RH Reviews: The AYN Odin Base, Pro, and Lite
RH Reviews: The AYN Odin Base, Pro, and Lite
Finally, it's here! AWN's Odin has generated more buzz than any other handheld in the comparatively brief history of the contemporary vintage handheld sector.
The Odin, which was first marketed as the "199 Handheld," had a pretty straightforward goal: What if you could use outdated smartphone hardware to create a specialized portable gaming device? This is not the first handheld with such a high goal; the Retroid Pocket 2 was renowned for running Android, and short-lived, boutique handhelds such as the Z Pocket Game used Sony Xperia phones that had been rescued. Using the knowledge gained from previous gadgets, Odin aimed to develop a huge touchscreen gadget with conventional handheld ergonomics. This all sounded fantastic on paper, but there was a cherry on top: the "199 Handheld" was set to retail for USD 199.
Although they have utilized a good deal of seasoned talent from the retro handheld sector, AYN was established as a fresh company to get this handheld off the ground. (There is substantial evidence that they and Retroid share at least some hardware and code technologies.) To generate money for this new handheld, they started an IndieGoGo crowdfunding effort at the end of August 2021.
In other words, handhelds. Eventually, it was revealed that the "199 Handheld" would be three handhelds as plans changed over time. The Odin Base was created from the original 199 pitch; a high-spec variant known as the Odin Pro was unveiled. The cost of these handhelds exceeded USD 199, which was the only minor issue. As a result, the Odin Lite was revealed as a new entry-level configuration.
It was not bad for a Chinese business that no one had ever heard of.
The crowdsourcing initiative exceeded everyone's hopes. In the world of retro handhelds, preorders for devices are not unusual. Although crowdfunding projects carry some extra risk, the community overwhelmed AYN with preorders. Unfortunately, the AYN team encountered numerous technical difficulties and component sourcing problems during production, which have become all too prevalent in the COVID era. However, the company has maintained constant communication, and Odin Pro handhelds started arriving at the beginning of this year with a few acknowledged delays.
The Odin Lite took a little longer to arrive in users' hands. Because of the striking similarities between these two devices, we postponed and published our opinions on the Odins as a single joint assessment.
Purchasing an Odin is a little easier, but lead periods still exist.
It's still tricky to buy an Odin. Since AYN is still assembling and shipping IndieGoGo preorders, wait times for new purchases may vary by several months. However, if you want to jump in line, the Odin Base and Odin Pro are available on Ayn's website for USD 239 and USD 287, respectively. For USD 328, a higher-storage version of the Odin Pro is also offered. DHL shipping is USD 36 for all orders from AYN's website. The Odin Lite is presently only available for an "InDemand" post-campaign purchase on IndieGoGo for USD 227 (with delivery costing about USD 28), although it will ultimately be available for sale on AWN's website for USD 199 (with USD 36 shipping). Additionally, AYN has created a Super Dock for the Odin, which costs USD 68 and is available on their website or IndieGoGo. The handheld comes in black, white, transparent black, transparent white, and transparent purple, depending on your Odin setup.
The Hardware
One can comfortably hold the Odin in one's palm. The colour of our Odin Pro was black.
Although there are many differences in the retro portable market between the Odin Base, Odin Pro, and Odin Lite, the situation is more nuanced than that. Three specs were available for prospective buyers to modify during the IndieGoGo preorder period. Aside from processor selection, AYN permitted some RAM and storage enhancements that were unavailable on their retail website. When buying a used Odin, asking the seller about unusual configuration changes is a good idea.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 powers the Odin Base and Odin Pro. The Snapdragon family is highly regarded in mobile processors and is commonly found in Samsung smartphones. Even though the 845 is a few years old, its specifications are still outstanding. It has four high-performance cores at 2.8 GHz and four low-performance cores at 1.8 GHz. Regarding graphics, the 845 has an Adreno 630 GPU with a 787 MHz clock speed. A few intangible advantages are also included with the Snapdragon. In the field of mobile computing, Qualcomm processors are well-known, and their peculiarities are well-documented. Some software-side optimization helps the Odin Base and Pro since emulator developers have focused on Snapdragon CPUS for years.
In the meantime, a Mediatek Dimensity D900 CPU powers the Odin Lite. Given its Lite designation, it is reasonable to assume that the D900 is a small chip, but this MediaTek processor is also quite powerful. With two 2.4 GHz high-performance cores and six 2.0 GHz cores, the D900 takes a more balanced approach to multi-core computing. Its Mali-G68 MC4 GPU, which operates at a decent 900 MHz, has a slight advantage over the Snapdragon. The "Lite" in the Odin Lite mainly relates to the handheld's price; we'll talk about emulation performance later in this review. The original purpose of the Dimensity CPU family was to power LG smartphones, although LG exited the smartphone market a few years ago. The Lite was made possible by AYN's ability to purchase these processors at a significantly reduced cost. Although the emulation ecosystem lacks the same degree of software optimizations and the D900's speed isn't quite up to SD845 levels, it simply outperforms other handhelds in its price range.
The Panda variation of our white Odin Lite has black buttons and a white casing.
The other distinguishing characteristics are easier to understand. RAM is now a reasonably priced component. While the Odin Pro boasts an impressive 8 GB of memory, the Odin Lite and Odin Base both have a generous 4 GB. Numerous Odin Lites with 8 GB of RAM are available because, of course, this was one of the features that might be improved during the IndieGoGo campaign. Today, we will examine one of these machines, which is lovingly called "Odin Lite Pro." I apologize to anyone hoping to compare the post-IGG retail products side by side.
