Crystal (cozily) geeks out over games & stuff

[steel tusk]

hmmmm

I mean. you're right. it already has the right button vibes

[wild sequoia]

How rattly is the RG28XX? I know you've said you don't mind the rattle on the RGB30 but it's one of those things that bothers me

[steel tusk]

lol

Kinda like a half filled tictac box?

[wild sequoia]

https://tenor.com/view/dance-maracas-shake-mexican-joe-manganiello-gif-8072268

[steel tusk]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Turtlehat

[wild sequoia]

It's K. I padded my buttons in my RGB30 until I could stand it 🥹

[steel tusk]

So resourceful

[wild sequoia]

I try!

I stick to the basic stuff though

[scenic needle]

This was my first time watching one of your videos and I'm not sure I've ever had such a 180° change in my reaction between the beginning and the end of a video. My initial reaction was, "Woah, her voice is WAY too cutesy. I don't think I can watch this." but 11 minutes later I was just sitting there going, "Mmmm... Brain feels soft and fuzzy, so calm, relaxed, and sleepy. I dunno what I just watched buh my head feels all floaty, and I should buy an RG28XX. 🤤"

Your voice coupled with the soft and pleasant background music has a very soothing ASMR-like effect, and I'm pretty sure you could sell me on the worst Powkiddy device if you said nice things about it. With great power comes great responsibility, I suppose lol

In any case, you've earned yourself another subscriber ^_^

[steel tusk]

Omg what a nice comment, Skippy! Thanks so much! This actually really reassures me because I also think my voice is too way too high and cutesy and I kinda hate it lol

So I’m glad that it’s tolerable ❤️

[scenic needle]

It's more than tolerable, it's very pleasant! I think you took something that you thought was a weakness and turned it into a strength, because there's really no one else out there doing relaxing soft-spoken retro handheld content right now. You found a good niche that works super well for your personality!

[steel tusk]

Thank you! What a relief lol

[scenic needle]

You're welcome ^_^ The production quality of your videos is super high too, especially for someone new to the scene. I don't think I could make videos that perfectly lit and with such clean audio if I took a year long course in video production. I think you're gonna have a whole ton of subscribers in relatively short order.

[steel tusk]

Ahaha, I hope so. I'd really love to go hang out with all the RH pals at CES by 2026 and you need to have so many monthly views to get in to that.

[scenic needle]

It might take a year or so, but now that you're more or less part of the Retro Handhelds family and pals with TechDweeb and Russ I think you'll get there! You've been making really good content for awhile now, you've just needed a little more exposure to get it in front of more people ^_^

[wild sequoia]

You know, my current mood is to buy neither the rg28xx or the a30. I don't think either of them check all the boxes I want

[steel tusk]

That's fair. I wanted a smaller handheld that does quick shutdown, so the RG28XX does what I want it to. Plus it's cute. But if you've already got other devices you love, I don't think it's a necessary addition

[scenic needle]

I'm still on the fence about whether or not to buy an RG28XX, but I'll probably pick one up since they're so darn affordable and I don't have a micro handheld to carry around in my pocket all the time yet.

I also think it's just really neat that Anbernic has created this whole little family of systems running the same chipset that (after a bit of work to accommodate the new screen on the 28XX) you can swap your custom firmware SD card between. There's the RG35XX Plus for folks who like vertical handhelds, the RG35XX H for horizontal handheld fans, the RG28XX for people who want a micro handheld, and soon the RG35XX SP for those who prefer a clamshell device.

No matter what form factor you prefer there's an option for everyone ^_^

[steel tusk]

That is a very good point, @scenic needle

I kind of want it to be able to run ArkOs for similar reasons lol

I would love to be able to swap cards with my rgb30

[scenic needle]

Have you tried Batocera on your RG35XX H yet? It's very similar to ArkOS but seems more stable to me so far, and it should be coming to the 28XX relatively soon 🙂

[steel tusk]

My problem with it is that it takes forever to run anything, and is such a pain to program my own retro arch hotkeys.

Like. If you start it from powered down, batocera loads so slow

Maybe there’s a fix for that I just haven’t discovered yet.

