Introduction

After much anticipation, Russ finally had the opportunity to spend several weeks rigorously reviewing the highly-anticipated console - Powkiddy X55 - since its announcement a few months back.
Now, let's delve into Russ' comprehensive evaluation of this impressive machine! In this blog, we aim to provide you with an in-depth understanding of Powkiddy's latest breakthrough, the Powkiddy X55, covering various aspects such as its appearance, game experience, user interface, and overall perspective.

Source: Retro Game Corps

Appearance:

-The Powkiddy X55 has a handheld form factor with a teardrop-style shape and chunky grips on the back, providing comfort during gameplay.

 -It features a 5.5-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels, offering a good screen-to-body ratio.

-The device has stacked shoulder and trigger buttons with a clicky micro switch connection, and a typical rubber membrane contact d-pad.

-It comes with volume buttons placed on the bottom near the start and select buttons, and there is a power button on the top.

-The handheld has stereo speakers located on either side of the device, as well as a headphone jack.

Basic Information:

-The Powkiddy X55 runs on a Linux-based operating system called Jealous, which provides a console-like experience for gaming.
-It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, but the specific type of Bluetooth is not mentioned in the video.
-The device can be charged using a USB-C to USB-C port, although the fast charging capability mentioned on the website is not entirely accurate as it charges relatively slowly.
-The device has a custom firmware, and the video demonstrates how to install and set up the operating system.
It is compatible with various emulators, allowing users to play retro games from consoles like NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, and Sega Dreamcast.

Source: Retro Game Corps

Gaming Experience:

- The Powkiddy X55 is praised for its ability to run various retro game emulators, including those for NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, and Sega Dreamcast.
- It handles 8-bit and 16-bit games with ease, delivering a smooth gaming experience and no noticeable lag or performance issues.
- The device is particularly well-suited for playing role-playing games and fighting games, which generally perform very well on the device.
- The 5.5-inch 720p display offers a good size for gaming, with thin bezels contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.
- The scaling options on the device are decent, allowing players to adjust the display for different games, and using shaders can enhance the visual experience.
- The device's custom Linux firmware provides a console-like experience and supports multiple controllers, making it suitable for multiplayer gaming.
- Some games, especially lightweight ones like puzzle games, run well at higher resolutions, but for most games, the native resolution is recommended for optimal performance.

Using Experience

- The handheld's ergonomics are generally good, with chunky grips providing comfort during extended gaming sessions.

- The shoulder and trigger buttons have a stacked layout and a clicky micro switch connection, but they are described as a bit loud when pressed, which may be a minor inconvenience during nighttime gaming sessions.

- The d-pad is satisfactory, although not perfect, with a rubber membrane contact and good pivot, making it suitable for most games, especially fighting games.

 - The placement of the volume buttons on the bottom near the start and select buttons is considered a little strange by the reviewer.

- The device features stereo speakers that offer crisp audio, and the headphone jack allows for private gaming sessions with good sound quality. - The custom Linux firmware, called Jealous, is appreciated for providing a console-like experience and various system settings customization options, such as adjusting screen contrast and saturation.

- The firmware also supports Moonlight game streaming, allowing players to connect the device to a computer and play games remotely, although it might not be suitable for rhythm games or competitive shooters due to some lag.

Pros

1. Impressive Performance for the Price: The Powkiddy X55 offers excellent performance for a handheld device priced under $90. It can smoothly run various retro game emulators, including NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, and Sega Dreamcast, providing a satisfying gaming experience.

2. Comfortable Ergonomics: The device features chunky grips on the back and a teardrop-style shape, making it comfortable to hold during extended gaming sessions. The design contributes to the overall ergonomic experience, enhancing user comfort.

3. Custom Linux Firmware: The Powkiddy X55 runs on a Linux-based operating system called Jealous, which provides a console-like experience and a range of system settings customization options. This firmware support enriches the gaming and using experience.
 
4. Decent Display: The 5.5-inch 720p display with thin bezels offers a good screen-to-body ratio and provides a visually enjoyable gaming experience.
 
5. Versatility: The Powkiddy X55 supports multiple controllers, making it suitable for multiplayer gaming. It also offers Moonlight game streaming capabilities, allowing players to connect the device to a computer and play games remotely.

Cons

1. Loud Buttons: The stacked shoulder and trigger buttons with clicky micro switches are described as being a bit too loud when pressed, which might be a minor annoyance during quiet gaming sessions.

2. Volume Button Placement: The placement of the volume buttons on the bottom near the start and select buttons is considered a little strange and might take some getting used to for users.

3. Limited Screen Scaling: While the device offers some scaling options, the reviewer mentions that for most games, using the native resolution is recommended for optimal performance, limiting the flexibility in scaling retro games.

Conclusion

Overall, the Powkiddy X55 is highly regarded in the video for delivering a satisfying gaming experience, especially considering its price point. The device's capability to run a wide range of emulators, its comfortable design, and the custom Linux firmware contribute to making it a desirable option for retro gaming enthusiasts. However, the minor issues with button noise and volume button placement are some of the few drawbacks mentioned in the video.
So if you want one, don't heasitate to get it!