Lastly, there is room for storage. The Odin Base and Lite come with 64 GB of storage by default. For those who want a fully loaded Odin, AYN still offers a 256 GB upgrade option, even though the Odin Pro starts with 128 GB of storage. There are some unusual Odin Lites or Odin Bases with more storage because, once more, these options were customized during the ordering period. Depending on your preferences, you might not be as concerned with more onboard storage because all Odin variants include a microsd card slot. If most of your games will be emulated from a library that can fit on a Micro SD card, built-in storage is less significant than if you play many games from the Google Play store.
Numerous Odin variations are available, so if you buy one from the secondhand market, know which one you're getting.
There are a few more differences between Odin Base, Odin Pro, and Odin Lite, in addition to those three features that could be changed throughout the IndieGoGo phase. Most of these variations result from parts or features closely related to the handheld processor. The Odin Base and Pro utilize Bluetooth 5 and WiFi 5 and run Android 10. Due to its slightly more recent processor, the Odin Lite runs Android 11 and uses WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. It's interesting to note that the Odin Lite still has its original SIM slot from the smartphone. The Odin Lite is the gadget you need if you're searching for a handheld that can function as a smartphone.
These aren't essential factors, but if streaming is your main use case, they might influence your decision. Depending on whether you choose to get the "Super Pack," which includes Odin's dock, the colour selections for the Odins have also varied during the presale and retail processes. The weight of the two handhelds is almost equal. As its name suggests, the Odin Lite weighs 362 grams, while the Odin Base and Pro weigh roughly 367 grams.
The specifications for the remaining hardware part are the same for all Odin handheld devices. A 224 mm x 95.2 mm case design unites them all. The handheld's curved form includes shoulder buttons that protrude slightly at the top and grips on the edges. It has a maximum thickness of 23.7 mm and a minimum thickness of 15 mm. Nintendo's Switch Lite portable, which measures 208 x 91 x 14-28.4 mm, is comparable to the Odin. Everything about it, including the screen, is a little bigger.
The Odin boasts a remarkable 5.98-inch touchscreen. This is among the biggest handhelds, surpassing Nintendo's 5.5-inch screen size and resolution. The Odin boasts a 1920 x 1080 full HD display with the OCA lamination that high-end handhelds are known for. Fortunately, the device's bezels are minimal, so even if it's bigger than a Switch Lite, it doesn't seem all that different. Regrettably, the 5:3 aspect ratio screen of the Odin hasn't yet gained traction in the rest of the retro handheld market, as every element of the device revolves around the Anbernic RG552 from the previous year. Like most 16:9 handhelds, Odin's 1080p display can accommodate several old systems; however, depending on the platform you're using, it may have some black bars or video filtering.
Having two units makes it much easier to display all the angles.
The battery in any Odin configuration is 6000mAh. With more demanding games, your playtime will be closer to four hours. This will give you roughly five to six hours of gameplay. The amount of active cooling the Odin uses also affects battery life. Yes, there is an admirer of Odin! Large heatsinks and performance throttling are the only methods mobile processors use to control the heat emanating from their system-on-chip. In addition to having a powerful heatsink, the Odin also contains a tiny fan that helps dissipate heat more quickly, preventing your handheld's performance from being throttled. The speed of this fan can be adjusted through software or programmed to start on its own, depending on the strain the handheld is experiencing. It is a notably higher pitch than the fan of the Steam Deck or the Anbernic RG552, but it is usually not too annoying if you are playing with game audio on. You can ignore this noise while playing, but you'll notice it's gone as soon as you turn off the handheld. Fortunately, it is rarely, if ever, needed to operate at full speed during play sessions.
More sophisticated USB-C to USB-C fast charging solutions don't interfere with Odin's ability to use USB-C charging. When left alone for most of the day, the handheld's suspend mode effectively maintains power and doesn't have terrible battery life. Odin's 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C port are on the bottom.
Ensure that your video cable is in good condition. It should be Micro HDMI instead of HDMI or Mini HDMI.
The top of the handheld has the remaining connectors and system buttons. The fan exhaust, volume +/- buttons, a status LED, a Micro HDMI video out connector, a Micro SD card slot, and the power button on the handheld are located from left to right. Like many Android handhelds, the Odin can be connected to a big TV or monitor for couch-based gaming. Along with the gaming controls, the Odin also features an Android "Home" button on the front of the device.
About that, the Odin checks every handheld input box and then some more. The left analogue stick is positioned on top of the handheld's d-pad, a more contemporary Xbox-style stick arrangement that pays homage to the performance of this device. The analogue sticks support L3 and R3 inputs and have a similar design to the Nintendo Switch. They are generally well-positioned and straightforward to use, albeit they are more recessed than on some other handhelds. With these inputs, playing a contemporary twin-stick shooter is not awkward.
With its clicky buttons and plenty of motion, the D-pad is an input device reminiscent of the PlayStation Vita. When playing older 8-bit and 16-bit games, it doesn't have the most retro feel, but it's great for switching between weapons in a current game.
The Odin has a regular set of face buttons with an SNES-style button arrangement on the right side of the handheld. These membrane-style buttons never interfered with our gaming sessions and have just the appropriate amount of "mushiness." The Start and Select buttons are at the bottom of the handheld's right side. Although we occasionally found ourselves relying on our Switch knowledge and tapping the Home button on the handheld rather than the Start button, all of these inputs are sufficiently out of the way that you won't unintentionally press any of them while playing regular games.
One of the most notable features of the Odin is its analogue shoulder buttons.
