The Retroid Pocket 3 Plus is a handheld retro gaming system that provides reasonably priced energy all with a cushty glossy design that’s good for taking part in video games. Just like the earlier mannequin, the Retroid Pocket 3, this handheld additionally has a metallic body shell that feels top quality and is extraordinarily sturdy.
It’s obtainable within the following colours: Black, 16Bit, Indigo, Retro, Orange, Clear Purple, and Clear Blue. Retroid went all in on the retro issue right here and it actually paid off. The atomic purple coloration has heavy GameBoy Coloration vibes and is by far our favourite coloration scheme.
We lately additionally wrote a overview on the Anbernic RG405M, so you’ll want to verify that out too earlier than deciding which to choose up!
Earlier than we get into absolutely reviewing this lovely little handheld, we needed to the touch on the elephant within the room which is the slight controversy surrounding the gadget. The corporate behind the Retroid Pocket 3, GoRetro, apparently was a bit shady concerning their advertising and marketing. You see, again once they made a push for the unique Retroid Pocket 3, they weren’t actually upfront with most people that the gadget would simply months later be outdated by the subsequent model that we’re overlaying on this article.
Retroid Pocket 3+ Specs

We’d be mendacity if we didn’t say that the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus is a improbable handheld emulator. Dimension-wise, the gadget is smaller than the Nintendo Swap and Nintendo Swap Lite. It runs on the Android 11 working system and incorporates a 2.0ghz Octa-core Unisoc Tiger T618 CPU, Mali G52 MC2 @850MHz GPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB Storage, 4.7″ Contact-screen Show – 750×1334 at 60fps (450nits), 4500mAh battery.
This handheld emulator is able to emulating most of your favourite retro video games as much as the fifth console technology, together with video games from the Gamecube and PS2. That being mentioned, regardless that it could deal with many elderly video video games, its PS2 efficiency has been criticized and never all PlayStation 2 video games shall be as much as snuff. This handheld doesn’t include Corridor joysticks, nevertheless it does have a 720p Micro HDMI, 3.5mm Audio Jack, and USB TypeC.
Type Issue

The design of the Retroid Pocket 3+ is much like the Retroid Pocket 3. They each have the identical buttons, shell, and display included, nonetheless, The three+ has a T618 chip and an upgraded 4 GB of RAM, making it a barely extra highly effective handheld for emulating video games.
Whereas it’s not precisely pocket dimension by way of portability, the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus’s design is tremendous slim (much more so than the Pocket 3), and has a pleasant brilliant touchscreen show. Its shoulder buttons are aligned very equally to the Nintendo Swap’s. The gadget appears and feels very like a Nintendo Swap Lite…Lite.
Its conductive rubbers present the participant with a bit extra suggestions than simply urgent down the hand-held’s buttons. It additionally accommodates an extra 500MAH’s of battery coming in at a complete of 4500MAH’s and you may anticipate it to final roughly 6-7 hours complete relying on the video games you select to play.
Just like the Pocket 3, the Plus is simple to arrange. Whereas setting it up, all the vital emulators shall be robotically put in for you the primary time you launch the system. The Retroid launched makes it simple to search out video games as a substitute of the standard tedious means of looking out on the usual inventory Android OS.
Once more, the Google Play Retailer is included with the gadget which is a pleasant contact. Not solely can you put in and play Android video games, however you even have entry to a number of streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu as properly.
How does the Pocket 3 Plus play video games?
The gadget is able to emulating Dreamcast, PSP, Gamecube, and a few smaller PS2 video games. Consoles and programs earlier than these talked about may also run simply superb emulation-wise. Once we say that it could run some smaller PS2 video games, what we actually imply is that sure PS2 video games which might be bigger and tougher to emulate might expertise efficiency points. You shouldn’t have any hassle with the less complicated PS2 titles, however your mileage might range relying on the titles you select to run.
Dreamcast emulation is sort of flawless on the Pocket 3+. Video games like Sonic Journey and Loopy Taxi really feel about the identical as you’d anticipate when you have been to play them on the precise console. It’s spectacular simply how properly Dreamcast video games run on this factor because the efficiency is unimaginable.
PSP video games additionally run surprisingly properly. Bigger video games that beforehand had points with efficiency and framerate like God of Conflict run fantastically and look nice.
And naturally we’ve to say taking part in GameCube video games. Some sometimes tougher video games to emulate like Simpsons Hit & Run run very properly. The Gameboy, DS, PS1, and N64 all additionally work very properly as you’d anticipate.
When you have an Xbox account, it’s possible you’ll be stunned to listen to that this gadget can be able to sport streaming. After establishing your Xbox account, you’ll have the ability to entry and play your assortment of video games in a handheld kind issue whereas on the go.
Abstract
The Retroid Pocket 3 Plus is a superb gadget for retro gaming fans. In case you’re on the lookout for one thing transportable to emulate Dreamcast, PSP, Gamecube, and different earlier consoles like Gameboy, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 1, and N64 video games, it is a actually nice alternative to choose up. Not solely is it reasonably priced at solely $149, it looks like a high-quality premium handheld and has a really good glossy design as properly.
Often Requested Questions
What’s the battery lifetime of Retroid Pocket 3+?
The Retroid Pocket 3+ has a battery lifetime of round 6-8 hours, relying on the video games that you just select to play and the emulator settings you might have arrange. That is massive step up from the Retroid Pocket 2, however solely a minimal enchancment battery life-wise from the Pocket 3.
Does the Retroid Pocket 3+ have analog triggers?
Sure, the Retroid Pocket 3+ has two analog triggers. Because of this emulating and taking part in video games from extra recent-gen consoles isn’t an issue by way of controller assist and precision.
What’s the distinction between Retroid Pocket 3+ and Retroid Flip?
The Retroid Flip is a clamshell-style retro gaming gadget, whereas the Retroid Pocket 3+ is a handheld console designed equally aesthetically to the Nintendo Swap Lite (for sure, the pocket 3 can not natively play Swap video games). The Retroid Flip has a bigger display and the Retroid Pocket 3 Plus has an extended battery life.
What video games can Retroid Pocket 3+ play?
The Retroid Pocket 3+ can play a variety of retro video games from consoles such because the NES, SNES, Sport Boy, Sport Boy Coloration, Sport Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, N64, GameCube, Dreamcast, PS1, and even some smaller PS2 video games. It additionally helps emulation for newer consoles such because the PSP and the NDS.
Is Retroid Pocket 3+ value it?
Whether or not the Retroid Pocket 3+ is value it should rely in your scenario and your particular wants. In case you’re somebody who already has the Retroid 3, we wouldn’t suggest the improve because it’s not fairly important sufficient to warrant shelling out the extra cash. If don’t have a handheld emulation/gaming gadget already, the Pocket 3+ is a improbable gadget and one you may wish to think about choosing up at its value level.
It’s reasonably priced, highly effective, and might play a variety of video games together with each retro titles, Android video games, and you may even stream your personal Xbox video games as properly.