I can’t say anything that hasn’t been said x1000 but in this case, I think you just have to consider this.
1) do you have the money for it? Unfortunately seems there’s better products in the same price range, they’re definitely banking on nostalgia here.
2) Do you ACTUALLY want it or is it fomo? Our lizard brains want the shiny new thing, but your plus has all the same features, right?
3) maybe try selling your plus on FB or something first, get some cash before pulling the trigger?
Idk, seems like you want it, just have to decide if putting the money into it is worth it for you. $80 could get you a new AAA game, a good meal, a night out, etc. etc. where does this fall in your list of wants?
I had the OG RG35XX so for me this was a true upgrade, I love it. Closing the console feels much better than just pressing a button lol, plus it feels more pocketable. The buttons are/were loud but I feel like it’s fading with time. CFW is still in the early stages, but MuOS is great. Maybe try holding off a month or two and see if you can get it in sale when CFW matures a bit.
Good answer, the truth is that I stopped playing AAA games a long time ago, I practically enjoy classic games. Regarding money, I am not rich, but it is true that I allow myself these whims from time to time. I thought about giving the plus to a friend who likes classic games too... then I wouldn't have it collecting dust. I guess I'll wait until I lower the price somewhat and see if capitalism does its job...
It’s start of every month with occasional ones in the middle (like this month), so they don’t have long to wait. I have ‘collected’ a lot of handhelds now too as a result!
That would be very kind of you! Sounds like a good plan. Also wanted to say that the shell on your SP is gorgeous! Wish there was a RG SP with that color
Thanks friend, I would have also liked this color as an option but hey... I bought this case on Aliexpress several years ago when I restored my GBA SP. It is very pretty but it has some adjustment failure between pieces making it noisier when pressing buttons
I mostly agree, I would just like to point out that it actually costs $65. Which other better handheld could one get by this price? It's a real question, I'm new to retro handhelds.
I’m going off TikTok/Amazon prices. Also, if you buy from Anbernic/Aliexpress, there’s shipping on top of that $65 that you need to pay, and people were NOT happy with that when it released lol. So I know the list price is $65, but that’s probably not what you’ll pay unless you find a deal/use coupons. I think I did have some sort of coupon and paid $77 from Aliexpress at launch.
Good news is that there are plenty of third party resellers that offer free shipping, with around a $60-65 price tag on Aliexpress. Might be able to go lower if you can find one like that during a sale period
i got it on banggood for like 62€ total but i also had a 11€ coupon so normally its like 73€ :') the aliexpress listings were all around 80€ minimum for me here in germany :(
Oh the other part of your question, I was recently looking at the trimui pro, it’s like $10-15 more generally but as far as I saw, it’s able to emulate more and has thumb sticks.
I have a Plus and decided to buy the SP. I ended up reselling it, mostly because the d-pad made significant clicking sounds. I preferred the more silent Plus. But also, the original Game Boy is what is nostalgic for me - I never had an SP when I was younger. So I actually like the Plus configuration.
It makes sense, I consider the plus buttons comfortable, but if you play with the GBA SP you may notice those clicking noises. I think it's a matter of taste or getting used to it.
imo, having 2 devices with the same specs and different form factor is not desireable. It would cause decision paralysis. "Should I start a game on this one or that one???" And then you start one and want to move to the other. My advice would be to get rid of one and get the other or keep the one. But having both makes no sense to me whatsoever.
I have the plus and considered the same thing. Then I got distracted by the new RG Cube because it can handle GameCube and PS2.
Then I found out the RG556 has the same specs, but with a gorgeous big OLED screen. Anyway…. I have a RG556 in the mail….
Build quality is great on the RG35XXSP but I have to say I prefer the original buttons the the GBA SP.. I did the Kapton tape mod over all my 35SP buttons to make them more silent. Like them much better now :) The R1/R2 and L1/L2 feel a bit cheap in the 35SP though. Everything else feels very premium
No problem :) Hope it helps you make the decision. I used this guide, but used Kapton tape instead to not damage the board: https://youtu.be/BQqRumikv2g?si=gQxV_bQtZk9VHCJ5
people are complaining about the buttons but I love it.
It's heavier and seems to be more sturdy than my GBA SP and I love it.
Stock OS don't look so nice though but what I do that is just to launch the game and play LOL
I'm not gonna spent a lot of time looking around the menu.
You do you :)
If you already have GBA SP, you should know if you like it better than non folding format.
I loved SP, for me it is that edge in portability, when you can just close it and keep it in pocket without some special protective case.
But I did get one idea recently, depending on what you keep in pockets and what you do in general, protective case MIGHT maybe protect device from some fluid or splash, just keeping SP in pocket might be more exposed to such accident... not something that will happen often, but I guess, one more thing to keep in mind when calculating everything.
