From Player to Reviewer: The Unique Charm of Retro Game Consoles
In this interview, we have invited several experienced retro game console reviewers who will share their deep connection with retro games. From the moment they first encountered these games to becoming professional reviewers, their journeys are filled with passion and dedication. They will tell us why retro games are so captivating and how to continue enjoying these classics in modern life.
Fourbi 35-44 years old Retro Gaming Reviewer France

petit créateur passionné par l’univers du retrogaming mais aussi bon vivant et fin gourmet !
Passion ! I started collecting retro video games a few years ago for Nostalgia, today I defend the longevity of old video games and their diffusion to younger generations.
Emulation stability and ergonomic
Helping people find the best device to meet their needs without breaking the bank.
The use is totally different, we play with a retro console to take a shot of nostalgia.
More and more models are competitive. Emulation is more and more stable and the system easy to use.
This is a very good initiative, what I most often criticize mechdiy for in my tests is not providing quality SD cards. Often they end up giving up the ghost after a few weeks.
The discovery of the Trimui smart Pro. A truly incredible console, easy to use and affordable
Take the time to put yourself in the shoes of a person looking for information on a retro console. What are they looking for?
Access more expensive and more advanced models, allowing the emulation of more recent consoles.
Tyler 25-34 years old Retro Handheld Gaming Content Creator Canada

Kei's Retro Gaming
Welcome to Kei's Retro Gaming! Dive into the world of handheld gaming, where nostalgia comes alive. Join the community and subscribe for: 🎮 Exploring Handheld Gaming – From classics to the latest releases 📚 Tutorials & Tips – Essential guides for retro gaming enthusiasts 🔧 Teardowns & Repair Guides – In-depth looks and fixes for your favorite devices.
Reliving my childhood nostalgic gaming memories was always something I wanted to experience. As an adult being busy with work and life, handhelds made this possible.
Mostly the hardware as I used to be a computer tech for many years. I love looking at the hardware and seeing what makes the device unique compared to the competition.
Sharing my thoughts and experiences with my audience and how the handheld made gaming better for me. I love diving into the review process and explaining everything in detail with my audience.
Personality. Each device feels unique and offers something different compared to the others in the arena.
I think it's growing substantially! People are getting tired of AAA game prices and want to revisit what made gaming memorable to them as a kid. Many of my audience are adults and as we don't have much time to sit down and play games at home, handhelds make the experience much more enjoyable overall.
It's a nice incentive for people who don't want to tinker too much. I personally prefer setting up the devices myself but I understand that might not be for everyone so I definitely see the appeal. If the creator of the custom OS is fine with it, I see no issue in selling preinstalled OSs on the cards.
It would have to be either with my ROG Ally or RG351P. The RG351P was my first device into this hobby and as I was getting tired of buggy modern games I was really wanting to get something to relax and just play games for fun rather than completing them. My friend recommended me the 351P and I was blown away I could play all my old gameboy games on it. Having grown up playing gameboy this was huge to me and I remember taking it on the train to work many times, just relaxing playing some casual retro games. I wasn't aiming to necessarily finish them but just enjoy the experience as a whole. While the device had it's flaws and it certainly wasn't perfect even compared to a much better device like the Miyoo Mini, I had a lot of fun with it and made lots of great memories getting into the hobby.
Find what you want to play first and what form factor appeals to you. For example, with me the Gameboy Color was my first handheld so vertical devices have always looked intriguing to me as a person. My advice to everyone getting into this hobby as mentioned, find what you want to play, find the form factor you like best then just watch some reviews, narrow it down and grab one. This hobby is all about just jumping in and experiencing the nostalgia of reliving our childhood gaming memories.
I want to do much more in depth reviews and setup guides once I get back from vacation. I also need to streamline my workflow as I would like to get more videos out regularly. As I believe android gaming handhelds have peaked I would like to focus more on the experiences with the gaming devices themselves and maybe explore some other fun video ideas like which games to play on them etc. I would also like to get more into the modding scene and maybe figure out how to do some tinkering with emulation handhelds.
OGTechNick 35-44 years old Retro and Modern Gaming Reviewer America

