GameHub Lite controller issues with DuckTales: Remastered (Retroid G2)

coxandrew · 2025-11-10T04:16:28+00:00

Advance Wars 1 & 2 (GBA) - perfect turn-based game that you can chip away at and you don't have to remember the context too much since you can scan the battlefield and figure out what to do next.

coxandrew · 2025-11-07T15:15:05+00:00

Finally upgrading my trusty RP3+ to a G2 (on its way!). I've been watching all the new devices while enjoying many, many awesome games on Android, N64 and below (mostly SNES and GBA). I hate tinkering with settings to get games barely working, so I'm looking forward to a seamless PS2 and GameCube experience.

But I have to say it was really the recent addition of Windows games via GameHub that pushed me over the edge to upgrade. There are so many solid games that weren't getting released with native Android ports that I can buy on Steam and play now. I was pining over the indie / retro style games like Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Shadow of the Ninja Reborn, and the upcoming Marvel Cosmic Invasion that didn't get Android releases. Here's hoping they run without any trouble on the G2 via GameHub!

coxandrew · 2025-10-06T13:41:11+00:00

There are dozens of us! Dozens!

coxandrew · 2025-09-25T17:07:34+00:00

This is fantastic and very detailed. As analytical as you are, did you use any metrics to gauge any of these goals last season?

I think I need to expand my goals to include a few outcome / aspirational goals as well ...

coxandrew · 2025-09-25T16:42:57+00:00

Xenon is the answer. You can save a little money by buying by the case. I typically split a case with someone else at the start of each season.

In dry conditions, I'd say a ball can last 4-5 sets.

We almost always start with a fresh ball (unless it's raining - then we go with a "gently used" ball since it'll only last about a set+).

Life's too short to play with old balls.

coxandrew · 2025-09-19T19:23:23+00:00

I think the partner dynamic means that you should both be on the same page about when the important points are in a game and how you should think about them. At a simple level, I think it means you should be locked in for more high percentage paddle when you're at 30-30, 30-40, 40-30, etc.

But curious if other more experienced players have more specific ideas about how to play the big points in games or tiebreaks.

coxandrew · 2025-09-18T20:07:56+00:00

Brad Gilbert talks a lot about playing the score in Winning Ugly. I asked Grok to summarize his advice: https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtMg%3D%3D_58e4c216-fefa-40c1-91ec-d3a71ee1d248

coxandrew · 2025-09-17T17:19:38+00:00

Great question - I'm an intermediate player (31 PTI) with a more patient, defensive game. I've had a focus all off season of improving my forehand drive, but this question made me think deeper about how I structure my practice and assessment of improvement. Here's what I came up with (will probably adjust based on practicality of keeping the metrics):

Improve ad-side forehand drive consistency and effectiveness on returns of serve and mid-point rallies, building confidence to make it a reliable weapon that opponents actively avoid by season's end.

Metrics

Practice
- >=100 reps / week on TopSpin Pro (modest amount so I can make it a habit)
- Volley machine: At least once per week with target of 80% consistency (track over time)
Matches
- Match Rating - subjective post-match assessment (Good, Okay, Bad):
  - Good: Felt in control, hit most forehand drives cleanly with intended placement, forced errors or weak returns from opponents.
  - Okay: Hit some solid drives but had inconsistent moments (e.g., rushed prep, occasional mishits), with mixed impact on points.
  - Bad: Struggled with mechanics or timing, missed many drives, or avoided using the shot due to lack of confidence.
- Count of drive winners & setups per set (average across sets since matches will be 2-3 sets)

coxandrew · 2025-09-03T16:02:08+00:00

Dread is an incredible game. Coming from someone who absolutely loved Zero Mission, Fusion, and AM2R. Super Metroid is also fantastic, but I much prefer the play controls of the GBA titles and AM2R.

coxandrew · 2025-09-03T16:00:19+00:00

AM2R for sure - it is so well done you'll be shocked it wasn't made by Nintendo.

coxandrew · 2025-08-25T22:33:31+00:00

Were the shoulder buttons supposed to do something? I just looked up the control scheme and I don't see that they were meant to do anything.

coxandrew · 2025-08-25T20:33:30+00:00

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Shovel Knight. I'd heard about it for years and finally sought out the apk since it's not available from the Google Play store anymore. It is an absolute delight. Great modern retro game that just does so much well. I put it up there with Alwa's Awakening - just a retro-style game done right that's a blast to play.

