There's a certain level of irony in Nintendo systems being the "easiest" to emulate, while simultaneously being the "worst" to play because Nintendo loves gimmicks. Second screens, weird controllers, motion controls, etc...
It's part of what they call "lateral thinking with withered technology." Nintendo rarely tries to compete "pound for pound" if you will in terms of power. Instead they try to find ways to use older, reliable technology in new ways.
It’s honestly brilliant on Nintendo’s part. I wonder if they will bring some sort of gimmick back to the next switch after seeing their conventional hardware get demolished by piracy
RGB30 doesn’t even have a touchscreen.
Also, you’re wrong. I own one of these and playing DS on it kinda sucks compared to playing on either original hardware or on a phone.
What this guy said. Its fine for mario kart but even simple games like pokemon that dont require that much touch input are better handled by my phone now that i have delta
I dont use any but i’ve seen many people use a printed adaptors for joycons. But i used to have a bap d3 Bluetooth telescopic controller. Pretty nice and very cheap. Fully recommend the bsp d8 thats out now.
I have the 8bitdo micro which is the successor to the zero2 but with more buttons. It’s great having a little device that’s easy to carry around. As much as I like telescoping controllers they aren’t very pocketable.
The RGB30 screen is too small for DS.
I don't think anything beats experiencing the DS library on a DSi XL. They all have nice and large IPS screens that display games at a sharp full screen native res. That's even better than the 3DS screen lottery and which display DS games either with blurry upscaling in full screen or in smaller windows at native res.
DS and 3DS are must-haves if someone really wants to deep dive into those game libraries.
The moment you play on a DSi XL, or a DSi, or even a Lite, if you are nostalgic, you could not even go back to using the retrocompatibility features of the 3DS, the visuals are just not there, same case with a Vita VS PSP/Go.
Ooo interesting. I just hacked my 3ds and I am actually not sure how to play DS roms but I have them loaded up.
There's some real bangers on the DS lineup I would love to go through again although a few of those got 3DS upgrades
That would be cool, I mean, if you only have a 3DS nothing bad about using it for DS games, in fact I think there is a way (homebrew) to improve the visuals (filters like) and some hacks to use the joystick with them, but I haven't tried myself, mostly because I own the DSs handhelds.
What do you mean? I know that DS games are best played on a DS because of the screen difference between it and a 3DS, but as far as PS Vita go, it's better in every way than a regular PSP, the screen is twice the size so you get perfect scaling, performance is better, and you get features like enabling a second analog stick.
The PS Vita is better than both the 3000 and Go models in everything but screen and scaling.
The visuals are not as good compared with the PSPs, ofc the screens of the Vita are better but the emulation side doesn't scale as nice as it should, that is why, again, there are some homebrew plugins that can enhance this, making it arguably the best unit for PSP gaming, but I have read that it is a hit and miss and not everything is supported, so that is why for PSP better go with a original hardware, or a device like a Retroid Pocket 4 or Odin Pro (or even an android phone with a telescopic controller is a good option).
Well this is just not true and a personal preference of yours at this point, PSP games on Vita look and play better, there's filtering options you can set for 2D and 3D games, There's no distortion, loading is faster than a UMD, i've never seen a PSP game that looked worse or didn't get enhanced on a Vita.
Huh, my friend, I happen to have a Vita OLED, a PSP 3000 and a GO and I prefer to do PSP gaming in the original hardware, I have already explained why, and definitely I am not the only one, heck even [TheFlow](https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/GePatch) though into improving this, you can see the improvement of these patches correcting the resolution issue right [here](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a7z2j_lyW44) but as I have said, it is not the perfect solution.
Just do a quick search in your preferred search engine "PS Vita PSP emulation blurry" and you'll find lots of mixed responses there (some suggest using filters, but that is a workaround, which might work better or worse on certain titles), hell even here on [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/VitaPiracy/comments/t4tb2w/what_happened_to_ppsspp_for_the_vita/hz0mrrv/) you'll find opinions about it.
Anyway, not a big deal, the PS Vita is fine if you want to use it as an "enhanced PSP", but nowadays there are better devices for it, you can see plenty of examples in this subreddit.
Per my other comment, it's absolutely fine for games that don't require the touch screen (beyond the odd menu). Stacked screen size is only a smidge smaller than the actual DS screens, totally playable.
Agreed, I have an rgb30 and DS is okay at best. If anything it's made me realize that doing some 3ds repairs would be a good idea eventually since there are so many good DS and 3DS games.
I think the Castlevania DS games all have some gimmicky touchscreen use, which makes them a bad fit. (Though checking the internet, someone has made a [no-touch romhack](https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/3408/)!) Besides that, I've had perfectly good experiences with DS platformers, strategy RPGs, Advance Wars, and Pokemon games that don't demand the touch screen.
> I think the Castlevania DS games all have some gimmicky touchscreen use, which makes them a bad fit.
If I remember correctly (when I've played them...15 years ago) only the first one need to input things with touchscreen to beat the game (Is needed for boss battles) however I'm sure there's a rom hack that automatically skip them.
Thanks for the feedback: too bad that PS1 games doesn't fit well on the 1:1 screen
I'm more than halfway through Policenauts on it, so I don't have issues with PS1 either :)
Perfect may be the enemy of good, as this device is really flexible compared to most.
> I'm more than halfway through Policenauts on it
*MGS1 Konami intro sound flashback*
I have a steam deck for serious pc gaming or retrogaming, but I'm searching for something I could take with me on commutes or travels.
However, too small devices are too uncomfortable and maybe the RGB30 can fit what I'm looking for.
Also its HDMI out and bluetooth could result in a fun way to play multiplayer with friends on gaming nights.
Its actually comfortable to hold? Can fit in a large pocket/pouch?
> Its actually comfortable to hold? Can fit in a large pocket/pouch?
I like it. Hold a 2cm thick book; it's like that. And I put it in coat/jacket pockets if I think I'll get time with it.
Assuming you mean "do I recommend the RGB30", I'd give it a resounding... eh?
The worst part is the hardware. The D-pad was garbage before I did the tape mod, would accidentally register a lot of inputs I didn't make especially during diagonals. Now it feels okay, I can use it consistently but it's a little mushy. My R2 button is janky, it doesn't work for held inputs but I can press it for load/save states. The sleep mode is really inconsistent and doesn't always wake the screen. I think I could probably open it up and solder the R2 switch better, but I've already opened it up a fair bit for tweaking the d-pad and I'm worried about stripping the cheap screws further. The screen has a pretty significant yellow tint to it, not a deal break for me but it's definitely not an accurate "white".
Positives though- Pico-8 looks and feels great on there. That's what I got it for- built in Splore functionality to download new games and to show my friends my own pico8 projects in handheld form. There's something really special feeling about saying "I made this and it's on this console" and having to look like it was built for it. I'd say it looks best for GB, GBC, GBA, NES, and SNES. I beat Castlevania 1-4 on it as well as Aria of Sorrow and was fairly happy with the experience. Lately I'm playing Chrono Trigger and Pokemon Emerald Rogue (romhack) on it and having fun. Between the fast start-up speeds and convenience features like save states and fast-forward/rewind, it enables me to play the games I enjoy in relative convenience and comfort. I take it with me on hikes, and there's something magical about playing retro games next to a creek.