[scenic needle]

Those are totally valid reasons! I've just gotten used to the long boot time and don't mind the default hotkeys, but I can definitely see how they might be deal breakers for some. The only thing I really wish they'd fix is the sound coming out of the handheld's speakers when using HDMI out, though it would be really nice if they could speed up the boot time too.

[wild sequoia]

The thing I want in the rg28xx is wifi. I think if it had Wi-Fi I'd be all in

[steel tusk]

Yeah! Sad that it doesn’t have that

[wild sequoia]

I'm ready for the rg28xx++

[hearty tinsel]

Next week

[steel tusk]

I'm streaming Terraria with a friend! come hang out with us 😄 https://twitch.tv/crystal_is_cozy

[steel tusk]

Forgot to post this here. Lookkkk. I’m so proud of myself. Even changed the speaker. https://youtube.com/shorts/CQDIhAIsky0?si=CaOsK9azIwEenEvP

[undone hatch]

It's so goooooooooooddddd!!!!

[wild sequoia]

Congrats! The first soldering thing is always the scariest

[steel tusk]

Thank you both!! It was so scary. And the soldering I did was not pretty lol. But! It works, and that is all that matters.

[steel tusk]

https://youtu.be/GUIF8caPWe8 Yay, another video! I'm pretty proud of this one and had so much fun making it, friends. I hope you check it out! 😄

[steel tusk]

https://www.twitch.tv/crystal_is_cozy yay stream! come hang out?

[wild sequoia]

Custom color palettes is a serious level of dedication!

Seems like a good way to add life to GB games. They can be kinda drab

It's jarring to see your RGB30 being so... not pink

[steel tusk]

I know, right? Why did powkiddy do this to me?

[wild sequoia]

Now that there are more colors, I kinda wish I had a coconut, cheese or pistachio colored ones. It's the ornage/yellow's fault I'm using foods to describe them

[steel tusk]

I really want that mint green rgb30

And the purple one.

One part of my brain tells me I don’t need three rgb30s

That part of my brain is not the loudest part of my brain lol

[rain vector]

How else are you supposed to play multiplayer

You need also need one for every custom firmware, JelOS, ArkOS, Knulli etc

Don’t think about how much it costs, just consider the risk: what if it NEVER goes on sale again

[steel tusk]

You make really compelling points, not gonna lie

Every time I see a pico-8 video, I'm like "Hmmmmm another RGB30 would be so nice."

[rain vector]

just sacrifice one with a hardware mod, then you will have to get another

[wild sequoia]

I am trying veeeery hard to keep my collection down. I really wanted an A30 but Miyoo has saved me from one of those. Gonna see how a v2 is

[tired sorrel]

Just do it

[steel tusk]

I can't. I'm saving up for that arcade cabinet, remember?

I wonder who got me so invested in a pico-8 arcade cabinet ....

hmmmm

[tired sorrel]

Hmmmmm
Not sure

[steel tusk]

I'm so in love with how this gameboy color looks T__T

Why is it so pretty

[tired sorrel]

Because of those buttons tbh

[steel tusk]

Yes, tbh

also the clear speaker is really pretty, too

Goes well with everything

But also the amoled screen is so nice

[tired sorrel]

It looks nice in the pictures alone

[steel tusk]

It's so bright I have to keep it on 1 brightness

and it's still kinda too bright for nighttime

but those colors are rice

rich, even. lol

if they were rice, that would be worse

[tired sorrel]

That's intense actually

I need to get mine made lol

[steel tusk]

ooh did you order one?

[tired sorrel]

I've got it here
Just needs to get put together

[steel tusk]

😄

Which color?

Have we already had this conversation?

I feel like I've had this conversation

[tired sorrel]

Got the Blue

And maybe

[steel tusk]

Oh, so many blue handhelds.

[tired sorrel]

Gotta like a blue sometimes

[steel tusk]

Sigh, where is my RGB20SX

[tired sorrel]

Soon™

[wild sequoia]

Cute/Cozy RGB30-friendly game recommendation: Mr. Driller

[steel tusk]

I haven’t tried it yet but it’s on my list! It looks right up my alley

[wild sequoia]

i can't figure out which one is best to play on the RGB30. I think it might be the DS one.