Although the Odin has many features, its analogue triggers are its best feature. Although they have always been digital inputs, we have noticed that the retro handheld market is shifting toward the well-liked "stacked" shoulder buttons found on consoles. Only the Retroid Pocket 2+ and similar devices know whether you are tugging on one of the triggers. In contrast, the Odin's L2 and R2 buttons use a full analogue input. One of the standout features of the Nintendo GameCube controller was its ability to report back how far you're squeezing each trigger, which is essential for several console games. The Odin is a perfect fit because it was among the first handhelds to tackle a sizable swatch of the GameCube catalogue.
AYN wasn't content with stopping there, so they added two macro buttons to the back of the Odin's grip. These buttons, the addition we've started seeing more recently on high-end gaming hardware, may be adjusted to whatever makes the most sense for your game.
Despite the warm lighting in this assessment, you can be sure that the white Odin handhelds are as white as a Wii.
Yet, Odin's LED illumination is arguably its most Gamer™ feature. If you buy a non-transparent Odin colour, the handheld has LED trim illumination on the sides and beneath both analogue sticks. It's ridiculous, unnecessary, and genuinely a lot of fun. You recently purchased a specialized emulation handheld from China for several hundred dollars. You will undoubtedly turn on those LEDS and bask in their sophisticated splendour. Though personal preferences may differ, the LEDS are so extravagant that they transition from dorky to excellent.
A few further hardware characteristics complete the Odin's specifications. The Odin, of course, features rumble for games that provide force feedback. The handheld also has a gyroscope and microphone to ensure no gaming input is overlooked. Lastly, it features two stereo speakers that face the bottom and produce excellent sound quality when playing games.
The Odin is a good piece of gear all around. The device's contours fit comfortably in the hand, all controls seem just where they should, and it feels substantial without being unduly dense. This handheld device has a strikingly similar feel to the Nintendo Switch Lite, just one that runs Android.
The Software
How much personalization will you make?
Hold on, return! Over the past few years, the debate between Android and Linux has been a hot topic in the vintage handheld market. Android handhelds have consistently outperformed Linux handhelds in terms of performance and versatility. In contrast, Linux handhelds have always had an advantage in setup and use (mainly due to the Emulation Station front). Everyone has an opinion, especially when combined with preexisting smartphone sentiments.
We have advanced significantly since the Retroid Pocket 2 and the early Android handhelds. Because the Odin uses contemporary smartphone CPUS, navigating the operating system is no longer a chore. Additionally, the Odin's rectangular touchscreen is a plus. Although the landscape mode slightly takes aback certain apps, it's generally a more comfortable and straightforward experience.
The fact that the Odins come with solid Android 10 or Android 11 installations is arguably the most significant upgrade of all. Seasonal re-flashes were a feature of earlier handhelds, such as the Retroid Pocket 2 or Anbernic RG552, which were designed to find the best community image. A new version of Android or Lineage would be released, offering a new feature or a few more performance frames after you had become accustomed to using a handheld.
AYN aims to make the Android experience more efficient, but they'll move aside if you know what you're doing.
Right out of the box, the Odin offers an excellent Android experience. Even when the image is customized, AYN's extra software knows how to stay out of the way. After providing a controller-friendly onboarding process, AYN blatantly asks if you want to utilize their proprietary or Android's default application launcher. Devoted Android users can now choose not to use any of AYN's software upgrades and continue personalizing the handheld to suit their preferences. While maintaining practical hardware settings for things like the handheld's LEDS or the operation of the active cooling fan, you get a very close-to-stock experience.
If you want to experiment, the Odin Launcher, its "Floating Icon" applet, and the Odin Settings choices are the main components of AYN's software customizations.
Google permits device manufacturers to provide their own "Launcher" program for users unfamiliar with Android. This app lets you choose which app to open and functions as the typical smartphone grid of icons. Numerous intriguing Android launcher choices are available, including some tailored for mobile devices. The Odin Launcher is an excellent, portable method of starting emulators and games. Players may interact with huge, touchscreen-friendly rectangles because they are loosely modelled after the home screen of the Nintendo Switch.
AYN did not assemble this launcher in a single weekend. It features app categories to separate your system apps, productivity tools, entertainment, and games. Adjusting the background colour of the icon tiles is one of the helpful customisation choices the creators have included. If you don't like the dull grey of the Switch, you can alternatively use backdrop images. From standard Android features like WiFi and Bluetooth toggles to Odin-specific hardware choices like LED illumination, AYN has revealed a wide range of hardware settings in their launcher.
Even when playing widescreen content, most gamers shouldn't be bothered by the Floating Icon line because it is sufficiently modest.
Some of the handheld's hardware and software settings can also be accessed through AYN's "Floating Icon" tool. Users can access their Odin's quick settings menu while playing a game by swiping a tiny, single-pixel line on the right side of the screen. The menu has some of Odin's unique features and standard settings, like brightness controls.
Players who want to record their gameplay can choose from various screen recording settings under this menu. Both locally recorded videos and a regular screenshot of any program on the handheld are available to users. The fact that AYN also featured a "Go Live" button for Streamlab's Android-based streaming app will excite Twitch enthusiasts.
The menu also contains one of Odin's most crucial tools for Android-based gaming, in addition to these recording options: The key adapter for touchscreens.
Android is primarily a platform for smartphones. Many well-known Android games have completely eschewed controller compatibility, and developers must design their apps with touchscreen gaming in mind. With this button mapping tool, you may use one of Odin's buttons to mimic a tap on the screen. Simple commands like "Tap this area of the screen when I press the A button" or more intricate ones like mapping the real-world joystick to a virtual onscreen joystick can be configured.
