If you grew up playing classic video game consoles and arcades through the early 2000‘s, chances are you‘ve wished for an easy way to enjoy those nostalgic games on modern devices. Without having to own all the old bulky hardware of course!
That‘s where technology like emulation saves the day. And no portable gadget available today handles emulating retro favorites quite as special as the Retroid Pocket 3. This latest model from retro gaming startup Go Retroid packs an amazing combination of performance, controls, features and portability into a device priced at just $119.
As someone who‘s owned practically every major home console plus multiple generations of Game Boys, Metroids and PlayStations over 30+ years of gaming, I‘ve been blown away at how well the Retroid Pocket 3 delivers that nostalgia fix. In both gameplay smoothness and the intangible feel of control in hand.
If you too want to revisit all your retro gaming passions in one compact on-the-go package, then reading this detailed Pocket 3 review is a must. I‘ll cover everything from technical capabilities to real world gaming experiences that set it apart. Let‘s dive in!
Overview of the Retroid Pocket 3
On the outside, the Retroid Pocket 3 retains the same compact shape as the previous RP2 and RP2+ consoles from Retroid, measuring just 5.7 x 2.3 x 0.7 inches. It fits nicely in one hand, aided by the grooved grips on either side of the screen. Despite its petite footprint, the device feels solid thanks to its plastic but durable construction.
That 4.7" touch display hits a sweetspot between providing ample play area without inflating device size. It uses an IPS panel for rich color and pairs nicely with the very loud front stereo speakers.
Flip the RP3 over and you‘ll find all the expected ports in such a multimedia handheld – USB-C for charging and data, a headphone jack, microSD slot for storage expansion, and a mini HDMI port for video out. Sadly HDMI only works up to 720p resolution.
So far things may look rather identical to past RPs. But the more exciting changes actually lie under the hood…
Retroid Pocket 3 – Beefed Up Internals
The Retroid Pocket 3 marks a meaningful performance upgrade over previous models thanks to its newer mobile processor and extra RAM:
- CPU: Unisoc T310 quad-core Arm Cortex-A75 running at 1.8Ghz
- GPU: ARM Mali-G52 MC2 700Mhz
- RAM: 2GB or 3GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 32GB UFS + microSD card slot
- OS: Android 11
Now if that all sounds like alphabet soup to you, just know it translates to up to 70% faster general and gaming performance versus the RP2 or RP2+ based on benchmark comparisons.
That beefiness makes perfect sense though when you consider the RP3‘s mission: accurately emulate as many classic gaming consoles through the early 2000‘s in a handheld form.
Emulating hardware like Nintendo 64 or PlayStation Portable requires some serious muscle – way beyond what those old consoles themselves packed. So equipping the Pocket 3 with 2021 mobile specs brings welcome headroom.
We‘ll examine real world results later on. But next let‘s highlight some of the core features that make the Retroid Pocket 3 special for on-the-go retro gaming.
What Makes the Retroid Pocket 3 Special?
Beyond just its faster modern hardware, several key attributes come together to make gaming phenomenal on the Retroid Pocket 3 – and set it apart from competitors or rolling your own emulation setup:
Purpose-Built Physical Controls
Retroid designed the Pocket series first and foremost for playing games. So unlike using touch controls or a smartphone gamepad mount, you get a fantastic integrated d-pad and button layout optimized for long retro gaming sessions. Everything is ergonomically placed and feels great under your fingers or thumbs. The optional rubber cap analog sticks offer precise 360° movement too.
Unique Frontend Software
Setting up and tweaking individual emulator apps can prove daunting. So Retroid preinstalls a custom launcher called RetroidOS on the Pocket 3 (built atop Android 11) which provides a seamless unified interface with per-console settings. You can map touch or physical controls uniquely on a per game basis too. It really streamlines playing across platforms.