[steel tusk]

Oh? Never tried it on DS

Oh man. I went into my local book off and came out with $100 worth of secondhand cartridges

Why am I like this

[wild sequoia]

This could be anywhere from one game to 200 😆 How many copies of NHL '97 did you get?

[steel tusk]

Favorite purchase of the day

Or this one.

I can’t decide

[wild sequoia]

Looks like a good haul

I don't have a lot of GB game exposure

[steel tusk]

I’m pretty excited about this game called The Frog For Whom the Bell Tolls

Someone on another server recommended it to me as a game I might like, so I was shocked to find a copy of it. It was only released in Japanese

Had to snag it

[wild sequoia]

That's an amazing game name

10/10 regardless of what it's like

[steel tusk]

I’ve heard it’s very good

There should be a translation patch floating around somewhere

You play a prince who’s been turned into a frog

https://youtu.be/iaOhJbSufJI?si=MkNGIVUSjfdjSqGm this is an interesting video about it

[hearty tinsel]

That is a great game!!!! 🔥

[steel tusk]

Yay, Dad approves.

[hearty tinsel]

I miss Book Off, I really need to check out the one we have here!

[steel tusk]

Lol. Really bad idea or really good idea

[steel tusk]

https://www.youtube.com/live/aMD5VpGNUks?si=1KG9z-rPXgwBoo47 hello please come hang out with me,

[steel tusk]

OMGGG finally playing it https://twitch.tv/crystal_is_cozy Hades II

[steel tusk]

Another twitch stream coming up 😄

[rain vector]

When?

[steel tusk]

Omggggg

(So yeah, the reason I wanted a transparent rg35xx-h was because I thought maybe I could dye it one day)

But that feels intimidating, so not this day

[violet stone]

It's going for about $85 on the Chinese used Market although it's not used they just bought a new one and then they modded it it also has Hall effect sticks and a larger battery

[steel tusk]

Oh good deal.

[lament rock]

Can't wait for tomorrow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGKtY-vdvfY

[steel tusk]

I’m very excited!! 😄

[hearty tinsel]

SUB TO CRYSTAL!!!

https://www.youtube.com/@crystal_is_cozy

Do it! Free Stubb Nubbs

[wild sequoia]

I can't help, I'm already subbed

[steel tusk]

thanks for watching the podcast today, everyone. You’re all so kind and wonderful 💕

[steel tusk]

Okay, real talk, friends.

Don't mod anything ever.

It's just going to make you want to mod more things

Don't make the same mistakes Crystal made

[rain vector]

I'll tell that to the moderators

[wild sequoia]

What are you modding? 😀

[steel tusk]

First I modded a GBC

and now I'm modding ... two dmg gameboys

who knows when it will end?

[steel tusk]

https://youtu.be/SLselM2ozZc - I made a video! If you're interested in my favorite cozy retro games, please give it a watch?

[scenic needle]

That was a great video, and it got me to finally try Mario's Picross! I had always been curious about it but never could wrap my head around how to play, but you made it sound easy to understand and relaxing so I went and did the tutorial then spent the past 20 minutes playing the easy levels ^_^

I've always been a big fan of Game Boy and Game Boy Color games for relaxing and unwinding, so here's some of my personal favorites, most of which are puzzle games:

Game Boy

Boggle Plus
Stop That Roach!
Yoshi's Cookie

Game Boy Color

Battleship
Dance Dance Revolution GB 1-3
Harvest Moon 2 GBC
Hexcite: The Shapes of Victory
Monopoly
Shanghai Pocket
Tetris DX (Hacked to add in original Tetris music)

[steel tusk]

Oooh nice, what a good list of recs!

[rain vector]

Cool looking replacement shell for gba sp.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09WMGSMGY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

[steel tusk]

Great minds think alike, that is the shell I picked when I got Dyl to do my gba sp ❤️

Isn’t it absolutely beautiful?

[wild sequoia]

I added cattrap and mario's picross to my to-play ROMs list thanks to the video!

