Retroid Pocket 3: Is this the device for you?

First off, each Retroid device...

• Outputs to TV.
• Runs android with Google Play services enabled.
• Supports external controllers.
• The default Retroid launcher is really easy to use.

Good

• Really stunning LCD panel. Possibly the best LCD panel on any retro handheld in its price range. It has an Increased resolution in widescreen, and the colors really pop.
• PSP is a night & day improvement over the 2+, and GBA looks a lot nicer too.
• New analog sticks with R/L3 functionality make game streaming a much more viable option.
• Runs a newer version of android over the 2+.
• The D-pad and buttons are dome-switches inspired by the much beloved PS Vita, so really clicky and responsive. Even better, you can literally swap out the RP3 buttons with PS Vita buttons if you really want in on that Playstation vibe. Looks really good on the black systems.
• The improved screen and controls make the RP3 much better for native android games than the 2+.
• Same shell as the RP3+, so if you eventually want to upgrade, you can just opt for the PCB upgrade kit and do it yourself. (You even get to keep the dome-switch buttons if you like them).

Bad

• Same SoC as the 2+, so you won't be running anything new on this system, and some native android games won't really play well.
• The higher resolution screen can make older games look rough.
• Outside of streamed games, PSP, Android, and to an extent GBA, the majority of retro games you play on a 3 are going to be stuck massive back bars on the sides if you want them to play decently.

Ugly

• 720p widescreen means there is room to upscale and widescreen hack some systems, but it adds strain to the SoC. You'll be doing a lot of tinkering to make your games look as good as possible on the 3.
• The symmetrical stick layout plays much nicer for retro games, but if you want to use the dual analog stick for game streaming, it can get pretty uncomfortable fairly quickly. I sincerely recommend getting an attachable grip if you intend to use it in this way.
• The price differentiation between the 3 and the 3+ isn’t that much, and with a 3+, you’d get a chip that can better handle upscaling & widescreen hacks, as well as a much expanded library of PS2 and Gamecube games.
• While upgrading to a 3+ has been an option in the past, it seems the upgrade boards are no longer available on the website. If you contact Retroid directly, there's a chance they might still be willing to sell you one. (This is kind of unfortunate, since upgrading a 3 to 3+ was the path I took, and it was fun to do. But you might as well just go with a 3+ in the first place if you want this form factor.)

Who should get a RP3?

I’d recommend the RP3 to anyone who just wants a cheap streaming streaming device that fits in their pocket. That's pretty much it. The fact that it plays 32bit and older retro games (and many PSP games) decently is an added bonus.

Discuss

What’s your take on the RP3? Did you get one? Who would you recommend a RP3 to?