The days of dedicated handhelds from the big console publishers have been over for a while now. Instead, what we have is a handheld space filled with ’emulation handhelds’. These machines are from companies like Anbernic, Ayaneo, Retroid, and more that produce handhelds that use Android and Linux, and are primarily designed to play ROMs from old systems. There’s also the Game Boy revival scene. Companies like Analogue and Mod Retro have released, for want of a better word Game Boy clones. For those systems, new software is still being developed and released. The software isn’t official and is known as ‘homebrew’ software. For the more powerful emulation handhelds, some homebrew is available, but not much. Gamers will primarily be playing old games on these handhelds.

I reviewed the R36T a few months ago. That is a Linux-based emulation handheld that comes with thousands of games already installed into the system. This time, I’m reviewing the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini. An Android-based emulation handheld that comes with no games built in. So, since I bought and received the handhled I have been setting it up and adding ROMs. The Pocket Air Mini I purchased for just under £90. The R36T i purchased for £55. However, both these handhelds are way cheaper than devices such as the Ayn Thor Lite, which is around £400. The Pocket Air Mini comes in 2GB and 3GB models. I went for the 2GB as it is slightly cheaper, and I wanted to see what the more basic version was capable of. Read on for a review of the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini, a budget handheld that is capable of playing up to GameCube and 3DS games.

Setup

The colours available for the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini are burgundy/ beige, black, and white. I would have gone for black, but the burgundy was all that was available at the time of purchase. The console is surprisingly small and looks great. The screen is large and impressive. The system I bought has 2GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. I’m using 64 GB micro SD card. As far as I’m aware, there is no option to purchase the console with games already installed. I was told the 2GB is not capable of running Gamecube/PS2. However, after testing it myself, I can confidently state that it runs a lot of the Gamecube library quite well. The device is Android, so after logging in with my Gmail account and not transferring files, I was ready to download emulators and set the device up. This is going to be a gaming device for me, I’m not going to be writing essays on the system.

Early on, I decided the three main systems I would use the Pocket Air Mini for would be N64, Gamecube and 3DS. The dual analogue sticks mean I can finally play Goldeneye 007 with dual sticks. Even my R36T could run Goldeneye; however, it lacked dual analogue sticks, so I could never play any N64 FPS games on that system. I downloaded Dolphin and Citra MMJ early on in setting up the system. I used ChatGPT to adjust both emulators’ settings to get the best performance out of the console. The Pocket Air Mini (2GB) finds it harder to run 3DS than the GameCube; however, Citra MMJ very rarely crashes, whereas Dolphin does sometimes crash. But Dolphin runs at a more consistent frame rate, so there are advantages and disadvantages to both emulators. Games that wouldn’t run on Citra MMJ include Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, and Heroes of Ruin. The games that I’m regularly playing on the Citra MMJ include Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora’s Mask 3D, New Super Mario Bros 2, and Mario Kart 7. Those games run well. They are playable.

Performance

Interestingly, I noticed that Gamecube I can play off my Micro SD card, whereas on the 3DS, the games have to be installed into my device. I feel that when reviewers discuss these emulation handhelds, they don’t put emphasis on the fact that you need to know how ROMs, emulators, and computers work to be able to set up and get enjoyment out of a mid range emulatiion handheld that doesn’t come with games already installed. I’m not saying that you need a computing degree to set up and play the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini, but it’s pretty close.

In terms of Gamecube, more games run than for 3DS. I have been playing Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Timeplitters 2, Zelda: Wind Waker, Burnout, and Super Smash Bros Melee. I was really surprised that Melee ran, but in the end, it runs well, with only slowdown when there’s a lot of action on screen. However, as I’ve said, all games are liable to crashes, so save often. I’m really impressed with the power of the handhelds. N64 runs great, and it is clear that the N64 emulation is a step up from the R36T.

Customization

As the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini is an Android handheld. This means that it is very similar to an Android tablet or a Chromebook. I was a bit surprised that the unit doesn’t feel like a video game machine in the same way the R36T does. It feels more like a tablet. You have emulators and ROMs on there in the same way you would a tablet. The main thing that makes it feel like a video game machine are the analogue sticks, and the face and shoulder buttons. To be fair, the emulators are versatile and easy to use. The only games that I’ve played on the system are N64, Gamecube, and 3DS games.

However, just because the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini doesn’t feel like a dedicated handheld doesn’t mean I’m not impressed by it. It is a lovely handheld that is surprisingly powerful for £90. The classics that I’m playing on it are some of the best video game experiences out there. I was particularly impressed at how well it runs Ocarina of Time 3D and Super Smash Bros Melee.

Conclusion

The Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini is almost unique in that it is a sub £100 emulation handheld that can run Gamecube, PS2, and 3DS to a playable level. I was surprised how well it ran games, including Super Smash Bros Melee, Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Gamecube). The Pocket Air Mini is primarily an Android device, so unlike something like an R36T that runs off a gaming-specialised Linux operating system, the Pocket Air Mini feels more like an Android computer than a dedicated handheld. What this means is you have to have some knowledge of computing to set the handheld up with the games you want. In other words, unlike the R36T, the Pocket Air Mini is less accessible and isn’t a ‘plug and play’ system. I’d say that the R36T, at £55 is much better value, as it includes PSP, Dreamcast, and N64 games from the moment you open the box.

However, if you know how to move files and set up emulators, you’ll have access to hundreds of classic games from the mid-noughties. That is rare, as I can’t think of a system that runs Gamecube for £90. I purchased the 2GB model and am impressed with its power. I wonder how much better the 3GB model would run games. Overall, the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini is a great value for money. It is also very versatile as it is an Android tablet.

However, I won’t be writing essays on the device, but may be exploring all new universes. Such as the world of Skies of Arcadia, a critically acclaimed game that I’ve never played (and thats hundreds of dollars to buy a physical version). As a handheld that lets players experience lost classic games, the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini is a huge success and is recommended to anyone who knows how to use ROMs and emulators. Happy gaming.

BongoBongo123

BongoBongo123 is an avid Zelda fan who also likes the odd game of Smash. His interests in gaming are broad but he loves a good Metroidvania or action RPGs.