R40S Retro Gaming Handheld Review - The Powkiddy RGB30 Clone featuring broken controls

Summary

The R40s handheld gaming console is critiqued in this video, with a focus on its similarities to the highly praised Pal's RGB3. Despite boasting a budget-friendly price point and a sleek design, the R40s falls short due to its unresponsive controls and a poorly optimized stock firmware. While it offers a decent display and battery life, the out-of-the-box experience is marred by control issues that require DIY fixes with tape, and a confusing firmware setup that detracts from the overall user experience.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The R40s is a budget handheld gaming device with a joystick-centered design and a starting price of $50.
• 🔍 It features the RK3566 chip, which theoretically allows access to some Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast games, but struggles with performance out of the box.
• 📱 The device includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, 1 GB of RAM, and a 4-inch 720x720 display.
• 🔋 It has a 4,000 milliamp battery, weighs over 200 g, and comes with two micro SD card slots for expandable storage.
• 🎨 The R40s has an appealing red and white color scheme but suffers from poor build quality in the controls.
• ❌ The D-pad and face buttons are unresponsive and sink into the shell, causing frequent missed inputs.
• 🛠️ The shoulder buttons R1 and L1 are nearly unusable without modification, such as applying tape to improve their responsiveness.
• 📺 The device comes with a mini HDMI output and lacks front-facing speakers, opting for down-facing ones instead.
• 📱 The stock firmware, based on Aros, has several issues including incorrect screen ratio settings and missing BIOS files.
• 🛠️ Despite the out-of-the-box issues, there is potential for a good handheld if users are willing to modify and optimize the device.
• 🚫 The R40s is not recommended as a budget alternative to the Powkiddy RGB3 due to its control and firmware issues.

Q & A

What is the R40s handheld device and what is its significance in the context of the video?

The R40s is a budget square screen handheld gaming device that is being compared to the Pal's RGB3 in the video. It is significant as it is an attempt to provide a budget-friendly alternative with similar features but has some notable issues with its controls and firmware.

What is the RK3566 chip and why is it important for the R40s?

The RK3566 is a chipset used in the R40s, which in theory should allow it to access some Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast games. It is important because it determines the device's gaming capabilities.

What are the main issues with the R40s's controls according to the video?

The main issues with the R40s's controls are that the D-pad and face buttons sink into the shell with the slightest pressure, causing missed inputs. The R1 and L1 shoulder buttons are nearly unusable out of the box, requiring modification with tape to function properly.

What is the battery capacity of the R40s and how does it perform?

The R40s has a 4,000 milliamp battery, which should provide decent battery life. However, the video does not provide specific details on the battery's performance.

What are the display specifications of the R40s and how is the display quality perceived in the video?

The R40s features a 4-inch 720x720 display. The video mentions that the display is 'admittedly beautiful,' indicating that the quality is perceived positively.

How does the R40s compare to the Pal's RGB3 in terms of control layout and design?

The R40s has a joystick-centered design similar to the RGB3 but with some differences such as the position of the start and select buttons, and the orientation of the speakers. The control layout is flipped compared to the RGB3, and the R40s lacks front-facing speakers.

What are the audio issues mentioned in the video regarding the R40s's firmware?

The video mentions that the R40s has audio issues due to missing BIOS files, which cause emulators to run slow and are not optimized for the Nintendo 64 setups.

What modifications are suggested in the video to improve the R40s's controls?

The video suggests applying layers of tape to the R1 and L1 shoulder buttons to raise them enough to register a button press, as well as potentially applying tape to other controls to improve their responsiveness.

What is the weight of the R40s and how does it feel in terms of build quality?

The R40s weighs just over 200 grams. The video describes the build quality as initially giving a good first impression but feeling 'okay' upon touching the controls due to the issues with the buttons sinking into the shell.

What are the connectivity features of the R40s mentioned in the video?

The R40s has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, which are tucked away in the tools section of the firmware but are relatively easy to set up and use.

What is the reviewer's final verdict on the R40s compared to the Pal's RGB3?

The reviewer concludes that the R40s is a disappointment due to its terrible out-of-the-box controls and confusing stock firmware setup. They suggest that a better alternative would be to get the Pal's RGB3 instead.