I would love to see a lower powered and low budget focused one. Powerful enough for locally running a web browser, normal Linux stuff like SSH and some low spec games like CDDA. Otherwise most games would be played by streaming it from your desktop.
Comment on Gaming handheld prices are out of control, except for the Steam Deck
wry@piefed.zip 1 month ago
Newer handhelds might have more power, but I still think the Deck is the best value for what it offers.
Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 1 month ago
chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 1 month ago
There are loads and loads of really cheap Android-based emulator handhelds. The YouTuber TechDweeb does lots of reviews of these devices. These things have effectively spawned their own retro gaming ecosystem around them.
An alternative is to pick up a used New Nintendo 3DS (New being part of the name, distinguishing it from the original 3DS which is way less powerful). This device can be hacked to run many different emulators and play thousands of games. While the screens are not as good as the best Android handhelds, the form factor is ideally suited for running DS and 3DS games (which obviously run natively on the device) while still being great for older single-screen systems (the unused touch screen is excellent for emulator controls such as pause/resume and save/load state).
Xatolos@reddthat.com 1 month ago
A used PS Vita would be better I feel. Similar size, and just as hackable (Emu4Vita). Except a Vita has:
- better screen
- Bluetooth audio (more and more headphones are Bluetooth)
- A functional sleep mode (the 3ds doesn’t go into sleep mode unless it’s a 3DS/DS game. So any emulator game just turns off the screen but still runs and drains the battery)
- A possibly standard connector (the 2000 series uses micro-USB)
The only advantage a 3DS has is that it has 3DS and DS games, but the Vita has PS Vita games, PSP games, and PSX games to its advantage.
chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 1 month ago
My N3DS runs PSX games just fine via RetroArch.
The Bluetooth audio sounds really nice though.
I don’t know anything about the PSP or Vita libraries so I don’t know why I would want them. The DS and 3DS library is absolutely ginormous so that’s a big draw for me.
As for sleeping/power drain, I haven’t had too many issues since I turned the brightness down. I don’t have enough free time in a day to drain the whole battery and I plug it in to charge every night. Maybe the sleep issues with emulators have been fixed? I use RetroArch and it seems to work fine coming in and out of sleep.
jacksilver@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Yeah, but I hate android and want to run steam natively so I can play indie games.
Where is my small Linux handheld for steam. Something not targeting the AAA games?
chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I believe a lot of the folks into these retro handhelds ditch the default Android system and install a community made distro specifically for running these retro emulators! TechDweeb talks about them.
WhiteOakBayou@lemmy.world 1 month ago
In that form factor/size are the android handhelds better screens worth the trade-off of what I assume is better build quality from Nintendo (I’ve never used a ds so I assume the build quality is better)
chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I’m not sure actually. I’m into the hobby but I have only a New 3DS. I plan to get one of those handhelds at some point but I’m not there yet!
SonOfAntenora@lemmy.world 1 month ago
You want a linux psp, a media device that had a we browser too. The psp was som far ahead of its time.
mrgoosmoos@lemmy.ca 1 month ago
I just want something that runs Minecraft so I don’t have to keep up to date with workarounds on the Switch that Nintendo keeps trying to block
also fuck bedrock edition
my switch exists primarily for Minecraft. I don’t use it much because the experience is terrible. if there was something that did the same thing but for Java, I’d buy it
princessnorah@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 month ago
So essentially a Steam Link/Moonlight thin client? Yeah, I like the idea of that.
wry@piefed.zip 1 month ago
This is a neat idea and contrary to what the other commenter said, I still think it's a valuable proposition because many folks, myself included, would rather have a Linux device rather than an Android one.
pyr0ball@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
I do this with my RK36XX emulation system (powkiddy RGB30)
It even plays stardew valley and quake 3 arena through the onboard ports really really well
Romulon@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
I think a budget android handheld could work well for game streaming. TechDweeb and Retro Game Corps newest videos show android handhelds that cost less than 100€.
Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 1 month ago
With google looking at locking down Android and preventing you from installing things on it I would rather not
nokturne213@sopuli.xyz 1 month ago
The android console did not do do well. I mean it made a lot of money, but died not last long after release.
Tikiporch@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I care less about power and more about silence. I would pay double for a Steam Deck that doesn’t sound like a hair dryer when I try to play Baldur’s Gate 3 on low.
phx@lemmy.ca 1 month ago
That’s kinda about power though. Think about going up a pulling a trailer up a hill with a vehicle that has a small engine versus a bigger one.
The small engine vehicle might make the hill, but it’s going up gear lower, rev higher, and probably heat up a bit.
The bigger vehicle will handle the hill and load with more grace, but may also use more fuel in everyday situations or cost more.
BG3 is kinda stretching the Deck’s engine (APU), and the fans are running like made to compensate for the heat running at 100% for longer periods. I’ve a few games that stretch the Deck’s capabilities so for those I just stream from my more powerful PC
UxyIVrljPeRl@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Thats only Part of it, the others are efficence, Formfaktor and weight. Make it 2-5cm thicker and its now nearly silent
Romulon@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
I think even 1cm would be enough. Take a look at the ifixit steamdeck heatsink replacement guide to see how small the heatsink is.
www.ifixit.com/Guide/…/148904