There are numerous performance-focused options and gauges on the menu.
Your mileage may differ depending on the game you're attempting to play. Although some touch-and-drag movements to explore a 3d scene can cause the software to malfunction, the mapping tool offers a good virtual joystick experience. Fortunately, button support is already available in many Android games, but having a backup alternative is still useful.
You can turn off the floating icon menu using Android's control panel if you don't require any of its functionality or don't like the white line icon. But if you play many resource-intensive games, it might be worth sticking around. Your background processes are terminated with a single hit of the menu's incredibly helpful "Speed Up" button. It's good that AYN offers gauges and shortcuts to ensure you get the most out of this portable device, as performance-conscious as Odin.
Good timing AYN
Lastly, Odin Settings has its area in the Android Settings app. Here, AYN hasn't cut any corners. Video out and HDMI behaviour options, notification adjustments, SNES and Xbox-style ABXY button layout swapping, rear-button key mapping, joystick calibration and gamepad testing tools, a virtual mouse option for couch gaming, independent controls for the system's LEDS, and a convenient option to repeat the initial setup wizard are all included. AYN has provided Odin with over-the-air (OTA) updates as a final lovely touch. It's finally good to be done with flashing device firmware. ANY has offered a wide range of software improvements and has raised the standard for Android handheld pictures for a while.
Naturally, there is the minor issue of Odin not doing much right out of the box. You are virtually left alone after receiving a handy launcher, access to Google Chrome, and the Play Store.
Naturally, you should be as well. We have assessed several handhelds on dubious ethical grounds, including commercial programs like the Drastic DS emulator. Although AYN gives you a fresh start, you must still put in the effort.
The instructions for configuring emulators on the Odin are now identical to those for configuring emulators on any Android device. Although there is excellent potential intricacy, Russ at Retro Game Corps has fortunately written and videotaped many excellent Odin launch points. He includes a setup guide with some Odin-specific adjustments, a general Android emulator, and a tutorial on the great RetroArch emulator. Please look at Russ's body of work if you haven't already.
The main idea of gaming on an Android device is to download a specific application to imitate a particular system; we'll discuss various apps in the review's gameplay section. Installing Project64 is necessary to play Nintendo 64 games on a PC, and Installing Mupen64Plus is needed to play Nintendo 64 games on an Android handheld.
This implies that knowing which app to open first is the key to playing the game you want on Android. It's similar to using a smartphone. You must locate the Mupen64Plus icon in an icon grid to play a Nintendo 64 game. Every emulator will act differently. Configuring your gamepad inputs, pointing the program to your games folder, and making other minor application-specific adjustments are all necessary.
This contrasts with the experience on a standard portable computer running Linux. These devices have used the well-liked Emulation Station front end to produce a seamless gaming experience. All you have to do is drop your game files onto an SD card, wait for the UI to display visually stunning listings of available games, and scan for new additions. Linux handhelds can instantly start an emulator and boot straight into the game after you've chosen one.
This clever trick is made possible in large part by the efforts of the Raspberry Pi community. Although portable emulation handhelds are still a tiny market, the people behind RetroPie have flawlessly polished Emulation Station. Although a few projects have attempted to replicate it, nothing on Android is like it.
Although there is still space for improvement, Android frontends are improving daily, as demonstrated by Daijishou Top and RESET Bottom.
Javier of Retro Handheld made the well-known RESET Collection frontend. It works well with the Odin and offers on-device scraping. The LaunchBox frontend is another excellent paid choice. If you don't mind using third-party or PC-based scripts to scrape box art, the Pegasus project in the open-source space still offers a UI with overwhelming customisation. The new Daijishou front is one of the more interesting possibilities, though there are a few other well-liked ones, such as the Dig front. It offers specific launcher setting options that are very similar to Pegasus, and it allows on-device scraping. Although the project is still in its infancy, it is worthwhile to check out, and it functions nicely on the Odin.
Still, none of these alternatives can completely replace Emulation Station. This makes the Odin less approachable regarding pick-up-and-play, but it's also something that can't be avoided entirely. Emulation Station is becoming more and more user-friendly, even on powerful devices with Linux choices, such as the Anbernic RG552. Some cores have odd rough patches for tasks like remapping controllers, and higher-end systems like the Dreamcast and Nintendo 64 also have different peculiarities when launching their emulators through a frontend. It takes some tweaking to perform well as emulation becomes more complex. Meanwhile, AYN gave players a strong platform to personalise, but it will probably be some time before powerful retro handhelds offer a console-like experience.
So What Can It Play?
The most potent vintage handhelds we have ever examined are, without a doubt, the Odin Base, Odin Pro, and Odin Lite. The Odin is now among the most potent ARM-based vintage handhelds on the market, but the PC-based handheld business is just starting. We'll talk about the Steam Deck later. This will be the longest-supported platforms section we have ever had.
Fully Playable
Atari 2600, Atari 5600, Atari 7800
Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo Game Boy
Nintendo Game Boy Colour
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Nintendo Virtual Boy
Nintendo 64
Nintendo DS
Sega Master System
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
Sega 32X
Sega CD
Sega Saturn
Sega Dreamcast
Neo Geo Pocket
Sony PlayStation
Sony PlayStation Portable
Mostly Playable
Nintendo GameCube
Sony PlayStation 2
Somewhat Playable
Nintendo 3DS
Out of Reach
Nintendo Switch
As the software section indicates, most systems will need a specific emulator. Over the past several years, the Android ecosystem has grown significantly, offering interesting new emulators for cutting-edge systems and reliable emulation choices for well-known platforms.
