually very organised and im actually looking forward to discovering some of the hacks, mods and unlicensed games if there are any
I know this is six months later, but I bought two Retroid Pocket 2 devices and would never buy one again. The software is very much duct-taped, it was not easy to setup, the performance was inconsistent (you had to use a custom and glitchy version of RetroArch to get GBA games playing decently), the battery did not charge quickly and dies randomly under 20% (it drains quicker than it charges while playing). I ended up buying a $70 Samsung A10e, a $45 8BitDo SN30 Pro+, and a $10 clip, and have been *much* happier with my handheld. Plus I use the SN30 Pro+ with many other systems I own.
@@robhulson Android phone+some kind of controller is by far and away the best performance handheld. However, I did just buy a V90 to have something a little more pocket-able because a phone+controller is way too big for a pocket and not as sturdy as I'd like. Also, for the price I wouldn't mind if I ended up losing or breaking the V90, I'd probably be most upset about losing my saves.
@@robhulson midrange and even low end android phones are still the best way to go for emulation. Sure, you have to get a Android compatible controller, but those work great and you can choose pretty much any controller that fits your preferences for like $15 on eBay. The LG G7 ThinQ can be had for around $100 used in great condition, it has a 1440p screen and amazing battery and I can even run Call of Duty Mobile at 100+ FPS for hours on high brightness with no recharge. I have a Samsung A51 as my actual phone and use multiple other Galaxy, LG, Motorola etc phones for emulation.
I picked one up and followed your written guide for updating the firmware. All I can say is, “Wow! This is an amazing device for $40!”. Thanks for the insightful review, update guide, and just great content.
Been wanting a cheap emulator handheld for a while, but kept passing up on this one despite the cost mainly because of the reported slowdown issues in a lot of games. But once I saw your video go more in depth and show there is custom firmware that resolves most of the problems, I immediately pulled the trigger and bought one for roughly $27 plus shipping (AlliExpress had a sale going on). Mainly plan on using it to play GBA games. Can't wait to try it out!
Wow! who else is finding themselves back here in 2024, recommended by TH-cam for nostalgia sake, listening to fledgling Russ talking as though he's JUST gotten into retro gaming? :) Funny how there's a bunch of other clam-shell systems coming out now! I first thought Russ was being silly about having "only been in the retro handheld gaming for about 6 months", but NOPE! This video is legit from 3 years ago. Kinda neat to visit one of the older videos like this :)
Love this little thing. With the firmware it's amazing. I've been playing through Zelda Minish Cap for the first time over the weekend and having a blast.
@@RetroGameCorps Basically, if Anbernic did a device like this on the RG351 hardware level, with the 3:2 screen... They'd certainly be able to make _the_ Gameboy Advance SP experience perfect. I often find myself just playing some GB and maybe GBA games that feel more relaxing than most newer handheld-console's games. On the other hand, the RG351P/M kinda already do that it's just less pocketable.
@@franzbinett9416 I'd probably prefer Anbernic's plastic, just because of the weight. But I get the aluminium allure, too, though it aint' for me with retro gaming...
Cheers Russ, another comprehensive and thoughtfull review, great job. Would be nice if it came in black, it does look cheap in the yellow and orange, but boy does it seem value for the money. I have a friend with a birthday coming up ... it's tempting. :)
Love the first part. At first I was bummed my RG351P didn’t have the high res 4:3 screen but I’ve been playing it non-stop. I’m ultimately glad I didn’t wait; I pulled the trigger and now it’s just about enjoying it. There’s always something new just on the horizon. Don’t get too wrapped up in the specs, as long as it can play your games well enough it’ll be dope.
In the menu, hold start for a couple seconds to shutdown more directly. I love this thing. Wish there was a bigger model with a 5" 4:3 display. Then maybe the hands on the box would make sense.
Your videos are excellent. I love the way the information is organised, I like the way you speak. Honestly, you have become in a very short period of time my favourite handheld reviewer. Keep up the good work.
i'm a proud owner of a yellow unit, can confirm that it's definitely worth the price u pay for it. don't expect super much out of it but what it can do, it does well. plus the form factor, personally i adore the clamshell design. buttons are ok-ish, i've seen better, i've seen worse. sound is pretty loud. screen is great for a device in this price range. and USB-C, one would expect a micro-USB on a cheap unit like this, but no. it's also pretty small and very light. the biggest thing i did not like about it is the feel of the plastic, it feels really cheap and McDonalds-Happy-Meal-Toy-like, u get these vibes of frustration right away. but don't be fooled, it may not pack a huge punch but it is definitely better than what u initially expect when u see it for the first time. I totally agree with Russ, it deserves more recognition, powkiddy could have easily charged a little more for it and that would still be justified by the product that u get. P.S. thanx for the review, Russ.
