Retroid pocket classic review

If you’re looking for a fresh take on classic handheld gaming, the Retroid Pocket Classic is a standout device that hit the scene in early 2025, bringing a fantastic vertical form factor and some impressive modern tech to the retro emulation world. This isn’t your grandpa’s old handheld. it’s a dedicated Android-powered console designed with a nostalgic nod to systems like the original Game Boy, but packed with enough power to handle a surprising range of classic games, all while keeping that budget-friendly Retroid spirit alive. Think of it as a premium step up for folks who love the vertical layout but want more oomph than what budget options typically offer.

When it first dropped for pre-order in March 2025, with prices starting around $119 for the 4GB/64GB model and $129 for the 6GB/128GB version, people quickly took notice. It’s a pretty unique offering in a market often dominated by horizontal designs, and Retroid really focused on making this a top-tier vertical experience. So, if you’re wondering if this “classic” device is worth your hard-earned cash crowded market, let’s break down everything you need to know.

What is the Retroid Pocket Classic?

Alright, let’s get this straight right off the bat: the Retroid Pocket Classic is a brand-new device that launched in 2025, not an older model like the original Retroid Pocket RP1 or Retroid Pocket 2 RP2. While those older models are “classics” in their own right, this one is specifically named “Classic” for its vertical, Game Boy-inspired design. It’s Retroid’s latest entry into the dedicated retro handheld market, aimed squarely at players who adore that old-school vertical feel but want modern performance and an amazing screen.

It runs on Android 13 or Android 14 depending on the specific build or updates and is powered by a Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 octa-core processor paired with an Adreno A12 GPU. This hardware combo means it’s pretty capable for a device in its price range. The most striking feature, though, is its 3.92-inch 1240×1080 AMOLED touchscreen display with a smooth 60fps refresh rate. It also comes with either 4GB or 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB or 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, which you can expand with a Micro SD card. And don’t worry about constantly plugging it in. it packs a 5000mAh battery that can easily last you a full day of gaming, supporting 27W fast charging when you do need to top it up.

Design and Build Quality: A Modern Game Boy Vibe

When you first unbox the Retroid Pocket Classic, you might be surprised by its size. It’s definitely larger than some of those super-tiny budget handhelds out there, feeling more akin to a modern smartphone in terms of footprint, though much thicker. The good news is, it’s also incredibly lightweight at just 223g, which gives it this almost “Game Boy without batteries” feel. The ergonomic curved back and textured grip help make it super comfortable for those long gaming sessions. You can find a good selection of Retro Handhelds if you want to explore alternatives.

The Buttons and Controls
The controls on the Retroid Pocket Classic are generally solid. The D-pad has that satisfying, clicky feel, much like what you’d find on a PS Vita, offering precision for fighting games and platformers. The face buttons A, B, X, Y are rubber membrane, similar to what Retroid used on the Flip 2. They’re responsive, though some might find them a tad small, especially on the “Classic 6” model with its six-button layout. On the back, you’ve got shoulder and trigger buttons that are well-placed and also have a nice click to them.

One thing to keep in mind, and it’s a big one for some folks, is the complete absence of analog sticks. This design choice makes it perfect for classic 2D games, but it definitely limits what you can comfortably play from systems that relied heavily on analog input, like N64, Dreamcast, PS2, or GameCube. While there’s a “virtual joystick” toggle that lets the D-pad mimic a left analog stick, it’s not a true replacement. If you’re into those generations, you might want to consider one of Retroid’s horizontal offerings that include dual analog sticks, or other Android Gaming Handhelds with full controls.

Screen and Audio
Now, let’s talk about that screen. Oh my goodness, the 3.92-inch 1240×1080 AMOLED display is truly the star of the show here. It’s the same screen found in the more premium AYANEO Pocket DMG, and it delivers incredible colors, deep blacks, and excellent brightness. Whether you’re playing indoors or outside in bright sunlight, your games are going to pop. The aspect ratio roughly 31×27 is pretty versatile, making older games look amazing, whether you go for integer scaling or just fill the screen.

For audio, the device features a mono speaker that, surprisingly, punches way above its weight. Reviewers have called it “fantastic” and “shockingly good,” with some even saying it’s among the best in the sub-$200 category. I’d rather have a great-sounding mono speaker than a tinny, weak stereo one any day, and Retroid seems to agree. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack, though its placement at the top might mean some cable management gymnastics for wired headphones.