RetroArch is still the best on the low end, though. It maintains a consistent interface and user experience while adding additional emulation settings on the backend using an extendable "Cores" paradigm. As a novice user, it may take some time to get used to RetroArch, but the knowledge you gain will be transferable between handhelds. After becoming acquainted with the tool, you may experiment with intriguing settings such as shaders, filters, and scaling options. Regarding relatively "high end" systems like the SNES, the Odin has enough capability to run complex possibilities. You can experiment with run-ahead and rewind settings, adjust to your heart's content, and use all the CRT shaders that less capable handhelds could never handle.
From a Nintendo perspective, RetroArch works well with the Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, Virtual Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. On the Sega side, RetroArch works well with the Sega CD, Sega 32x, Genesis (Mega Drive), Master System (Mark III), and Game Gear. The NEC TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine), Bandai's WonderSwan and WonderSwan Colour, Neo Geo's Pocket and Pocket Colour, and other early consoles and handhelds will also function well with RetroArch.
Although there isn't much more to say about these entry-level systems, one particular feature deserves special attention before we entirely abandon RetroArch. The popular Genesis Plus GX core features a relatively new "Wide" variant that emulates Sega Genesis games. Early last year, it was added to RetroArch, and it already has a surprisingly high level of compatibility throughout the Genesis collection. Depending on the game you're playing, Odin's widescreen can be effectively utilised, albeit you can have minor abnormalities depending on how wide you set the screen.
Though it supports more sophisticated systems than those mentioned above, the Genesis Plus GX Wide, which features two more scrolling columns adjacent to the Miyoo Mini RetroArch, frequently offers superior choices for devices like the Sega Saturn, Sony PlayStation, and Nintendo 64. Before pursuing more proprietary solutions, feel free to test one of RetroArch's open-source alternatives, as many of these powerful emulators are paid.
Whatever emulator you choose, Odin's widescreen works perfectly with the Game Boy Advance. RetroArch's difficulty controls are represented by the little circle icon in the final two screenshots. If you'd like, you can conceal it.
Game Boy Advance is among the first platforms to typically push users off of RetroArch. On less capable smartphones, there is a case for switching to standalone emulators like the Pizza Boy app from the Play Store, even though RetroArch's GSPC core functions well on less powerful systems. These applications are typically designed for touchscreen smartphone users, but fortunately, they may also be modified to meet the demands of vintage handheld devices. Fortunately, the Odin has the power to run RetroArch's more potent mgba core, so you won't have to venture into the world of paid emulators just yet. Games from the Game Boy Advance generally run smoothly and look fantastic on the Odin. Widescreen entertainment from the past is always enjoyable, and the GBA's 3:2 display looks excellent in this setting.
Fantastic N64 gameplay without a subscription
The GBA and the Nintendo 64 are in a similar situation. Despite RetroArch's N64 cores, the system is so complex to imitate that, whenever feasible, a standalone emulator is advised. The most popular Nintendo 64 emulator is Mupen64Plus FZ, which offers premium and ad-supported versions. The various emulation "profiles" that Mupen64Plus FZ supports may need to be modified according to your game. The Nintendo 64 is simply one of those notoriously erratic systems to imitate; this isn't exclusive to Odin.
Chao against Nightopians: Which Sega artificial lifeform is the best?
There are also reasonable standalone solutions for Sega's last two disc-based platforms. Yaba Sanshiro 2 handles the Sega Saturn, and Redream handles the Dreamcast side. Odin effectively manages both of these systems. Although it is counterintuitive that the Dreamcast is easier to imitate than the Sega Saturn, these devices are fortunately getting strong enough to slog through any Saturn slowdowns.
While not everyone likes widescreen hacks, Duckstation does a fantastic job converting PSX games to widescreen handhelds.
Things start to become intriguing on the PlayStation. The free-source DuckStation emulator is superior to RetroArch's PlayStation support. With many adjustments and customisations, the customisations have become mobile and desktop PlayStation emulation scenes by storm in recent years. The Odin can perform amazing upscaling depending on the title, and even better, it can handle some amazing widescreen hacks. With more than enough choices to get every game to function to one's exacting standards, Duckstation offers one of the nicest Android emulator interfaces we've seen.
We're not entirely sure where ours went, so it's nice that PSP games are ideal for Odin. Instead, here is a controller.
The PlayStation Portable is your only option if you're searching for Sony material in widescreen. Sony's first handheld's 16:9 display is ideal for the Odin. This mechanism, which again only functions on either of the Odins, was complicated for many handhelds with limited power. PSP games can typically be played at full speed even after being upscaled two or three times, making them a true delight on the Odin.
DS games with a top-screen focus are fantastic. Don't hesitate to purchase the Kirby Super Star Ultra edition.
Odin, the premium Drastic emulator for Nintendo DS games, also performs admirably. It usually handles inconsistent performance on low-end handhelds, but Odin's main problem will be the standard split-screen issues. Certain DS games are best played on a single screen, some are better played side by side, and some are only compatible with a stacked arrangement. In any event, performance won't be the deciding factor.
Other handhelds typically tap out at this point. It's fantastic that we can replicate these early 3d consoles on the fly. The Nintendo GameCube and the PlayStation 2 are the next generation of systems, and the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and Dreamcast all have incredible game libraries. This is a whole new era of gaming. Moving from emulating hundreds of polygons to thousands on their non-native platform takes a lot of work.
The Odin takes on this task head-on.
For the next generation, set sail.