Awesome! Just got this through your link which was so much cheaper than anywhere else these days. It's a birthday gift for myself. And i didn't even know this existed 2 yesterday. Thank you
Loved mine. Got me into the hobby like 3 months ago. Now I love my Powkiddy RGB10. See no need to upgrade anytime soon! This is so wonderfully pocketable though!
i’ve been waiting for this review. I have had this little machine for 3 months. I used the new firmware.I didn't take it out about one months ago. Now in my hands again. The RG350 and RG351P took my time. :P Thank you for the review, and thanks for the new infos. Keep it up! Greetings from hungary.
I have bigger & “better” handhelds, but this has turned into my go-to everyday machine. I have both colors, and have bought replacement GBA-SP bottom stickers just for the bell of it! Just traced around the battery door with a sharp knife. LOL
Just got one yesterday and its blowing me away for $33.79(after FREE points coupons) total cost... and 1 week shipping from Banggood. 🔥🔥🔥 Solid video bro about what's already out there and just overlooked because of it's cheaper price. A little research, reviews, youtube's, etc, and you can get a decent understanding of this machine.
Great review on this hidden gem of a handheld. I ordered one yesterday off of eBay. Paid $45 including shipping. I’ll be installing the Miyoo CFW for the added performance it brings. I’ll mostly be playing GB/GBC/GBA and Game Gear games on mine. Keep it strictly centered on the ones I’m interested in and that run the best on the V90. I look forward to more hidden gem videos. Keep ‘em coming. Cheers!
Great review! I recently purchased a similar model from the same company, the translucent powkiddy Q90 and I am amazed at how well Quake & Quake 2 play on it! So far I haven't really gotten into it much beyond playing a few hours of Quake, but here in Ontario, Canada, the winter is long & cold and I will have plenty of time t stay indoors, keep warm & discover what my powkiddy console has to offer.
to be honest, just the more I watch and discover what you discover, the more I'm tending to buy and buy and buy... without any reason, just... having them all :-) :-) Great work, again, thanks for all your time and efforts put into your vids!
Picked up a V90 for $35 shipped I'm going to get a 32gb SanDisk card all ready to swap in via your cfw guide the interface you show looks good. Thanks again for all the informative & helpful videos.
If they do the metal shell version, it would be awesome... I collect all anbernic handheld's, have one rk2020 but the v90 for me its pretty good just like you said... (price, not bad playing under the specs they have and the filling in hands). By the way, love your work 😉 great review
Thank you for the detailed and appreciative video on the small thing. I bought it for my brother for Christmas (thanks to Corona it is still on my desk) and will now pimp it nicely. Or maybe even keep it, because as an emulator on the go and for little money the V90 is really not bad.
Thanks for introducing this to me! My pocket go's left bumper broke from me dropping it by accident and also my screen cover broke, so this is a good replacement! Only downside I've seen is the ridiculously long shipping times from ebay, so I got mine from aliexpress instead, but that's a problem for almost all emulation handhelds, so I can deal with it.
Haha, I'm not really sure day-to-day what I'm doing next! I need to get a little more organized :) Definitely be on the lookout for a ODROID Go Super unboxing soon, and some more modding videos for the RGB10 and maybe my 8bitDo arcade stick.
This is my favorite design of all the retro devices, you can just throw it in your bag and not worry about the screen getting scratched up. I just ordered the black version with 64gb on Amazon and got the 3 year protection plan, why not? Looking forward to updating firmware, upgrading battery and SD card, etc. I just got into retro gaming and it is an amazing hobby.
Thank you, this was such a thorough and thoughtfully made review, and a pleasure to watch. You've got a new subscriber :-). Definitely going to do a deep dive into your channel based on what I've seen here. I just bought 3 of these handhelds from Amazon, and I plan to make the customizations you demonstrated and give a couple of them to kids as gifts. I'm a big fan of the clamshell GBA-SP type form factor and the IPS screen, and the price can't be beat.
I've got one of these before getting the RG351P. My main problem as a Mac user: Can't resize the partition for the CFW. I've tried. No luck so far. My main other problem: No sleep function. Otherwise, I'd prefer it for GB games compared to the RG351P. Oh, and yeah: The missing sleep function is mainly an issue, because just turning it off physically tends to kill SD cards, so you need to go through soft-shutdown. But then I tend to forget to turn it off physically, which means: Empty battery next time you look at it. And recharging it takes hours.
Black color now available. I'm getting mine. I had a black Gameboy advanced sp once, this is a dream come true! To think I ordered the yellow one two months ago but cancelled it because it got lost in mail. Lucky me!
Great review! I'm a fun of these low budget devices because I can just pick them up and play, after that just drop it on my back pack not carrying about damaging something expensive 🤪 I got a powkiddy Q90 and it's not a bad device but I have problems with saving games, this V90 seems to be a significant upgrade and o really want to get one. I wish you all the best of success and please keep going with your great work. ✌️😁
It would be neat if you explored the battery replacements a bit, like what kind of batteries are compatible (for example, batteries for this or that phone model) and the different mAh values you can find and how long we could expect those to last... Since changing them is so easy and they seem affordable enough it could be something a lot of people interested in this device could be interest in too.