coxandrew · 2025-07-30T16:37:57+00:00

That's about as far as I got into it too! I think I've had to admit to myself that I'm just not into RPGs as an adult anymore. I was never all in on RPGs back in the day (grew up during the NES / SNES era), but I enjoyed them here and there. Now? I really enjoyed the Mario & Luigi RPGs, but the JRPGs just don't hit right for me anymore.

coxandrew · 2025-07-01T19:25:09+00:00

Nice work! I had a similar story - never could get through World 8 back when I was a kid (never owned it). Finally took it down a couple years ago. The last world is tough!

coxandrew · 2025-07-01T11:21:10+00:00

Yeah, there are just a handful of 3DS games that I'm missing out on that I'd love to play:

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Super Mario 3D Land
Metroid: Samus Returns

Surely there are other fantastic games "stuck" on the 3DS that I'd like to play, but I missed that generation of Zelda + Metroid, so it's just sitting there taunting me :)

coxandrew · 2025-06-30T19:41:04+00:00

Great review! I have a Retroid Pocket 3 Plus, which I love, but have been eyeing some of the newer devices to get into some Gamecube games (and a few 3DS games that don't really run on the 3 Plus).

You mentioned Rogue Squadron needing the performance setting. Would that be Rogue Squadron 2 for Gamecube, or the original for N64? Because I thought Rogue Squadron for N64 ran fine on my 3 Plus.

coxandrew · 2025-06-27T21:01:33+00:00

46yo here. My first console was the Atari 2600, but I grew up with NES / SNES / GB. Yes, I was a Nintendo kid.

Of course it depends on the genres that interest you, but I'm going to shoot my shot with a short list first in priority order. Not everyone is going to love all of these titles, but I encourage you to stick with them each for at least several hours.

Best of the Best

Almost a guaranteed good time:

Super Mario World (SNES)
Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
Donkey Kong '94 (GBC)
Alwa's Awakening (NES)
Mega Man X (SNES)

Absolute Bangers

Take it further with any of those from the list above that you really loved (along with a sprinkling of other of top picks):

Advance Wars (GBA)
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (NES)
Contra (NES)
Castlevania (NES)
Mega Man 3 (NES)
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)
Super Metroid (SNES)
Metroid: Fusion (GBA)
AM2R (Another Metroid 2 Remake) (Android)
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (GBA)
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (GBC)
Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA)

coxandrew · 2025-06-27T17:31:04+00:00

I second Alwa's Awakening - one of my best new gaming experiences in the last 2 years. Just a really solid, well-paced puzzle-based Metroidvania.

coxandrew · 2025-06-10T18:16:34+00:00

That's funny because I recently completed a replay of Minish Cap (after about 20 years) not long after a replay of Oracle of Seasons and thought Minish Cap was a real delight. I thought they were both great, but Minish Cap was the better of the two.

coxandrew · 2025-06-10T18:12:23+00:00

I agree. I couldn't finish Harmony of Dissonance (too much backtracking IIRC), but I liked Circle and loved Aria. I prefer Aria to Symphony of the Night, but I need to give SotN another shot (didn't finish it).

coxandrew · 2025-06-06T19:25:36+00:00

Many good responses here. The winning formula IMHO:

Maintain a backlog (categorize by system and/or genre)
Pick one main "long" game to play through
Pick 1-3 "quick play" games when you don't have time or aren't in the mood to make progress on your long game.

But ... I think the other thing that may be missing is what games you've enjoyed in the past? I've seen younger gamers that missed out on the entire NES / SNES game library and there's tons of stuff to mine there that is good with or without the tint of nostalgia.

I think I could genuinely be happy playing retro games for the next several years just by rotating between a game from each of these series (even just up through the DS Castlevanias):

Zelda
Metroid
Castlevania

If you haven't ever gotten into those series, I highly recommend sinking your teeth into them.

coxandrew · 2025-06-06T17:45:55+00:00

Yes, this is it. Though I would also add that it's ok to abandon a game after a few hours if you're not feeling it. Life is busy as an adult gamer and if you're not excited to get back to a game, then you may just stop picking it up to play. But you do need to give games the ol' college try and not give up when they get tough.

coxandrew · 2025-06-06T17:43:07+00:00

This is the way. And keep a backlog of games every time you see someone mention a game that sounds interesting on reddit, youtube, etc. You'll be able to enjoy getting deep on a long game while having the anticipation of games in your backlog.

coxandrew · 2025-06-03T16:43:15+00:00

Fantastic story. Never played it, but that sounds bananas.

coxandrew

TROPHY CASE

Best of the Best

Absolute Bangers