[steel tusk]

I hope you enjoy them!! 😄 thanks so much for watching

[hearty tinsel]

Catrap is awesome

[wild sequoia]

no u r

https://tenor.com/view/we-got-him-john-oliver-gif-10407619

[steel tusk]

Dad is awesome 😄

[steel tusk]

If you ever doubted your metroidvania-ing abilities, be prepared to feel good about yourself, friends. https://www.youtube.com/live/jjHnFdQHfMk

[regal dove]

So listening to the podcast and TIL that death is apparently very cozy.

[wild sequoia]

Today is a good day to be cozy!

[regal dove]

Hah that was a Klingon joke!

[hearty tinsel]

https://tenor.com/view/shy-bashful-flirt-smile-smirk-gif-13064653

[hearty tinsel]

https://tenor.com/view/no-u-keanu-reeves-no-you-you-pointing-gif-16078064

[regal dove]

@steel tusk May or may not be making some Pokémon for you.

[steel tusk]

Omg cute

Also OMG you guys

I ordered a nut from @tired sorrel and it came with ALL THIS

Alsajdhfhdkssnf

[tired sorrel]

[steel tusk]

This is so neat and Ik so glad to have pink cheese to go along with my pink everything else

Also??? TETRIS

[tired sorrel]

Tetris

[steel tusk]

Thank you so much 😭

This is so neat?!

[tired sorrel]

Just be glad I didn't send you a lamp

[steel tusk]

I saw the box and was like, “how big is this nut??”

Also the green fidget thing is going to entertain me for so many many minutes

Sorry my desktop mat is covered coffee stains loll

[regal dove]

This makes me happy.

[tired sorrel]

I need to make another one for myself

[steel tusk]

Me too ❤️

[steel tusk]

Is it reasonable to mod two dmg gameboys at once so one could have a gray of version to play just Tetris on, and a snazzy pink one to play all the other games? 😂 asking for a friend.

[hearty tinsel]

Wowwww that looks so good

[regal dove]

So cozy.

[wild sequoia]

Now that I'm playing Mario's Picross on the GB, I've got to say that there are a surprising number of levels where I can't tell what the thing is until it labels the picture

And then it's like "Oh, I guess it's a shoe. Weird"

Still, good game. I enjoy these puzzles

[steel tusk]

Lolll yeah

I think I took a picture of a few because they were so random

But I love this game.

I like that after I while I will forget what they are and can play the puzzles again

[regal dove]

Would you consider Dave the Diver a cozy game?

[steel tusk]

Yes! 😄

So cozy to get chased by sea monsters

I think cozy is all about like ... the way it makes you feel when you play it

and not so much the mechanics

[regal dove]

Hmm….to me cozy means you can either pick it up for short bursts or get completely lost in it.

Like I’ll do a quick dive in Dave the Diver before the kids come in to set my mind right for the day.

But then I can also get lost in it.

[steel tusk]

yeah, it's really good for short bursts. That's why I find Terraria and Hades so chill

Literally any time you have will do

[regal dove]

I need to play more Terraria. I find it really hard to focus in that game.

[rain vector]

Sorry if I missed it. Did @steel tusk already discuss this?

[tired sorrel]

I still want the stardew one

[steel tusk]

ME TOOO

I want both of them

[steel tusk]

I really want this so badly omg

[steel tusk]

I love it so much. I think it helps to have a plan when you play. Like … either building a base or getting to a certain boss/getting certain gear

A sense of purpose is always nice

Except when you want to be aimless

[regal dove]

Gotcha. Probably requires a little research.

[steel tusk]

Oh yeah, it helps to know where you’re going. I’m going to eventually make a “let’s get cozy with terraria” video

When, you know, I finish all the other videos I want to make 😝

[regal dove]

I would totally watch that.

[steel tusk]

https://youtu.be/vIBehp_6SL8 😄 cozy miyoo mini plus buttons video

[wild sequoia]

Those buttons look stunning in that!

I have the purple MM+ and I just don't know what color custom buttons I'd get on it

[steel tusk]

they have some really cool looking metallic purple ones in stock, too

which are $10 cheaper than custom, I think?

[regal dove]

Watching now. Love the atmosphere of these videos.

I'm on the Steam store looking for cozy relaxing games. I need something for before bed. Like a wind down game...

