Retroid Pocket 6: reviews praise its performance and value, but knock some of its design choices

While Retroid has reported a delay in the shipping of the Pocket 6 handheld to those who pre-ordered, reviewers, on the other hand, have gotten their units. Early reviews have now started to pop up, revealing how the Pocket 6 performs.

According to the reviews from two popular YouTubers in the retro handheld space, Tech Dweeb and Retro Game Corps, the Retroid Pocket 6 offers immense value for money, especially for those who want to purchase their first handheld or are upgrading from an older model such as the Retroid Pocket 4.

Both reviews praised the overall design, but highlighted the removal of the textured grip present on the Retroid Pocket 5 (available on Amazon for $249). Another complaint stated by both reviewers is the closeness of the ABXY buttons to the left joystick which can be uncomfortable while playing as there's not enough space to prevent your thumb from rubbing against the thumbstick.

Other features that have been applauded include the 120Hz AMOLED display, the battery life, and its ability to emulate several retro consoles up to the PS2 without issues. It can also emulate Nintendo Switch games, but users may experience bugs and crashes.

The Retroid Pocket 6 also suffices for playing PC games using software such as Gamehub. However, those who intend to use it for the latter are advised to purchase the higher configuration model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This is because the additional RAM makes for better performance and you get more storage for games since PC games can't be stored on a microSD card.

The Retroid Pocket 6 isn't without competition according to Retro Game Corps. There's the slightly cheaper Retroid Pocket G2, which was announced alongside the Pocket 6 but was available to buy much earlier. There's also Ayaneo's Konkr Pocket Fit which has a larger display with a higher refresh rate, albeit LCD. Another rival is the AYN Odin 3 which has a more powerful processor and a corresponding higher price tag. However, whichever handheld you choose will depend on your budget and preferences.