I did a bit of research before posting this, and in the end I settled on one brand that has a 1600mAh capacity, it's linked in my written guide. There were some that indicated a 2450mAh capacity but they have terrible reviews!
I just bought this on Amazon for $3.80 with $4.99 shipping 😄 I'm so pumped to set this little guy up and have the ultimate SP for under $10! It would also make a great gift.
@@RetroGameCorps man this is not good, 2.5 hours into my save in Pokémon got deleted. Save state wasn’t working but the in game save was, then it said it got deleted.... fml
Totally agree With your review. My first one had sticky buttons, the second one does not exhibit any issues. Great screen, good buttons, great CFW and clamshell design make it one of my favorite 25€ handhelds. I highly recommend it.
Dude remember me? I just bought one and its super great, I saw a video showing it broke in like minutes but mine hasnt, atleast not yet and good news, CRASH FOR GBA CAME INCLUDED! just wanted to stop by and comment this so ye, have a nice day
If the V90 came in more colors and in a metal shell, that would be gold! Also, the stereo speakers should have been placed on the monitor section of the V90.
D-Pad is kinda bad about hitting the wrong direction. Sometimes in Mega Man I slide instead of jump because I'm accidentally hitting down when I'm moving forward.
@@mickyengy3204 No and I doubt there's a quick fix, probably swapping out parts from a similar d-pad for better contact is what you would have to do. Just what you get going cheap
@@KorgmasterKlax i was thinking about swapping out the d-pad but then it's finding one that would be suitable size and I don't know how too go about it as no one has opened one up on youtube too guide me
This thing is awesome and the fact that it runs Mega Drive games so well is what really sells it to me. Sad about the SNES slowdowns on games with SuperFX II chip.... maybe this gets better with emulator updates...
Hey- trimui has a firmware update that scales game boy and snes to full screen, supposedly fixed screen tearing,, and some other things. I’m VERY happy with it. It’s NOT a breezy install and requires (as far as i could tell) downloading software from the trimui site. Also, you have to scroll down on the firmware page to find it. It’s not intended as a consumer update, it seems.
@@rudivanklotenzak467 I'm not sure what you mean by a suspend mode. On miyoo CFW I don't find anything like it, and if it's just a suspend mode when being in the main menu, that doesn't really do much, no?
14:15 How do you get the third button/button mapping working for the Genesis emulator? The version I got didn't work, but maybe I need a different emulator?
I've had the v90 for 1 week now and for what you get at under 40$ I'm impressed honestly even with original firmware it does have pros and cons but that is expected with these handhelds non are perfect honestly!!
To get a bump in performance I've read you can clock the processor up to 900Mhz, but unfortunately this CFW does not have the option to do it, or at least I have not found it.
It is under the menu button, "Edit Bittboy etc". Though, I've managed to overclock mine to, 812MHz, before it becomes unstable. Maybe heatsink would help...
I gotta be honest, I got this device, and.you said it plays SNES and even Playstation. Yes, it CAN emulate it, however it is absolutelly unplayeable. It plays NES, gb, gbc and gba, and those it plays well. Basically anything else, it plays rather wonky, Basically, SNES and beyond, it is 100% unplayeable (not including handheld consoles). Edit: I realised I sound rather negative here, which wasn’t my intent. I simply wanted to add that I’ve had issues running SNES and beyond with my V90. However apart from that the V90 is great! It is especially good for the price, and despite the issues i’ve had I’d still recommend it to anybody.
I'm not having the same experience as you. Yes, PS1 is not very good, which I make clear in the video. But running the most recent version of snes9x4d (October 2020) build, on the custom firmware, 90% of games are running just fine. I'd call that a win. I'm playing with an auto frameskip of 1 and it barely dips at all. Harder to emulator games (Star Fox, SMW2, Mario RPG) don't play well but those struggle on devices that cost twice this price. If you haven't upgraded to this emulator then links are in my written review (linked below the video)!
Retro Game Corps hm, strange, perhaps I got an earlier version of the V90? I’ll also look into the emulators like you mentioned, thank you for the tip!
@@nopenope694 And even when you didn't have any bad intention, you still contributed nothing to the conversation. You said something what Ross already said multiple times and what others already knew. Did you really watch the video, though?
I wish these really were still going for the prices stated in reviews. Every time an improved firmware releases or reviewer says "it's under 100 bucks!" (or whatever insignificant price,) the actual price seems to go up 10-15 bucks, as if they realize they're about to see some new sales.
Replaceable batteries are such an underrated feature. I wish phones still did that.
Dude seriously!! One of the best features of Android was the fact that i could hop on amazon and get replacement batteries as soon as i bought a new phone. Made my workday so much better as i would swap out batteries during my long shifts
I ordered a 2450mAh battery with my V90. Hope it works!
Agree, I ended up somehow damaging the mic on my ipod touch after I changed the battery, then I damaged the home button on a iphone 5s back in the day, also by changing the battery.