I’m into both retro and modern gaming and have a soft spot for handheld consoles. I struggle with PTSD and you’ll notice my hands often shake in my close up reviews. Trolls love it. I don’t. Just try to be cool about it. On my channel, we’ll check some out the newest (and oldest) emulation handhelds and the best budget devices. We’ll cover different ways to game, review controllers, fight sticks, hit boxes, etc. I’ll probably be covering some collectible toys too. Let’s kick back and have a blast to the past while riding this wild digital wave into the future! 👾🌊
I played these games as a kid. These new consoles help provide a sense of nostalgia and fun. The newer consoles let us finish games we could never beat now that we have things like save states and fast forward options.
Ergonomics, build quality, performance, battery life, screen quality, speaker quality, buttons, and overall software experience.
Experience a new product for the first time
They allow you to play all of the games that don’t take up as much of your time and even some of the bigger games if you choose to. You can play in short sessions when you’re away from home, and can connect it to an external display to play comfortably at home. The retro game consoles are also smaller and less expensie than modern handheld PCs.
I think it will continue to grow and evolve. It’s exciting and the only thing holding it back is the limitations in battery life, but that is also improving everyday. These smaller handhelds are already changing lives, so the future is very bright for this industry.
I think it’s great! I already have subscribers leaving comments asking where to buy the custom Surwish cards. The effort put into curating a great game list and configuring the firmware for the best visuals and performance is very valuable. Most people do not have the time to set up a card like that, they can’t learn, and they want it to be done for them. Surwish solves that issue and it’s awesome!
Every review is memorable. It is always so exciting to open the box and experience a new device for the first time. There have been a several special reviews where the quality of the product surpassed my expectations significantly, and you can hear the enthusiasm in my voice. It’s a great experience every time. The review experience is something that brings me joy, and I am always grateful for the opportunity. Even the weaker handheld gaming devices are a joy to review. I just love it!
Learn what it is others what to know about, and be yourself, if you’re friendly. Be positive about the good things and constructive about the bad things. Put out good vibes and enjoy yourself. Stay honest. Be grateful always.
Keep growing my channel while I continue to learn more as I go. I’m just starting to process and edit my own videos. It’s all very new to me. Soon the production quality will be much better. I’m very excited for the future!
Solheid Michaël Age 45 and older Retro Gaming and Geek Culture Reviewer Belgium

Vega TV
Actif sur ma chaine depuis le 13 mars 2021, je suis dans le milieu rédactionnel depuis 2009.VEGA TV est une Chaine décomplexée pour évoquer l'univers des jeux vidéo, de la GEEK Culture et du cinéma, d'hier et d'aujourd'hui, dans la joie et la bonne humeur.Merci et bienvenue sur Vega TV
I have started playing video games in 1985, when I was 6. My first console was the Atari 2600. Then I got a NES, a Game Boy, a Megadrive, a SNES, etc. I also played a lot in arcades. In 2009, I created a webstie about video games, be-games.be. Then in 2021, I launched my Youtube channel, Vega TV. This is also about gaming, retrogaming, arcade and VR.
Ergonomy, menu facilities, emulators and design.
Discovering new products, and sharing infos with my community.
Easy access, plug and play. Short but intense game times.
I think that right now, it is full. Too many consoles that look the same. We need more powerfull consoles, with good screens and HQ controls. Of course, playing all the games online with a good webconnection should also be possible.
I think it is a good idead, the process is good, but probably not so easy to understand, not so intuitive. The name "surwish" sounds a bit strange I must say (for french speaking people) and it doesn't clearly say what is is about.
I really enjoyed sharing my review about Anbernic SP. Many people decided to buy it, and they came back to me saying they were very happy. That's the point.
Be patient, enjoy and take time to do it your way. Don't imitate others.
Keeping discovering, reaching 15k subscribers and above all, generating an active community. Up to now, my community is a bit discreet.
Jose Enrique Cámara El Viciao Electrónico Youtube 35-44 years old Retro and Modern Gaming Reviewer Spain

