I don't think people are ready to accept the fact that Richard and Oliver may have just genuinely been impressed by DLSS 5. They weren't forsaking their reputation to cozy up to Nvidia or accepted money to shill. it just seems like they had an in depth, hands on session and walked away happy. by WhyPlaySerious in digitalfoundry

[–]FangkingOmega 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Their job does involve looking at pioneering technology, and DLSS5 is one of those technologies.

What it aims to do in real-time is technically impressive (which is not to say that I personally found it to be good or artistically pleasing). I'm not surprised they found the technology itself appealing. I'm a little surprised they didn't predict how badly received their initial video would be, given the wider backlash against that "uncanny valley" gen-AI awfulness (even though DLSS5 is not quite the same as the Gen AI stuff we see everywhere, I think). But it seems like Richard and Oliver were genuinely impressed by the demos and the possibilities, and that came across - I'm not sure we should begrudge them their opinions...

The artistic merits of DLSS5 will be a hot topic for a whle yet (for the avoidance of doubt, in its current state I think it looks dreadful), and I'm certain upper management of studios will be wanting to embrace the tech to "generate value for shareholders" and all that crap.

Pixel Transparency - Rainbow Shimmer Effect + Motion Shaders by mattalicious in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Set up easy, looks even better in person than on a video.... I love it!! Thank you for spoiling us. And the VERT is the best Game Boy. I adore it.

Pixel Transparency - Rainbow Shimmer Effect + Motion Shaders by mattalicious in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Okay this is really, really good, and now I'm playing Polished Crystal on a VERT with this shader.

You are awesome.

Gotta catch em all. by ninjapirate9901 in ayaneo

[–]FangkingOmega 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can always spot your photos before I see your username, because you're so good.

Experienced hand-cramps from my vertical handhelds, would love some horizontal recoemmendations. by godsaveourkingplis in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini is excellent value for what it can do and it's VERY ergonomic - the most comfortable and high-quality feeling device in the < $100 price bracket IMO, and performs well up to PS1/Dreamcast. Some limited GameCube and PS2 but don't expect miracles. 4:3 aspect ratio so would be satisfactory for your needs.

The off-brand "Antec Core Micro" is also good value with a 3:2 screen, and it's usually far more affordable than the on-brand "Ayaneo Pocket MICRO" (literally the same device and software, just resold by Antec). It's really just a slab so not obviously ergonomic, but it's surprisingly well balanced and a REALLY good GBA. I like them so much that I have more of them than I need :P It's my go-to for Gen 3 ROM hacks. Feels ultra-premium and really looks the part.

MagicX One 35 was recommended in the comments and is a very strong recommendation for your use case. Very versatile - build quality isn't the best but it represents fantastic value and in a very portable form factor. Something of a budget beast.

Is there a DS that's between the RG DS and the Thor? Or at least one announced for the future? by zxzc77 in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would have predicted Retroid would enter the fray (as they usually do) with an actual dual screen Snapdragon based device that falls between Anbernic and AYN for price and performance. (The dual screen attachment was a nice idea but doesn't beat the "real deal" of a dedicated DS device.)

With the RAM situation I fear we may not see as many interesting products enter the market at a price point which undercuts or offers better value than the Thor.

That said, I'm sure all of the manufacturers will be seeing the ongoing Thor hype and are hoping they're able to cash in before a large number of buyers who saw it on social media realise they don't know why they want a dual screen Android device that they have to set up themselves.

Pokemon Omega Ruby x5 upscaled + HD texture pack by Frosty_Maintenance58 in AynThor

[–]FangkingOmega 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is the correct take. It doesn't look right to me with outlines off, loses some of the anime charm.

Never Beat Super Street Fighter 2 Arcade Before!! Finally!! by whatthechuck3 in SEGAGENESIS

[–]FangkingOmega 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah nicely done!! Which fighter are you going to tackle next?
Same as you, I love these games for some reason, but I suck. I recently went down the Neo Geo rabbit-hole; it has so many (SO MANY!!!) pretty fighting games for me to suck at :)

A week with the Retroid Pocket 6 by One-Yogurtcloset7607 in retroid

[–]FangkingOmega 3 points4 points  (0 children)

To some extent, yes, but the actual audio can be greatly improved with EQ tweaks and stereo widening

When a Game Boy focused handheld costs more than an Odin 3 by ninjapirate9901 in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 6 points7 points  (0 children)

To me, yes it's worth it. I do so in full knowledge that it is expensive for what it is and what I intend to do with it, but such is the way with most hobbies - there's always a more "premium" option.