Also laptops - they are much easier to repair when the battery can be removed right away.
I've completely forgotten that removable batteries are no longer a thing for phones anymore, what a load. Guess I'm holding onto my V20 forever.
So glad to see you like this one too...I gave several of these away at Christmas time and looked like a hero...with a $40 device :)
I’ve had mine for a few months now and I love it. The clamshell design is great. I just installed the custom firmware, so I am looking forward to a few improvements there. All in all a highly recommended device! Love your videos too!
Awesome, happy to hear you like it!
Hi sir! How can I install the new firmware? Do I need to have a new sd card? Or I can still use the one that came with the package?
There’s a link in this video’s description that will lead you to a step-by-step guide with download links.
Yes, you can use the MicroSD card that came in the package, but the included MicroSD card is cheap and prone to having bad sectors and eventually dying. So, I recommend saving a backup to your computer right away, and when the included MicroSD card dies you can just load up a new MicroSD card (Even a good Sandisk is cheap!!) from the backup.
I discovered you channel about a month ago and I'm so impressed by the depths you go through to give me all the information that I need to make an informed choice. Not only do you answer questions that I have but also ones that I haven't even thought of yet but were just as important. Thanks for everything so far.
My pleasure, happy to help!
your work is awesome. not only the thorough review, but also the hints that unlock a decent playing experience, like putting a custom firmware on these devices. thank you for your effort!
here here. Agreed 100%!!!
I've just bought a rg350p. But I have to say that I also love these clamshell designs and I 'm also surprised of how well this device emulates 80-90 classic 2D games. Great review.
I think we need more clamshell design handhelds like this
Bro like 2 days ago you hit 10k and now you’re at like 13.5 that’s crazy good job my guy
30k now haha
Thank you for everything you do for the retro handheld community, Russ! I don't think I ever would have bought a v90 without your extremely thorough and considered review, and your guide made it an easy project to optimize the hell out of it! On a grad student budget, even something like the v90 isn't an easy impulse buy to indulge but you gave me a very clear picture of what to expect. Thanks to you I was able to make an informed decision for my first retro handheld and I could not be happier with my purchase
I've been pondering this as I used to have a gba sp and this is so nostalgic looking!
i bought this in black in 2024 after i already had the 35xxsp!!! i can now understand its qualities... its smaller, its the smallest if the miyoo flip comes out... it hasnt yet.... i bought this because of the miyoo cfw i saw running on it....
the 64gb stock card is actually scarily rammed full of content!!! didnt know you could fit that much in a 64gb card and didnt know there was that much roms available for one device...
the stock card is actually very organised and im actually looking forward to discovering some of the hacks, mods and unlicensed games if there are any
This thing is one of my favorites in my collections. It’s WAYYYYY BETTER then the retroid 2 that I paid 120 for
I'm just curious why don't you like retroid 2?
I know this is six months later, but I bought two Retroid Pocket 2 devices and would never buy one again. The software is very much duct-taped, it was not easy to setup, the performance was inconsistent (you had to use a custom and glitchy version of RetroArch to get GBA games playing decently), the battery did not charge quickly and dies randomly under 20% (it drains quicker than it charges while playing).
I ended up buying a $70 Samsung A10e, a $45 8BitDo SN30 Pro+, and a $10 clip, and have been *much* happier with my handheld. Plus I use the SN30 Pro+ with many other systems I own.
@@robhulson these retro handhands are addicting! I still like my rp2 and still pull it out from time to time but certainly not my favorite.
@@robhulson Android phone+some kind of controller is by far and away the best performance handheld. However, I did just buy a V90 to have something a little more pocket-able because a phone+controller is way too big for a pocket and not as sturdy as I'd like. Also, for the price I wouldn't mind if I ended up losing or breaking the V90, I'd probably be most upset about losing my saves.
@@robhulson midrange and even low end android phones are still the best way to go for emulation. Sure, you have to get a Android compatible controller, but those work great and you can choose pretty much any controller that fits your preferences for like $15 on eBay. The LG G7 ThinQ can be had for around $100 used in great condition, it has a 1440p screen and amazing battery and I can even run Call of Duty Mobile at 100+ FPS for hours on high brightness with no recharge. I have a Samsung A51 as my actual phone and use multiple other Galaxy, LG, Motorola etc phones for emulation.
You know your work is good when other TH-camrs refer to it. Well done man. Movin up.
I appreciate that!
Out of curiosity, who referred to my work? I saw that ETA Prime and Wulff Den mentioned my S30 guide a couple weeks ago, is that what you mean?
I just found a black one on Amazon for $10 brand new. It’ll be here in a couple weeks! Thanks for the review!
I picked one up and followed your written guide for updating the firmware. All I can say is, “Wow! This is an amazing device for $40!”. Thanks for the insightful review, update guide, and just great content.
