GKD Bubble: The Good, The Bad, the Basic

Anbernic used to be the first thing that came to mind when you thought of handhelds based on other models. The RG-Arc is based on a Sega 6-button controller, while the RG353P is based on an SNES controller. However, what about a handheld that is based on a handheld? No. The RG35XX SP, no. By the end of 2024, the Game Kiddy Bubble, a handheld device reminiscent of Sega Game Gear, will dominate the unkillable RK3566.

Come along with me while I examine the Bubble and determine whether it's worth your hard-earned money.

GKD Bubble: Specs

  • CPU: Rockchip RK3566
  • GPU: Mali-G52 2EE
  • Ram: 1GB
  • Screen: 3.5", 640×480, 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Battery: 4000mAh
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 2x microSD card slots, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
  • Dimensions: 165 x 83 x 25 mm, 229 grams

GKD Bubble: Design and Feel

They did a fantastic job with the GKD Bubble's feel and design. At first, the back's grainy texture seemed strange, but I eventually became accustomed to it. At least it looks good, and the grips on the rear are small enough that I never notice them while I'm usually using it. It's good.

You can see a very Game Gear-like design on the Bubble's front, which is undoubtedly lovely. The two slanted LEDs are housed in a massive bezel that is perfectly proportioned for Sega styling, and the A/B buttons are more significant than the X/Y buttons, which completes the ensemble. The design is superior to the RG353P but not as good as the RG-Arc compared to the devices resembling the Anbernic Controller. Additionally, I would place it directly there in terms of ergonomics.

The Game Kiddy Bubble's design and feel are the best features of the entire portable, whether you view this as a positive or negative thing.

Buttons and Screen

The screen is an easy place to start. You will receive a regular 3.5-inch, 640x480, 4:3 screen. Nothing is wrong with it, but it no longer stands out in late 2024 when devices of comparable size and price are starting to support 720p and higher. It's what you would anticipate from a screen like this on any gadget that costs the same or less.

The buttons are a little inconsistent. The switch-style dual sticks perform just as you would anticipate. Even though I hoped we could get around them, I didn't mind this time because I only played one game that featured them. The buttons on the face are suitable. All four face buttons have a pleasant, gentle clack when pressed down, even if their sizes vary. This contrasts with the in-line shoulder buttons, which add a louder clack while maintaining the membrane feel of the face buttons. Although obvious on my equipment, loud buttons don't bother me personally.

Lastly, the D-pad. This D-pad is shield-style, but it's pretty light. Moving between directions is so simple that it's nearly too simple. During my routine Pico-8 summit run of Celeste, I ran into unintentional diagonals in practically every direction I needed to travel. I can reach the top, but there will be obstacles. It's not great, but it's serviceable.

OS and Performance

Performance? Which performance? It's an RK3566. You will receive good "up to PS1" performance in addition to what I would term a bonus N64, Dreamcast, and PSP experience. Don't expect perfection in the next level of imitation, but be content with what you can get. The straightforward operating system I've used with the Bubble makes things pleasant.

Since my device did not have a microSD card, I had to get my operating system. The Plum then emerged. I left PlumOS, a fairly basic operating system, in stock. It includes a black background with straightforward writing identifying which system is whose and a lovely GG-style overlay that appears when I boot into my Game Gear games.

With additional features like Wi-Fi for standard network transfers, it's a pleasant 3566 handheld to use overall, making the experience transparent and straightforward. Overall, though, I still like something like ArkOS.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the GKD Bubble is a reliable handheld 3566. Prices range from $90 to $100, depending on what you're looking for, if you visit a store like GoGameGeek. You can get it for about $60 to $70 if you use AliExpress, and the Bubble makes much more sense at that price. What else makes sense, though? The prices of the other 3566 devices are all the same or less. You can get an RG353P for a 640 x 480 screen or an RG-Arc for a larger screen. You could purchase an RGB20 Pro or RGB30 for a higher resolution screen for around the same price.

The Bubble is unmatched if that particular style is what you're searching for. It feels well in the hand and has a lovely appearance. However, you may be better off searching for something more conventional if you're looking for something with a good D-pad and a user experience that gives you everything at once. In the end, Powkiddy released 4 3566 handhelds this year. I suggest two of these instead of this one. Three? I recommend this to someone in place of an X35S. Or an R40S. Or an E6+. There are much too many of these things, you know.