¡Bienvenidos a mi canal!, un rincón donde compartir con vosotros tutoriales y cacharrear juntos. Juegos y consolas retro para volver a nuestra infancia. Mostraos y analizar cacharritos de esos curiosos que tanto nos gustan, con unboxings y siempre con la tecnología a tu alcance. También gameplays, análisis de los juegos más increíbles actuales o retro, tops, reportajes etc...
Since I was a child I realized that video games were something that I was passionate about, being able to be the protagonist in magical worlds was something wonderful. I grew up playing Arcades, classic systems like Atari NES Super Nes, Mega Drive, game boy to this day that I still continue to enjoy as a child, games, retro consoles, assembly and preparation of consoles, bartops and arcade machines.
Actually several, but mainly the playability, that it is a comfortable ergonomic console, with a good d pad and controls in general. That its quality is good and above all that it is a fun experience to play with it.
Being able to find games, especially arcades that I didn't remember, testing the consoles and being able to tell others how much fun they are going to have remembering when they were children and playing their favorite games.
I think its charm lies in its games, with a charisma and charm that today's games fail to convey. In addition to its design inspired by classic consoles, it gives them a nostalgic touch and they are capable of making us travel back in time and remember our childhood. . Today's consoles and games mostly lack soul.
I think there are many similar models, although this is good since there are many options to choose from, I would like to see slightly more powerful consoles created, that for less than €100 could control systems like PSP well. I would also like to see consoles with an arcade design. I think the market will grow and we will see different types of consoles. Furthermore, more retro-style games are created every day, given that the current video game market in my opinion is saturated and every day more people choose to play retro games for quality and nostalgia.
I think it's a great idea, because many users don't know how to configure their consoles and sometimes the consoles come with poorly worked cards from the manufacturers.
When I was doing the review of TRIMUI SMART PRO I started recording Gameplay and discovered one game after another in mame and before I realized I had only been recording arcades for 2 hours.
Do it to enjoy your hobby, if you don't enjoy doing it, don't do it.
Discover and show new consoles and retro games to make those who follow my channel happy.
Mark Smith Age 45 and older The Retro Core Channel Reviewer
Japanese

Retro Core
The Retro Core Channel is home to the original Retro Core game series that started way before the days of You Tube. These days it's also home to the awesome Battle Of the Ports. Each week a new show takes a look at a classic arcade game and it's ports across multiple platforms. It's shocking just how bad or good some ports are.
I started to become interested in video games at the age of 10 in 1985. It just looked so futuristic.
The quality of performance vs cost.
Getting to try new products. Seeing where the makers are inovating.
Nostalgia
There seems to be too many low powered systems that promise more than they can deliver.
Customization is good but only when done tastefully.
Probably when I first reviewed an Anbernic RG device made out of aluminium. It felt so cool and like a quality product. This really surprised me.
Don't hold the camera while trying to play the game console. Invest in a tripod.
I will be covering Retro forever. What is new now will be retro in the future. Retro gaming will never end.
Pascal_Mugen 35-44 years old Tech Reviewer French