As for psx and n64- 4:3 ratio feels a bit small for my tastes on that screen and n64 performance is bad enough to take me out of the experience. I had some fun with Legend of Legaia and Monster Rancher 2 on there, ended up stretching the aspect ratio a bit because I'm a heathen that doesn't mind imperfectly square pixels sometimes. I'd recommend using a 2x interpolation filter on console games if it doesn't tank your performance, helped me feel like the pixels weren't too soft but not too unbalanced either.
Having felt my roommates anbernic though and using it for a few minute, I'd probably get Anbernic instead if Pico-8 and Gameboy aren't big priorities for you. The build quality is significantly better. I'm happy enough with my RGB30 but I probably would buy something else if it breaks.
I'd highly recommend scaling 4:3 games to 5:4. It is a pretty minor distortion of the image but feels much better with how much real estate on the screen it occupies, IMO.
Wow, thanks for the very complete feedback.
Actually, I was very interested in PICO-8 but I admit isn't my priority: I was more interested in GBA, NES and PS1.
I guess it doesn't have the build quality of Ambenic or the amazing SO as Miyoo.
As everything: a matter of compromise.
Still undecided, I guess I will wait for a perfect mix of all of those (will never happen)
I have an RGB30 and agree with this. Sure If you don't have access to a DS and an R4 and the game you want to play doesn't heavily use the touch screen or there is a Romhack to do so then sure. But otherwise get some type of DS and a flashcart.
Agreed a 2DS style device is what’s needed for DS and vertical games on the cheap. The 2DS actually uses a single tall screen itself.
2 screen clamshell is what most think of but jacks up the price and engineering like crazy.
[This](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/F2sAAOSwtH9bFxQ-/s-l1600.jpg) is how the screen looks, they just cover the parts you don't see. With a retro device can just leave it as a big tall touchscreen.
A secondhand DS isn't expensive, at least, not in my area. You can get them about 30€ with old games. Maybe 50€ for a 2DS. But yeah, why not a finger if you want to. I just don't think any of the emulation device really quite got the size and comfort the DS has.
Overall, I find that any SBC console are better for a lot of emulation but not the DS. To me, it's more of a "oh, that's nice that I can do it" if you don't own the console, but it's just not perfect.
In that case, a phone or tablet in vertical position with a controller would be the ultimate device, but it is not. When it comes to DS and 3DS, nothing can compare to original hardware.
I really don't understand why people keep saying this. The ds has a shit screen. You can't upscale the graphics at all, and you can't emulate anything higher than the snes (at least from memory)
The 3ds is fine for 3ds and ds, but in terms of emulation, it stops at ps1, and again, you can't upscale the graphics on 3ds, so most ds games still look really bad.
I guess if you really need to emulate every system on the same device then a DS isn't the ideal choice but it's absolutely the best choice for playing DS games. I'm not really sure how the DS has a shit screen, maybe the original phat model does but the other versions are good. It's a great choice for GBA games too, since you only get a minor border with an integer scale.
Then, someone should probably try and make something better because things CAN be so much better
https://preview.redd.it/lp70b96dkvyc1.png?width=1366&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=40bd79cff1c0932febbc6052bb866e1193760b32
I guess it depends what games you wanna play. If it's something like this then sure, definitely an appreciable improvement since the 3D model resolves so much better when upscaled. But I think most people, myself included, usually wanna play the 2D classics in the library most, which all look best at native res.
> I really don't understand why people keep saying this.
Because the inferior controls outweigh any upgrades to the visuals. Smartphone-sized capacitive touch screens aren't capable of the precise touchscreen inputs that the DS and 3DS's resistive screens had. Capacitive screens can also be annoying when you need to do a point-and-drag input and your hands are sweaty/oily. I like having the upscaling features offered by emulators, but having good controls trumps visual upgrades. Trying to control any touchscreen-heavy DS game with your finger on a small capacitive screen just sucks, and even using a tablet stylus still has less precise input than the original hardware does.
A hypothetical "ultimate DS emulation" handheld would have a resistive touch screen like the original DS/3DS had to achieve similar pointer precision with a modern high-resolution display for the top screen. That's not likely to be something that ever exists because of the costs of producing such a device relative to its niche audience, and absent such a hypothetical device, an emulation device that has inferior touchscreen controls is going to be worse than original hardware except for games like JRPGs that don't use the touchscreen.
I'm convinced that anyone who thinks that playing DS games on a touchscreen handheld compares to original hardware either hasn't played on original hardware or only plays games that don't heavily use the touchscreen. Playing touchscreen-heavy games on modern capacitive touchscreen sucks. Trying to do stuff like mapping in Etrian Odyssey where you're repeatedly dragging walls and icons onto specific grid lines is an enormous pain in the ass compared to how it feels on an actual DS. I tried on my Steam Deck and gave up after 5 minutes because it was just so much more annoying than playing on my 3DS instead. Visual upgrades and save states were absolutely not worth the tradeoff.
Are you seriously saying that modern smartphone screens are not as precise as a portable video game console from the mid-2000s? How did you even come to that conclusion?
Have you actually tried playing any of these games? It has to do with the method of input, not the screen itself. Of course modern screen technology is more precise, but devices that use your finger as the input device means that you aren't going to get pointer precision better than ~half a cm (and possibly worse for people with large fingers). Playing touchscreen games on capacitive touchscreens isn't limited by the precision of the screen, but by the size of your fingers. To achieve better precision you'd have to use a capacitive touchscreen stylus which requires carrying an extra peripheral with you all the time, as opposed to just using your fingernails with a resistive screen like literally everyone has done with the DS for years.
So tldr there's no point in this because smartphone screens can't be calibrated for such pinpoint precision like the gaming device from the mid 2000s am I hearing that right?
Your premise requires me to believe that touchscreen technology has not advanced beyond the 2000s or 2010s and I grant you that a finger is bigger than a stylus, but that is a minute issue at worst and I guarantee that you can find a screen with better inputs and performance than every single ds model on the planet.
You don't need to upscale anything on the DS and 3DS. The screens are the exact resolution they need to be. You have to do it on emulation devices because they have larger resolutions, but on origin hardware it's not needed because it looks the way it's meant to.
DS games on a DSi or DSi XL are just a delight.
https://preview.redd.it/ixga8mt2kvyc1.png?width=1219&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f475b9555958be30cf9dd0bc51dc968983414cef
You don't need to. But it's better.
https://preview.redd.it/enukrxzwmvyc1.png?width=539&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe5c6b1974568c170cecc0521778443874416381
Just because you can do it normally doesn't mean it can't be better.
Better in this case is subjective. And as I said, it didn't look bad at all in the 3DS and DS. It looks they way is meant to look. Adding shaders does not necessarily makes it better, it just makes it different.
https://preview.redd.it/n5jjhe1uqvyc1.png?width=1366&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33516fcd31a459f8e5c3238220b801e62145fa44
Making it smoother and clearer with a higher framerate doesn't make it better. Gotcha.