This year, a few portable devices have been able to play GameCube games using the Dolphin emulator. The Smash Brothers community has dramatically improved this GameCube and Wii emulator, and there are many valuable tips for getting it to function on mid-range hardware. In our reviews of the Retroid Pocket 2+ and Anbernic RG552, we covered a variety of proper internal resolution scaling settings that may be used to run the basic cell-shaded graphics of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on a tiny handheld device.
None of that is necessary here. Said the Odins have the power to manage GameCube emulation. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes and other games with contemporary 3d graphics and lifelike textures work smoothly on the Odin. The Odin is not frightened by anything like Super Mario Sunshine or its transparent water effects.
What Nintendo didn't do, Odin does
Furthermore, the Odin surpasses Nintendo's most recent re-release of Super Mario 3d All-Stars. After all, the Odin features fully analogue triggers! One of the game's more fascinating features was observing how the squirt gun in Super Mario Sunshine would react to different trigger pressure levels.
The Odin was explicitly made to play GameCube games. Certain games will perform worse on the portable, which does have its limitations. While many games fall into the "playable" category, some edge cases will have trouble operating at nearly maximum speed. You can have fun with almost two-thirds of the GameCube's library on the Odin. Though some titles have been successful, Wii emulation is not nearly as successful on the Odin. You can squeeze in a good round of Mario Kart Wii, depending on your preferences.
Odin also becomes an option for the Nintendo 3ds to avoid being left out. The Citra emulator has a considerably harder time with this specific handheld, but it also has the same odd screen alignment problems as the Nintendo DS. Odin cannot play several 3d heavy action games because the 3ds is, ironically, much newer than the GameCube. For instance, Bravely Default performs admirably, whereas Donkey Kong Country Returns 3d has trouble.
At last, a handheld device that can reduce the size of the Odin
Lastly, Odin's support for the new Athersx2 emulator is an awe-inspiring accomplishment. Fortunately, both Odins fit under the minimum specifications of this PlayStation 2 emulator, which was released after the hardware for the Odin was finished. The experience will be more challenging because PS2 emulation is new to Android. Still, there are a ton of titles in its enormous library that are worth playing again on a mobile device.
Many of these games operate smoothly on Odin's Athersx2. However, there are several setup options that you will need to deal with. While Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty requires you to alter rendering modes, different underclocking setups, and other obscure options, other titles, such as Final Fantasy X, operate with the factory settings. However, this emulator can provide surprisingly high performance after you put in the effort.
The Odin can play roughly half of the PlayStation 2 library overall. It's a complex process that primarily relies on how long you're prepared to spend adjusting settings and what kind of performance and graphics problems you're willing to put up with. When moving into a new part of MGS2, most players will likely be able to tolerate the occasional 95% speed decrease because these "next generation" games are amazing on mobile devices. Dolphin also had some odd cloud visuals in The Wind Waker sequences.
If you're desperate to determine which games work, the communities have worked hard.
Talking about Odin's performance is challenging because of the vague meaning of "Playable." Fortunately, the community has fully embraced this retro handheld, and many online resources feature many games. The community has collaborated to create an Odin Base & Pro compatibility sheet and an Odin Lite compatibility sheet in addition to the abundance of gameplay videos on YouTube. These resources might offer a fair idea of what to expect if you're itching to play a game on the go. Visit our Discord to check if anyone else has played a game you're interested in that isn't on the sheet.
When it comes to emulation, that's about it. Although the project is still in its infancy, Android now has a new Skyline emulator for playing Nintendo Switch games on non-native devices. The ability to play Breath of the Wild on a powerful smartphone, let alone an Odin, is still a ways off, although people have achieved some success with 2D platforms like Celeste and Sonic Mania.
Of course, the vast universe of Android software is another option. As previously stated, AYN has incorporated screen mapping button software to enable you to enjoy games such as Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile fully. Additionally, many independent games support the controller in its entirety. On this portable, Dead Cells is a pleasure. Once you consider open-source ports for PC games like Half-Life 1 or Morrowind, you have a handheld with incredible software.
If you're still craving more, game streaming is always an option. Although we could not conduct thorough testing on streaming during this evaluation, users have reported success with local streaming using tools like Moonlight and Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming.
So, Which Odin Should You Get?
Decisions, decisions
Which of the three configurations available for the Odin is best for you? It's a challenging question. Some people were worried that Odin's Super Dock wouldn't work with the Odin Lite at the beginning of the IndieGoGo campaign. That's less of a deciding factor now that the team could find some workarounds, and—oh my god, we haven't even brought up the dock yet.
The Dock
There are so many controller ports on the dock that you might need to buy a second couch.
With the Odin, AYN has gone all out. It is obvious that they want this to be more than just another handheld emulation device—they want it to be portable. A dock seemed a logical next step since it had already borrowed some design elements from the Nintendo Switch.
There is more to Odin's "Super Dock" than just sending a signal to a television. The dock needed to offer more since the Odin's handheld already has HDMI-out. It has five full-size USB connections, which charge the handheld and send an HDMI signal to a TV. While some of these are made to work with USB controllers, they can also be used with other USB devices, such as flash card readers or thumb drives. A USB to Ethernet adapter is one item you won't require. Support for wired networking is integrated into the Super Dock.
The Super Dock's compatibility with more than USB controllers pays homage to the Odin's emulation origins. Additionally, it features two GameCube connectors on the side and two N64 controller ports on the front. The Super Dock is prepared to host a few one-on-one Smash Bros. battles, regardless of your preferred generation.
There are even more port options at the back of the pier.
