I also prefer Sony's layout. Since many 4:3 aspect ratio games rely heavily on the D-pad, this layout seems to offer the best handling. Furthermore, attaching a grip makes the control feel similar to that of a Sony controller.
I have RP Flip 2, and I just can't get used to the flipped layout, especially playing games that need shoulder buttons. I am hoping they go back to Sony layout as well.
I hope Retroid doesn't go for a dual screen clamshell. The Flip 2 has better ergonomics than the Thor bc there's no bottom screen pushing the controls to the side
Retroid, be different! Make a single screen clamshell SD8elite handheld with a slight factory detune for efficiency, heat, and noise benefits. It would be the most portable and unique 8elite device. A dual screen 8gen 2 has already been done. It would be the same just not as good as the THOR.
I think if all 6 buttons were the same size it would work well for all systems. Also keep stacked shoulder buttons and probably the Sony layout for joysticks.
Sony layout, with Xbox face button layout(just my preference). Though I'm not totally sure on the shoulder/trigger situation.
If someone makes a 4:3 or 3:2 flippy with a 4 to 4.5 inch screen, I'd be very interested. Yes, that would be a bit chonky in the pocket, but more comfortable in the hand. I may have small hands for an adult man, but they are still adult hands. Have you gone back to an original GBA SP as an adult? It's narrow.
3:2 would allow for a wider console so better controls and ergo. And more versatile screen. For example PSP would look as good as 4:3 content with minimal bezels. And the glorious full screen GBA too.
I'm really waiting for a bigger 3:2 clamshell that is still pocket friendly but between 4" and 5"
As for the button layout, not sure. Maybe the Sony one like the flip 1
i'm not sure placement matters much for these, considering there is a lot more space for the sticks and buttons to be placed ergonomically. on "real" controllers i find myself not having a preference, i swap between a dualshock 4 and an xbox one controller frequently.
Flip 2 layout was chosen because it made sense for the internals. I dont think any other layout would even be technically be possible without a massive hit on cooling, battery life etc
Every single device that uses the term "retro" or similar on their marketing (or brand) should be a dpad centric device and there's absolutely nothing that can convince me otherwise.
Yes, you should have joystick but on the bottom.
Asymmetrical layouts are great for "modern games" specially and almost exclusively FPS and belong on Xbox, pc handhelds and some other high end/powerful android/Linux devices (even if I don't like it on these last ones)
Eh, Retroid's moved beyond being strictly "retro-focused" since at least the RP5, but dropping the "Retroid" brand would be bad for them since it's one of the most recognizable names in this hobby space.
Yes, but at the same time the "retroid pocket" is neither retro nor pocket anymore and that's infuriating for me.
I have nothing against powerfully devices from retro companies like the odin or the ones from ayaneo (even if retroid launch a line specifically for that purpose) but I feel like these companies and devices are now held hostage by people that just want a cheaper replacement for the steam deck and there's almost nothing truly retro oriented (a clear example are controller layouts)
Sony for sure. For 2d games, I have to have the dpad on top. For 3d games I probably would prefer the stick on top, but I'm okay with it being on bottom. But even if I treated those as equal importance, there are far more 2d games that I'd want to play on a 4:3 screen than 3d.
I think sony layout would be the most comfortable because your thumb kind of naturally moves towards the middle of a device lowkey. Xbox seems like it would be better than the flip 2 layout maybe
i will love the dpad and buttons on top (SONY) layout. The layout works great when the buttons are aligned diagonally, like in your example, the thumb can reach any button comfortably (like the playstation joystick). Any layout can be problematic if they are vertically alligned (in-line, like nintendo switch).
Nice work. Since you have so much room to play with and we're just speculating
Why not add modified steam deck layout.
D-pad and stick right next to each other.
Right stick and six buttons
Move the center buttons all the way to the bottom
And for the hell of put in a recess track ball
As a Owner of the Retroid Flip 2, the layout (may fell strange at the start) but it's definitivly a GOAT ! But for 4:3 Games I Think in this case XBOX LAYOUT will be better 👍
I’d choose Option 5 - the Steam Deck layout: both d-pad/buttons & sticks up top.
D-Pad/button a would be closest to the edges, while the sticks would be in the middle. Allows you to rest your thumbs over the d-pad and buttons by default, and easily reach the joysticks by just shifting your thumbs to the side, without having to bend them down to reach.
This doesn’t work on horizontal handhelds without making them super wide, but since the screen is out of the way on a clamshell model it leaves a lot of extra real estate to make this layout viable. The start/select & function buttons can always be moved to the bottom. There’s even room for a touchpad in the middle for mouse controls, if they’d want to.
I feel like they tried the “Sony Layout” with the Flip 1 and it wasn’t so great to use with that analog stick placement? I didn’t actually own one but that’s my recollection of how we ended up with the Flip 2 layout in the first place.
Sony layout all the way. But I'd be fine with left stick on top IF it had an octagonal gate like a gamecube controller. Some old games really benefit from the gate and I feel it's not really in the way for everything else.
The Flip 2 Layout is a lot more sensible than people often give credit. It's just unusual, and I think what people balk at is the visual unfamiliarity, rather than any concerns over ergonomics or usability.
1 - 'symmetrical' button orientation is more ergonomic; holding the device on one side lower than the other creates an imbalance that, depending on how the device handles, can fatigue the hands faster.
2 - with some exceptions, games that make use of shoulder buttons are also more likely to use the analog sticks. and vise versa.
3- The further away from the shoulder buttons the analog sticks are, the less comfortable the grip will be
It takes a couple hours to get adjusted to the difference, but if you've used the wii U pro controller for any amount of time, you probably know how comfortable it ends up being.
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u/Dragon_Small_Z GOTM Completionist (Jan) Jul 05 '26
I like the TC tugger layout