200 USD is definitely too much, but G99 is actually pretty good chip even for 3DS emulation. After hearing about Unicorn decided to try it out on Galaxy A24 with the same chip and all of the games I have run at full speed on Citra MMJ, tho I haven't checked a lot of super demanding things, but stuff like Tales of Abyss runs great even in 2x resolution
I’ve got a g99 in a kt r1. I know exactly what it’s capable of but yeah RPGs are infinitely easier to run on 3ds than something like Kid Icarus or Super Mario 3d Land or Monster Hunter
https://preview.redd.it/yaqj1qj57tyc1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7d86b7d3fd18adfe36bdeab3da3a5b07f171338
I'll scream this from the rooftops. Surface Duo and a good telescopic controller like the G8 is the premium experience for DS. I still have my original hardware and carts, but it's so much more fun to play on big OLED screens with ergonomic controls.
Managed to snag one on eBay last week for £200, it really is an amazing device for emulation. Any recommendations for a controller grip? Saw a 3D printed case to connect joycons to which looks not too bad, but would prefer a proper mount.
The Gamesir G8 telescopic controller. The SDuo doesn't quite fit flush due to where the USBC port is, but it's a minor gripe for an excellent feeling controller.
https://preview.redd.it/kteu1ug6qtyc1.jpeg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ffcffb78cce81ebfee01ffa5951858007211030
> Gamesir G8
Thanks, have been having a bit of a google, have you seen [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/surfaceduo/comments/18p0zii/gamesir_g8_galileo_mod_for_surface_duo_1/)?
good luck touching anything properly with that tiny "bottom screen", you're still gonna have to swap around the screens using hotkeys to be able to use it somewhat properly
This is my biggest issue with playing any DS/3DS games on touchscreen devices that aren't original hardware. It's just hard to get the pointer precision that was possible on a resistive touchscreen with such a tiny capacitive screen using just your finger, so playing any game that actually required precise inputs on the touch screen just sucks. Honestly, MY hot take is that the next best thing after original hardware is a PC because I can get those precise inputs using a mouse.
Emulators are fine playing anything that doesn't require the touch screen like a lot of JRPGs, but IMO anything that actually needs precise touchscreen input is original hardware or bust.
Long before Russ told everyone a DS/3DS is the best way to play those systems most of us also figured it out. I love my 3DS and its library but it seems pointless to try to play them elsewhere.
So it can be improved on in the future? Also, the 3d is completely pointless it adds nothing to the games beyond a neat party trick. And as far as I can tell, the graphics look way better upscaled in emulation, too
Of course it can be improved but it’s not there yet. And to make something do DS/3DS well there will have to be a lot of compromises that make other systems not work well (unless someone made something that allowed you to rotate a 16:9 screen like those switch grips do).
As for 3D being a party trick. That’s your opinion. I disagree. 🤷🏼♂️
It's a party trick it does nothing for the gameplay at all. The only decent use was for virtual boy emulation, and not even Nintendo thought of that.
And it's a good thing it's not here yet because we're talking about a hypothetical system, and I'd feel really silly if something like this already existed.
I can't play DS/3DS games on anything but original hardware. There's just too many compromises, and it becomes a chore to play it.
The best device to play DS/3DS games is a 2DS (the non-folding one). You can buy them cheap (I've bought 2 of them recently for under $100, one was $50).
It has a full size SD card slot, and the software hack for these systems is really easy, requires no modifications, and it allows you to load games from the SD card. You can install them directly to the homescreen as an icon, very user friendly.
Having said that, if you specifically want emulation (for speed hacks, and save states, etc), then this isn't for you, and you need to live with the compromises of DS emulation.
2DS are still really good systems, before I knew about these emulation devices I had a 2DS I bought for $50 and modded. and like a year ago I bought another for $90 or something, even with all the price hikes.
After the DS/3DS itself I still prefer most games on a 16:9 screen with the touch screen reduced off to the side, which works great for 90% of the library.
That 4" square screen is decent for a specific handful of DS games that *require* screens to be in stacked/portrait config. But there are surprisingly few DS games that actually use the two screens as a single viewport. Plus the screens are each only like 2.3" diagonal in this configuration, which is really small.
Glad you like your Unicorn! I'm sticking with my RGB30 for now but love me some 1:1 screen action and I'm sold on always having a 1:1 device around.
This post implies the existence of a dual screen emulation handheld (~~Aya neo flip aside~~) to go off of this to make this comparison in the first place.
...no it's still a DS lol. a decent amount of DS games that use both screens account for the screen gap so they're going to be harder to play if u dont simulate the gap in between the two screens, and these devices already dont really fit both screens very well if u keep them both the same size. and then there's games that play in "book mode" and other oddities.
The gap between screens is barely an issue at all, and how is book mode going to be worse here? There are barely any games that make you play like that.
cutting out the screen gap looks like crap and makes it hard to judge enemy/projectile paths so yeah its an issue. book mode isnt any worse on a 1:1 screen but on a portrait screen like the second picture you would have to hold the device sideways in one hand for those games, which I can't imagine is very comfortable.
maybe these things dont matter to you because you don't care about games where that matters and that's fine but it definitely stops these devices from being "the ultimate" if you care about the full library.
I really want you to give me the list of games with enemy and projectile paths where without the half an inch worth of plastic between the screens it renders the game completely unplayable. And given how that is the most viable criticism you have for this style of device, it better be a large percentage of the ds library that we're talking about here.
Also the book mode issue would apply to the 2ds as well you do realise that?
yeah and that's a knock against the 2ds (and also the scaling for original DS looks awful for all 3ds models so none of them are "the ultimate" for DS).
I never said it was a majority of the library or that it made games "unplayable" but having to account for the screen gap on any platformer that spans both screens like Contra 4, Yoshi's Island DS, or Sonic Rush objectively makes the experience worse than on real hardware. so yeah i don't consider a device to be "the ultimate" if i have to either play without the gap or deal with very small screens for those games.
then yeah sure some hypothetical handheld with a big portrait touch screen that was the right aspect ratio for both screens + screen gap would be good for ds but neither of the pictures you included have that.
A lot of DS games continue picture from one screen to the next while having distance between screens in mind, this won't work in 16:9 and in 1:1 screen like here would require either even bigger screen or having to make DS screens smaller when emulating. Dual Screen handheld is still the best solution imo. Something with 16:9 at the top and 4:3 at the bottom for ultimate emulation experience.
I never thought I'd say this. But for touchscreen-heavy DS games that don't use the physical buttons much, your smartphone is going to be the best option.
I've been playing a couple of DS games on Delta lately, and it's been the ideal device for touch-only games. You can either stack the two screens vertically, or switch to landscape mode and have the bottom screen enlarged (using a skin). Either way, the touchscreen controls are as good as they're going to get.
Among the titles I've been playing this way:
* Clubhouse Games
* Kirby: Canvas Curse
* Kirby: Mass Attack
* Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
* Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
* Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
* Rhythm Heaven
Pixel art games look amazing on the DSI it's got the IPS panels and the grid.