The dock's final secret is its support for an integrated 2.5-inch laptop-style hard drive or solid-state drive. If you enjoy hoarding picture files of all your ripped CD and DVD-based games, the Super Dock can be an excellent alternative to purchasing a massive microsd card.
Although the Super Dock is a good choice, it might have required more baking time. Due to various USB-C chipset difficulties, the Odin Lite requires a separate HDMI adapter, and our extended team generally considered the dock unstable. As you may have inferred from the stock photographs, we were sadly unable to test a Super Dock during this evaluation. However, numerous reports of problematic software and general re-seating concerns have led us to conclude that this item will likely be overlooked for the time being. After all, HDMI cables and USB-C adapters may still be plugged straight into the handheld.
So, where were we now?
So Which Odin Should You Get?
Decisions, decisions
During the gaming part, we purposefully avoided making many direct comparisons between the Base, Pro, and Lite Odin. An Odin Pro and an Odin Lite with an unusual 8GB of RAM are included in this review. There are YouTube channels devoted to demonstrating the capabilities of these handhelds, and the community has started creating crowdsourced compatible spreadsheets. Declaring one of these handhelds to be X% % better than its rival is outside the purview of this review. Therefore, it's a cop-out.
They performed so similarly that it's challenging to determine which handheld is superior. In case you haven't guessed now, Metal Gear Solid 2 and The Wind Waker were the main test games for these handheld devices. We could have also dabbled a little too much like Sly Cooper. Both the Odin Pro and the Odin Lite games performed similarly.
Moving forward a few years in the PlayStation 2's lifecycle, we tested Sly 3 and Metal Gear Solid 3. These two games performed... poorly. For the most part, Metal Gear Solid 3 operated at full speed, but Snake's camouflage was rendered incorrectly in the Opengl or Vulcan modes. Sly Three is more ambitious than its predecessor, and when many particle effects and transparencies were displayed on screen, it slowed down both handhelds.
The Pro and Lite performed well and failed similarly in every test we conducted. There may likely be some titles where they diverge, but the PlayStation 2 has an incredible 4,000+ games in its library, while the GameCube has over 650+ titles. The community will need time to realise that Battlerealize performs better on the Pro. (Or even the Lite. Although your mileage may differ, a few PS2 games we tried appeared to perform slightly better on the Lite. Check out these internet options if you buy the Odin for a single title. We don't want to mislead you by making overt claims about a better choice.
A new screen that AYN began employing around the time of the Lite's debut may have contributed to the minor variations in battery life that we observed between the two Odin handhelds. The new display uses more electricity because it is a little brighter. Once more, Odin Pros with the updated display are accessible; we'll see if that difference holds.
An entry-level Odin Lite and an Odin Base are USD 40 apart in pricing. It isn't easy to express how much that means to you. It can be a great night out at the neighbourhood pub or a two-month allowance. You will have to make that decision at some point. All in all, the Lite was a mighty gadget. Except for the Skyline Switch emulator and the Citra 3ds emulator, it matched the Pro in almost every situation. A few games performed better on the Pro model, and both emulators are recent. As far as we can discern, the Qualcomm improvements discussed in the hardware section are mostly to blame.
The Snapdragon 845's support for Windows 10's ARM port is one significant distinction between the Pro and Lite we haven't discussed. The D900 is a CPU designed exclusively for Android. The Snapdragon Odins provide an alternative for gamers who enjoy playing with their portable devices incessantly. However, if that's the case, it's important to note that the community has found that Windows runs considerably more smoothly on the 8 GB Pro versions than on the default 4 GB Base model. It costs $40 to go from a Lite to a Base, but an additional $48 from a Base to a Pro. With Windows 10 support, people have carried out a few intriguing proofs of concept, but it's still a rough enough experience that we've mentioned it as a footnote.
Go for your aspirations and chase specs to your heart's content if spending an additional $100 won't significantly impact your finances. However, the Odin Lite might be better for most players' money.
Odin. Huh. Yeah. What Is It Good For?
Nowadays, there is a portable for everyone, regardless of their interests. However, is there a single gadget that controls them all?
The One Handheld is a legendary concept in retro handheld circles. It is a flawlessly built device with powerful specifications that make it your only portable emulation source. Most people agree that the emergence of such a legendary apparatus is still a ways off.
But the Odin may have been that device! As noted, its performance is more than enough, even though its 6-inch screen is a bit large for a throwback handheld. It can handle everything from the GameCube to the NES!
However, you may not want to use this mobile device to play such a large variety of systems. There are some intriguing ergonomics at work in the Odin. The positioning of the left analogue stick has long been debated in the gaming community and retro handheld settings. Microsoft has always supported upper-stick location, but Sony has clung to lower-stick placement. In vintage handhelds, there have been several excellent instances of both genres. The Retroid Pocket 2+ and the Anbernic Rg351mp have demonstrated that it is possible to create portable devices that support both 2D and 3d games. If you have to reach the other input, they usually don't cause many sore thumbs. However, they might favour one arrangement.
The Odin has a slightly stronger opinion than the rounded rectangular handhelds. As soon as you pick it up, you can tell by its curved body that the analogue stick has been placed on top and that you are expected to use it.
The Odin's d-pad is a unique d-pad from a retro gaming standpoint, but you can slip your hand down to utilise it as your input. It features a pivot point and is "clicky." Crusader of Centy, a Zelda knockoff game for the Sega Genesis, was still playable on the Odin, although it would have been more fun on almost any other portable in RH HQ. The Odin's four face buttons have a surprising amount of travel, but they are also of the squishy membrane type. They're good inputs, but their spacing and size aren't "retro."