Deep Retro Console Support
Of course all those great controls and software would mean little if performance came up short. Thankfully the Pocket 3‘s ample horsepower combined with intensive emulator optimization enables essentially flawless support for consoles like NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, Dreamcast and PSP. The improved 3D rendering even opens the door to select GameCube and PS2 titles.
Big Screen Ready
The Retroid Pocket 3 lets you easily enjoy your favorite retro games on today‘s giant TVs thanks to its HDMI output support. Sure it maxes out at 720p resolution – but that suits retro pixel art beautifully. Hook up a Bluetooth controller and it provides a versatile old school console replacement.
Huge Compatible Libraries
Speaking of massive libraries, the RP3‘s hardware spec unlocks support for thousands of classic games thanks to broad compatibility across mainstream emulators like MAME, Genesis Plus GX, Mupen64 Plus, Flycast, PPSSPP and more. You‘ll have no shortage of beloved favorites to revisit!
Affordable Pricing
Given everything the Retroid Pocket 3 brings to the table as a retro powerhouse, its $119 starting price seems almost unbelievable. Where competitors like the Anbernic RG353 cost over $150 for lower specs, the Pocket 3 provides far better future-proofing while keeping purchase and ownership costs negligible.
Clearly the RP3 checks all the right boxes that retro gamers desire. Next let‘s scrutinize how well that promise holds up when you actually power on the device and start playing!
Real-World Gaming Performance
Surely specs and features are all well and good on paper. But prospective buyers reasonably want to know just how well suited the Retroid Pocket 3 proves for actual real world gameplay across generations of consoles. Especially when some competitor devices misleadingly overpromise yet underdeliver compatibility.
I‘m happy to report that after extensive hands-on testing of the Pocket 3, it definitely delivers superlative performance that matches its marketing claims!
I put the RP3 through its paces across a wide span of platforms from 1985‘s classic Super Mario Bros on NES all the way through boundary pushing 2001 titles like PSP‘s God of War. Games that challenged even powerful modern PCs and consoles back in their day.
Here is a high level summary of how the major consoles fared:
| Console | Top Games Tested | Typical Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo (NES) | Super Mario, Zelda, Metroid | Pixel perfect at 60fps |
| Super Nintendo (SNES) | Zelda, Super Metroid, FF6 | Pixel perfect at 60fps |
| Sega Genesis | Sonic, Phantasy Star 4 | Perfectly smooth |
| Game Boy Advance (GBA) | Pokemon, Metroid Fusion | Flawless full speed |
| Nintendo 64 (N 64) | Mario 64, Ocarina, Wave Race | Very playable, occasional hiccups |
| PlayStation 1 (PS1) | Final Fantasy 7, Metal Gear Solid | Locked 60fps throughout |
| Dreamcast | Soul Calibur, Crazy Taxi, Jet Grind Radio | Excellent results in 3D titles |
| PlayStation Portable (PSP) | God of War, Wipeout Pure | 30fps smooth at native res |
And the list goes on – from perfect arcade emulation for Neo Geo titles like Metal Slug 3 to lovely Nintendo DS graphics in the RetroidOS frontend.
I‘d estimate a good 85-90% of iconic games I tried across over a dozen legacy platforms performed admirably on the stock Pocket 3. Either flawlessly smooth like 2D experiences or highly playable in thee case of 3D N64 and Dreamcast.
The Pocket 3 does show its limits trying to emulate more modern consoles like GameCube, PS2 or Saturn. Though recent forks like MMJR Dolphin show promise if you overclock the T310 chip. But for anything in the 16-bit generation or earlier, playing games felt wonderfully smooth and lag free.
Now keep in mind the Pocket 3 costs literally 1/20th the price of other portable options like the Steam Deck or Aya Neo Next – while packing way smaller footprint. So relatively speaking, Retroid utterly nails the retro gaming experience and value metrics!
Daily Usage as a Handheld
Given its petite size yet beefy performance, I also spent some time evaluating the Retroid Pocket 3‘s capabilities as an everyday portable beyond just gaming. After all, having a pocket computer ready for quick tasks or entertainment proves handy when on the move.