Mugen _Pascal
Salut, c'est Mugen ! Ici vous trouverez des review de machines d'émulation portable et de tout plein d'objet tech ayant un rapport plus ou moins direct avec le jeu vidéo - Steamdeck, anbernic, AyaNeo et autres marques ! Mais aussi des tuto et des infos pratiques De plus j'essaye de couvrir l'actualité des marché des handheld en shorts pour que vous soyez à la page et paré pour comprendre tout ce qu'il s'y passe.
After a random PS3 game i was bored, and one day, i've launch a gameboy emulator on my phone, and i reminds me all the joy when i've played simple game for the first time and so i've wanted to play all the game i've missed when i was young and get some happy time with my loved retro games
I focus the most in the hardware, because the software can be improved, the hardware is static (inputs, screens...)
i love to discover all the new tricks and technologie brands used to get more and more accurate and comfortable
the good frontends remind some memories (with artworks) and the plug and play experience, no loadings, no update, no servers...
the market is the more and more premium, even 60$ handheld is a good choice in 2024, for the software there is a glass ceil, so the brands make somes improvements in hardware ! (more form factors, hall sticks, bezeless screens)
I've see you jump in the custom OS cards, i think they need more reviewers who the public trust them for their experiences, because, the most of time, the customer buy the hardware AND the custom card in one time, so they have to be conviced before the buying - i've see you offer personalized support for these, i think this have to be promoted it will be a good argument
usually i'm buying premium devices (analogue, aya neo and other stuff) but the RG40xxH blow me, incredibly premium for less cost than one AAA game - and the vertical version make me sell my analogue pocket
Give a try with new cheap devices, only the cost is cheap, the hardware is more than satisfaying, and if you fell great with that, there is tons of premiums handhelds
i've got a french youtube channel to review retro handheld console, and help newcomers to see clear and guide them to buy the handheld who fits the best to their needs.
Eric Jablonicky 35-44 years old Technology/Gaming YouTube Creator America

RetroSpecd
CellPhish is a Technology/Gaming YouTube Creator. Responsible for creating content for channels since 2005 in all tech categories from Tech News Updates to Gaming w/ Games4Lames. YouTube has vastly grown since starting here and I’ve been around in some capacity for all of it.
I grew up playing what are now retro games. Though new games are fun they miss the thoughtfulness and depth of previous generations
The experience. Does it match or enhance the initial experience without losing the feel of how games were intended to be played.
Being able to share the experiences with other people. I love when I get comments from followers who tell me about how what they learned from me made them more passionate about their favorite games
Outside of them being conversation starters their is a warm feeling a person gets when playing retro consoles as well as a state of accomplishment. You are able to do something that shouldn’t be able to be done
I’m e cited for the future of the market. As handhelds get more powerful we are able to emulate systems like Sega Saturn for example without sacrificing the overall look and feel of the games.
I was fortunate enough to review one of these cards for you. They are absolutely a great step in improving the customer experience. One of the barriers to entry in the hobby is not knowing how to get a handheld setup with a persons games. The card takes away that fear and offers a plug and play experience you don’t get without it. I had people struggling to setup their TrimUI Smart Pro they purchased elsewhere asking how to just get the card. Big win for MechDIY
There are so many but recently my first impressions review of the Anbernic RG35xxSP brought back so many memories. It’s a handheld that really is like many others but real was able to capture the nostalgia through the look and feel of the Nintendo Game Boy SP. They went as far as creating overlays when playing GBA that added all the right logos to the screen to make it feel more authentic.
It has to be something you are truly passionate about. If you aren’t viewers immediately see through you and you will get burned out very quickly with how much the market changes.
I’m always looking for that next the: the next experience, the next handheld that maybe does something slightly different, and bringing my viewers along for the journey to help ignite the same passion in them.
Uriel Mendoza Ramirez 25-34 years old Retro Gaming Reviewer Mexico

A little bit about me, I am a systems engineer and software developer by profession and a lifelong gamer by conviction.
Hello, nice to meet you, I'm Uriel Mendoza and I'm from Mexico. My story began when I discovered the power of emulation in my childhood, about 20 years ago. At that time, we had just bought a PC at home and it was the first time I was able to play Pokémon Blue on the Gameboy Color. I remember that day I easily spent about 10 hours playing without stopping except to eat and go to the bathroom.
Without a doubt the emulation limits and the optimization it carries, I think that the technical characteristics can be read, as well as the type of materials it carries, but what you never know is how well or badly the games run and that is where I focus the most, doing everything possible to give the viewer information about the real capacity of the console.
Lo que me gusta mucho de hacer reviews es definitivamente el factor nostalgia que da probar cada juego, también poder saber y conocer los límites del hardware y la evolución de los emuladores es muy gratificante.
I think we are at a very important point because the hardware has evolved and it is easy to create powerful consoles due to the quality of the boards that we have today, the community is stronger than ever and I think we will see the best years to come in terms of emulation.
This is definitely a good thing, as there are many people who don't know how to configure consoles and making the process easier with a well-crafted product can definitely help many customers.
It is very important to be well informed so as not to misinform the audience, to take the time to try the games in different ways, with different configurations. Highlight the points that cannot or are not usually read in the purchase form of the consoles to give extra value to the viewer.
My goal is to be one of the largest retro console content creators in Mexico and then worldwide, with detailed reviews and lots of quality content.
Michael - Arcade Fun 35-44 years old Retro and Modern Gaming Reviewer Brazil