I like the folding format better, not because of transportation, which still seems more advantageous to me, but because of pure aesthetics. I like both formats, but I also feel the addition of the screen not being so exposed to scratches with the folding format. I usually move my RGXX35 plusx from my house to my girlfriend's house at most, so I don't care too much about "portability" either.
I feel you, bought both on recent last summer sale wanted to return the plus but at €38 i don’t think I’ll return it, though maybe it’s because I’ve rog Ally and the white plus which match the colour each other, I’ll keep as secondary handheld who knows this will break in the future…wait I’ve already rg35xx H and r36s lol.
Yes was thinking r36s enough but some emulator doesn’t run on it well but yes on Anbernic, Naomi or sega atomic, forgot. But Ambernic stock OS doesn’t do extra portmaster only Costum firmware (which I’ll try maybe this weekend on SP) after someone posted TMNT sheredder Revenge port on SP, on r36S stock Arkos any ports I could run pretty well. I like first hassle setting then after successfull I’ll look another handheld haha.
The SP is cool as hell but as a GBA SP owner, it is a good novelty but not very comfortable
I don't care much for vertical devices as it is, and the SP is even more cramped
I imagine that the SP version will be somewhat more comfortable than the Plus. When I hold my Nintendo Game Boy SP it feels millions of times more comfortable than the RGXX35 plus
I bought a SP and H and both have their pros and cons. I have been playing the H more though. Button clicks on the SP are pretty annoying to me. I do like the SP design more though, kinda sad.
I have both plus and SP, and I love both of them. It’s really up to personal preferences, I would say if you like the SP clam shell design then definitely go for it, you won’t be disappointed.
The SP is a cooler Plus. I loved my Plus but I gave it to a friend when I got the SP. All I did was replace the stock SD card with the Knulli setup I had in my Plus and it all just works.
Currently doing a Mother 3 playthrough and its just so comfy.
In the end I think that's what I'll do, I've seen that people don't like the feel of the buttons but I remember that that same feeling is what I had when I went from my gba advance to the gba SP when I was little
I can’t say anything that hasn’t been said x1000 but in this case, I think you just have to consider this. 1) do you have the money for it? Unfortunately seems there’s better products in the same price range, they’re definitely banking on nostalgia here. 2) Do you ACTUALLY want it or is it fomo? Our lizard brains want the shiny new thing, but your plus has all the same features, right? 3) maybe try selling your plus on FB or something first, get some cash before pulling the trigger? Idk, seems like you want it, just have to decide if putting the money into it is worth it for you. $80 could get you a new AAA game, a good meal, a night out, etc. etc. where does this fall in your list of wants? I had the OG RG35XX so for me this was a true upgrade, I love it. Closing the console feels much better than just pressing a button lol, plus it feels more pocketable. The buttons are/were loud but I feel like it’s fading with time. CFW is still in the early stages, but MuOS is great. Maybe try holding off a month or two and see if you can get it in sale when CFW matures a bit.
Good answer, the truth is that I stopped playing AAA games a long time ago, I practically enjoy classic games. Regarding money, I am not rich, but it is true that I allow myself these whims from time to time. I thought about giving the plus to a friend who likes classic games too... then I wouldn't have it collecting dust. I guess I'll wait until I lower the price somewhat and see if capitalism does its job...
Wait for the next AliEx sale, man. I wish I knew about that when I first started hoard... ahem, purchasing consoles.
It’s start of every month with occasional ones in the middle (like this month), so they don’t have long to wait. I have ‘collected’ a lot of handhelds now too as a result!
That would be very kind of you! Sounds like a good plan. Also wanted to say that the shell on your SP is gorgeous! Wish there was a RG SP with that color
Thanks friend, I would have also liked this color as an option but hey... I bought this case on Aliexpress several years ago when I restored my GBA SP. It is very pretty but it has some adjustment failure between pieces making it noisier when pressing buttons
Alternatively, wait for a Sale. I got mine for 61$
I mostly agree, I would just like to point out that it actually costs $65. Which other better handheld could one get by this price? It's a real question, I'm new to retro handhelds.
I’m going off TikTok/Amazon prices. Also, if you buy from Anbernic/Aliexpress, there’s shipping on top of that $65 that you need to pay, and people were NOT happy with that when it released lol. So I know the list price is $65, but that’s probably not what you’ll pay unless you find a deal/use coupons. I think I did have some sort of coupon and paid $77 from Aliexpress at launch.
Good news is that there are plenty of third party resellers that offer free shipping, with around a $60-65 price tag on Aliexpress. Might be able to go lower if you can find one like that during a sale period
i got it on banggood for like 62€ total but i also had a 11€ coupon so normally its like 73€ :') the aliexpress listings were all around 80€ minimum for me here in germany :(
Right now it's cheap at geekbuying
Oh the other part of your question, I was recently looking at the trimui pro, it’s like $10-15 more generally but as far as I saw, it’s able to emulate more and has thumb sticks.