The Snapdragon-class T310 SOC and plentiful RAM allows the Pocket 3 to run Android 11 remarkably well in daily productivity. Streaming video plays smoothly up to 1080p thanks to hardware decoding. OS navigation and app multitasking felt quite responsive too. The Micro SD slot enables near limitless media capacity as well.
Of course the 4.7" screen works better for brief web searches versus heavy document editing. And typing long emails using the on-screen keyboard could test your patience! But for Twitter, messaging, maps or casual web browsing the Pocket 3 works great. Bonus points for emitting way less EMF versus a phone pressed against your head.
The 6000 mAh battery also lasted 5-6 hours when mixed usage gaming and streaming video. That‘s impressive longevity given the pocketable size. The speakers pump out sufficiently loud audio for personal listening without a headset too.
So if you need a break from button mashing action, just fire up Netflix or Spotify to keep enjoying the Pocket 3 on the go!
Comparison With Popular Alternatives
Considering competing retro handhelds today typically cost $150 and up, the Retroid Pocket 3 stands in a class of its own when accounting for performance, build quality, software experience and pricing.
Let‘s compare some key differences versus other popular options:
| Device | CPU Power | Max Resolution | Raw Performance | Emulation Quality | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retroid Pocket 3 | Quad Core 1.8Ghz | 720p HDMI out | 28K AnTuTu | Excellent | $119 |
| Anbernic RG353P | Dual 1.0Ghz | 720p HDMI out | 18K AnTuTu | Moderate | $188 |
| Powkiddy X18S | Quad 1.8Ghz | 720p HDMI out | 31K AnTuTu | Hit or miss | $239 |
| Miyoo Mini V2 | Single 1Ghz | 480p Screen | 8K AnTuTu | Mediocre | $99 |
You can see even latest generation competitors like the RG353P and X18S cost almost 2X more money – yet offer either inferior performance to the RP3 or poorer quality software and compliance. And cheaper options like the Miyoo Mini V2 cut way too many corners shrinking components down leading to lots of game issues.
So if you want a handheld that truly nails the full retro experience reliably while fitting inside your pocket, the Retroid Pocket 3 stands leagues ahead as your best bet!
Where To Buy the Retroid Pocket 3
Given supply challenges facing the tech industry today, Retroid wisely sells all their devices exclusively through their own website at http://goretroid.com rather than third parties.
The base $119 Retroid Pocket 3 model packs 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. I‘d recommend spending just $10 more on the upgrade to 3GB RAM though, as it definitely smooths out performance in demanding titles that push the hardware limits.
You can choose black, white or transparent casing colors to suit your style. Red, yellow, blue and purple buttons add flair too.
As of late 2022, Retroid managed to build up sufficient inventory where the Pocket 3 hardly ever goes out of stock after initial sellouts. So no need to rush your purchase decision – units should remain available in their store for the foreseeable future.
The main drawback of direct ordering does remain slower shipping times and potential customs fees for those outside China. Just the nature of international commerce sadly! My unit took just shy of 3 weeks to arrive in the US via standard shipping.
In Conclusion…
As both an experienced retro console collector and handheld gaming enthusiast, I can enthusiastically recommend the Retroid Pocket 3 as today‘s best all-around portable for enjoying decades of video game history on one battery-powered device.
It nails all the checkbox items: build quality and controls purpose built for gaming comfort…potent new mobile processor and ample RAM for stellar emulation power…intuitive frontend software removing complexity…pocketable industrial design…and wallet friendly pricing carrying on Retroid‘s reputation.
While no single handheld can run every classic game ever made without occasional flaws, the Pocket 3 comes shockingly close – while remaining eminently playable and just plain fun to use. It turned me into a kid again revisiting SNES favorites I hadn‘t touched in 20 years.
So if you have any fondness for retro console gaming, grab a Retroid Pocket 3 to enjoy your favorites anywhere life takes you! It will provide endless hours of entertainment each time you reach into your pocket.