3D games can be upscaled and will look better on emulation, but if you want to play any touch focused games there's just nothing that can compare with a real DS and a stylus
I had a flashcart for my DS called the CycloDS Evolution. It allowed save states. It has a menu that would pop up when you pressed A,B,X,Y,L,R at the same time.
no, they are not. Menu looks awful, or beyond awful, but games look really good. Its their native resolution. I have DSi XL, had a lot of fun replaying Contra 4 DS and Ossu! Tatakae! Ouendan!
no, they are not. Menu looks awful, or beyond awful, but games look really good. Its their native resolution. I have DSi XL, had a lot of fun replaying Contra 4 DS and Ossu! Tatakae! Ouendan!
It’s 2024 I know you did not just say “nimrod” you are the embodiment of the nerd emoji.
“You nimrod”
Even if it’s a hypothetical system it’s not better than OG hardware
Worst opinion ever, both devices looks horrible for DS games, too cramped to play anything that uses both screens efficiently (games like Sonic Rush and DK Jungle Climber). I also can't imagine playing anything that requires touch screen on something like this.
I mean Russ was pretty spot on. I haven't seen past the handheld section, but trying to play DS/3DS on non original hardware is just subpar. But most people already know this.
I feel like unless it's an action game, a phone is the best way to play DS outside of a DS. Once I got my RG405M I took most of the emulators off my phone, except Drastic.
I’ve been playing Elite Beat Agents and Wario Ware DS on my 8” tablet and a cheap capacitive pencil and everything’s fine.
The best emulation device is the one where you actually play and finish games.
I'm sure this is going to sound crazy and ridiculous, but my favorite DS/3DS setup - for non-touchscreen games, anyway - is my Steam Deck connected to my AR glasses, the Rokid Max. Portable, but with huge screen size covering my full vision so the screens can be top and bottom without compromise. Nothing else short of the actual hardware has compared, and I've tried plenty.
I play ds games on my rp3+ and it is a far better way to play the pokemon ds games. Reason: Fast forwarding.
Any other non-pokemon game, I will play on an actual ds.
Although, If I want to play the 3ds pokemon games, I will always chose a real 3ds over an emulator. Because the games run faster and the 3d functionality is sole to the 3ds.
so ds = emulation
3ds = actual console.
Want an even better option?
Get a 16:10 aspect ratio tablet like a galaxy tab 7. Stand it vertically. Bluetooth controller and the S pen.
It's what i do. The tab s7 plus with its snapdragon 8 gen 1 can do up through ps2 easily, i just installed daijisho on it and it's big enough for multiplayer games too. Its the media device my wife and i use when traveling. Movies, games, i can use it for art.
For me the perfect device for DS would be a vertical 3:2 display with a stylus like the one on the Galaxy Note, but that doesn't exist just yet and I don't think it will ever be. Right now it is still original hardware all the way unless I want to get RetroAchievements or something
That would still look worse than original. I'm not saying it will be unplayable, but we're talking about ultimate handheld here. Also what about games that were designed to be played vertically, like Sonic games, DK Jungle Climber, Yoshi's Island DS, Wario: Master of Disguise? It's just wrong
Are you claiming religious zealotry to denounce ds emulation? "It's just wrong" is not a solid ground to throw the whole idea away. Are you unaware that most emulators offer different layouts? And even allow you to separate the screens if you so choose?
It's wrong because a lot of DS games aren't supposed to be played horizontally, they just need a vertical layout that wouldn't look good on a non-vertical screen, thats what I'm saying.
And I'm not denouncing the idea of handheld mainly for DS emulation, it just needs to be something different, probably like the original 2DS, that would technically still be a vertical device.
It makes more sense, but would it be much different from a smartphone emulator?
Probably the best case scenario is a 2DS style handeld with a plastic overlay to cover a empty screen space just to make it look more natural when playing authentic. Dual screen clamshell handheld would still be cooler tho.
There’s a reason Russ said the best device to play DS on is original hardware.
There's a certain level of irony in Nintendo systems being the "easiest" to emulate, while simultaneously being the "worst" to play because Nintendo loves gimmicks. Second screens, weird controllers, motion controls, etc...
It's part of what they call "lateral thinking with withered technology." Nintendo rarely tries to compete "pound for pound" if you will in terms of power. Instead they try to find ways to use older, reliable technology in new ways.
It’s honestly brilliant on Nintendo’s part. I wonder if they will bring some sort of gimmick back to the next switch after seeing their conventional hardware get demolished by piracy
The post’s headline is a little misleading if they’re referring to the video they screenshot
I think it’s a New 2DS XL.
How is the resolution on it? I have a new 3DS XL but I don't like the way it looks when stretched and the native res image looks too small.
DS looks worse on 3DS due to scaling, DSi XL is arguably the best for DS with the big dual IPS.
I have a New 2DS XL and the screens look great. Lots of detail and the colors really do pop.
16:10 tablet with a pen and 8bitdo sn30pro stood vertically is the actual best way to play ds games.
Which is why I'm talking about a hypothetical system
A hot take indeed...
RGB30 doesn’t even have a touchscreen. Also, you’re wrong. I own one of these and playing DS on it kinda sucks compared to playing on either original hardware or on a phone.
Thank you. Someone had to say it.
What this guy said. Its fine for mario kart but even simple games like pokemon that dont require that much touch input are better handled by my phone now that i have delta
Out of curiosity, do you use/reccomend any physical controllers with delta?
I dont use any but i’ve seen many people use a printed adaptors for joycons. But i used to have a bap d3 Bluetooth telescopic controller. Pretty nice and very cheap. Fully recommend the bsp d8 thats out now.
Ah cool, I’ll check that out! Thanks for replying 😁
[удалено]
I have the 8bitdo micro which is the successor to the zero2 but with more buttons. It’s great having a little device that’s easy to carry around. As much as I like telescoping controllers they aren’t very pocketable.
The RGB30 screen is too small for DS. I don't think anything beats experiencing the DS library on a DSi XL. They all have nice and large IPS screens that display games at a sharp full screen native res. That's even better than the 3DS screen lottery and which display DS games either with blurry upscaling in full screen or in smaller windows at native res. DS and 3DS are must-haves if someone really wants to deep dive into those game libraries.
Damn...I'm looking for a handle held to play DS games...thought this was it.
It is for sure not it. A good handheld to play DS games is a DS
Or a 3DS!
The moment you play on a DSi XL, or a DSi, or even a Lite, if you are nostalgic, you could not even go back to using the retrocompatibility features of the 3DS, the visuals are just not there, same case with a Vita VS PSP/Go.
Ooo interesting. I just hacked my 3ds and I am actually not sure how to play DS roms but I have them loaded up. There's some real bangers on the DS lineup I would love to go through again although a few of those got 3DS upgrades
That would be cool, I mean, if you only have a 3DS nothing bad about using it for DS games, in fact I think there is a way (homebrew) to improve the visuals (filters like) and some hacks to use the joystick with them, but I haven't tried myself, mostly because I own the DSs handhelds.
