The MiniLoong Pocket 1 is yet another Rockchip RK3566-based handheld, straight out of 2023, and appears to be an attractive but underpowered first outing for the newest contender in the Chinese emulation console wars. Details first surfaced on the SBCGaming subreddit from user Qinki001, and now we have an in-depth unboxing video from NITTRX showing it off in the mortal plane.
The hardware pairs the RK3566 with a 960×640 display, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. While modest by 2026 standards, this combination delivers reliable performance for 8-bit and 16-bit consoles, PS1, and lighter games from systems like PSP and Dreamcast. The lack of a second analog stick is going to be problematic for N64 and Dreamcast fans, though.
MiniLoong Pocket 1 (Photo Credit: NITTRX)
​
The Pocket 1 adopts a single analog stick layout and visually distinctive shell design, with a removable protective faceplate just begging to be swapped out with a custom-printed one. The device is also running it’s own (allegedly open source) firmware, and hopefully will support existing 3566 custom firmware’s with little tweaking.
MiniLoong’s first device is a late entry into an insanely crowded space of affordable RK3566 handhelds like the Anbernic RG-ARC and 353P, the Powkiddy RK2023 and X55, and a number of less popular devices. As of now, its only differentiating itself through design language, firmware and display configuration. For users that like their devices to stands out visually, it offers a compelling alternative to more utilitarian options in its performance tier, but whether it introduces MiniLoong as a serious contender is up for debate.
What did you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.
This news has me on the edge of my seat eagerly anticipating the unboxing.
Might get 3 of them one for each leg.
See? This is way better than letting AI write your articles. Nice job.
2023? Shouldn’t it be 2026?
It’s a joke because of how dated the specs are.
Cringe article title. You know that not everyone has 50+ handhelds and that not everyone cares about only having a high-spec expensive device, right?
For a presumably budget handheld, this looks like it’ll be an interesting option. It’s got a nice shape and overall design, and the dpad is something different that we don’t see on many of these devices