Retroid Pocket Nova

About this device

The Retroid Pocket Nova is a $229 Android handheld with a 4.5" 4:3 120Hz AMOLED and a QCS8550 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 class) chip. A true 4:3 screen for retro libraries, strong PS2 and GameCube, and Dual Screen Add-on support for DS and 3DS style play.

The Retroid Pocket Nova is the 4:3 handheld Retroid has been building toward. It pairs a 4.5 inch 120Hz AMOLED in a true 4:3 shape with the QCS8550, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 class chip, so the bulk of the retro library fills the screen edge to edge with no wasted glass. That is the whole pitch, and it is a strong one. The chip drives clean PS2 and most of GameCube, the AMOLED is gorgeous for 2D and pixel art, and active cooling keeps it composed under load. It also clicks into Retroid’s Dual Screen Add-on, which turns it into a modern DS and 3DS style two screen device. At $229 to start it undercuts the Pocket 6 while offering the more retro friendly screen. If 4:3 is the shape you grew up with, the Nova is the easy pick.