Is this the Next Great Budget ($60) Handheld?

With a 5” display and 5:3 aspect ratio, the PowKiddy X51 might be a budget hidden gem. In this video we’ll take a deep-dive look at the handheld and see if it’s a good fit in the lower-tier space.

Other devices mentioned in the video:

Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:26 tech specs
02:34 unboxing and impressions
06:21 software experience
07:50 game testing (stock SD card)
13:24 SD card contents and loading my own ROMs
15:36 HDMI and external controller support
17:10 teardown
18:06 summary (likes & dislikes)
19:42 other budget options
22:09 conclusion

This was a review unit sent to me by the Keep Retro. All opinions are my own, they did not see this review ahead of time, and no money was exchanged in any way.

Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:

This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.

#PowKiddy #RetroGaming #RetroHandhelds

[chasonlapointe]

A handheld that can't handle SNES or Genesis in 2022 is insane.

[svcross-do]

I really appreciate that you are one of the few tech reviewers that is able to see how a device would fit some use cases. You don't see a device and say that's a bad device, you see it and analyze who could use it. As someone that works with products, tech and marketing, I can see that you have understood something that usually takes years of experience to understand. You are one of the best tech reviewers. Not just gaming. It wouldn't surprise me if a few years you started to review non-gaming exclusive stuff. Amazing.

[KingKool]

PowKiddy: "Let's put stacked shoulder buttons on our device!"
Also PowKiddy: "Also, let's not give it enough horsepower to run ANY system that actually uses a controller with stacked shoulder buttons."

Dedicated FF/REW buttons, I guess.

[peejae]

at this price point (at least where i'm from) it's at the same budget bracket as a used DSi/DSi XL. if these companies are forced to take the used market into consideration when designing these things, we'll get much better products i think.

[father]

"Mom can we have a Switch?"
"We already have switch at home"
Switch at home:

[fryke]

These I _do_ consider e-Waste, really. The price range of ~60 finds much better devices, as you mentioned.

[ismailcaylan]

powkiddy never dissapponit in shitting somethings on their devices

[pixelpuppy]

it seems like the majority of issues here are firmware/software related, especially since PS1 runs great. I'll bet some CFW would make this system pretty amazing.

[FilipeAguiarCarvalho]

I did consider it a while ago when I bought a q90 to my kid. The fact that it has a custom firmware made the deal for me. It runs Sega Genesis very good and SNES is very ok.

[CreativeGaming]

Awesome coverage as always Russ - always love your budget handheld reviews!

[mVic]

I’m glad you reminded about the RG300X. When it drops to $50 I’ll get one just for nostalgia. I still have a game boy micro but would like a new version to play to preserve my original hardware. At $60 or above, it’s still not worth it to me.

[averagejoee]

i don't understand how powkiddy is yet alive as a company

[Late_AyeF]

The SNES performance is surprising. I have a 4 year old $30 PSP inspired/knockoff Aliexpress handheld that handles SNES just fine. Screen and audio is just trash.

[hikerclarence]

Im glad we have dual analogs and triggers, really helpful for gameboy advance

[DaveAdams]

At 17:45, it's built rough but it's cheap. $60 is hard to fault them with that kinda build quality internally. Soldering instead of ribbon cables and clips is to be expected at that price point. We're in a day now where 60 bucks goes into our gas tank so we've definitely spent more on less, HAHA!

[irkandcrew]

If your device CAN'T play AT LEAST N64.... stop placing the control stick above the D-pad.

[ab_ria]

This is why Retro Game Corp is my favorite channel/person who covers retro handhelds. It’s cool to see him review handhelds like these to show us viewers different alternatives to play some retro games. You could have a small budget, a specific system you want to play, a certain aesthetic, need ideas for gift giving, or have any other reason to check out the handhelds and Retro game corp will always have a video about one just for you. And if not you can just enjoy the videos for being well made, informative, and entertaining

[Andyyy]

The Miyoo mini has everything beat in this video, the price to performance and community support are just unreal.

[podracer]

For a little more money put into the power, this kind of device would be pretty good. Looks sturdy and capable... Just sad that the specs don't match the possibilities.

I also like the HDMI output option on a device like this. Definitely fits the Switch look to have that capability

[Auchaser]

These handhelds were being released at a good speed with proper advancement but it seems after the steamdeck and Aya devices, all of it halted, even retroid. Crazy.