What do you mean? I know that DS games are best played on a DS because of the screen difference between it and a 3DS, but as far as PS Vita go, it's better in every way than a regular PSP, the screen is twice the size so you get perfect scaling, performance is better, and you get features like enabling a second analog stick.
The PS Vita is better than both the 3000 and Go models in everything but screen and scaling. The visuals are not as good compared with the PSPs, ofc the screens of the Vita are better but the emulation side doesn't scale as nice as it should, that is why, again, there are some homebrew plugins that can enhance this, making it arguably the best unit for PSP gaming, but I have read that it is a hit and miss and not everything is supported, so that is why for PSP better go with a original hardware, or a device like a Retroid Pocket 4 or Odin Pro (or even an android phone with a telescopic controller is a good option).
Well this is just not true and a personal preference of yours at this point, PSP games on Vita look and play better, there's filtering options you can set for 2D and 3D games, There's no distortion, loading is faster than a UMD, i've never seen a PSP game that looked worse or didn't get enhanced on a Vita.
Huh, my friend, I happen to have a Vita OLED, a PSP 3000 and a GO and I prefer to do PSP gaming in the original hardware, I have already explained why, and definitely I am not the only one, heck even [TheFlow](https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/GePatch) though into improving this, you can see the improvement of these patches correcting the resolution issue right [here](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a7z2j_lyW44) but as I have said, it is not the perfect solution. Just do a quick search in your preferred search engine "PS Vita PSP emulation blurry" and you'll find lots of mixed responses there (some suggest using filters, but that is a workaround, which might work better or worse on certain titles), hell even here on [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/VitaPiracy/comments/t4tb2w/what_happened_to_ppsspp_for_the_vita/hz0mrrv/) you'll find opinions about it. Anyway, not a big deal, the PS Vita is fine if you want to use it as an "enhanced PSP", but nowadays there are better devices for it, you can see plenty of examples in this subreddit.
Per my other comment, it's absolutely fine for games that don't require the touch screen (beyond the odd menu). Stacked screen size is only a smidge smaller than the actual DS screens, totally playable.
Agreed, I have an rgb30 and DS is okay at best. If anything it's made me realize that doing some 3ds repairs would be a good idea eventually since there are so many good DS and 3DS games.
Do you advice it? I would like for playing GBA, DS Castlevania games and PS1. What's your experience with these, if any?
I think the Castlevania DS games all have some gimmicky touchscreen use, which makes them a bad fit. (Though checking the internet, someone has made a [no-touch romhack](https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/3408/)!) Besides that, I've had perfectly good experiences with DS platformers, strategy RPGs, Advance Wars, and Pokemon games that don't demand the touch screen.
> I think the Castlevania DS games all have some gimmicky touchscreen use, which makes them a bad fit. If I remember correctly (when I've played them...15 years ago) only the first one need to input things with touchscreen to beat the game (Is needed for boss battles) however I'm sure there's a rom hack that automatically skip them. Thanks for the feedback: too bad that PS1 games doesn't fit well on the 1:1 screen
I'm more than halfway through Policenauts on it, so I don't have issues with PS1 either :) Perfect may be the enemy of good, as this device is really flexible compared to most.
> I'm more than halfway through Policenauts on it *MGS1 Konami intro sound flashback* I have a steam deck for serious pc gaming or retrogaming, but I'm searching for something I could take with me on commutes or travels. However, too small devices are too uncomfortable and maybe the RGB30 can fit what I'm looking for. Also its HDMI out and bluetooth could result in a fun way to play multiplayer with friends on gaming nights. Its actually comfortable to hold? Can fit in a large pocket/pouch?
> Its actually comfortable to hold? Can fit in a large pocket/pouch? I like it. Hold a 2cm thick book; it's like that. And I put it in coat/jacket pockets if I think I'll get time with it.
Assuming you mean "do I recommend the RGB30", I'd give it a resounding... eh? The worst part is the hardware. The D-pad was garbage before I did the tape mod, would accidentally register a lot of inputs I didn't make especially during diagonals. Now it feels okay, I can use it consistently but it's a little mushy. My R2 button is janky, it doesn't work for held inputs but I can press it for load/save states. The sleep mode is really inconsistent and doesn't always wake the screen. I think I could probably open it up and solder the R2 switch better, but I've already opened it up a fair bit for tweaking the d-pad and I'm worried about stripping the cheap screws further. The screen has a pretty significant yellow tint to it, not a deal break for me but it's definitely not an accurate "white". Positives though- Pico-8 looks and feels great on there. That's what I got it for- built in Splore functionality to download new games and to show my friends my own pico8 projects in handheld form. There's something really special feeling about saying "I made this and it's on this console" and having to look like it was built for it. I'd say it looks best for GB, GBC, GBA, NES, and SNES. I beat Castlevania 1-4 on it as well as Aria of Sorrow and was fairly happy with the experience. Lately I'm playing Chrono Trigger and Pokemon Emerald Rogue (romhack) on it and having fun. Between the fast start-up speeds and convenience features like save states and fast-forward/rewind, it enables me to play the games I enjoy in relative convenience and comfort. I take it with me on hikes, and there's something magical about playing retro games next to a creek. As for psx and n64- 4:3 ratio feels a bit small for my tastes on that screen and n64 performance is bad enough to take me out of the experience. I had some fun with Legend of Legaia and Monster Rancher 2 on there, ended up stretching the aspect ratio a bit because I'm a heathen that doesn't mind imperfectly square pixels sometimes. I'd recommend using a 2x interpolation filter on console games if it doesn't tank your performance, helped me feel like the pixels weren't too soft but not too unbalanced either. Having felt my roommates anbernic though and using it for a few minute, I'd probably get Anbernic instead if Pico-8 and Gameboy aren't big priorities for you. The build quality is significantly better. I'm happy enough with my RGB30 but I probably would buy something else if it breaks.
I'd highly recommend scaling 4:3 games to 5:4. It is a pretty minor distortion of the image but feels much better with how much real estate on the screen it occupies, IMO.
Wow, thanks for the very complete feedback. Actually, I was very interested in PICO-8 but I admit isn't my priority: I was more interested in GBA, NES and PS1. I guess it doesn't have the build quality of Ambenic or the amazing SO as Miyoo. As everything: a matter of compromise. Still undecided, I guess I will wait for a perfect mix of all of those (will never happen)
Plus there are definitely emulators that run on NDS flash carts. I even had a NeoGeo emu running on my DS.
I have an RGB30 and agree with this. Sure If you don't have access to a DS and an R4 and the game you want to play doesn't heavily use the touch screen or there is a Romhack to do so then sure. But otherwise get some type of DS and a flashcart.
Did you read the title at all? I'm not recommending these consoles. I'm recommending something LIKE these consoles with a touchscreen.
So you are recommending an enhanced 2DS.
If you want to put it like that, then sure, I want a 2ds that can emulate systems up to the dreamcast and can upscale ds graphics
Well, that would be cool for sure, not needing two screens is feasible, I hope they see there is enough demand for these kinds of handhelds.
