Should You Use an Android Phone for Retro Gaming? (Gamecube, Dreamcast, Saturn, N64)

I spent a couple weeks setting up an Android phone as a dedicated retro handheld gaming console. This video is a summary of my results.

Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:43 unboxing and setup
03:14 interface and controllers
04:45 Android gaming
05:14 game streaming
05:56 Nintendo 64
06:35 PSP
07:57 Dreamcast
08:43 Gamecube
10:42 RetroArch
11:41 Sega Saturn
12:07 dealing with carriers
13:00 summary / likes & dislikes
16:18 conclusion

Intro theme song sampled from "Hexadecimal Genome" by Bit Shifter:

#Android #RetroGaming #RetroArch

[dndv]

I think some of your gripes was due to your inexperience with android and the phone buying ecosystem. There are smaller phones. There are unlocked phones so you don't get the carrier crap. You can map buttons on the controller to work like hardware buttons so you don't have to swipe the screen. The pros outweigh the cons using the phone as a complete package. Especially when you factor in price vs. feature set. Good video. I enjoy your work.

[DrKrFfXx]

An OLED screen on any current phone (Or the PSVita for that matter) makes wonders for pixel art graphics. Ultradefined blacks on contours of the caracters and low pixel response times are very welcomed for retro gaming.

[Matthigast]

Man, you forgot the best kind of emulation on android!
DS emulation!

[middle_pickup]

Btw, you can just root the phone. You bought the phone. Take ownership of its hardware.

[delightfulsquirtle]

What a time to be alive. Cannot wait until Switch Games will work flawless.

[ChaoSJino]

Last year when I had to finally retire my 6 year phone, I specifically went looking for a daily Android phone, which would also double as an emulation machine and to this day I think it was a great decision on my part, as I always have either an SN30 pro or and SN30 pro+ with a clip in my bag, depending on which bag I'm going out with (the sn30 pro and clip take up less space in my "man-purse" than many underpowered dedicated devices).
I would buy a dedicated handheld as well, but my personal experience thus far has been more than satisfactory - I already always have my phone in my pocket, I have been using my phone as my main music player for years as well, so adding emulation to the functionality was less hassle than most and with my tendency to play old JRPG games, I often don't have issues using the on-screen touch controls and just not bringing a controller with me.
However, I cannot deny that the "feel" of a dedicated handheld is a different matter entirely and in my opinion one shouldn't buy a second phone just to play games on it as you end up not using most of the features you pay for. I'd say - buy an emulation-capable phone when upgrading your daily driver, but if you have the funds to spend on just a second device - buy a dedicated handheld, which is built specifically for the purpose.

[nickxcom]

Buy an unlocked device! I've literally never bought a phone through a carrier and I always get new :) I do absolutely prefer a dedicated handheld though that's for sure

[computerkid]

Android has replaced the need for any standalone emulation device, in my opinion. Controllers like the ones you use are perfect.

[benjamintran]

Using the Galaxy S21 as an emulation device and it's been like a dream. My first time getting a new phone, emulation is amazing!

[thecat]

Retroidboy is making a kit to change your phone to a handheld gaming.

[army]

Before watchng the video, I'm going to assume the conclusion is a resounding YES! I've been using my phone for retro gaming for years & as long as you have a controller for physical buttons, it's fantastic.

[akifrivaldo]

The problem is you bought the wrong phone. 1st of all 80$ is too much for sd662, theres a lot of brand like xiaomi to buy much cheaper with no terms and condition for buying prepaid or to get a plan. I still do respect your opinion and thanks for sharing this vid to us

[MrBrandonbarlow]

Also, once you connect your phone, it has native android support. Shouldn't have to touch the screen anymore. Home button should work and whatnot.

[pancon]

Very interested in this and your impressions, I'm diving right into it!

[eaman]

You can also buy one of those cheap 8" tablets with IPS display to play classic games, Zelda on a 8" is way better than on a 3" screen especially if you are getting old and your eyes have trouble with small and close stuff.

[ogyogi]

I've been doing this for a while now. I combine the razor kishi and my pixel 5 and retroarch generally would play anything. ita very convenient to just download and play anywhere. I sometimes get a bt controller and use it on a Lenovo Duet for a bigger screen experience

[RenegadeX]

Unless I'm mistaken, this is the first time I see someone on Youtube highlight that fallacy of buying Boost Mobile devices for this purpose...that it will continue to prompt you to activate the phone and even block your WIFI on it.

[rodsimpson]

I did the exact same thing. I bought a phone just for the purpose of playing games, but I came to the same conclusion. It just never felt quite as good as playing on a dedicated device. I am just waiting for a dedicated device that can play up to Dreamcast and Saturn.

[WickedGamerCollector]

Interesting Specs if you ask me we need to see that in handhelds we buy from Anbernic.
Big bummer regarding that popup.. 😑... awesome video like always 👌

[mrAPchem]

As someone that has taken this phone-as-a-handheld journey, I will say that the user experience varies widely based on the phone that you use as your handheld. At first, I used a $100 Walmart phone, and it was large and in charge! I was able to play up to Dreamcast with it with absolutely no issues. I upped the screen resolution for every system (SNES, N64, Dreamcast) that I was playing on to full-screen so that I have no borders or missing screen. However, I wasn't able to play Wii/GameCube on that phone - and then after a while, the phone stopped working altogether.

However, once I bought a used Galaxy s10e and installed my games on it, everything was copasetic. It plays Wii, GameCube and everything before that with absolutely no issues, without pop-ups or prompts to accept any phone carrier terms. Plus, it's a small phone, so small that when the Razer Kishi is on it, it's literally the same width as a Nintendo Switch. There are still small phones out there that are powerful.

So, all in all, I highly recommend using a phone as a primary handheld device - it just has to be the right phone for the games that you want to play. I recommend either using a former/current flagship phone that you already have, or buying a used phone(preferably unlocked) with a Snapdragon 845 or higher. Just about any phone with a chip like that will play everything before PS2. Any issues related to phone notifications, pop-ups or screen width ratio for certain games can all be easily rectified through emulator/phone settings. Many of the negatives that were listed in this video are not universal for everyone that uses a phone.

I would even go as far as to say that phones are actually a better option for playing retro games than any retro handheld on the market currently. They offer much more power for the money, have longer battery life, have Bluetooth/Wi-fi included, and play many more consoles than a current handheld does. And the phones are only getting more powerful with the onset of the Snapdragon 888 chips - which means all those 865/855+ phones are now former flagships that can be found for cheap. It's the handhelds that need to play catch-up to the phones, not the other way around.