[steel tusk]

Have you tried Animal
Well? It’s super chill for a metroidvania, all about figuring out puzzles and exploration. Also I really love narrative visual novel style games like Coffee Talk and VA-11 Hall-A, where you just make people drinks and talk to them about their lives.

[regal dove]

I would love to play a barista game....or even a cooking game.

I was thinking of Animal Well.

[steel tusk]

Both the barista and bartending game have really amazing soundtracks

They are alike really good bedtime stories where you also make drinks. It’s nice.

Animal Well has really good ambient sounds, too, and it looks gorgeous on an oled screen in the dark

[regal dove]

I'll give Animal Well a shot. Sounds like fun.

I might do Terraria again too. I like games where you gather things and use them to make other things.

[steel tusk]

Yesssss @lament rock and @viscid mortar let’s all do Terraria together.

[regal dove]

I'm totally down for a Terraria chill hangout in discord.

@steel tusk Did you see this? https://store.steampowered.com/sale/cozyfest2024

[wild sequoia]

Loddlenaut on that page is very cute. I've had fun with it https://store.steampowered.com/app/1644940/Loddlenaut/

Steam

Loddlenaut

Loddlenaut is an ocean cleanup adventure set on a vibrant alien planet. Play as an interstellar custodian who is tasked with cleaning up the pollution left behind by a spacefaring mega-corporation. Befriend local axolotl-like creatures and explore sunken corporate ruins as you revive the planet’s lush ecosystems.🚀 Explore an open-world alien pla...

Price

$13.39

Recommendations

1277

▶ Play video

[steel tusk]

I own that!! I haven’t played it yet, but I got it in a bundle not too long ago.

Super excited

[steel tusk]

I have!! So many cool upcoming games I’m ogling on that list.

I also own a lot of the ones already released. 🥲 Crystal has an impulse control problem

[regal dove]

Hahaha you're among friends here then.

[wild sequoia]

I have under 2000 steam games so I don't have a problem

[viscid mortar]

I was starting to feel like you didn't like me anymore. WUZ 'BOUT TYME GURLLL!!!

[tired sorrel]

Damn I gotta try Terraria again one day

[steel tusk]

Yes plz. Let’s play together.

[tired sorrel]

Soon™

[regal dove]

I mean we did abandon #1165143142824161301 so maybe we can just get together and play Terraria.

[steel tusk]

[tired sorrel]

RIP GNM we hardly knew ye

[regal dove]

We can revive it....and play Terraria

Also potentially Jackbox. That would be fun too.

[tired sorrel]

Jackbox while we play terraria

[regal dove]

Let's do it.

[tired sorrel]

[steel tusk]

Bahaha

[hearty tinsel]

You have to play Animal Well!!! @regal dove

[regal dove]

Yeah it looks good I have to give it a shot.

[hearty tinsel]

It's very chill, the pacing is excellent, and it's not overly annoying with backtracking like in a lot of Metroidvania style games.

Plus the visuals 🤤

especially on OLED

[regal dove]

Wonder if I can get it working on the RP4Pro.

[hearty tinsel]

I'd say yes since it works on the RG556

RP4 Pro has been better for Switch overall

[regal dove]

Wish I would get the Odin Mini in time for my cruise in two weeks but if I don't, then I'm bringing the RP4 Pro.

[tired sorrel]

Maybe I need to get back into trying switch emulation again 🤔

[regal dove]

I'm also bringing my Switch Lite.

Switch Lite, RP4Pro and maaaaaaaybe Flip DS but likely not.

[tired sorrel]

It'll be dead by the time you're on the cruise

[steel tusk]

The flip DS?

[regal dove]

Yeah it doesn’t have great battery life.

[hearty tinsel]

https://tenor.com/view/alpha-power-alpha-power-battery-batteries-battery-batterypark-gif-19843090

[prime condor]

@regal dove is going on a cruise? Why wasn’t I invited.

[regal dove]

I can bring you but you have to squeeze in my luggage.

[tired sorrel]

I know he didn't invite me either

[prime condor]

Ugh.

[prime condor]

What an asshole

[regal dove]

Wow that’s the first time I’ve ever been called an asshole and it actually hurt. 😭 You can have my ticket Adin just be aware Kyle is a handful…so is my wife.