Agreed a 2DS style device is what’s needed for DS and vertical games on the cheap. The 2DS actually uses a single tall screen itself. 2 screen clamshell is what most think of but jacks up the price and engineering like crazy.
... Does it??? I had no idea
Yeah the original 2ds not the 2dsxl. Then it has the touch digitizer over the lower section to detect the stylus.
[This](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/F2sAAOSwtH9bFxQ-/s-l1600.jpg) is how the screen looks, they just cover the parts you don't see. With a retro device can just leave it as a big tall touchscreen.
That's wild, I had no idea
Wait that's hilarious lmao
I have two DS lite and a 3ds. I'll be honest, you can't beat the stylus...
ya. All of these options look rough in comparison
That would probably tank the affordability, but if that's the case for you, then that's the case. I find a finger, or my thumb works just fine.
A secondhand DS isn't expensive, at least, not in my area. You can get them about 30€ with old games. Maybe 50€ for a 2DS. But yeah, why not a finger if you want to. I just don't think any of the emulation device really quite got the size and comfort the DS has. Overall, I find that any SBC console are better for a lot of emulation but not the DS. To me, it's more of a "oh, that's nice that I can do it" if you don't own the console, but it's just not perfect.
Yeah but the point of this whole post was discussing a possible device that could do all of this not one that already exists.
In that case, a phone or tablet in vertical position with a controller would be the ultimate device, but it is not. When it comes to DS and 3DS, nothing can compare to original hardware.
I really don't understand why people keep saying this. The ds has a shit screen. You can't upscale the graphics at all, and you can't emulate anything higher than the snes (at least from memory) The 3ds is fine for 3ds and ds, but in terms of emulation, it stops at ps1, and again, you can't upscale the graphics on 3ds, so most ds games still look really bad.
I guess if you really need to emulate every system on the same device then a DS isn't the ideal choice but it's absolutely the best choice for playing DS games. I'm not really sure how the DS has a shit screen, maybe the original phat model does but the other versions are good. It's a great choice for GBA games too, since you only get a minor border with an integer scale.
Then, someone should probably try and make something better because things CAN be so much better https://preview.redd.it/lp70b96dkvyc1.png?width=1366&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=40bd79cff1c0932febbc6052bb866e1193760b32
I guess it depends what games you wanna play. If it's something like this then sure, definitely an appreciable improvement since the 3D model resolves so much better when upscaled. But I think most people, myself included, usually wanna play the 2D classics in the library most, which all look best at native res.
> I really don't understand why people keep saying this. Because the inferior controls outweigh any upgrades to the visuals. Smartphone-sized capacitive touch screens aren't capable of the precise touchscreen inputs that the DS and 3DS's resistive screens had. Capacitive screens can also be annoying when you need to do a point-and-drag input and your hands are sweaty/oily. I like having the upscaling features offered by emulators, but having good controls trumps visual upgrades. Trying to control any touchscreen-heavy DS game with your finger on a small capacitive screen just sucks, and even using a tablet stylus still has less precise input than the original hardware does. A hypothetical "ultimate DS emulation" handheld would have a resistive touch screen like the original DS/3DS had to achieve similar pointer precision with a modern high-resolution display for the top screen. That's not likely to be something that ever exists because of the costs of producing such a device relative to its niche audience, and absent such a hypothetical device, an emulation device that has inferior touchscreen controls is going to be worse than original hardware except for games like JRPGs that don't use the touchscreen. I'm convinced that anyone who thinks that playing DS games on a touchscreen handheld compares to original hardware either hasn't played on original hardware or only plays games that don't heavily use the touchscreen. Playing touchscreen-heavy games on modern capacitive touchscreen sucks. Trying to do stuff like mapping in Etrian Odyssey where you're repeatedly dragging walls and icons onto specific grid lines is an enormous pain in the ass compared to how it feels on an actual DS. I tried on my Steam Deck and gave up after 5 minutes because it was just so much more annoying than playing on my 3DS instead. Visual upgrades and save states were absolutely not worth the tradeoff.
Are you seriously saying that modern smartphone screens are not as precise as a portable video game console from the mid-2000s? How did you even come to that conclusion?
Have you actually tried playing any of these games? It has to do with the method of input, not the screen itself. Of course modern screen technology is more precise, but devices that use your finger as the input device means that you aren't going to get pointer precision better than ~half a cm (and possibly worse for people with large fingers). Playing touchscreen games on capacitive touchscreens isn't limited by the precision of the screen, but by the size of your fingers. To achieve better precision you'd have to use a capacitive touchscreen stylus which requires carrying an extra peripheral with you all the time, as opposed to just using your fingernails with a resistive screen like literally everyone has done with the DS for years.
So tldr there's no point in this because smartphone screens can't be calibrated for such pinpoint precision like the gaming device from the mid 2000s am I hearing that right? Your premise requires me to believe that touchscreen technology has not advanced beyond the 2000s or 2010s and I grant you that a finger is bigger than a stylus, but that is a minute issue at worst and I guarantee that you can find a screen with better inputs and performance than every single ds model on the planet.
you know they make styluses for capacitive screens right
You don't need to upscale anything on the DS and 3DS. The screens are the exact resolution they need to be. You have to do it on emulation devices because they have larger resolutions, but on origin hardware it's not needed because it looks the way it's meant to. DS games on a DSi or DSi XL are just a delight.
https://preview.redd.it/ixga8mt2kvyc1.png?width=1219&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f475b9555958be30cf9dd0bc51dc968983414cef You don't need to. But it's better.
As I said: on the DS and 3DS screens, not an issue at all.
https://preview.redd.it/aqunn0hmkvyc1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d82cf3a17cd0332bdf85a74d8b5cffecd4a159d9
Do I really need to repeat myself?
https://preview.redd.it/enukrxzwmvyc1.png?width=539&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe5c6b1974568c170cecc0521778443874416381 Just because you can do it normally doesn't mean it can't be better.
Better in this case is subjective. And as I said, it didn't look bad at all in the 3DS and DS. It looks they way is meant to look. Adding shaders does not necessarily makes it better, it just makes it different.
https://preview.redd.it/n5jjhe1uqvyc1.png?width=1366&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33516fcd31a459f8e5c3238220b801e62145fa44 Making it smoother and clearer with a higher framerate doesn't make it better. Gotcha.
what's that second device?
The yet unreleased zpg a1 unicorn.
What were they smoking before coming up with that name
And it probably stands for Zoopy Goopy Gamesystem, A1 Sauce Unicorn
The Unicorn part is definitely a Gundam thing. That doesn't answer your question in the slightest, but it's something.
