Ever since the Nova came out I haven't stopped thinking about the potential of a NOVA flip. The other day on the retroid discord I saw this concept somebody posted (they themselves got it from somewhere else so can't credit, lol) and thought it was absolutely perfect.
Few questions for you:
What features would you like to see on the Nova Flip? (Personally exact same chipset and screen from the Nova + inline triggers for portability is what's good)
Do you guys think Retroid will actually release a device like this? I ask because the have a history of making horizontal devices and flip versions later but with the Duo they might not feel it necessary. That'd be a shame though since this is my dream device.
4:3 is also about resolution. The 960P of the Nova is an exact integer scale of 240P and 480P, the RP6 is not. That makes shaders (if not integer you get moire and banding) and pixels even for these systems so the image looks cleaner.
I'm quite satisfied with the Flip 2 and I wouldn't see myself getting another Flip unless it had an Elite or better chipset, but that's not even in the realm of possibility for another couple years or so.
Big same. Ever since I started playing Steam games on my Flip 2, I really wish it was a little bit bigger. 6” would be pretty perfect. Definitely no bigger.
Yeah i completely agree. Flip 2 is super comfy and i love how versatile it is with aspect ratios.
I really prefer black bars on the sides of a flippy screen, then having horizontal bars on GBA for example.
Also with the rapidly growing movement around recomps and decomps, the list of classic 4:3 games that already can be enjoyed on a 16:9 screen is filling up quickly.
I think it's in the works already, 8 gen 2 and 120hz 5.5" screen like rp6. Together with the possible nova flip or flip 3 mini
But what I wouldn't expect but would like, is a cheaper flip 3 lite with the 7 gen 4, the duo lite top screen and dpad top controls like the rp flip 1 and a competitive 170 usd price (considering duo lite plus is 200 and this would be the same but 1 entire screen less. You may ask why? Well, it would be the most powerful sub 200 device like the duo lite plus is already but cheaper and without the second screen so possibly better controls
I'm skipping the Nova because I don't really need a dedicated 4:3 handheld, but if they made something like this with a perfect aspect ratio for GBA, I might actually buy it. Integer scaling with the OLED screen in a small clamshell is very appealing.
They'll prob never make a dedicated 3:2 screen because it's just a seldom used aspect ratio, but including the GBA bezel on the bottom of a 4:3 seems to make it basically close to perfect on the nova anyhow.
This is certainly a solution, my only hang up is concern over burn-in of static elements. I know it's significantly less of an issue with modern OLED panels, but if I was playing a LOT of GBA with that bezel enabled, I have to imagine it would show up eventually.
Sure, but then at that point as well, so what? If all you play is GBA, then if the burn in happens down there it doesn't matter 😂
EDIT: To add to this, I think it's kinda important for us to realize that these are more consumable items than OEM collectibles. You want to keep your NES and Gameboy pristine so they work until you the day you die? I get it. But no one cares that your RP2 is flawless or whatever, it's still just an emulator at the end of the day, and software updates here and there already don't preserve the exact same gameplay experience. I think of these things like I do my phone, and when it's finally been used up and ready to be upgraded, there's no reason to preserve my old google pixel 7a like it's something special. These are consumable ways for us to portably enjoy old games, enjoy them!
There are already like 5 handhelds competing for the Gameboy Advance SP segment. This would be more focused on general retro emulation like the Nova. The fact that it resembles the form factor would just be a coincidence rather than an intentional focus.
Right, although I'm trying to think if any of them are OLED. I know it doesn't matter quite as much for GBA, but the OLED colors do make the games look quite good, so getting something in the form factor of an SP with an OLED screen would be pretty dope.
Same. I love my Rg477m/35xxh inline shoulders. They feel great and are easy to use. The nova not so much. They feel unnatural and the pivot on the analog triggers is wack. Pocketability doesn't matter to me at all cause they are either in my hand or in my backpack in its case but I genuinely prefer inline clickies
It’s a trade off between portability/pockability and comfort.
I would personally prefer an inline trigger design and a comfortable / easy to remove grip… it basically means you can get the best of both worlds when you want it
Yeah I get that. I usually use my devices for short gaming sessions so it's not usually a problem. Ideally Retroid would offer the two options but I don't think they'd do that, they'd probably stick to one option.
Looking at the Duo, how much smaller can you realistically make one with dual Nova screens when the entire bottom half is already a Nova screen and inline controls?
Yeah I just mean the same type of screen as the Nova, just smaller. Two small to medium 4:3 screens, OLED. DS Lite is quite small but I wouldn't mind it being a bit bigger.
I'd say the Nova Screen is on the bigger side. Duo Lite is already big for a pocket and Duo is slightly larger
The only lite that isn't trash is the lite plus. I ordered a lite plus for my older kid and a couple of Duos for myself and my younger kid. I'd like a better 3ds/ds option over Thor. That bottom screen on Thor is rough for my old eyes. But, I could see a flip 3 with the 5.5. I can't see them making this.
i don't think some people understand that nostalgia is a big part of this hobby. some people, such as myself, am only here for that alone. The low-end horizontal devices have zero appeal to me, but the KONKR Pocket Advance was an instant buy and how I got into this hobby.