Been wanting a cheap emulator handheld for a while, but kept passing up on this one despite the cost mainly because of the reported slowdown issues in a lot of games. But once I saw your video go more in depth and show there is custom firmware that resolves most of the problems, I immediately pulled the trigger and bought one for roughly $27 plus shipping (AlliExpress had a sale going on). Mainly plan on using it to play GBA games. Can't wait to try it out!
Wow! who else is finding themselves back here in 2024, recommended by TH-cam for nostalgia sake, listening to fledgling Russ talking as though he's JUST gotten into retro gaming? :)
Funny how there's a bunch of other clam-shell systems coming out now! I first thought Russ was being silly about having "only been in the retro handheld gaming for about 6 months", but NOPE! This video is legit from 3 years ago. Kinda neat to visit one of the older videos like this :)
Just ordered my very first retro gaming device -- the V90. Thanks for the great review and keep up the great work on the channel. Subscribed.
Love this little thing. With the firmware it's amazing. I've been playing through Zelda Minish Cap for the first time over the weekend and having a blast.
Couldn't agree more!
Oooo, like that idea! I going to try that game on this once it arrives! How long did yours take to arrive?
@@minimoe2807 I managed to find a UK seller on eBay so only a few days.
Dang, I'd really like a more robust version of this kind of retro handheld.
Me too. It's very good as it is, but I would gladly pay more for better craftsmanship and power.
@@RetroGameCorps Basically, if Anbernic did a device like this on the RG351 hardware level, with the 3:2 screen... They'd certainly be able to make _the_ Gameboy Advance SP experience perfect. I often find myself just playing some GB and maybe GBA games that feel more relaxing than most newer handheld-console's games. On the other hand, the RG351P/M kinda already do that it's just less pocketable.
@@fryke All above plus aluminum shell like rg351m, Im all in for that.
@@franzbinett9416 I'd probably prefer Anbernic's plastic, just because of the weight. But I get the aluminium allure, too, though it aint' for me with retro gaming...
Give it like a year or 18 months
i've been waiting for this...thank you
I don't have retro handheld, but I really love your videos! Thanks!
Cheers Russ, another comprehensive and thoughtfull review, great job. Would be nice if it came in black, it does look cheap in the yellow and orange, but boy does it seem value for the money. I have a friend with a birthday coming up ... it's tempting. :)
100% agree with the color, if they want to go with a colored device, at least make it match old GBA SPs!
Love the first part. At first I was bummed my RG351P didn’t have the high res 4:3 screen but I’ve been playing it non-stop. I’m ultimately glad I didn’t wait; I pulled the trigger and now it’s just about enjoying it.
There’s always something new just on the horizon. Don’t get too wrapped up in the specs, as long as it can play your games well enough it’ll be dope.
Yeah, the screen is pretty decent on the rg351p, I like it too.
Unfortunately the 351mp is metal but it is 4:3.
Very thorough review. You've convinced me. I'll buy a couple for my brothers as Christmas gifts. 😁
In the menu, hold start for a couple seconds to shutdown more directly.
I love this thing. Wish there was a bigger model with a 5" 4:3 display. Then maybe the hands on the box would make sense.
Your videos are excellent. I love the way the information is organised, I like the way you speak. Honestly, you have become in a very short period of time my favourite handheld reviewer. Keep up the good work.
Wow, thank you!
i'm a proud owner of a yellow unit, can confirm that it's definitely worth the price u pay for it. don't expect super much out of it but what it can do, it does well. plus the form factor, personally i adore the clamshell design. buttons are ok-ish, i've seen better, i've seen worse. sound is pretty loud. screen is great for a device in this price range. and USB-C, one would expect a micro-USB on a cheap unit like this, but no. it's also pretty small and very light. the biggest thing i did not like about it is the feel of the plastic, it feels really cheap and McDonalds-Happy-Meal-Toy-like, u get these vibes of frustration right away. but don't be fooled, it may not pack a huge punch but it is definitely better than what u initially expect when u see it for the first time. I totally agree with Russ, it deserves more recognition, powkiddy could have easily charged a little more for it and that would still be justified by the product that u get.
P.S. thanx for the review, Russ.
Thanks for your thoughts! How long do it take to arrive?
@@minimoe2807 I got mine from ali, it took around 2 weeks (I live in the middle east)
Awesome! Just got this through your link which was so much cheaper than anywhere else these days. It's a birthday gift for myself. And i didn't even know this existed 2 yesterday. Thank you
Happy birthday!
Loved mine. Got me into the hobby like 3 months ago. Now I love my Powkiddy RGB10. See no need to upgrade anytime soon! This is so wonderfully pocketable though!
That said I would die if they released a premium clamshell! Come on powkiddy!
I hope we see a premium version at some point in the future!
btw, this was a old video, I recommend buying a RG35XXSP instead of this, if you love clamshell handhelds.
omg i got it like november-ish i’ve just been living with the weird bubble on my screen this whole time thank you sm
Your video convinced me to order one! Can't wait to get my hands on it
This is so worth the $35-40 bucks. I just got one for a family member.
