The Bittboy Pocket Go V2 is the bigger and stronger version of the original Pocket Go. It packs a larger IPS display and a more powerful processor that allows it to run even more retro games than before. Thankfully, it retails for only $60 so it makes for some serious competition under the $100 mark while staying highly affordable. The likes of Retro Game 350 have been chipping away at its sales recently, but the Pocket Go V2 still remains a reliable package that can easily hold its own.
The build quality is great for a $60 console. The large 3.5-inch IPS LCD is a nice addition to the last model which can really get you immersed. The emulation performance falls short compared to some of the competition, but this is not much to complain about a $60 handheld. However, we recommend grabbing some other device for PSP or N64 emulation. You don’t need to put much work into the software as it is ready to go out of the box, though it can be a bit dull to use.
Here are the specifications:
Display: 3.5-inch IPS LCD, 320x240px screen resolution
CPU: Ingenic JZ4770 Dual-Core 64Bit 1.00Ghz
Storage: 32GB built-in, microSD expansion available
RAM: 512MB DDR2
Battery: 2,000 mAh
Ports: 2 microSD card slots, 1 USB C, 3.5mm headphone jack
Price: $60
Pros
- Remarkable performance
- Easy to use software
- Brilliant display
Cons
- Small shoulder buttons
- Loose screen
Screen
The 3.5-inch IPS panel makes for a good-looking screen that is a delight to play on. The colors pop, the brightness is reliable, and the 240p resolution is more than enough for most retro games. The aspect ratio of the screen may not fit well for all retro games, but that can easily be fixed in emulator settings. The screen is large enough to get you immersed on the go.
The bottom bezel of the screen is larger than the rest just to fit the brand logo, but this is only a minor complaint and not a deal-breaker whatsoever.
Overall, the display upgrade over the last model is definitely worthwhile.
Design and Build
The screen is flanked by a D-PAD, a single analog stick, the usual XYAB buttons, and a trio of Start, Select, and Menu buttons. These buttons are not bad, but not great either. They are ‘fine’ with some good feedback, great size, and good placement which makes them quite comfortable to use. The analog stick is a new addition to the console. It is recessed into its base, but that doesn’t mean it’s not comfortable to use. The stick is a bit stiff when the console is fresh out of the box, but a few weeks of use can easily loosen it up.
Many of the best handheld consoles lack four shoulder buttons, but the Pocket Go V2 is not slacking around. This makes it great for PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64 games since they tend to require a few extra buttons at times. The shoulder buttons work great, though people with larger fingers may keep pressing the wrong button by accident, which takes some time to get used to. But this is only a minor complaint yet again.
The speaker is quite loud and very clear for gaming without headphones.
Performance
As mentioned earlier, the Pocket Go V2 is powered by a Chinese SoC called the Ingenic JZ4770. It includes a 1.0Ghz dual-core 64-bit processor. This hardware is more than enough to handle almost all retro games up until the PlayStation 1 era with ease. Gameboy Advance games run incredibly well and so do the ROMs for Neo Geo, SNES, NES, and all of the other older games.
You will see no frame drops or screen tearing in these games and the audio will not lag out either. Even on a $60 handheld, everything runs exactly as it should without any issues.
The console does tend to struggle with a PSP, Nintendo 64, and Dreamcast titles. Some graphically intensive PS1 games show frame drops as well, but lighter games are butter smooth. So even though Bittboy advertises PS1 emulation, it may not be ideal for a small percentage of PS1 games.
But for a $60 console, the Pocket Go V2 gets an A+ for performance.
Software and UI
Once you boot up the handheld, it greets you with a very basic UI that is common for most Chinese retro gaming devices like the LDK Horizontal and the Retro Game 300. It can be a bit dull to use, but it serves you well by organizing all emulators and ROMs neatly into different tabs and categories. It is pre-loaded with a variety of ROMs and emulators already, but you can easily add your own through the microSD card.
There are no options to customize the UI, so you have to live with dull and basic-looking software.
Regardless, the UI is very smooth and simple to navigate through, meaning all your items will be easy to find. The software is also ready to go out of the box, which gives it a major advantage over other Chinese handhelds that require you to set it up for hours.
Verdict
Overall, the Bittboy Pocket Go V2 is easily one of the best retro handheld consoles we have ever reviewed. For only $60, you get a great screen, reliable performance, and a solid build that does not feel cheap at all. The screen can easily get you immersed, and the Chinese chipset handles all games up to the PlayStation 1 with ease. The software can feel quite basic but it does its job well.
It only comes with minor flaws such as small shoulder buttons, an analog stick that is stiff at first, and boring-looking software.
But for only $60, the Bittboy Pocket Go V2 is a highly recommended gaming device if you’re looking to run up to PS1 games. You are better off buying something else for PSP, N64, and Dreamcast emulation.
FAQs
Does the Bittboy Pocket Go come with games?
Yes. The Pocket Go V2 is pre-loaded with a range of emulators and ROMs.
Can the Pocket Go run N64 games?
The handheld struggles with N64 emulation, so you are better off buying something more expensive for that.
Can Pocket Go play PS1
The console plays most PS1 games with ease but will struggle with more intensive titles.