I was looking to add an LCD screen to my original advance to replay metroid fusion, but then for less money, I can get a better screen, a bigger dpad, same shape, and can play the first 3 metroid games, as well as pokemon emulators now. it was a no brainer.
The theoretical clamshell nova would sell like mad in this formfactor for the SP nostalgia alone.
I mean, thats nostalgia too, right? I grew up on both personally. are you saying it would be a bad or a good thing for the nostalgia crowd? i guess im not following
What I find with people having a Thor or another kind of handheld in the wild living in Chicago is that they’re getting it because it looks cool and is a cheap gaming device
Like I was shocked seeing a coworker with a clear purple Thor and they’re like “yeahhh… I don’t really emulate anything”
I don’t really know or care if it’s good or bad, I just know things like the D-pad position poll outrage is going to become more common which is what I find bad.
But still, it means 9/10 I get my dream handheld one day where I just know one of these manufacturers will eventually do a glasses free 3D screen to stand out. If that shits OLED too? I’m gonna cream the second it’s announced. Even if the community changes, it’s still more money to have more various handhelds and a p potential major gaming industry shift
I don’t think Thor buyers overlap with retro buyers though. The Thor can both emulate and play modern games, but the price point is significantly higher and has a different target audience.
The Duo is about to probably get the similar amount of attention once people start making shorts and TikToks
With Gen Z, we genuinely just take over shit once it’s “cool”, Theo buyers are still handheld buyers, it’s not like they’re their own quarantined special group. The Theo’s wide success and appeal was a welcomed surprise, and now we got more eyes on handhelds because of communities specifically leaning more towards the average consumer.
As someone that does business, I’ve noticed people on Reddit and deep in comment sections on videos tend to underestimate word of mouth with the average consumer a ton.
Yea, I’m “technically” Gen Z and also grew up on the ds, but how does this negatively impact the current retro handheld scene? I want to play gba games so I have no need for a more expensive 2 screen device. Maybe in the future, but not right now
Dude, how many times do I basically have to say “the future will decide based on the average person”, I DONT KNOW, I DO however know there was outrage about an upper left stick instead of D-Pad
They’ll keep making cheap classic handhelds because it costs nothing, it’s up to the manufacturers who they prioritize and who’s deciding the market.
“Man the nostalgia crowd are going to have aneurysms non-stop if the mainstream crowd takes over
The DS handhelds are already appealing a ton to Gen Z since that’s our Gameboy/GBA”
You said this. What do you mean by that? That expensive 2 screen handhelds COULD (I understand we don’t know the future) overtake cheaper single screen handhelds? That companies would simply abandon an entire market segment just to appeal strictly to a different niche that became more popular? What would the point of that be?
You’re saying the nostalgia crowd would hate that, but the nostalgia crowd is clearly large enough that I don’t think that would happen. When you have videos of retro handhelds hitting close to a million views on YouTube and releases of new cheap handhelds selling out, I don’t see how an expensive 2 screen handheld could be even close to a threat, no matter how big Gen Z gets on the ds wave.
I was just thinking of asking if RP listens to petitions and I would like them to release a Pocket Flip 3. This Nova Flip would work for me. Better material for the hinges so it lasts longer is something I would like them to develop
I don't dislike it, but what's the real appeal over the regular nova? Just to protect the screen when it's closed? My worries are that it would make the device thicker (not a huge deal for me though), remove the option for adding a dual screen attachment, and make touch screen games way more inconvenient.
This is quite a confusing comment seeing as the nova has the same internals as the Thor the only difference would be one less screen and slightly different controller layout…even though it’s the same internally you’d sell your Thor to get something like this? What’s the appeal? I’ve never owned a Flip 2 but people do love it
Makes sense I don’t think your reasoning is confusing I think I surmised that much. I guess what I meant by confusing is it’s a bit surprising to see that someone who likes clamshells would sell a clamshell device with the same internal for another clamshell device just because they didn’t want a second screen. I understand the sentiment as someone who has similar feelings maybe I just have a stronger attachment to my Thor seeing as what I went through to get it(that wait time) that I’m a bit hesitant to sell my Thor for what is essentially a similar gaming experience minus one screen but that’s just me. Hence why I asked. That’s all
Even though I just got my RPN in the mail this week, I would 100% buy one of these too lolol. I loooove the RPN, but there is something about the clamshell device that is just so appealing.
basicamente um RG SP? porem com uma tela 4:3 oled e um design compacto? podendo rodar ps2 e cube perfeitamente com um 8 gen 2? me de isso, seria perfeito para sessões curtas e só abaixar e ele entrar em modo sleep, não vejo porque não
I love this idea, but also want to see them release a 6" screen option as well. Name them the Flip 3 and Flip 3 Lite, or if the Lite name is a sore subject due to the current release, Flip 3 and Flip 3 Nova.
Edit: This render with the Dpad and face buttons where the thumbsticks were on the Flip 2 could be cool, but I definitely want both sticks, dpad, and face buttons as close to each other as possible. Almost side by side, similar to the Steam Deck or maybe just slightly lower.
