PowKiddy RGB30 review after 100 hours of gameplay - It's AMAZING!

*Read the PINNED comment about JELOS*
I was completely shocked by how much I enjoyed playing the RGB30. The screen is what makes this little device the beast it is.
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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License code: TAYVTWJ5NB3HJUIR

[@8bitbongo]

Hi Everyone 👋I'm aware that as of this week the JELOS team has stopped supporting JELOS for the RGB30. I had already finished filming and editing this video before hearing the news. If you order an RGB30, there's a chance yours will still come with JELOS but I can't say for sure. Even if it does, you won't be able to update it anymore so some of the bugs won't be fixed. In light of this news, I'm going to move forward on working on an ARKOS video for the RGB30 so that you can get a better experience with the console! I'll make sure to link to that video when it's published. Asside from the OS issue, this is still an amazing device with an amazing screen! Thanks for the support! Enjoy the video!

[@themarketbarber1893]

Thanks for the video. I had a GB from launch and loved it and this device is amazing. I flashed ArkOS 2 days ago and have been playing with it since but despite the JELOS problems I much preferred it so I've switched back. It works fine for me and my use case, continued support would have been nice but it works great as is so I'm sticking with it now. Regards.

[@8bitbongo]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve been using the latest build with JELOS before they dropped support and I’m not having any major issues either. Good to know that you have both options

[@CFWhitman]

I believe that JELOS support has now been restored.

[@themarketbarber1893]

@@CFWhitman has it? Source please

[@CFWhitman]

@@themarketbarber1893 The JELOS GitHub includes the latest version (March 13) for the RGB30 with no indication that it will be the last. The system automatically updated to that version after a period of time not being able to contact the update server when they first ceased support. I'm not one hundred percent certain that it will go forward, but it looks more promising than it did a couple of weeks ago.

[@donovevs]

Nice video, well done. Keep up the good work!

[@8bitbongo]

Thank you very much!

[@SkitWillStealUr7up]

Give this man more subs

[@seanbrent4245]

Great video!

[@airrunner85]

Brilliant review ❤

[@8bitbongo]

Thank you!

[@alexlandsbergs]

The sleep mode issue isnt a bug, its a limitation of these linux systems. this happens with every single one of these systems, miyoo, r36s, etc, anything that isnt android based anyways.

[@markthoel9437]

You can enable quick resume and change the power button to turn off at a tap. Then when you turn it back on it starts exactly where you were. Doesn't work for all emulators but most do . It's game changing. It isn't even in sleep mode it's completely off then quickly back into your game

[@hatherlow]

​@markthoel9437 is quick resume in retroarch settings?

[@wyatt606]

I had to open it up and add some tape to the d-pad contacts. Wasn't able to play tetris and other games like i was used to. Also looking forward to your thoughts on rocknix and arkOS

[@anderxale1]

ArkOS has sleep mode but you have to turn it on in the settings and then its a button combo. JELOS doesnt have a sleep mode but it will turn the screen off and some other high power use components by tapping the power button.

[@ZeiZei990]

inside retroarch audio settings is a volume gain setting which artificially boosts or decreases volume, if you want to fine tune it later

[@8bitbongo]

Thanks for sharing!

[@kayonji]

This video convinced me to buy the RGB30 a month ago and I'm loving it! Thanks a lot! P.S.: you can play the North American version of Sonic Adventure 2 and change the audio to Japanese in the options menu :)

[@8bitbongo]

Glad you’re enjoying it! Also thanks for sharing I didn’t know you could do that!

[@richfrommitch]

I had nothing but trouble with JelOS. Switched to ArkOS and it's be super smooth sailing since apart from the sound dropping out once. Upgrading the OS fixed that.

[@anderssorenson9998]

It would probably be great for the Supervision with that big square screen

[@sooo0kie]

I haven't tried direct USB cable connecting comtrollers, but I'm already able to connect multiple Bluetooth controllers and do multiplay on RGB30.

[@8bitbongo]

Which bluetooth controllers were you using? I was struggling to get mine to connect.

[@sooo0kie]

@@8bitbongo 8bitdo pro 2 controller. However, in current JELOS release (20240313) Bluetooth become broken so just try to use other version like 20240206

[@sooo0kie]

@@8bitbongo hello -- just some additional notes: the 8bitdo Bluetooth Ultimate controllers (designed for Nintendo Switch) doesn't work because when you connect to RGB30 they're detected as switch pro controllers and quickly disconnect. I guess the reason why 8bitdo Pro 2 controllers work is because when you switch the controller to Xinput mode it's recognized as an Xbox Series S controller which has the best compatibility with many devices including RGB30. Btw, I returned my 8bitdo Pro 2 controllers as I've noticed a laggy input (big enough to notice when playing action games,) I'm now waiting for 8bitdo 2.4g Ultimate controllers (unlike the Bluetooth version, they're designed for Xbox and PC) which I think will have good compatibility with RGB30 as they'll be recognized as Xbox controllers with low latency using 2.4g. I think it'll be worth doing a video to compare how controllers work with retro game consoles, as many people have mixed experience.