[prime condor]

Lololol. Sorry if I really hurt your feelings

[regal dove]

Hahaha nah I’m just messing. 😂

[prime condor]

Sorry, I went too far there. What’s funny in my head isn’t always what works irl

[regal dove]

lol no really it was funny. 😀

[tired sorrel]

I can't make that joke because he knows I mean it

[regal dove]

I mean you have more reason than most to believe I’m an asshole. Doesn’t hurt when you say it.

[tired sorrel]

There's a reason I haven't actually called you an asshole don't worry

[regal dove]

Oh?

[tired sorrel]

Yes

[regal dove]

And that is?

[tired sorrel]

You haven't shown me a reason to

[regal dove]

Fair.

[tired sorrel]

[steel tusk]

I want to go on a cruise, too.

Sounds cozy.

[regal dove]

Will it truly be cozy with a 3 year old?

[steel tusk]

3 years olds give the best cuddles.

[regal dove]

True but they also do so many dangerous things and think it's funny.

[steel tusk]

I ....

I think I need an RG Cube

[wild sequoia]

If it was not android or not top-stick I'd be very tempted

[regal dove]

I'm getting one.

I'm going to get the black one because I'm basic like that.

Wait. I just thought of something...if the RG Cube is Android and has a 1:1 aspect ration screen, does that mean stuff will launch in portrait mode?

If so, with a keymapper, this could be the best way to play Super Mario Run.

[steel tusk]

I have no idea

But I'm excited to find out

[regal dove]

Me too

[rain vector]

Which colour would you get?

[steel tusk]

I really want the radiant purple

But also the gray and red one that Russ has is sooo nice

Like it’s got that retro vibe

I dunno. I can’t afford two, so.

Radiant purple it is, probably.

I think if I got something that isn’t the purplish pink one, people might question whether someone is impersonating me

lol

[wild sequoia]

I am curious to see what you think of the A30. It seems like such a mess. The very beginnings of some firmware/UI/emulator tweaks are starting to happen, at least

[steel tusk]

I like it a lot better with the firmware tweak by Jim Gray

It just looks cleaner and the menu isn’t as busy, plus retroarch hotkeys are more in tune with the usual stuff

I could happily use this for it. It’s not ever going to be like a comprehensive all-in-on device that I will use everyday when I’m lounging about at home, but it’s pretty great for taking in-the-go

I’ve been in the ER for 5+ hours with my grandma today, and played with it for a few hours while we waited for a hospitsl room to open up. (Still waiting lol)

[wild sequoia]

I'm sorry that you've been in the ER. 😔 Thanks for helping your grandma out

I mostly just want it to pretend I have a GBA Micro and that just means GBA needs to work.

[steel tusk]

Oh yeah, GBA works fine.

[slim mauve]

Sorry to hear that

Me waiting for A30 coming...

[wild sequoia]

I bought a TrimUI Smart Pro instead. I talked about wanting it for a PSP device in the past. It's also a great GBA screen.

[regal dove]

It’s a great device. I miss mine.

[wild sequoia]

I'm setting it up but not playing yet. 😆

I'm gonna focus on PSP and GBA. Any other thoughts on consoles that work well with widescreen?

[steel tusk]

Which colorway did you get, ET?

[steel tusk]

I’m really enjoying mine, especially with Knulli. I couldn’t get the new version of Stardew to run, but a lot of ports run well on it and it’s so nice.

[steel tusk]

You could try some portmaster ports?

Ooh or maybe try snes and N64 wide screen hacks

I’ve never made the attempt but I know those exist

[wild sequoia]

For now I'm loading up PSP games. I just discovered that there are two Yakuza games with translation patches available which has me excited

Maybe it's because I've never done it before, but setting up ports seems like a big chore

[slim mauve]

Black and white
I am not a big fan of the the colours. The black and white one seems to be the easiest to put a skin on it

[steel tusk]

Yeah, I wish they had fun colors like the 28XX

I also got black and white

[slim mauve]

We are on the same page about this,haha
I love my RG28xx a lot

Btw, are u getting the rg cube? I still haven't been able to convince myself to get one

[steel tusk]

I am.

I caved. Lol.

The purple one looks so cute. Even the gray and red one.