Software and User Experience

The Retroid Pocket Classic runs on a modern Android operating system, either Android 13 or Android 14. This is a huge advantage because it gives you access to the entire Google Play Store, meaning you can download all sorts of emulators, frontends, and even some Android-native games.

Retroid has really refined its software experience over the years. When you first boot up the Classic, you’re guided through an intuitive setup process that can automatically install popular emulators for you. This is super helpful for newcomers, saving you the hassle of manually configuring everything. The custom launcher and frontend are designed to be fluid and user-friendly, organizing your ROMs nicely and even letting you download missing box art directly from the menu. This feature alone is a huge quality-of-life improvement that some rivals still haven’t implemented.

However, the lack of a touchscreen on older Retroid devices was a huge hurdle for Android navigation. Thankfully, the Retroid Pocket Classic comes with a touchscreen, which makes navigating Android a breeze. While the screen’s vertical orientation and the absence of analog sticks might limit some Android games or cloud streaming experiences, the underlying Android OS still offers a ton of flexibility and customization.

Emulation Performance: What Can It Play?

This is where the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 processor truly shines for its price point. While it might not be a powerhouse for demanding modern Android games especially without sticks, it excels at retro emulation.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect:

• 16-bit Era and Below NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBC, GBA, Sega Genesis, Master System, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Game Gear: These systems run flawlessly. You can expect pixel-perfect emulation and gorgeous visuals on that AMOLED screen. If you’re a fan of these older generations, this device is a dream.
• PlayStation 1 PS1: The Classic handles PS1 games like a champ. You can typically upscale games to 5x 1080p resolution using an emulator like DuckStation, with some heavier titles needing a slight drop to 4x. They still look incredibly sharp.
• Nintendo 64 N64, Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation Portable PSP: Performance here is surprisingly strong. Most games on these systems can be upscaled to 1080p within RetroArch using Flycast for Dreamcast with virtually no slowdowns. The big caveat, as mentioned, is the lack of analog sticks. While you can play N64 games, for example, it’s not the ideal experience without that joystick.
• Nintendo DS NDS: With the touchscreen, DS games are very playable, although the single screen format might make some dual-screen heavy titles feel a bit cramped.
• Higher-End Emulation PS2, GameCube: This is where the device starts to hit its limits, as expected for its price. Some lighter PS2 and GameCube games can run at 2x resolution, which is impressive. However, more demanding titles like Burnout Revenge or Soulcalibur III will likely experience noticeable slowdowns, making them less enjoyable. It’s generally not recommended for these systems, especially without proper analog sticks.

The processor seems to be designed with a focus on CPU performance, which is exactly what emulation mostly needs. This means you get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of emulation power for its target range.

Battery Life and Connectivity

With a 5000mAh battery, the Retroid Pocket Classic is built for endurance. You can comfortably get several hours, often a full day, of playtime on a single charge, depending on how demanding the games you’re emulating are. When you do need to charge, the USB-C port supports 27W fast charging, so you won’t be tethered to an outlet for too long.

For connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1. This means you can easily download games, updates, and even pair wireless headphones or controllers. The only real missing piece in terms of connectivity is a video output option. Unlike some other Retroid devices, the Classic doesn’t have an HDMI out, meaning you’re strictly limited to handheld play. If playing on a TV is important to you, this might be a dealbreaker, and you’d need to look at other Retro Gaming Consoles that support TV output.

The Good, The Bad, and the “Classic”

The Good:

• Stunning AMOLED Screen: Seriously, this is a must for retro gaming. The colors and contrast are incredible.
• Excellent Performance for its Price: It handles PS1, N64, Dreamcast, and PSP very well, and absolutely crushes anything older.
• Great Vertical Design: If you love the Game Boy aesthetic, this is a premium modern take.
• Fantastic Mono Speaker: Surprisingly good audio quality.
• Modern Android OS: Android 13/14 offers flexibility and access to the Play Store.
• Solid Battery Life: Keeps you gaming for hours.
• User-Friendly Software: Retroid’s custom frontend and setup guide make it easy to get started.
• Competitive Price: At $119-$129, it offers incredible value for what it delivers.