Thank you for enlightening me with this video review!!
Glad I could help!
i’ve been waiting for this review. I have had this little machine for 3 months. I used the new firmware.I didn't take it out about one months ago. Now in my hands again.
The RG350 and RG351P took my time. :P Thank you for the review, and thanks for the new infos. Keep it up! Greetings from hungary.
Thanks for watching!
That is by far the best PowKiddy V90 Review in TH-cam! Thank you!!!
I have bigger & “better” handhelds, but this has turned into my go-to everyday machine. I have both colors, and have bought replacement GBA-SP bottom stickers just for the bell of it! Just traced around the battery door with a sharp knife. LOL
Yo, tell us more about those custom stickers!
I just bought this because of you. Looked around at other reviews and putting cfw on it tonight. This is my first retro game system.
Just got one yesterday and its blowing me away for $33.79(after FREE points coupons) total cost... and 1 week shipping from Banggood. 🔥🔥🔥
Solid video bro about what's already out there and just overlooked because of it's cheaper price. A little research, reviews, youtube's, etc, and you can get a decent understanding of this machine.
Great review on this hidden gem of a handheld. I ordered one yesterday off of eBay. Paid $45 including shipping. I’ll be installing the Miyoo CFW for the added performance it brings. I’ll mostly be playing GB/GBC/GBA and Game Gear games on mine. Keep it strictly centered on the ones I’m interested in and that run the best on the V90. I look forward to more hidden gem videos. Keep ‘em coming. Cheers!
I think that's a perfect use for this device!
Have you Miyoo now? I would have some questions. I have some issues
@@tobiasibrtobi1227 I haven't gotten around to setting mine up yet. 😔
@@Zion767318 ok, i working on it how I can 😅
Great review! I recently purchased a similar model from the same company, the translucent powkiddy Q90 and I am amazed at how well Quake & Quake 2 play on it! So far I haven't really gotten into it much beyond playing a few hours of Quake, but here in Ontario, Canada, the winter is long & cold and I will have plenty of time t stay indoors, keep warm & discover what my powkiddy console has to offer.
Hi Russ. At 12:10 you mention deleting systems. What needs to be done to restore them if I decide to use the system?
to be honest, just the more I watch and discover what you discover, the more I'm tending to buy and buy and buy... without any reason, just... having them all :-) :-) Great work, again, thanks for all your time and efforts put into your vids!
Haha, I know the feeling. I'm learning a lot as I go (and buying a lot too!)
You make a compelling argument towards getting the device, thanks for the video :)
My pleasure!
Finally, i’ve been waiting for this review
Thanks for the video. I just picked 1 of these up off eBay and feel a lot better about my purchase now. 🙂👍
It’s definitely a hidden gem I liked it
That one is so hard to find nowadays! I fear it's too similar to all of my various RG350s to really be worth the cost to me.
@@Pridetoons you mean the Pocketgo S30 ? thanks
Picked up a V90 for $35 shipped I'm going to get a 32gb SanDisk card all ready to swap in via your cfw guide the interface you show looks good. Thanks again for all the informative & helpful videos.
Awesome price!
If they do the metal shell version, it would be awesome... I collect all anbernic handheld's, have one rk2020 but the v90 for me its pretty good just like you said... (price, not bad playing under the specs they have and the filling in hands). By the way, love your work 😉 great review
Thanks Grego!
Thank you for the detailed and appreciative video on the small thing. I bought it for my brother for Christmas (thanks to Corona it is still on my desk) and will now pimp it nicely. Or maybe even keep it, because as an emulator on the go and for little money the V90 is really not bad.
After the internet discovered this the price went up to 70$…..I missed out 😅. Good in-depth review!
Thanks for introducing this to me! My pocket go's left bumper broke from me dropping it by accident and also my screen cover broke, so this is a good replacement! Only downside I've seen is the ridiculously long shipping times from ebay, so I got mine from aliexpress instead, but that's a problem for almost all emulation handhelds, so I can deal with it.
In each video is it possible to add what you are going to work on next? What are your plans for the channel? we are all excited for more content!!
Haha, I'm not really sure day-to-day what I'm doing next! I need to get a little more organized :)
Definitely be on the lookout for a ODROID Go Super unboxing soon, and some more modding videos for the RGB10 and maybe my 8bitDo arcade stick.
Damn I've missed that intro song the last few days... Glad to see (and hear) you back up and running Russ we would all be lost without you lol
Thanks Mike!
Another excellent video, Russ! Just ordered one from your affiliate link, looking forward to trying it out!
Hope you enjoy it!
I really appreciate your content. Nice work. Gonna grab one of these for myself. Thank you!
Great review and hints dude. This really seems like a hidden gem ;)
It really is, thanks for watching Mashtec!