The Odin and Miyoo Mini are a fascinating combination.
We discussed the legitimacy of "Companion Devices" in our previous assessment of the Miyoo Mini. The Odin might feel like half of an equation at times. It's the best high-end, 3d, analogue-forward handheld gaming device available. However, many other 2D handheld options are available, so if you've fallen victim to the handheld collecting craze, it's unlikely that the Odin will suddenly make all your other handhelds obsolete. Even while it can become the focal point of your collection, there are still benefits to having a gadget like the Rg351v or the Miyoo Mini lying around.
Odin's emphasis on high-end specifications also makes a few intriguing parallels possible. The handheld uses the newest and greatest smartphone technology available in 2018, but because it's 2022, you're likely carrying a more recent phone. Although we haven't had a chance to examine one yet, telescopic smartphone controllers are undoubtedly possible if your primary objective is "playing Resident Evil 4 on the bus."
Compared to smartphone controllers, the Odin provides a more reliable gaming experience, and you don't have to worry about using up all of your phone's power in the early hours of the day. Nevertheless, testing one of these controllers costs roughly USD 80 if you're hesitant to venture into the more expensive realm of emulation. (However, this alternative will require much work from iPhone owners.)
Regarding portability, the Odin still outperforms several of these PC handhelds. It slides into the grips of the Steam Decks.
It's challenging to overlook the PC-based handhelds that have emerged this year if performance is your top priority. Everyone is attempting to join the fray after Valve's Steam Deck made a strong argument for the category. Established PC handheld makers like AYA and GPD have announced or shipped new products, and even manufacturers of conventional ARM-based handhelds are joining the fray. AYN has launched preorders for preorder-based handhelds, while Anbernic has begun selling its new Intel-powered Win600 handheld. With various CPU choices to suit any budget, the Loki Zero, Loki Mini, Loki Mini Pro, Loki, and Loki Max all resemble Odin in appearance.
However, this area is relatively new, so watching how these handhelds develop will be interesting. The majority of PC handhelds that are shipped usually contain some asterisk. Battery life will always be an issue, valves have lengthy wait times, and AYA's products have generally been pricey. These handhelds are challenging to categorise at this time.
After shipment, the category costs USD 230, but it costs only USD 320, even if you use the Odin Pro as a baseline. Most handhelds are in the $500 range, while a handful have moved into the sub-$400 range. With its meagre 64GB of internal storage, even Valve's $400 Steam Deck setup is a trap.
If you genuinely want flawless compatibility with the GameCube and PlayStation 2, upgrading to some handhelds that cost around USD 500 might make sense. The Odin continues to enjoy a cosy niche for now, but we'll have to wait and see what happens in the long run.
Conclusion
Is this portable the power you're looking for?
There are many topics to discuss regarding Odin. It's a complex device with many new capabilities and different hardware combinations. Don't be discouraged by the final thousand words of "Which should I buy?" and "Who's it for?" The Odin is a reliable Android handheld with a giant screen.
You've most likely been attempting to find a way to obtain one for the past several months if Odin is the appropriate choice for you. As of this writing, the Lite model has only begun to roll out, and this handheld has a protracted IndieGoGo preorder process. Preorder is a significant difference between someone recommending a device to you and being able to buy it, as is the case with a lot of technology in 2022.
We've had the Pro for a while, but wanted to hold off on sharing our comprehensive evaluation until the Lite arrived. With an overarching storyline that portrayed the Odin Pro as a powerful but pricey handheld and the Odin Lite as a device made for games a little more complex than it could handle, we anticipated a much more stark contrast between the two devices.
Never have we been happier to be in error. The Odin Lite has surpassed our expectations and attracted us more to the Pro. Although we recommend that most people use the Lite, both handhelds are excellent, and it's good to have a choice that truly pushes the boundaries of what Android handhelds are capable of.
Similar to the Miyoo Mini, it's obvious when a product starts to gain support from the community. Although ignoring the excitement surrounding this handheld is difficult, we're happy to see some third-party tweaks available. While we finished this evaluation, SakuraRetroModding contacted us with samples of their new Odin button replacements. They're a fantastic way to give the Odin a little flair and individuality, especially since the black-and-white alternatives are a nice starting point. Thor can attest that the Odin is a little more difficult to open than the Miyoo Mini, but in the short time they have been placed, we have enjoyed these glossy buttons. They address some spacing problems we previously discussed and are a little shallower than the original buttons. Many community-designed supports, grips, and other 3d-printed accessories are already available in addition to these aftermarket buttons.
At Retro Handhelds, we examine a fair variety of gadgets, and it's always clear when you click. We conquered the first two bosses in Sly Cooper, finished the first four dungeons in The Wind Waker, beat Metal Gear Solid 2, and became completely engrossed in Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire while testing the Odins. With this handheld, you could unintentionally lose an evening to Dash Rendar's tricks and decide, "I better test a few random Nintendo 64 games."
The search for the one device that will rule them all is still ongoing, but the Odin is a superb Android device for any experience, emphasising analoguemphasizingeplay.
Delicious:
- Breakthrough, emphasising the field for the GameCube and PlayStation 2.
- Excellent support for analogue triggers.
- A reliable Android image that receives updates via the air.
Suspicious:
- Lengthy lead times and unclear delivery schedules.
- An inadequate d-pad for retro 8-bit and 16-bit games.
- The standard manual setup for an Android device.
Conclusion:
- The Lite is an excellent deal, and AYN's Odin lives up to the hype.