The Not-So-Good:

• No Analog Sticks: This is the biggest limitation, severely impacting games from systems like N64, Dreamcast, PS2, and GameCube that rely on them. While it has a virtual joystick mode, it’s not the same.
• No Video Out: You’re stuck playing on the handheld screen, no connecting to a TV.
• Plastic Feel: While solid, some might find the plastic feel a bit less premium than higher-end devices.
• Some Android Games Struggle: Due to the lack of sticks and vertical screen, some native Android games or cloud streaming might not be ideal.

Retroid Pocket Classic vs. the Competition Early 2025

In early 2025, the Retroid Pocket Classic carved out a very specific niche. It’s positioned as a clear upgrade from more budget-friendly vertical handhelds like the Miyoo Mini Plus or Anbernic RG40XX V, offering a much better screen and significantly more power for a relatively small price bump.

It’s often compared to the Analogue Pocket for its vertical design, but the Retroid Pocket Classic offers far more versatility with its Android OS and broader emulation capabilities, all at a fraction of the cost. Even though it shares the same excellent AMOLED screen as the premium AYANEO Pocket DMG, the Classic is much more affordable.

For those who want horizontal handhelds with analog sticks, other Retroid devices like the Retroid Pocket 5 or the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 offer more power and full controls, but at higher price points. The Retroid Pocket Classic isn’t trying to be an all-in-one powerhouse. it’s designed to be the best vertical Android handheld for a specific price point and play style, and in that regard, it absolutely nails it.

Final Thoughts: Is the Retroid Pocket Classic for You?

If you have a deep love for vertical handhelds, especially those classic Game Boy vibes, and you want a device that offers a stunning display, excellent performance for up to PSP/Dreamcast despite the lack of sticks, and the flexibility of Android, then the Retroid Pocket Classic is an outstanding choice. It’s a device that truly shines for 2D games and many 3D titles from the PS1/N64 era, making your retro library look and sound amazing.

It’s an incredible value proposition at its price, and Retroid has really delivered on creating a focused, high-quality vertical gaming experience. Just remember that it’s not meant for every single console or every type of Android game due to its design choices. But if those specific limitations don’t bother you, and you’re all about that beautiful AMOLED screen and powerful retro emulation in a pocket-friendly form factor, this “Classic” is a winner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the release date of the Retroid Pocket Classic?

The Retroid Pocket Classic was officially put up for pre-order on March 17, 2025, with shipping following shortly after. It’s a new device for 2025, so information and reviews reflect its recent launch.

Does the Retroid Pocket Classic have analog sticks?

No, the Retroid Pocket Classic does not feature physical analog sticks. It’s designed with a D-pad and face buttons in a vertical, Game Boy-like layout. There is a “virtual joystick” toggle that allows the D-pad to mimic a left analog stick input for some Android games, but it’s not a true analog experience.

What kind of screen does the Retroid Pocket Classic have?

It boasts an exceptional 3.92-inch 1240×1080 AMOLED touchscreen display with a 60fps refresh rate. This screen is a major highlight, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent brightness, making retro games look absolutely stunning.

What systems can the Retroid Pocket Classic emulate well?

The Retroid Pocket Classic excels at emulating systems up through the PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, Sega Dreamcast, and PlayStation Portable PSP, often at upscaled 1080p resolutions. It handles all 8-bit and 16-bit consoles like NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, Sega Genesis flawlessly. However, due to the lack of analog sticks, games heavily reliant on them from N64, Dreamcast, or higher-end systems might not be ideal.

Does the Retroid Pocket Classic have HDMI out?

No, the Retroid Pocket Classic does not include an HDMI output. This means you can only play games directly on the device’s built-in screen. it cannot be connected to an external display like a TV or monitor. Aera mini diffuser review

What operating system does the Retroid Pocket Classic run?

The device runs on a modern Android operating system, specifically Android 13 or Android 14. This provides access to the Google Play Store for various emulators, applications, and games, along with Retroid’s custom user interface for a streamlined retro gaming experience.

How much does the Retroid Pocket Classic cost?

The Retroid Pocket Classic starts at $119 USD for the 4GB RAM/64GB storage model, and $129 USD for the 6GB RAM/128GB storage model. These prices make it a very competitive option in the retro handheld market.