Sure thing, here we go:
—
Okay, so handheld gaming. It’s like this wild sea of choices, and honestly, I can’t even keep track anymore. You’ve got to ask yourself: what do you really want here? A device that can slip into your front pocket? I mean, who doesn’t love that? Or maybe you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind lugging around something a bit bigger as long as it’s useful every day. Like the ROG Ally — sure, it’s bulky and kinda annoying to haul around, but, oh man, the power! It’s like having a mini gaming beast.
Anyway, now picture this: you need a little device that plays a variety of games but won’t be a massive pain to carry, unlike, you know, the massive Steam Deck. Enter the Retroid Pocket 5. Everyone’s raving about it, yet there are a few quirks — that all-glass front? Ugh, means you might have to buy a case to shield it in a bag. But hang on, Retroid is back with some kind of magic trick with the Retroid Flip 2.
Totally fascinated by this Flip 2 — no joke. It has the same guts and buttons as the Pocket 5, but the exterior, that’s where the magic’s at. It’s a clamshell, which is like a throwback to the Nintendo DS days. And guess what? Goodbye, extra case. Two weeks with this guy, tossing it in my bag without a second thought — the peace of mind is real, folks.
Now, about the design: the whole bottom is taken up by the Flip 2’s buttons and sticks, so much room! Seriously, it’s like night and day compared to the Pocket 5. Usually, these small devices are either good for analog or D-pad stuff, not both. But with Flip 2, switching between them mid-game is actually easy. If you’ve tried the Retroid 5, you’d know — those controls were stacked almost vertically. Not fun.
Yet, let’s face it, clamshells come with a catch. It’s not as comfy as a Steam Deck or your everyday controller. They had to recess those analog sticks into little divots. And sure, they work fine, but there’s this wee dip in precision. Not really a big deal unless you’re into competitive gaming. But let’s talk about comfort — the Flip 2’s design is so flat, just like the DS. I had a similar “ouch” moment with the Nintendo Switch 2. But hey, compared to turning my hands into cramped-up claws with the Pocket 5, the Flip 2 is way better.
Oh, here’s another thing. No clue how long the hinge will last me. With the DS, it got all wobbly after ages. Flip 2 is clamshell number 2 from Retroid after they had issues before, so fingers crossed it lasts a good few years.
And, argh, here’s the kicker: thanks to tariff stuff in the U.S., this thing costs a small fortune there. So, if you’re somewhere else, congrats — clamshells are totally having a revival. Enjoy it!
—
Hope it’s chaos-y enough for you!
