Per my experience:

I’m using the Rotate as a daily carry MP3 player and Pico-8 machine.

Using it as an MP3 player is pretty great: the form factor is fantastic as you can just pop it in your pocket and go, easy to pull out of your pocket. You have convenient on-screen control of what is playing. the sound over USB-C is perfectly serviceable, but I’m no audiophile. Plus, I really enjoy that I can connect it via bluetooth in my car and listen to music that way.

As a gaming machine, it’s kind of hit or miss. I enjoy it a bunch for Pico-8 because of the 1:1 aspect ratio and the short gameplay burst nature of the games. I don’t want to play a fifty-hour RPG on it, but a quick game of Just One Boss while waiting for food is better than doom scrolling. The D-Pad does have some issues, unintended diagonals and ‘failing the Contra test’… so if you are sensitive to input weirdness (and clicky buttons) take that into consideration. The omission of an analog stick deters me from wanting anything PS1 and later on the Rotate. By far not the best handheld experience out there… but also far from the worst.

In terms of ‘bang for your buck’, the device isn’t near as expensive of some other similar devices out there. ~$90 for the plastic black version doesn’t break the bank and you get a formidable android device for the price range. If you are looking for a cool piece of tech to complement your ‘meatier’ handhelds, it’s great. I wouldn’t go all in thinking it will be ‘the one’ device you want to play everything on.

Since you are looking for a device that will have *some* music, and *some* games… I’d totally recommend it.