From Cheap Plastic to Pocket Gold: My Retroid Nova Confession

The Retroid Nova is here. Is it as good as they said it would be? Yes, and yes. What was the second yes to? I thought you asked if I wanted a drink? Ok, then, let’s blog it out.

After a relatively swift transaction, the Nova was shipped from China to Blighty in about two weeks or so. I’d placed an order for the retro model of the Retroid Nova, along with the bonus retro buttons (I don’t like rainbow buttons).

A few days or so later, I added a screen protector and the curved ‘booty’ back, as other folks were saying the flat back wasn’t very good. Having paid a few quid extra for insurance and postage, I was surprised to see that Retroid added everything in one package.

Cheeky move to charge me twice for postage, though.

The first thing I did was reckless. Less than five minutes into unboxing, I was already unscrewing the back and taking it apart. I’ve done this loads of times with controllers, and multiple times with my Steam Deck, and the Nova was initially the trickiest.

Is This Tiny Toy Actually Serious Business?

The consensus among the retro handheld community is that the tools supplied are rubbish. Yes, they are, but they were the other way around for me. While most said the screwdrivers were cheap and ineffective, I preferred them over my iFixit selection. The same could not be said for the guitar pick, as iFixit’s longer, thinner option took seconds to apply, whereas the cheapo one was a struggle.

Following a practical video was surprisingly hard. I had four on the go, as some YouTubers felt that editing for ‘style’ and not showing the actual tutorial was a good idea. Not so when you’re following along. Then I saw a recorded livestream of four different people who were essentially winging it. It wasn’t fun.

I am also going against the grain with everyone saying the Retroid Nova is a premium device. First impressions? Man, this is cheap. It feels like a toy, and I was almost regretting my purchase. The AYN Thor is significantly better in build, and I’m so glad I didn’t get a Retroid Duo. Especially as there are so many models now.

Inside the device was slightly different. The Nova is well-built, tidy, and actually quite easy to tinker with. Better than the Steam Deck, for sure. After adding my buttons (the right choice), I added the booty backing and, to be honest, probably didn’t need it.

The thinner back is more comfortable, but the default flat backplate is absolutely fine. Granted, the games I’ve been playing aren’t demanding, nor have I been playing for long periods, though I reckon in the long run, the booty is the way. Same for the backplate.

NeoStation Takes The Wheel

As for software setup? A little different to the Thor. It was straightforward enough, but lots of warning signs and signing in. The Google Play aspect bothered me a little, as I thought I was inviting China to spy on my playing, but then I thought about GameHub, and also how insignificant my footprint is; I just went with it.

Anyone familiar with Android will be fine, and as I am an Android user, I started adding apps and a few games like 2048. My front end of choice was the one I mentioned before, NeoStation, and this looks great – especially as I’m accustomed to having dual screens; it just made sense to use this.

Actually, at the time of writing, there’s been another update to NeoStation, and there are new style packs starting to come in. So, if you’re on the fence, I recommend you try this frontend out. I’m not a fan of Cocoon, and iisu feels irrelevant on one screen. EmulationStation is what I used on the Steam Deck (rarely), and aside from NeoStation, RetroHrai would be the next recommendation.

As for gameplay? It’s been great. The 4:3(?) screen is great for retro, and I much prefer Shenmue on here to the Thor. I even took it one step further and started doing some of my review games via GameNative. Except for Sucker For Love: First Date, where the touchscreen didn’t work, it’s been fine.

The Mini Cooper of Handhelds

Essentially, the Retroid Nova has the same chip as the AYN Thor, so it should play just as well. It does. And, while I find it very toy-like and stupidly light, that also works in its favour, as I have been playing more games in handheld mode and it’s more comfortable than the Thor for longer periods.

So has the AYN Thor been relegated? Absolutely not. In fact, I was playing 1666: Amsterdam through it the other day (via Artemis), and it was great not having to have the laptop on the kitchen table. The heat levels are fine as it’s streaming, and I had next to no drops.

However, the Retroid Nova is so convenient for casual play, or comfort, as you can sit, stand or swim just about anywhere, and because it’s so light and comfy to hold with those bootyful back curves, it’s the first one I pick up.

A car analogy? The Retroid Nova is the Mini Cooper I run around town in for a lot of fun, but I get the BMW out (AYN Thor) for most PC games, streaming and apps, saving the Bentley (the gaming laptop) for luxury and more demanding stuff.

Want an alternative analogy? Tough.

Do You Need Another Retro Device?

This isn’t a comparison guide, just a thought post. Do I think you should get a Retroid Nova? I have no idea; I don’t know anything about you. If you are thinking about it and unsure whether to commit, I say do it. Despite those early impressions of it being cheap, it’s worked out great, and I love it as a companion piece to my Thor.

Do I want another retro handheld anytime soon? Absolutely not. That itch has been satisfied. Until AYN make an announcement…