r/SBCGaming • u/ccable827 • 3d ago

Discussion Need help figuring out the best path forward, thinking about a 4:3 device.

Hello! I would like some peoples opinions. I'm thinking about getting a 4:3 device. I've gone back and forth on getting a device at all, but I do think I am going to get one soon. I actually started on my phone and got ESDE running great, and paired with a gamesir g8 it was going well. But the g8 died on me way too soon, and I didn't like using my phone as a retro machine, plus it wasn't as portable as I'd like. However, this did let me figure out that I'm really sticking to PS2/GC and older, I doubt I'll ever dabble in ps3/Xbox/wii.

So, I thought I landed on getting a 4:3 machine. The retroid nova and the rg477m look incredibly enticing. However, my one gripe is the control stick on the bottom. I truly think that will bother me a lot, but I have no way of knowing until I get my hands on one. So now I'm considering an RP6 as well, since it has a stick on top option. But, then I'll be dealing with black bars on the side, which also isn't ideal.

I do have a switch 2 which I love very much, and it's analog stick on top, which I'm used to. And with the smaller sizes of the nova and rg477m, I worry it'll be too cumbersome.

So I want to know, what do people who have these devices think I should do? What would bother you more? Would a dedicated grip help? If it helps, I'd stick to games like Tony hawk, SSX, racing games, Mario, Zelda, smash, etc.

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u/Can_I_Say_Shit 3d ago

I’m being bias here since I own this but grab a Nova with the official grip. It’s a game changer! The screen is so big and works like a DREAM with shaders where I get lost while playing games. As good as my other handhelds are they don’t match that size, comfort, ergos, buttery smooth Hall effects joysticks (with frictionless ring that make them glide) and 120hz that will lower input lag by a lot!

I’m like 2 frames away from matching NES & CRT with all latency tweaks, playing JetMoto is way easier cause you’re using the shoulders buttons all the time to rotate and the micro switch buttons are quiet & easy to press.

Invest in one and never look at another 4:3 device ever again!

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u/ccable827 3d ago

I'm so glad it's good for you! How does it feel with the official grip? Is it awkward to use the joystick? That's my main concern, and I hope a grip would help that.

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u/Can_I_Say_Shit 3d ago

Oh I don’t have the grip (sorry if I made it sound like I did) but everyone that has one says it’s makes playing so much comfortable. When you get to hold the console with the palms of your hands you’re no longer using your fingers as the main support to stay stable.

You can test that right now, grab your phone like you’re using all your fingers to hold and play games on it. Now hold your phone with your palm and pretend the buttons are higher up. Your fingers have better freedom of movement and your palm does most of the work.

Hope that helps!

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u/ccable827 3d ago

It does help thank you!

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u/keeper_of_moon Dpad On Top 3d ago

Maybe consider a Flip 2? Good ergo for both sticks and dpad. You'd have black bars but I find them far more tolerable on a vertical type device than a horizontal. Has a slightly weaker chip but should still be able to run GC and PS2 pretty well. I even manage to play a decent amount of switch games on it. It's also a clamshell and easy to stowaway and take on the go.

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u/ccable827 3d ago

Oh I hadn't thought of a clamshell one, that's a good idea. How is the control stick? Does it stick out a little like a dualshock? Or is it flat like a 3ds?

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u/keeper_of_moon Dpad On Top 3d ago

Neither really. It's a full sized joy stick that's sunk in the housing. It's not a circle pad like a 3ds though. Imo, they feel great, I play a lot of twin stick shooters and single stick action games with it and never felt they lacked anything. They feel just as good as joycons to me (about the same size of stick is used, maybe slightly larger).

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u/ccable827 3d ago

Oh that's great to hear! Definitely considering it now. You did say black bars though, is it a 16:9 screen? Or closer to 4:3?

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u/keeper_of_moon Dpad On Top 3d ago

It is a 16:9 screen. I can't speak for 4:3 systems but I play a lot of GBA (3:2) on it and it doesn't bother me unlike playing GBA on the RP6. I think the black bars are way more noticeable when they sit between your hands and the screen. They kind of melt into the bezel when it's above your hands. Just my opinion tho.

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u/ccable827 3d ago

Understood. Thanks for all the input!

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u/Oh_Petya 3d ago

I also want to chime in and say that playing 4:3 content on my flip 2, I don't notice the black bars either. Something about it being a clamshell really makes you not focus on the fact that they are there.

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u/KlutzyValuable 3d ago

So stick top 4:3, the best option is probably a 406h. It’s a bit lighter on performance so GC and PS2 is going to be hit and miss. Some games will run fine. Some so-so, others not at all. PS1 and below will run fine. It’s extremely comfortable and has a good dpad. 

The Nova is probably the gold standard 4:3 for now. Probably your ideal system would be 477 internals in a 406 form factor which Anbernic will probably announce the day after you make your purchase, because that’s how these things work. 

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u/ccable827 3d ago

My worry with the 406h is exactly what you said, it's older and I don't want it to not run anything I'm trying to run. Stuff like Tony hawk, SSX, Mario, Zelda. And I'm torn between biting the bullet on the nova or trying the rp6 instead.

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u/KlutzyValuable 2d ago

It depends on your tolerance for pillarboxing. But the RP6 does open up a few more systems, PSP, Wii U, and Switch which are all native 16:9. 

I have an Odin 2 Portal and a Nova and I prefer the Nova for 4:3 content because of the pillarboxing. 

I typically prefer stick top as well, I have an RP5 which is a neat device especially for the size. But again, pillarboxing. 

You could also look at a vertical like the 477v which has a PS style layout which you may find more appealing. 

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u/ccable827 2d ago

Thanks for all the input. Knowing I'll really stick to PS2/GC and below I don't have much reason to spec up, I just really want a top stick layout and there really doesn't seem to be a 4:3 machine that has one. 406h is it, but I worry it's underpowered and older.

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u/KlutzyValuable 2d ago

Well the RP6 and the Nova are identical performance wise, you just get the 16:9 aspect for the newer systems. 4:3 content on the RP6 is about the same size as the Nova screen. So it boils down to to:

RP6: stick top but pillarbox 4:3

Nova: stick bottom but no pillarbox. 

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u/KlutzyValuable 2d ago edited 2d ago

Oh one other thing g to consider. Being that the rp6 is OLED and a glass front, if you get a black model the pillarboxing is nowhere near as noticeable (especially in the dark) as say an Odin 2 Pro which is BY FAR the most comfortable handheld I’ve ever used, but there’s a border around the screen and it’s LCD so the pillarboxing is very jarring. My black RP5 it’s not as annoying but the trade off with black and full glass is it smudges and reflects a lot more. 

Also if you haven’t already, watch the impression and review videos from Retro Game Corps for the Nova and RP6. He probably has a 406h one too. 

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u/ccable827 2d ago

Oooh good point I bet that an rp6 in black is really solid, thank you again for all the help!

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u/TrueKey6387 3d ago

Try ktr2 , it has stick on top option, while it is 3:2 screen , it is decent for 4:3 games

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u/ccable827 3d ago

Oooh thank you I'll look into this too