On our channel, we explore the latest in emulation, uncover the secrets of portable video games, offer in-depth reviews of tech items, perform game performance tests, and share unique DIY tutorials for building your own arcade machines, portable consoles and electronics in general.
In fact, Retrogames were the current games of my childhood! The first contact with games was in a Brazilian clone of the Nintendo NES, called Dynavision! When I was 11 years old, I was already working and bought my first Super Nintendo, that was magical! After that, I followed the generations, until the Playstation 2, from then on, I lost interest in games in current games, with so many good Retro games, I was already satisfied!
Unfortunately many retro consoles have some problems, so I try to focus mainly on troubleshooting(R36S for example), If the device arrives with fewer problems, more I can focus on showing the main qualities of each model, pointing each device to the right audience!
The best part is when i deliver the content to the audience, if there is 1 person I could help, I'm already satisfied!
Basically, NOSTALGIA! 🤩 Before, everything seemed to be well worked, optimized, innovative! Today we have a remake of a remake nominated for Game of the Year!
I believe there is a lot of room for new devices, but REALLY NEW, The market is saturated with very similar devices, with little difference in performance. I'm not talking about performance, but about innovation, market study, so this market can grow a lot!
I find this alternative of something to buy and play without worries very interesting, many people here in Brazil have difficulties, sometimes financial, others do not have access to a computer, others are simply lazy, so having something ready has a lot of value. The only caveat would be about content that is still on the market, like Stardew Valley, Tmnt Shredder's Revenge, Celeste, etc, the independent community of developers themselves don't like that. I still see a lot of value in quality cards, pre-configured, with optimized systems!
One of the reviews I liked the most was Powkiddy V10, everything on that portable attracts, the pixels of the Game Boy Advance games look very beautiful!
I believe that studying the platform you are posting well is one of the important parts, but the main point is to make videos of solutions, for people who need solutions!
I would like to make a living from it one day, creating written and video content, playing games, studying the history of video games, I love doing it!
Brumagix Gamer 35-44 years old French Tech Reviewer Spain

Welcome to my Channel. Here you will find Gameplays of all kinds of video games from different platforms, news from the world, Unboxings, Retro Video Games and much more.
I started with the colecovision, I went through an atari 2600, Nes, Mega drive, ps1....... I have enjoyed all of them and continue to enjoy them largely because of the portable retro consoles.
Ergonomics, Battery, screen and how it performs with the different emulated systems
I continue to enjoy every step. But check its ergonomics, screen definition and controls. It is what fills me the most to give my opinion
The type of game has changed in my opinion for the worse in many ways. When the games were mostly in 2D there was more magic than now with those considered AAA. In addition, the games came more complete with their manuals, art, etc. without having to pay extra. Having a cartridge in my hand was priceless.
I see that certain companies are saturating the market with similar models and that gets tiring for the end user. But as a counterpart I am also seeing that in the last year and a half we have made a lot of progress in all senses. So I see the future as hopeful if companies know how to play their cards well.
I see it well. In fact, right now I'm starting the video about your sd with the crossmix system for the trimui smart pro. What I would like for future surwisch is that you take into account the users who speak Spanish (there are many) and put more multi-language roms. I have generic complaints about this that come to me privately.
The first time I had feedback from a user thanking me, it was one of the most memorable I've had since I've been making content for YouTube.
That they look for their most advantageous way of working and that they are honest about the products they are reviewing.
For the time being, continue to enjoy the moment. And in the future if everything goes well, I will professionalize my analysis and content more.
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