I’m going to be a bit honest with you. When it comes to talking about handhelds on the RH website, I try to focus on a couple of things: Handhelds that I think are worth talking about, and handhelds that I enjoy using. Occasionally, I’ll come in and talk about something that’s a bit trash, and I’ll dog on it, but other times I just try to stay positive because it’s something I like. But what if what I’m liking right now is just a little bit trash?
At least that’s what I assume Stubbs is talking about when he comments on the “Game Console” MyMini. To me, it’s more of a mixed bag, but with a recent modded OS release, it might have just taken a step up towards mediocrity worth recommending. So let’s dive in and look at the MyMini to see if it’s worth your money.
Game Console MyMini: Specs
With prices being all over the place, I grabbed the “R36 Mini” or “MyMini” for $42, though you can find it as low as $30 on Aliexpress, or even more if you wait a few weeks. But for this price, you know what to expect. The Classic RK3326 and just a few other things come with it.
- Display: 3.5-inch IPS, 640 x 480, 4:3
- CPU: Rockchip RK3326
- GPU: Mali-G31
- RAM: 1GB DDR3
- Battery: 4000mAh
- OS: Linux-Based (EmuElec)
- Ports: 2x USB-C / 2x MicroSD / 1x 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions: 110 x 78 x 21mm
- Weight: 176 grams
Game Console MyMini: Ergonomics and Design
When it comes to design… it sure has one. What looks like a Miyoo Mini Plus with a single stick slapped on it is basically just that, but with an RK3326. That alone might make anyone upset, but to ease the burn a little bit, they also released 2 questionable colors and 3 good ones! Pink and Teal are ugly ducklings, but the Transparent Black, Blue, and all White models look really incredible by comparison. The only other awkward mark towards the design comes from the front LED in the bottom left. It could get covered by your hand and be ignored, but it could also just be awkward to look at.
As for Ergonomics, it feels a little better than the aforementioned Miyoo Mini Plus. Its buttons are in a slightly better position for me, and the shoulder buttons have an actual shelf I can rest my fingers on. The removable battery cover is ribbed for whomever’s pleasure, and the stick is in a reachable position for both thumbs. Overall, I’d say it’s kind of a win.
Game Console MyMini: Buttons and Screen
With the screen, it’s your bog standard 3.5”, 640×480 panel. Nothing special, and it’s not abhorrently bad. If anything, it’s average. Some might even say slightly above average in terms of quality.
As for the buttons, we take a bit of a downgrade. The stick is a clickable switch-style stick. Nothing fancy, but also nothing incredible either. The Start/Select as well as the Shoulder buttons all feature those hard-tensioned, clicky buttons. If that’s your thing, you’ll continue to love it. But if it isn’t, I’m sorry about that.
The face buttons and D-pad seem to be the biggest letdown of the bunch for me. The face buttons are small, stiff, but clacky. They really take a bit of getting used to. On the other side of things, the d-pad is a little scratchy, and I didn’t find the pivot to be great.
90% of the time, it worked just fine, but towards the end of a Celeste run, when things got intense, the D-pad would start to hang up more in right diagonals, making things a bit more frustrating at the end. If the controls were a grade, they’d be a C+/B- (See me After Class).
Game Console MyMini: Performance
This is one thing I really don’t enjoy talking about, especially since so many handhelds use the same chip. You’re looking at an RK3326, which means pretty much solid emulation up through PS1. You’re welcome to touch on Dreamcast, PSP, and N64; however, I never say buy it for those systems because there are a lot of games that simply won’t run well on the chip. But tinkerers are going to do what they do best and tinker with the thing regardless.
Game Console MyMini: Operating System
When it comes to OS options, you have one and a half/two-ish options. The first is the stock EmuElec 4.7 build. It’s fine for those who just want to get up and running, and it will likely do what most beginners want, but it’s nothing fancy. One thing that I will note is that it seems to be built into emmc on the handheld, as only the SD2 slot of the handheld is populated when it arrives.
Your other option is the route I went. Modded ROCKNIX. ModNIX? A couple of awesome people in the RH discord got together and made some adjustments to allow the RG351MP build of ROCKNIX to run on the My Mini, and then someone was kind enough to just upload that modded build directly into the RH Discord. So what can I say? It’s just straight up ROCKNIX.
You’ll need a dongle to get access to things like PortMaster, however, it’s going to work completely fine once you do that. Overall, ROCKNIX is the better experience and what I’d recommend. Just be sure not to get confused and put it in the SD2 slot. It does go into SD1.
Game Console MyMini: Final Thoughts
As a handheld, standalone, I think it’s a pretty solid deal. Especially when you consider the added value of a handheld with a replaceable, 4000mAh battery. Where the value argument starts to fall apart comes in at the 350 mark. Specifically, the G350. For the $40 BatleXP has been asking for its G350, it becomes a hard sell to recommend any other 3326 handheld unless it has wifi or is only $20. The quality and feel of that handheld is really better than its contemporaries.
Speaking of those. The R36S? I prefer the MyMini. Powkiddy V10 or RGB20S? I think I still prefer the MyMini over those as well. The only 3326 devices I’d really recommend over this one are either older Anbernic devices, the G350, or maybe even the MagicX XU Mini M, but not really that one anymore. We live in a changing market where handhelds get pumped out and forgotten. And unfortunately, the forgotten ones usually miss the love needed to make them good.
IF the MyMini can get that extra push to help make it a better device, I think it could be a solid option for single-handed RPGs or for Miyoo Mini Plus lovers who need a stick. But if nothing else happens to it, I’ll likely keep recommending the G350 instead. We need that Pink after all.
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