HOTM May: The AYN Odin 2

Packed into the popular Miyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini+ form factors, last month's Handheld of the Month was a tiny PS1 powerhouse. It was a beautiful combination, but they succeeded in something far more significant this month. Yes, exactly. As you may have inferred from the title or thumbnail, the AYN Odin 2 was named the May Handheld of the Month! It's time to discuss what we voted for in this article, what you can use it for, and my experiences over the past six months with the Odin 2. So fasten your seatbelt and relish the journey into HOTM land.

What even is it?

If you haven't been paying attention, you may have missed the Odin 2's explosive rise to prominence as one of the most potent handheld devices. And I'll be a friendly, helpful writer if you have. And I'll show you a screenshot of the Odin 2's specifications right here:

I didn't think a 6" 1080p display with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 would be released in 2023, but it did—the Sonic Adventure 2 Battle and my aspirations and hopes. In addition to being a powerful gadget that costs between $300 and $460, you also get what I describe as a comfortable gadget. The Odin 2 performs well but is not quite as comfortable as the AYN Loki.

The Odin 2 is better in size, comfort, and power than almost every Android handheld I own. The larger and more comfy G Cloud is the only one that can match it in any of those three areas—and it's much weaker. A handheld device that fulfils all your needs at an incredibly low cost? It's this one.

However, what modifications are possible?

Upgrades and Accessories

You may add accessories to your Odin 2 and make various other modifications. First, though, the sticks.

The Odin 2's sticks are excellent and provide a very smooth experience. They are tiny, though, considering the size of the device. You can visit this site to have Nick walk you through other AYN Odin 2 thumbstick alternatives. However, I will state that the Slug Sticks are the way to go. They provide you with a controller experience that is far more conventional. Additionally, that is a must for some of the games available on the Odin 2.

In addition, the Odin 2 is compatible with several docks, such as their own Superdock 2, which enables you to play games on a bigger screen by connecting to the TV. If you keep your Odin 2 portable, you may print a handle or buy one on Etsy. If you wish to change the buttons, you can get a set from Sakura Retro Modding when they are in stock or go to the Ayn website for new buttons.

Although the Ayn Odin may not be as customisable as the Miyoo Minis, it offers several options.

My Odin 2 Usage

I can encapsulate my usage of the Odin 2 for the last five months in roughly one line.

I play PS2 and Vampire Survivors far too much.

To begin with, Vampire Survivors is the first component of the phrase. The Android version of this game is even more addictive than I anticipated. I can only play one or two complete rounds on my PC. I can't use an x86 handheld for over two or three rounds. However, I played this game on the Odin 2 for several hours. Although it wasn't the only Android game I spent a lot of time playing, it was undoubtedly the most captivating. Apart from that, I experimented with games like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grid Autosport, and Horizon Chase Turbo. One day, I shall defeat VC.

Regarding the PS2, I can't claim that I've been playing many games, but I have been playing some of my childhood favourites. However, it is now correctly scaled up to 1080P. Although I still have trouble with minor delays following wrecks, Burnout 3 has been a fantastic treat. Overall, Ratchet and Clank has been a lot of fun, and I promise I will finish it. But regrettably, Gran Turismo 4 and Pac-Man World diverted my attention. Several sets of excellent PS2 games captured my interest the most.

I have a list of other PS2 titles worth playing on the RH website, but I'd appreciate any other suggestions you may have.

Final Thoughts

When the Odin 2 was rereleased in November, it was among the best handhelds available. And compared to other Android handhelds, it has consistently held the top place over time. The Ayaneo Pocket Air? More potent than that one. Pocket S by Ayaneo? I have no idea where it is. Razer Edge: 21:9. Pimax Portal: Magnets, but nothing else. G Cloud: Greater Strength. In one way or another, the Odin 2 outperformed all the competitors.

One of those earlier handhelds would have served you better. The Odin 2 was undoubtedly a well-rounded gadget. And I think it should be the Handheld of the Month for at least a month. All we can do now is wait and see what June brings. This is a D007 comeback story.