This is my favorite design of all the retro devices, you can just throw it in your bag and not worry about the screen getting scratched up. I just ordered the black version with 64gb on Amazon and got the 3 year protection plan, why not? Looking forward to updating firmware, upgrading battery and SD card, etc. I just got into retro gaming and it is an amazing hobby.
Thank you, this was such a thorough and thoughtfully made review, and a pleasure to watch. You've got a new subscriber :-). Definitely going to do a deep dive into your channel based on what I've seen here.
I just bought 3 of these handhelds from Amazon, and I plan to make the customizations you demonstrated and give a couple of them to kids as gifts.
I'm a big fan of the clamshell GBA-SP type form factor and the IPS screen, and the price can't be beat.
I think it's a great gift to give to a young kid. The limited battery life turns into an advantage, as it will effectively limit the play sessions! ;)
Haha, that's a great perspective!
Until he discovers a small power bank that can be connected whilst playing :) 🤣🤣🤣
I've got one of these before getting the RG351P. My main problem as a Mac user: Can't resize the partition for the CFW. I've tried. No luck so far. My main other problem: No sleep function. Otherwise, I'd prefer it for GB games compared to the RG351P. Oh, and yeah: The missing sleep function is mainly an issue, because just turning it off physically tends to kill SD cards, so you need to go through soft-shutdown. But then I tend to forget to turn it off physically, which means: Empty battery next time you look at it. And recharging it takes hours.
I might get this for on the go and keep my PlayGo for the home. Seriously I like this thing.
That sounds like a decent plan :)
Bought one thanks to your recommendation. I'm really looking forward to receive it
Black color now available. I'm getting mine. I had a black Gameboy advanced sp once, this is a dream come true! To think I ordered the yellow one two months ago but cancelled it because it got lost in mail. Lucky me!
Great review. Glad to see you are giving attention to Powkiddy...
It wasn't really intentional, this one just happened to look the most promising. I have definitely been giving them a lot of attention lately!
Ordered this because of your review. Looks perfect for my needs.
Great review!
I'm a fun of these low budget devices because I can just pick them up and play, after that just drop it on my back pack not carrying about damaging something expensive 🤪
I got a powkiddy Q90 and it's not a bad device but I have problems with saving games, this V90 seems to be a significant upgrade and o really want to get one.
I wish you all the best of success and please keep going with your great work.
✌️😁
I wish powkiddy made a 2nd version of this I will definitely buy it
It would be neat if you explored the battery replacements a bit, like what kind of batteries are compatible (for example, batteries for this or that phone model) and the different mAh values you can find and how long we could expect those to last... Since changing them is so easy and they seem affordable enough it could be something a lot of people interested in this device could be interest in too.
I did a bit of research before posting this, and in the end I settled on one brand that has a 1600mAh capacity, it's linked in my written guide. There were some that indicated a 2450mAh capacity but they have terrible reviews!
@@RetroGameCorps
Oh as I replied in my own comment I ordered one of those 2450mAh ones. Oops? I'll let you know once I test it out
@@LilSirAxolotl haha, thanks for being our guinea pig for the battery!
I have waiting for this!!! I love this device
It's definitely a lot of fun!
I just bought this on Amazon for $3.80 with $4.99 shipping 😄 I'm so pumped to set this little guy up and have the ultimate SP for under $10! It would also make a great gift.
hey hows it holding up? was it similar to this video?
@@ds2entertainment182 it's still in shipping til Friday!? I'll let ya know tho!
@@GibbsBro Thanks bro! shipping scares me the most.
@@ds2entertainment182 FYI still haven't received the V90. Contacted Amazon and they said if I don't have it by this Friday they'll refund me 🤷♂️
@@GibbsBro smh bro
I just ordered one!!!! So excited I can’t wait for it to come in the mail! This thing looks awesome
Good choice!
@@RetroGameCorps man this is not good, 2.5 hours into my save in Pokémon got deleted. Save state wasn’t working but the in game save was, then it said it got deleted.... fml
Great vid dude, you bring my Pocket Go to life again with that the custom firmware!
Glad to hear it!
Amazing vid
You have convinced me to pick one up. Thanks for the review.
V90 Is a really good budget Handheld even in 2021 👌
Looking forward getting this, also the other retro handhelds in the future.
Totally agree With your review. My first one had sticky buttons, the second one does not exhibit any issues. Great screen, good buttons, great CFW and clamshell design make it one of my favorite 25€ handhelds. I highly recommend it.
Thats a reeaaalllly good video! Respect.
Thanks!
Dude remember me? I just bought one and its super great, I saw a video showing it broke in like minutes but mine hasnt, atleast not yet and good news, CRASH FOR GBA CAME INCLUDED! just wanted to stop by and comment this so ye, have a nice day
Awesome, glad you like it!
If the V90 came in more colors and in a metal shell, that would be gold! Also, the stereo speakers should have been placed on the monitor section of the V90.
Also if GBA worked 100%
@@jamiemorgan3649 It does with the latest firmware update.
another day another great video👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@RetroGameCorps always!
what is the name of the GNP game you see when scrolling per minute 11:20?