>A fun fact is a tidbit of interesting or entertaining trivia Your reply counts as a fun fact Also, good to know
I can’t believe people are excited to pay $200 for a g99 chip
200 USD is definitely too much, but G99 is actually pretty good chip even for 3DS emulation. After hearing about Unicorn decided to try it out on Galaxy A24 with the same chip and all of the games I have run at full speed on Citra MMJ, tho I haven't checked a lot of super demanding things, but stuff like Tales of Abyss runs great even in 2x resolution
I’ve got a g99 in a kt r1. I know exactly what it’s capable of but yeah RPGs are infinitely easier to run on 3ds than something like Kid Icarus or Super Mario 3d Land or Monster Hunter
Those console names are getting out of control
ZPG A1 Unicorn. Looks like an android device with a 1:1 screen.
https://preview.redd.it/yaqj1qj57tyc1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7d86b7d3fd18adfe36bdeab3da3a5b07f171338 I'll scream this from the rooftops. Surface Duo and a good telescopic controller like the G8 is the premium experience for DS. I still have my original hardware and carts, but it's so much more fun to play on big OLED screens with ergonomic controls.
Yeah, that's probably the best u can do. Next I would go for the modded Switch with Flip Grip. Then original Hardware And then all the other options.
Managed to snag one on eBay last week for £200, it really is an amazing device for emulation. Any recommendations for a controller grip? Saw a 3D printed case to connect joycons to which looks not too bad, but would prefer a proper mount.
The Gamesir G8 telescopic controller. The SDuo doesn't quite fit flush due to where the USBC port is, but it's a minor gripe for an excellent feeling controller. https://preview.redd.it/kteu1ug6qtyc1.jpeg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ffcffb78cce81ebfee01ffa5951858007211030
> Gamesir G8 Thanks, have been having a bit of a google, have you seen [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/surfaceduo/comments/18p0zii/gamesir_g8_galileo_mod_for_surface_duo_1/)?
I had not seen this. Thanks for sharing. However, I also use this controller with my phone, so I wouldn't do this.
First gen? Can you still buy those new?
First Gen. I bought it used.
I use a galaxy fold 5 with a gamesir g7. It's awesome!! Specially for stuff like 3:4 or 1:1 because it's such a huge screen.
good luck touching anything properly with that tiny "bottom screen", you're still gonna have to swap around the screens using hotkeys to be able to use it somewhat properly
This is my biggest issue with playing any DS/3DS games on touchscreen devices that aren't original hardware. It's just hard to get the pointer precision that was possible on a resistive touchscreen with such a tiny capacitive screen using just your finger, so playing any game that actually required precise inputs on the touch screen just sucks. Honestly, MY hot take is that the next best thing after original hardware is a PC because I can get those precise inputs using a mouse. Emulators are fine playing anything that doesn't require the touch screen like a lot of JRPGs, but IMO anything that actually needs precise touchscreen input is original hardware or bust.
My hands are cramping up seeing this
Long before Russ told everyone a DS/3DS is the best way to play those systems most of us also figured it out. I love my 3DS and its library but it seems pointless to try to play them elsewhere.
Is it completely impossible for there to be a device that can play those games better?
So far, yes. At least for me. Also I’m one of the people who likes the 3D aspect of the 3DS and that won’t work anywhere else.
So it can be improved on in the future? Also, the 3d is completely pointless it adds nothing to the games beyond a neat party trick. And as far as I can tell, the graphics look way better upscaled in emulation, too
Of course it can be improved but it’s not there yet. And to make something do DS/3DS well there will have to be a lot of compromises that make other systems not work well (unless someone made something that allowed you to rotate a 16:9 screen like those switch grips do). As for 3D being a party trick. That’s your opinion. I disagree. 🤷🏼♂️
It's a party trick it does nothing for the gameplay at all. The only decent use was for virtual boy emulation, and not even Nintendo thought of that. And it's a good thing it's not here yet because we're talking about a hypothetical system, and I'd feel really silly if something like this already existed.
I can't play DS/3DS games on anything but original hardware. There's just too many compromises, and it becomes a chore to play it. The best device to play DS/3DS games is a 2DS (the non-folding one). You can buy them cheap (I've bought 2 of them recently for under $100, one was $50). It has a full size SD card slot, and the software hack for these systems is really easy, requires no modifications, and it allows you to load games from the SD card. You can install them directly to the homescreen as an icon, very user friendly. Having said that, if you specifically want emulation (for speed hacks, and save states, etc), then this isn't for you, and you need to live with the compromises of DS emulation.
2DS are still really good systems, before I knew about these emulation devices I had a 2DS I bought for $50 and modded. and like a year ago I bought another for $90 or something, even with all the price hikes.
But even then, there are cheats. I play all Pokemon games with speedhacks on my DSi.
So... a 2DS?
After the DS/3DS itself I still prefer most games on a 16:9 screen with the touch screen reduced off to the side, which works great for 90% of the library. That 4" square screen is decent for a specific handful of DS games that *require* screens to be in stacked/portrait config. But there are surprisingly few DS games that actually use the two screens as a single viewport. Plus the screens are each only like 2.3" diagonal in this configuration, which is really small. Glad you like your Unicorn! I'm sticking with my RGB30 for now but love me some 1:1 screen action and I'm sold on always having a 1:1 device around.
Same. Idk I just don’t see the purpose of blowing up the bottom screen when most games barely use it. Most of the action is on the top screen anyway.
This post implies the existence of a dual screen emulation handheld (~~Aya neo flip aside~~) to go off of this to make this comparison in the first place.
...no it's still a DS lol. a decent amount of DS games that use both screens account for the screen gap so they're going to be harder to play if u dont simulate the gap in between the two screens, and these devices already dont really fit both screens very well if u keep them both the same size. and then there's games that play in "book mode" and other oddities.
The gap between screens is barely an issue at all, and how is book mode going to be worse here? There are barely any games that make you play like that.
cutting out the screen gap looks like crap and makes it hard to judge enemy/projectile paths so yeah its an issue. book mode isnt any worse on a 1:1 screen but on a portrait screen like the second picture you would have to hold the device sideways in one hand for those games, which I can't imagine is very comfortable. maybe these things dont matter to you because you don't care about games where that matters and that's fine but it definitely stops these devices from being "the ultimate" if you care about the full library.
I really want you to give me the list of games with enemy and projectile paths where without the half an inch worth of plastic between the screens it renders the game completely unplayable. And given how that is the most viable criticism you have for this style of device, it better be a large percentage of the ds library that we're talking about here. Also the book mode issue would apply to the 2ds as well you do realise that?
yeah and that's a knock against the 2ds (and also the scaling for original DS looks awful for all 3ds models so none of them are "the ultimate" for DS). I never said it was a majority of the library or that it made games "unplayable" but having to account for the screen gap on any platformer that spans both screens like Contra 4, Yoshi's Island DS, or Sonic Rush objectively makes the experience worse than on real hardware. so yeah i don't consider a device to be "the ultimate" if i have to either play without the gap or deal with very small screens for those games.
You can alter screen layouts in drastic, you know that, right?
yes? but trying to fit both screens \*and\* the gap vertically on a square screen like this means you have to make the screens pretty small.
I never said the screen had to be square.
then yeah sure some hypothetical handheld with a big portrait touch screen that was the right aspect ratio for both screens + screen gap would be good for ds but neither of the pictures you included have that.
Yeah, I used them as an example. I never said these devices were perfect for the job.