But I really love gameboy/gbc and pico-8 games.

Plus I think Stardew Valley might still be very playable on that screen

[steel tusk]

I really want to get a second white one so I can replace the buttons with some pink buttons that I saw on Japanese twitter. So pretty.

I only have the gray dmg one and don’t want to change that

[slim mauve]

That's why i am struggling lol.
I am mainly focused on things in 4:3 and 16:9

[steel tusk]

Hmm 16:9 might be stretching it a bit, but I think it should play 4:3 pretty well? I dunno though, it’d be a small screen, around the size of the Miyoo mini plus for 4:3 content, I think.

It is sooo cute, though.

I didn’t need it but I couldn’t resist.

[regal dove]

SNES and Dreamcast have some nice widescreen hacks.

Genesis too.

[regal dove]

Same. I'm hyped for this to show.

[steel tusk]

It’s pretty!

[regal dove]

Awesome.

[prime condor]

noooooooooooooooo! I am so jealous. Where is mine?!!?!!

[regal dove]

Kinda wish I got the white one now.

[steel tusk]

It looks sooo good. But the night I got it I did have a nightmare in which I somehow smeared it with red dirt and couldn’t get it off lollll

I guess my subconscious has qualms about the white

[regal dove]

Dedication right there….even reviewing handhelds in your sleep.

[steel tusk]

XDDD

[steel tusk]

I got such pretty stickers in the mail today aaaah

[regal dove]

Apotris?

[hearty tinsel]

The Frog for Whom the Bell Tolls is an awesome game!

[steel tusk]

Yesss. I think this is my favorite gba game

It's so snappy and fun

So I made myself a gba cart so I could play on my original hardware

with holographic label 😄

[steel tusk]

I haven't gotten very far into it yet, but it's so cute! It deserved a better cartridge shell and label.

The holographic one looks so good, and that pink cartridge shell T__T

I am very steadfastly resisting the urge to order holographic labels and pink shells for all my favorite games

but the urge is ... strong.

[regal dove]

Ok that’s really cool!

[regal dove]

How did you manage it? Are there writable game carts out there?

[rain vector]

Crystal may have used something else. I am familiar with these cards that work with the retro blaster mini

https://retrostage.net/?product_cat=gba

[regal dove]

I wonder if they’ll work with the save the hero builders reader/writer.

I wouldn’t mind making a few repro carts for my own personal use.

[rain vector]

Pretty sure it’s just formatted for the retro blaster

[regal dove]

Aww bummer.

[tired sorrel]

@steel tusk which GBA cart did you end up getting for this?

[steel tusk]

The one from Etsy that you linked me.

I think all the games need to be patched for saves, but for some reason Apotris works just fine

Which is ideal!

[tired sorrel]

Perfect!

I'm glad to hear it worked out fine for you

[steel tusk]

https://youtu.be/Ut-rFYj7MWI - Finally, the Odin2 Mini video! Please give it a watch if you're curious about how this compares with the original Odin 2.

[wild sequoia]

I don't have an Odin 2 but I think this review, and others, convinced me that the Odie 2 original is better for me.

But neither is in my price range.

... also I just bought an A30 for $27. Too cute to skip

[steel tusk]

I’m loving the A30 as a pocket device, despite the meh stock OS

Jim gray’s OS tweaks really transformed it into something much more pleasing

I hope you love it!! 😄

[wild sequoia]

Supposedly the other Custom UI option "Spruce" is pretty good too

I think Spruce does less to bypass the base UI and instead uses the main menu system

[steel tusk]

Nice. I will have to check it out. I’m due to make a review video since my unit is a review unit 😝

It is gorgeous and rhetorical controls are nice, though

[wild sequoia]

I'm barely willing to tolerate the lack of L3 but the price is right!

[steel tusk]

It’s great for what I’m going to play on it

[wild sequoia]

It will be a dedicated GBA Micro substitute for me, I think. The Stick is kinda just a distraction but it would have been nice to have L3 as a retroarch menu button. That's all

[tired sorrel]

Spruce does pretty well too yeah

[wild sequoia]

I think I'll start with that one once my device arrives

[tired sorrel]

Really simplifies things

[regal dove]

Spruce looks nice.

