About handheld gamey things....?

[virtuo]

I've been kicking around the idea of getting an original PSP - they do emulation to a point and with a bit of MESSING ABOUT you can run pretty much any PS1 game on them. Some going on eBay refurbed for less than £20.

If you don't mind the tinkering and aren't too fussed about having a "current gen" system, might be worth a punt? Only thing putting me off is the single analog and (I think) only 2 shoulder buttons.

[Ttaskmaster]

tbh I don't really see why you'd choose a GBA-SP over a DS Lite

Why would I choose a DS over a GPD Win 2.... why would I choose that over an MSI GT83 gaming laptop....

Nah, I just liked the idea of the SP's pocket size and it was intended to be a cheap test of how much I'd use portable gaming. The smaller it is, the more likely I'd take it with and use it.... plus the silver one looks like a tricorder off Star Trek!!!

Once you get into the DS family, there are several different versions, so it seems a toss-up of which features would be worth it... I kinda hate the idea of a big DS Lite form-factor with such small screens.... and so begins the feature creep!

given the DS Lite will play all the GBA games as well as the DS ones.

But not GB or GBC games...?

Plus afaict you'll pay more for a GBA SP than for a DS Lite.

Yeah, that's the kick in the crotch, innit!!

Sounds a lot like the real choice is DS Lite vs 3DS-XL, based on what you're currently considering...

I'm kinda thinking, if I want something the size of a Psion it's worth getting as many bells and whistles as possible. Of course, this is without considering any SEGA games I might enjoy, so it might be an Android platform of similar form factor would be the better option - I assume Emulators and roms is a no-no, though? It's that backwards compatability question, really.

Starting to remember why I started PC gaming instead of going console!!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I'm kinda thinking, if I want something the size of a Psion it's worth getting as many bells and whistles as possible. Of course, this is without considering any SEGA games I might enjoy, so it might be an Android platform of similar form factor would be the better option - I assume discussion of Emulators and roms is a no-no, though?

That Sega Mega drive portable can load more games via an SD card.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Repeat post.

[circuitmonkey]

I was considering a GDP XD Plus but decided my phones hardware was actually better, and I already owned it.
So bought a 8Bitdo N30 PRO Bluetooth Gamepad
And the phone holder
And along with RetorArch android application I now have a mini console with me at all times, really couldn't be happier and for less than £40

[DanceswithUnix]

Note you need a really old DS if you want to plug GBA cartridges into it. That's a feature no-one in our family has ever wanted to use, I would say 3DS is a minimum.

[cheesemp]

Personally I've tried:
PS Vita,
DSi
3DS-XL
Phone with Controller running version emulators
Switch

Only one I've stuck with is the Switch. I know its large but the big screen, instant on and resume (I know 3ds had this but screen was just to poor) and better quality games made it worth it for me. Its worth the size! Already put more hours into the switch than the other systems combined...

Playing Zelda or Mario: Odyessy in bed is a great feeling!

[Ttaskmaster]

I now have a mini console with me at all times, really couldn't be happier and for less than £40

That's exactly the sort of bulky, bulgy, tacked-together awkwardness I'm looking to avoid.
It needs to fit my pocket.

Its worth the size!

It could make the tea, organise my finances, walk the dog and do all the laundry... It still won't fit my pocket.

[Biscuit]

And also size, if not weight too... No deal.
Switch is off the cards until it fits in my pocket!

Get bigger pockets... totally worth it

Love my switch

[Ttaskmaster]

Get bigger pockets... totally worth it

Until I break the big expensive sheet of glass... Tasky breaks things like that!!
Like I said - Clamshell.

But for that kind of size, I'm back in the realms of the GPD again!

[DanceswithUnix]

That's exactly the sort of bulky, bulgy, tacked-together awkwardness I'm looking to avoid.
It needs to fit my pocket.

Sounds like my problem with this sort of thing. I have space for one device in my pocket, for me to carry something else it has to be more useful than my phone to displace it. Given how much a modern phone can do, that isn't likely.

[scaryjim]

Note you need a really old DS if you want to plug GBA cartridges into it. That's a feature no-one in our family has ever wanted to use ...

DS Lite was the last one to carry the feature over (iirc), and I had a fair few GBA games that I played on mine (including some that I bought specifically to play on the DS), but I'll happily admit that it'd be a niche requirement nowadays.

I play a lot of GBA games on my Android console, but to repurchase them all on cartridges to stick in a DS Lite would be rather expensive (if I could even find them). It's definitely a shame that there aren't more options in the market; android + controller works really well. If you can cope with the older specs what about a second-hand Xperia Play?

[Ttaskmaster]

I had a fair few GBA games that I played on mine (including some that I bought specifically to play on the DS), but I'll happily admit that it'd be a niche requirement nowadays.

It's a potential requirement... I'm currently 'trying out' some GBA games, to see how many I'll actually play.
A lot comes down to whether I'll even enjoy enough games (on any platform) to justify buying one... hence looking to start cheap-ish.

I play a lot of GBA games on my Android console

Is there.... istheristheristhere..... a clamshell-style Andy console that you'd recommend?

If you can cope with the older specs what about a second-hand Xperia Play?

If it can run enough stuff and feels good in the hand, I'd not be averse.
Not many around in good nick for reasonable money, though and Andy 2.3 might preclude a lot of the software/Apps I'd otherwise need.

Given how many times someone has tried this form-factor and failed (PGS, anyone?), I'd say there is a market for combination console-smartphones... they just need to be done well enough to take off.

[Ttaskmaster]

Well, I ended up getting both an SP and a DS Lite... at £35 for both devices, each in black, and including the chargers, 12v car adapters and a couple of games, I couldn't really argue.

Just got to figure out how to upgrade the SP's really dark AGS001 screen to an AGS101... Loads of tutorials for the GBA, but nothing really covering the SP without doing the full-on BennVenn mod!