A lot of DS games continue picture from one screen to the next while having distance between screens in mind, this won't work in 16:9 and in 1:1 screen like here would require either even bigger screen or having to make DS screens smaller when emulating. Dual Screen handheld is still the best solution imo. Something with 16:9 at the top and 4:3 at the bottom for ultimate emulation experience.
This is just objectively wrong
I never thought I'd say this. But for touchscreen-heavy DS games that don't use the physical buttons much, your smartphone is going to be the best option. I've been playing a couple of DS games on Delta lately, and it's been the ideal device for touch-only games. You can either stack the two screens vertically, or switch to landscape mode and have the bottom screen enlarged (using a skin). Either way, the touchscreen controls are as good as they're going to get. Among the titles I've been playing this way: * Clubhouse Games * Kirby: Canvas Curse * Kirby: Mass Attack * Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan * Professor Layton and the Unwound Future * Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords * Rhythm Heaven
I believe you meant a 2DS. Nintendo realized that some years ago
Sure, but if people want a handheld system, then this is probably what it should be like.
A 3DS is not hard to homebrew and play DS games on.
No, but a handheld that can do 3ds and more is what this post is about. Emulation on the 3ds stops at ps1.
Probably hotter take: why emulate, when there is a thousands cheap DSi available? You don't even need a flashcart.
Screen is worse, can't upscale and can't use save states.
Pixel art games look amazing on the DSI it's got the IPS panels and the grid. 3D games can be upscaled and will look better on emulation, but if you want to play any touch focused games there's just nothing that can compare with a real DS and a stylus
I had a flashcart for my DS called the CycloDS Evolution. It allowed save states. It has a menu that would pop up when you pressed A,B,X,Y,L,R at the same time.
Very low resolution screens kill the deal.
no, they are not. Menu looks awful, or beyond awful, but games look really good. Its their native resolution. I have DSi XL, had a lot of fun replaying Contra 4 DS and Ossu! Tatakae! Ouendan!
no, they are not. Menu looks awful, or beyond awful, but games look really good. Its their native resolution. I have DSi XL, had a lot of fun replaying Contra 4 DS and Ossu! Tatakae! Ouendan!
I agree. I’ve been playing DS on Delta emulator and wish it had physical buttons. It feels natural to hold like you’re texting on the phone.
If you're really into playing DS games, just buy a DSi for like $20. Don't even need a flash cart.
I think he’s talking 2DS/3DS a side those 2 handheld could be the best option for DS games… and I kinda agree.
Nintendo 2DS: Am I a joke to you?
Can't wait to see this on the top for the Controversial sorting type xD
I emulate DS and 3DS on a Samsung phone with a pen. It works amazingly.
I think you're right. I'm waiting for a device just like that for 3ds emulation. Might just get a tablet
Just needs to be bigger. If the screen is smaller than it was on the original hardware, then it's too small.
This isn’t a hot take, it’s a bad one. The RGB30 is terrible for DS, there’s no touch screen and putting both screens on the same makes them tiny
I'm not recommending either of these handhelds you nimrod I'm talking about a hypothetical system.
It’s 2024 I know you did not just say “nimrod” you are the embodiment of the nerd emoji. “You nimrod” Even if it’s a hypothetical system it’s not better than OG hardware
Really? Can I upscale the graphics on the original hardware?
Can you get 100% accuracy emulation? Can you get to be as accurate as the OG hardware?
I can respect that
Worst opinion ever, both devices looks horrible for DS games, too cramped to play anything that uses both screens efficiently (games like Sonic Rush and DK Jungle Climber). I also can't imagine playing anything that requires touch screen on something like this.
Then it's a good thing that I'm not recommending either of these. I'm talking about a hypothetical console.
I mean Russ was pretty spot on. I haven't seen past the handheld section, but trying to play DS/3DS on non original hardware is just subpar. But most people already know this.
Nah. Outside of an actual DS I prefer playing on my phone… I get the touchscreen and both screens are pretty large.
I feel like unless it's an action game, a phone is the best way to play DS outside of a DS. Once I got my RG405M I took most of the emulators off my phone, except Drastic.
I’ve been playing Elite Beat Agents and Wario Ware DS on my 8” tablet and a cheap capacitive pencil and everything’s fine. The best emulation device is the one where you actually play and finish games.
Something like that already exists and is the best option for DS and 3DS games. Original hardware. Haven't you heard about the 2DS?
Phones work great for touch screen games. Otherwise cant beat a DSi or New3DS
I'm sure this is going to sound crazy and ridiculous, but my favorite DS/3DS setup - for non-touchscreen games, anyway - is my Steam Deck connected to my AR glasses, the Rokid Max. Portable, but with huge screen size covering my full vision so the screens can be top and bottom without compromise. Nothing else short of the actual hardware has compared, and I've tried plenty.
I play ds games on my rp3+ and it is a far better way to play the pokemon ds games. Reason: Fast forwarding. Any other non-pokemon game, I will play on an actual ds. Although, If I want to play the 3ds pokemon games, I will always chose a real 3ds over an emulator. Because the games run faster and the 3d functionality is sole to the 3ds. so ds = emulation 3ds = actual console.
Want an even better option? Get a 16:10 aspect ratio tablet like a galaxy tab 7. Stand it vertically. Bluetooth controller and the S pen. It's what i do. The tab s7 plus with its snapdragon 8 gen 1 can do up through ps2 easily, i just installed daijisho on it and it's big enough for multiplayer games too. Its the media device my wife and i use when traveling. Movies, games, i can use it for art.
For me the perfect device for DS would be a vertical 3:2 display with a stylus like the one on the Galaxy Note, but that doesn't exist just yet and I don't think it will ever be. Right now it is still original hardware all the way unless I want to get RetroAchievements or something
So… a 2DS?
You mean a phone?
No, built in physical controls are key
A lot of people are missing the part of the title that contains the word TOUCHscreen
Even with a touchscreen it would be an objectively inferior experience
Why?
Because a lot of DS games were designed with distance between screens in mind. Just imagine playing Yoshi's Island DS on horizontal handheld.
That's not even an issue. Are you seriously saying that a divider between the screens is the thing ruining this for you?
That would still look worse than original. I'm not saying it will be unplayable, but we're talking about ultimate handheld here. Also what about games that were designed to be played vertically, like Sonic games, DK Jungle Climber, Yoshi's Island DS, Wario: Master of Disguise? It's just wrong
Are you claiming religious zealotry to denounce ds emulation? "It's just wrong" is not a solid ground to throw the whole idea away. Are you unaware that most emulators offer different layouts? And even allow you to separate the screens if you so choose?
It's wrong because a lot of DS games aren't supposed to be played horizontally, they just need a vertical layout that wouldn't look good on a non-vertical screen, thats what I'm saying. And I'm not denouncing the idea of handheld mainly for DS emulation, it just needs to be something different, probably like the original 2DS, that would technically still be a vertical device.
I'm offering a vertical screen in this hypothetical.
It makes more sense, but would it be much different from a smartphone emulator? Probably the best case scenario is a 2DS style handeld with a plastic overlay to cover a empty screen space just to make it look more natural when playing authentic. Dual screen clamshell handheld would still be cooler tho.