[tired sorrel]

Looks nicer than it tastes

[wild sequoia]

spruce v1.05 just released 21 minutes ago

They're moving fast

[steel tusk]

Ooh I wanna try it

[tired sorrel]

And I just installed my Spruce card again this morning

[regal dove]

Womp womp do better Ban.

[tired sorrel]

Prepare to get thrown overboard

[regal dove]

Do it.

[tired sorrel]

Doing it

[steel tusk]

lol

[regal dove]

I’m not overboard Ban you’re slacking.

[tired sorrel]

I can only swim so fast

[regal dove]

Swim faster.

[tired sorrel]

I can barely swim normally

[regal dove]

You’d swim faster if you didn’t save one hand for Discord.

[tired sorrel]

Who said I'm using my hand

[regal dove]

Bannerson!

Not here! This is a cozy space! I’m ashamed of you.

[tired sorrel]

What were you thinking of

[regal dove]

Inappropriate. That headset is not covered properly.

[tired sorrel]

What is proper cover

[tired sorrel]

That'll just weigh me down

[regal dove]

Proper coverings do that.

[tired sorrel]

That's why I don't need them

[regal dove]

🙄

[tired sorrel]

It's all in the eye of the Bee holder

[steel tusk]

Ban has been in the teacher’s lounge and knows how wild we get lmao

(Just kidding, we don’t actually get super wild in the super tame and cozy teacher lounge.)

[regal dove]

Wait teacher’s lounge?

[rain vector]

At least it doesn’t smell like cigarette smoke any longer

[regal dove]

I actually took up smoking when I was doing my student teaching because it was that stressful.

But I haven’t touched a cigarette in years.

[rain vector]

Proud of you for quitting, it’s very hard. My dad was a smoker for 30 years. Old habits are hard to break. Ok, back to playing Pokémon for me

[regal dove]

It’s weird I smoked but once I knew it was time to stop I just stopped. I didn’t have any of the addiction side effects.

[steel tusk]

Oh, I have a private adults only channel on my discord where we talk about, like, nsfw stuff.

It’s rather tame! Mostly we’re like “haha look at this funny sex joke”

[steel tusk]

Omggggg

It is so pretty.

[steel tusk]

Yeah, no kidding! My dad and both my partner’s mom and grandma had such a hard time quitting. Well done!

[rain vector]

Oooh, that is where the anime screencaps go

[steel tusk]

lol

I mean. We have an anime channel for that

[serene coyote]

That's beautiful and I want it

[regal dove]

Heart joysticks!

[steel tusk]

Aaaaah

Pink buttons how

I want that so much.

[steel tusk]

https://youtu.be/SC67Vm5rk_o It's been so long, but finally, a new video. Check out what I thought about the Miyoo A30! 😄

[cobalt shadow]

@steel tusk new micro controller alert! https://youtu.be/ERbrVPAL1UU?si=TML7zQN_7xehY_x-

[steel tusk]

gasp.

OMG

pink!! transparent purple!

Oooh apparently they have something called the Neo S which comes in really cute colors, too D=

[regal dove]

I have a Neo S I love it.

[cobalt shadow]

Same!

[steel tusk]

Nice. I would really like to try the transparent pink one.

[steel tusk]

So sorry I've been MIA, but!

https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxIz56iSXh8oxdaeROV9G-hjEK3PNUQi67 here's a YT community post with a Kind Words 2 steam key giveaway attached

if anyone is interested in injecting an extra bit of kindness into their day, I love this game concept

[steel tusk]

If anyone is working from home and wants some company, I'm doing a cozy birthday stream today where I just fiddle around with some painting, play games, and chat/play cozy music for everyone. Come help me celebrate? (https://www.twitch.tv/crystal_is_cozy)

[cobalt shadow]

@steel tusk 8bitdo have made their own solution to attach the micro controllers to phone screens

I know we were talking about this before

[wild sequoia]

Oh that's cool

[regal dove]

Oooooooh.

That might work with cases.

[cobalt shadow]

It will, its adjustable

Its basically a clamp

[regal dove]

Yes.

[steel tusk]

I ordered it, guys.

Surprise XD