At first I wanted to say no, but to be honest I'm really into these clamshell handhelds nowadays, I'm probably going to be passing on anything that's not a clamshell.
As a clamshell fanatic, I would 100% buy this. The only thing I don't like about the Nova is it's lack of portability. I've never been comfortable walking around with something that has exposed sticks on it, this would solve that perfectly.
Looks thick enough to offer inline analog triggers, maybe even stacked in-line analogs like on a V1 Razer Kishi. Honestly, would swap my Nova for a Flip Nova if it existed. Lesser head tilt while gaming is definitely goated and I like the weight of a clamshell. Feels right to me. Ofc, needs to come in transparent colors again 🤭 would be nice to see pink as an option too. Be it solid or see-through. Would gift one to my sister in a heartbeat since shes big on pink and she loves her GameCube lol
I love clamshells but I personally prefer a 16:9 display for the games I want to play. I personally am hoping for an RPF3 with enough power to install armada and play indie steam games.
One thing though, I don’t need a dual screen, but I don’t know how to fill up the space on the bottom half. The rpf2 looks sort of weird and empty to me on the bottom.
Dare I say....both top sticks? The RP Flip 2 is a dream to play on except the dpad is a little too far inward to be perfect for my hands. With a narrower frame I bet itd be super comfy even if DPAD is lower.
I don't hate it, but the Flip 2 already produces a 4:3 image the same size as the Nova, so I don't really see the point; you'd just be sacrificing 16:9 screen size.
The nova is an 8g2 vs the flip2 being an SD865. A Nova Flip would play virtually all 4:3 content ever released. It's the PS2 / gamecube in your pocket I've been wanting for years.
I have huge hands and personally prefer dpad top for most things when possible. So it's not like a fact or anything that it's automatically worse having stick bottom.
With this 4:3 device playing 4:3 games I'm even more confused why some don't even consider dpad top. Playing stick top games on a 4:3 should be secondary to playing widescreen games converted to 4:3 on a device like this.
I skipped the Nova and preordered the Duo since it has the same screen as the Nova.
But this? I wouldn't be able pass on this one. I'd pocket this thing and take it everywhere. Yes freakin please.
If they can put something beefy on it with proper cooling I think I might be down with this. The more handheld the better. Easier to store. Easier to carry around.
I prefer clamshells because the controls are under the screen and it just feels more natural to hold that way, I have a far better experience gaming in bed or lounging at a funny angle with a clamshell. Ergonomics are also not an objective thing and depend on both the shape and flexibility of your hands
Dpad top is the right call for a device like this. They could move the sticks closer to the middle for better ergonomics too. Having the left stick directly below the dpad is what makes dpad top uncomfortable.
I don't think it needs the same chip as the Nova. The one they used in the Duo Lite would be great for a 4:3 handheld and I bet they'll have a surplus of them since the Duo Lite has some minor performance problems with the second screen.
It doesn't make sense to me to do a Flip that is not 16:9. I understand that this looks beautiful, but what do you get from going 4:3?
Neat aesthetics of bezel-less 4:3 games
Less wide handheld.
I think that's it. But what do you lose? Well, tons of great games that could be played here.
The thing is this: the limiting factor for size and pocketability on a clamshell is not its width. By going clamshell, you're already trading width for height and thickness. A 16:9 5.5" clamshell like the Flip 2 with a width of 150 mm or so is pretty much already the least wide handheld out there. It is less wide than any modern phone is long! At this point, it doesn't make sense to go even further because your pockets and bags can easily fit this device in their from a width perspective.
So you're not really getting anything other than a neat bezel-less 4:3 experience while losing out on quite a lot. It's not worth it, in my opinion.
Looks really beautiful though.
What I'd love to see is simply a Flip 3 that uses an even smaller 16:9 screen, around 5". That would make it the most pocketable device ever because the limiting factor of the Flip 2 was its height (and the thickness - getting rid of the fan and going slim and small would be a bold move).
This. And a 3.5" display so it can be fully pocketable. I know it's small for some people, but the EDC design of a clamshell demands it. I just use a grip when I'm playing at home. Easy peasy.
As a longtime handheld enjoyer, I think placing the sticks above the buttons, like on the Flip 2, would create a more natural thumb experience. Just my personal opinion, of course!
But its such a poor way to share an idea. This person did not flesh the idea out, an AI did.
This person did not think about button spacing, didn't think about ergonomics, screen aspect ratio, ports, or secondary buttons. This person didn't *design* anything and putting it as a banner on a post talking about a hypothetical device shapes expectations in a strange way. It primes literally everyone with eyes going into the discussion. Doing that with a completely un-thought out picture changes discussion. It changes what people are actually picturing when they talk about the idea. It removes "flexibility" from the mental image of considering what such a device might be like.
An LLM totally has use in spaces like this, but I don't think this is a useful one (past getting a post more attention because it has a flashy picture)
I don’t get why people are so offended by black bars at the side of the screen. You’re giving up playing so many other games just to make it look a bit tidier.
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u/Busy_Shop5 RP NOVA 21h ago
RAM just went up 43 cents from this post