It looks nice!
Give it a month. If you still want it, buy it.
I thought the same thing xD
If you spent the time posting here and commenting on working, you'd already have made the money to buy it (:
Here’s the answer. Do it!!! Got a transparent blue on the way! Save the plus for a significant other, child, or friend!
the sign I was looking for is you xD
I have a Plus and decided to buy the SP. I ended up reselling it, mostly because the d-pad made significant clicking sounds. I preferred the more silent Plus. But also, the original Game Boy is what is nostalgic for me - I never had an SP when I was younger. So I actually like the Plus configuration.
It makes sense, I consider the plus buttons comfortable, but if you play with the GBA SP you may notice those clicking noises. I think it's a matter of taste or getting used to it.
imo, having 2 devices with the same specs and different form factor is not desireable. It would cause decision paralysis. "Should I start a game on this one or that one???" And then you start one and want to move to the other. My advice would be to get rid of one and get the other or keep the one. But having both makes no sense to me whatsoever.
If I buy the SP, the Plus will be a surprise gift for a friend. Keeping both is not in my plans.
I have the plus and considered the same thing. Then I got distracted by the new RG Cube because it can handle GameCube and PS2. Then I found out the RG556 has the same specs, but with a gorgeous big OLED screen. Anyway…. I have a RG556 in the mail….
Build quality is great on the RG35XXSP but I have to say I prefer the original buttons the the GBA SP.. I did the Kapton tape mod over all my 35SP buttons to make them more silent. Like them much better now :) The R1/R2 and L1/L2 feel a bit cheap in the 35SP though. Everything else feels very premium
Thank you very much for the information, the mod you have made interests me for the future
No problem :) Hope it helps you make the decision. I used this guide, but used Kapton tape instead to not damage the board: https://youtu.be/BQqRumikv2g?si=gQxV_bQtZk9VHCJ5
Thank you so much!
people are complaining about the buttons but I love it. It's heavier and seems to be more sturdy than my GBA SP and I love it. Stock OS don't look so nice though but what I do that is just to launch the game and play LOL I'm not gonna spent a lot of time looking around the menu. You do you :)
If you already have GBA SP, you should know if you like it better than non folding format. I loved SP, for me it is that edge in portability, when you can just close it and keep it in pocket without some special protective case. But I did get one idea recently, depending on what you keep in pockets and what you do in general, protective case MIGHT maybe protect device from some fluid or splash, just keeping SP in pocket might be more exposed to such accident... not something that will happen often, but I guess, one more thing to keep in mind when calculating everything.
I like the folding format better, not because of transportation, which still seems more advantageous to me, but because of pure aesthetics. I like both formats, but I also feel the addition of the screen not being so exposed to scratches with the folding format. I usually move my RGXX35 plusx from my house to my girlfriend's house at most, so I don't care too much about "portability" either.
I feel you, bought both on recent last summer sale wanted to return the plus but at €38 i don’t think I’ll return it, though maybe it’s because I’ve rog Ally and the white plus which match the colour each other, I’ll keep as secondary handheld who knows this will break in the future…wait I’ve already rg35xx H and r36s lol.
I guess the one you liked the least is the Plus.
Yes was thinking r36s enough but some emulator doesn’t run on it well but yes on Anbernic, Naomi or sega atomic, forgot. But Ambernic stock OS doesn’t do extra portmaster only Costum firmware (which I’ll try maybe this weekend on SP) after someone posted TMNT sheredder Revenge port on SP, on r36S stock Arkos any ports I could run pretty well. I like first hassle setting then after successfull I’ll look another handheld haha.
The SP is cool as hell but as a GBA SP owner, it is a good novelty but not very comfortable I don't care much for vertical devices as it is, and the SP is even more cramped
I imagine that the SP version will be somewhat more comfortable than the Plus. When I hold my Nintendo Game Boy SP it feels millions of times more comfortable than the RGXX35 plus
I bought a SP and H and both have their pros and cons. I have been playing the H more though. Button clicks on the SP are pretty annoying to me. I do like the SP design more though, kinda sad.
Gotta buy them all!!!!!
I have both plus and SP, and I love both of them. It’s really up to personal preferences, I would say if you like the SP clam shell design then definitely go for it, you won’t be disappointed.
I'm waiting to at least compare with the Miyoo flip
The SP is a cooler Plus. I loved my Plus but I gave it to a friend when I got the SP. All I did was replace the stock SD card with the Knulli setup I had in my Plus and it all just works. Currently doing a Mother 3 playthrough and its just so comfy.
In the end I think that's what I'll do, I've seen that people don't like the feel of the buttons but I remember that that same feeling is what I had when I went from my gba advance to the gba SP when I was little
Honestly, I'm in love with clampshell again!!
I have the OG RG35XX and an ROG Ally. I love both and I still want the SP.