Introduction
I'm an avid gamer, and have become somewhat of a casual collector in recent years. My collection centers around the systems and tiles I grew up with, it saddens me to think that one day we will be reliant on the cloud for gaming, physical media will take a backseat (it already is) - there are benefits to cloud gaming, but there are drawbacks much like the interact with the physical media and artwork (analogous of the vinyl/cd/cassette music revival...I wonder if minidisc will see it's day again.
Gaming System Exposure
My entry to gaming began with a Commodore 64, my dad's old computer, and a short stint with the Commodore Plus/4. I played some of the Dizzy series, programmed a little in BASIC, enjoyed Fire Ant, Falcon Patrol, and a little bit too much Treasure Island. From here my passion for gaming grew, most generations I had a devices but I did skip some along the way, most notably the NES. The history of my gaming machines included the Game Boy, SNES, Mega Drive, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PSP, GameCube, Xbox 360, Wii, Xbox One, Switch, and so far Xbox Series X/S. I was fortunate enough through friends to experience the WonderSwan, Turbo Graphix-16, Atari Lynx, Gamegear, PC Engine, Jaguar, Neo Geo Pocket, Dreamcast, and Philips CDi.
I had a brief period as a PC gamer, with my 3DFX Voodoo Banshee 16MB Graphics GPU - playing Need for Speed and StarCraft, but the whole upgrade cascade of the PC put me off for the long term, so I was only a PC player for a few years. My son is a big PC gamer, much better keyboard and mouse controller than I ever was, and PC gaming has it's place...it's just limited for me at this point.
Nostalgia
A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations - https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en
Nostalgia and gameplay are what keeps bringing me back to the "retro" games. The gameplay on some of these historic titles is just unmatched, in my humble opinion, to name a few...
- Super Mario World
- A bright colorful platformer with cheerful music and so much replay value. The memory of playing with my friend and finding Star Lane, hunting for the second exit to the red colored levels, is burnt in my ind.
- Super Mario Kart
- Basic controls but just an amazing game. Once completing all of the cups, going back to break your best times or simply playing battle mode with a buddy, provided hours of entertainment.
- Tetris
- My handheld video game. 187 lines is my best to this day. Playing type B on level 9-5 for the rocket ship and dancing Russians!
- Pilot Wings
- Early "flight" simulator with lots of challenging yet fun levels to enjoy, as well as some hidden bonus events - taking flight with bird wings strapped to your arms!
...so many classic titles that are so easy to dive into.
I still have a lot of my original hardware, but I have purchased replacements - moving from the UK to USA is my 20's made me pack light, and certain items had to be left behind, passed on, or sold.
Replacement Hardware
That brings me to the subject of this post, the state of retro gaming at this time '23/'24. There are dozens of hardware choices to relive you childhood virtual adventures with, but the one I have found to be the most fulfilling is the Miyoo Mini Plus. The price point and the capabilities are just too enticing to pass up. I should note, I do have the Analogue Pocket and the SuperNT to play my original games, but these are pricey options and really only something a enthusiast would invest in.
Miyoo Mini Plus Tech Specs:
- ARM Cortex A7 Dual-Core Processor @1.2GHz
- 3.5” IPS Display @ 640×480 Resolution
- 128MB RAM
- 64GB Storage
- 3000 mAh rechargeable battery
- USB-C Charging
- WiFi
Retro Dodo has a nice review on the Miyoo Mini Plus, that you should check out - https://retrododo.com/miyoo-mini-plus/
One of the drawbacks with cheap foreign gaming devices is usually the operating system, the support isn't there and it's usually cobble together. Fortunately for Miyoo Mini Plus there is alternate software that can be run as the operating system for this little device, OnionOS (https://github.com/OnionUI/Onion)
Side Note: the Miyoo Mini Plus' main competitor,is the Anbernic RG35XX, it also has an alternate OS called GarlicOS, but I have no experience with that device or software - but I do have an Anbernic 350M. Regardless, if you are considering a modern retro gaming device you should look into these products and decide what's the best fit for you.
Here are some of the reasons you are going to want to check out the OnionOS, if you do go down the route of the Miyoo Mini Plus (taken from https://retrogamecorps.com/2022/01/27/miyoo-mini-onion-guide/):
- 48 pre-configured emulation systems
- “Expert Mode” toggle with another 68 apps
- Updated emulation cores, pre-configured and optimized for performance
- Auto save/load enabled for most systems for improved pick-up-and-play
- Streamlined folder structure, UI, and RetroArch menus
- Cartridge function. This allows you to set a single game as your “cartridge” and every time you turn on the device it’ll automatically load that game
- One-click theme installation, with over a dozen themes already available
Personally speaking about the OnionOS, the UI is very slick and intuitive compared to the stock OS. I'm a fan of the Retro Achievements (https://retroachievements.org/) functionality (think Xbox Achievements for your retro games). The ease of installing apps and updating the software is a integrated and a breeze. Emulation takes you from classics like the Game Boy all the way through to non-handhelds like the PlayStation. It's reasonably active development, with someone even creating a SyncThings integration https://github.com/XK9274/syncthing-app-miyoo.
The hardware is solid: comfort comparable to using a phone in both hands for an extended period, USB-C charging for ease, bright 640x480 IPS screen, overall a lightweight device.
The Miyoo Mini Plus is far easier to get your hands on now, compared to its initial release, and there are often solid bundles on Amazon you will want to check out. I purchased a bundle including a micro-SD, charging cable, case, screen protector, and USB micro-SD adapter https://amzn.to/48S4HTL.
Comparing this device to a Game Boy Advance SP, the screen is larger, the battery life is going to be shorter based on hardware settings (screen brightness, wifi, etc.) and emulation choice (e.g., Game Boy versus PlayStation), but with USB-C charging you'll never be too far from a top-up.
Summary
We delved into a brief state of retro gaming in '23/'24, highlighting the Miyoo Mini Plus as a standout choice for reliving childhood adventures. The device, equipped with an ARM Cortex A7 processor and OnionOS, impresses with features like pre-configured emulation systems, auto save/load, and a sleek UI. I appreciate its user-friendly experience, USB-C charging, and vibrant IPS screen. This hardware emulator offers a modern twist to retro gaming, allowing me to cherish the past while keeping my original hardware safely archived. For those seeking a fulfilling blend of nostalgia and convenience, the Miyoo Mini Plus proves to be a compelling choice at a great price point.
Note: Amazon links are affiliate links, I will get a kickback for any product purchased via these links.