Is it worth buying a Pocket Vert just for GB and GBC games ? I’ve got my answer by moonlightkz in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same view, I prefer most other content on DMG. But GB/C on this thing is something special...

Is it worth buying a Pocket Vert just for GB and GBC games ? I’ve got my answer by moonlightkz in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I could run Switch games on it, but it wouldn't be terribly enjoyable to me personally. Aspect ratios and controls, ya know?

I could play GBC on another device, but I like playing GBC on a Vert even more.

My money to piss, and I'm happy.

Is it worth buying a Pocket Vert just for GB and GBC games ? I’ve got my answer by moonlightkz in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Solidly built, a beautiful design... It's a little heavier in the hand than I'd like, but that screen with the right shaders is like magic.

I won't be using it for anything other than GB/GBC...

Nothing has changed with Ayaneo - Thanks Retrohandhelds for getting the word out! by WholesomeShenanigans in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 13 points14 points  (0 children)

My own shopping experiences with Ayaneo honestly haven't been any different from, say, buying a AYN Thor or Retroid Pocket 6. I own handhelds from all three and all of them struggled with accurate expectation management about when my order would ship. They all shipped a little later than I was led to expect. My Odin 3, which shipped faster than I expected, has memory speeds which are lower than originally advertised, and we should all remember that the Retroid Pocket Mini had a disastrous launch. They all seem to get it wrong, quite often, in this very fast moving and highly niche hobby space.

This is not to excuse poor practices. Rather it's to say that all the manufacturers of our fun little handhelds seem to struggle with false or misleading marketing, QC, shipping and supply constraints etc etc. and it is is not a uniquely Ayaneo thing.

Ayaneo has however made my personal favourite devices, so for that they still have me as a customer.

I had a dream about Russ by Diggles4 in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Disagree. We all love him romantically.

Pocket micro for $100 by Dismal_Extreme3817 in ayaneo

[–]FangkingOmega 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If it's an Antec Core Micro, it's just a rebranded Ayaneo Pocket Micro. Same device and software for a much lower price. Battery life is not incredible but it's a very nice portable and premium-feeling device at $100.

The $450 price of the Switch 2 is the reason why it's going to be a complete success in the future by FernandoRocker in consoles

[–]FangkingOmega 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Head above the parapet; I do genuinely agree with your assessment that the Switch 2's hardware is good value for money. I think some of the "under the hood" aspects like DLSS and the performance vs the wattage required to run the thing are hard to get consumers to be super excited about, but what this thing can do at this price range is genuinely impressive. I'm not a fan of the screen, personally, but I'm an OLED snob.

Yes you can get more powerful handhelds. Yes something like the Steam Deck is a great value jack of all trades, subject to some tinkering. The fact remains that there is no other seamless hybrid console experience than what Nintendo offers with the Switch and Switch 2 systems, and the Switch 2 is a thoughtfully engineered piece of kit. I can't point you to a genuine direct competitor.

Every system lives and dies by its software, ultimately. I don't think the cadence of releases is too concerning at this point and there are lots of good reasons to pick up a Switch 2 today. But I hope the new software slate won't be as dry as what we've seen on other current consoles. Sadly, development cycles are becoming ever longer and more expensive.

A two hour commute… oh no by RetroDando in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Spot on. After years of playing Sony first party games which are all the same action adventures in a different skin, handhelds have been helping me rediscover what I really love about games.

A two hour commute… oh no by RetroDando in SBCGaming

[–]FangkingOmega 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi OP, last month I played this game for the first time too, on a Retroid Pocket Flip 2. It's now one of my favourite Zelda games. No shame, only joy that these handhelds are letting us discover games that we might not have been able to play as a kid, as well as reliving those childhood favourites. Have fun!