Wow- this thing never even came up on my radar. These would be great gifts for my kids to keep them off my OGS!
Haha, that sounds like a worthy cause :)
What kind of battery should I buy to replace the factory one? I would be grateful if you pass the purchase link too xd
D-Pad is kinda bad about hitting the wrong direction. Sometimes in Mega Man I slide instead of jump because I'm accidentally hitting down when I'm moving forward.
I too have noticed this just got mine have you found any fix for this ?
@@mickyengy3204 No and I doubt there's a quick fix, probably swapping out parts from a similar d-pad for better contact is what you would have to do. Just what you get going cheap
@@KorgmasterKlax i was thinking about swapping out the d-pad but then it's finding one that would be suitable size and I don't know how too go about it as no one has opened one up on youtube too guide me
I just got the Black Edition V90 and it's awesome!
This thing is awesome and the fact that it runs Mega Drive games so well is what really sells it to me. Sad about the SNES slowdowns on games with SuperFX II chip.... maybe this gets better with emulator updates...
I miss my old gameboy advance so much, so I got one of these on Amazon today, so excited :)
Hey I just wanted to point out that this channel is doing a great job. I have a Nintendo switch yet you convinced me to buy the RG351P. Thanks
Hey- trimui has a firmware update that scales game boy and snes to full screen, supposedly fixed screen tearing,, and some other things. I’m VERY happy with it. It’s NOT a breezy install and requires (as far as i could tell) downloading software from the trimui site. Also, you have to scroll down on the firmware page to find it. It’s not intended as a consumer update, it seems.
I saw that update, haven't found the time (or courage) to try it yet. Glad to hear that it works well!
Does it sleep when you close the screen, or just keep running? Alternatively, is there a sleep/wake mode or do you have to power on/off every time?
Close screen - > keeps running. Suspend mode is available on cfw by pressing select in interface.
@@rudivanklotenzak467 I'm not sure what you mean by a suspend mode. On miyoo CFW I don't find anything like it, and if it's just a suspend mode when being in the main menu, that doesn't really do much, no?
14:15
How do you get the third button/button mapping working for the Genesis emulator?
The version I got didn't work, but maybe I need a different emulator?
Hi, the Powkiddy Q13 seems to be around 20 usd and it also has an IPS screen? Any thoughts about this device? thanks
@@certifiedbruhmoment85 Thanks, it is a bit late because I ordered one, I am curious how can bad it can be. It claims that it has an IPS screen.
@@ncarrasco2006 for the money you paid no foul done just enjoy it!
@@gregfisher9169 Thanks :)
I've had the v90 for 1 week now and for what you get at under 40$ I'm impressed honestly even with original firmware it does have pros and cons but that is expected with these handhelds non are perfect honestly!!
gotta grab one because of this video, thanks my dude!
To get a bump in performance I've read you can clock the processor up to 900Mhz, but unfortunately this CFW does not have the option to do it, or at least I have not found it.
It is under the menu button, "Edit Bittboy etc". Though, I've managed to overclock mine to, 812MHz, before it becomes unstable. Maybe heatsink would help...
I gotta be honest, I got this device, and.you said it plays SNES and even Playstation. Yes, it CAN emulate it, however it is absolutelly unplayeable. It plays NES, gb, gbc and gba, and those it plays well. Basically anything else, it plays rather wonky, Basically, SNES and beyond, it is 100% unplayeable (not including handheld consoles). Edit: I realised I sound rather negative here, which wasn’t my intent. I simply wanted to add that I’ve had issues running SNES and beyond with my V90. However apart from that the V90 is great! It is especially good for the price, and despite the issues i’ve had I’d still recommend it to anybody.
I'm not having the same experience as you. Yes, PS1 is not very good, which I make clear in the video. But running the most recent version of snes9x4d (October 2020) build, on the custom firmware, 90% of games are running just fine. I'd call that a win. I'm playing with an auto frameskip of 1 and it barely dips at all. Harder to emulator games (Star Fox, SMW2, Mario RPG) don't play well but those struggle on devices that cost twice this price. If you haven't upgraded to this emulator then links are in my written review (linked below the video)!
Retro Game Corps hm, strange, perhaps I got an earlier version of the V90? I’ll also look into the emulators like you mentioned, thank you for the tip!
@@nopenope694 And even when you didn't have any bad intention, you still contributed nothing to the conversation. You said something what Ross already said multiple times and what others already knew. Did you really watch the video, though?
Sounds like its better to get a retro pocket 2 or and rg351v.
I wish these really were still going for the prices stated in reviews. Every time an improved firmware releases or reviewer says "it's under 100 bucks!" (or whatever insignificant price,) the actual price seems to go up 10-15 bucks, as if they realize they're about to see some new sales.
They’re on AliExpress right now for $16
I just got this for $39 on amazon warehouse just because, and it arrived today just when you uploaded this, I fell my money was well spent ☺️
Great timing!