The Retroid Pocket Duo Lite has picked up a brutal review from Time Extension, scoring just 4/10 and getting labelled a Nintendo DS clone that doesn’t actually play DS games very well, which is, er, a bit of a problem for a dual-screen handheld that exists mainly to play DS games.
At $149 for the base model, it’s meant to be the budget way into Retroid’s new dual-screen family, so the question is whether there’s still a good deal hiding in here somewhere, or whether your money is better spent elsewhere. Let me explain.
Why Does the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite Struggle With DS Games?
It mostly comes down to the chip, a Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS6125, which Time Extension describes as a non-smartphone take on the old Snapdragon 665. In practice, melonDS was too demanding, DraStic only ran at native 1x resolution, and the best option ended up being SeedlessDS, which is not exactly the smooth “just works” experience people were hoping for.
Go beyond DS and it gets worse, because 3DS is unreliable, PS2 and other twin-stick systems are basically off the table, and Dreamcast is about as high as it realistically goes. PSP is usable thanks to the widescreen top panel, but this thing runs anything demanding like a very shiny potato!
- Chipset: Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS6125
- Screens: full HD widescreen LCD on top, 1280 x 960 4:3 LCD on the bottom
- Battery: 6,000mAh, with Time Extension getting 7-9 hours of DS play and a roughly 2.5-hour charge
- 4GB / 64GB: $149 retail ($135 at pre-order)
- 6GB / 128GB: $169 retail ($155 at pre-order)
Is the Hardware Actually Any Good?
Weirdly, yes, and that’s the frustrating part, because the review praises the sturdy plastic build, the hinge that doesn’t snap to fixed angles, the comfy ergonomics and the D-pad sitting on top where DS games want it. The battery life sounds genuinely solid too, which isn’t nothing on a handheld at this price.
The niggles are still there though, with no built-in stylus slot, inset analogue sticks and face buttons crammed up close to the central hinge, so even the good bits come with an asterisk. Time Extension summed the launch up as “one of the messiest device launches of the year,” which is a pretty damning line!
Lest We ForgetThis chip drama has been rumbling since September, when Retro Handhelds flagged laggy menus and poor multitasking from early testers. It later corrected a claim that the chip only supported one display, and Retroid’s only public word on Discord was an apology for the confusion.
Is There a Better Dual-Screen Handheld for the Money?
According to the review, absolutely, and it’s the Anbernic RG DS Plus at around $95, which performed better in DS testing and actually has a stylus housed in the device. Spending $54 more for worse DS performance is a tough sell, no matter how nice the hinge feels in your hand.
If you want to stick with Retroid, the full-fat Retroid Pocket Duo uses a much stronger chip, but at $269 retail ($249 at pre-order) it’s a completely different budget, and if you’re looking for a single-screen alternative, our look at the $179 MagicX Mini Dream shows Retroid’s competition isn’t standing still either!
Should You Buy the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite?
Right now, no, I’d honestly skip it, because a dual-screen handheld that can’t comfortably run DS games has missed its one main job, and better software support might help but isn’t something you should pay $149 for on a promise. If you’ve already got one, keep an eye on emulator and driver updates, since SeedlessDS and future tweaks are your best hope.
For everyone else, the RG DS Plus is the cheaper, safer bet, and the full Pocket Duo is the one to look at if you’ve got the extra cash. Better than nothing and actually worth it are two very different things!
FAQ
How much is the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite?
The Retroid Pocket Duo Lite costs $149 for the 4GB/64GB model and $169 for the 6GB/128GB model at retail.
Can the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite play DS games?
It can, but inconsistently. Time Extension found melonDS too demanding and DraStic limited to 1x resolution, with SeedlessDS working best.
Is the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite worth it?
Time Extension scored it 4/10 and recommends the cheaper Anbernic RG DS Plus instead for DS emulation.
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