[@8bitbongo]

@@sooo0kie thanks for sharing!

[@a.Trickster]

gameboy advance should be a perfect 3x integer scale, that way it wont be stretched at all

[@adrianfernandez7458]

I love my rgb30. I just ordered the funny playing fpgbc kit. It’s about 80 bucks. It’s a GAMEBOY color build. Plays carts. With nice screen. Also powkiddy is releasing the vertical version of the rgb30 soon called the rgb20sx. So it’ll have that same screen but in vertical gameboy style! Just wish they got rid of the analogue sticks.

[@8bitbongo]

I’ve had my eye on the funny playing kit for a while! Might have to pull the trigger

[@nick2coo21]

It doesn’t play flash cards tho right?

[@adrianfernandez7458]

@@nick2coo21 it does. But certain ones might be a bit finicky

[@CrowScareify]

I have never enjoyed emulating DS until the Rgb30 lol any game with a mostly superfluous second screen looks and plays great. My favorite is Spider Man Web of Shadows

[@ZeiZei990]

you can probably chance subtitle settings to english from options in sonic adventure 2, in original english and japanese voice acting was always an option and i kinda preferred japanese time to time

[@8bitbongo]

True. Although I've played this game a million times I have memorized what everyone says haha

[@sandplasma]

I had sound issues as well. I had to actually go into a bunch of menus to turn it off and back on again.

[@JB-js4xi]

I loved mine after turning the front end music off. Omg that was awful. I also did something to completely lose my favorites file by accident.... This is indeed my favorite for GB, GBC, GBA and Atari 2600. I added all the 2600 roms from my flashback 9 SD card and was sort of proud since I'm not a techie. I also managed to add PlayStation roms I love everything else on it but those are great.

[@Youknowthebo]

Thabks for this video. How is the durability of this device? I have the anbernic rg35xx h and it fell from my couch from knly a foot height. And now the display is faulty

[@8bitbongo]

I haven't dropped it or put it through any durability tests, but given it's powkiddy and the materials are cheaper, I would be careful not to drop it. Especially with that larger screen being an easy target.

[@Youknowthebo]

@@8bitbongo thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know if you can port save states or save files that have been saved within the PS1 emulator for instance from an anbernic to a powkiddy?

[@socalrcguy1]

How do i remove the gameboy advance purple bar??????

[@Teapose]

I must have lost the Dpad lottery because it was unusable for me, nonstop accidental drops in Tetris Rosy. Quickest return in my life

[@djmajor1597]

What are your Gameboy settings? It looks amazing on here

[@8bitbongo]

I actually left it with the default settings lol I tried integer scaling but I preferred the stock settings.

[@Martin_Edmondson]

Hope you figured out what the "RIGHT ANAL... " setting was! Thanks for the review, there are so many great choices out at the moment. A Miyoo Mini + with this screen would be nearly perfect for me.

[@8bitbongo]

I would buy that 100%

[@HemantaRajkonwar85]

Can I use the sd card that comes with it without any problem?

[@8bitbongo]

Mine came with a Koxia one for the OS which is fine in my opinion. You'll need a second card though to load all your games. There are 2 SD slots, one for the OS and one for games.

[@HemantaRajkonwar85]

@@8bitbongo thanks for the information

[@JonathanVoyce]

They're sub $60 on aliexpress at this moment!

[@8bitbongo]

This^^ I recommend taking advantage of this sale.

[@andrewheale9170]

Wait, does it have games on it already or i have to download them from a computer?

[@8bitbongo]

Mine did not come with games, but adding them is a simple process.

[@andrewheale9170]

@@8bitbongo is there an option to get them with games?

[@BSky_1]

Why cant i use a nintendo switch usb c charger for this device, i tried and doesnt charge up

[@Tadcat]

Voltage probably

[@8bitbongo]

I would use a standard 5V phone charger.

[@BSky_1]

@@8bitbongo how would i be able to tell if a charger is 5v ? Or it will say it on the box when i buy it?

[@benjaminbjacobsen]

what game is that at 8:27?

[@8bitbongo]

Cave Noire, it’s actually super fun. It’s a rogue like game believe it or not. You’ll want to get an English translation patch for it though because it was only released in Japan.

[@user-ms9bd2hq8x]

does it really have mine craft or 3d games?

[@8bitbongo]

Old 3D games yes, mine craft no.

[@rudya.hernandez7238]

yours rattles a lot. never noticed that in mine.

[@8bitbongo]

Interesting, maybe I got a faulty unit. It’s loud lol

[@hatherlow]

Mine came without rattles, early ones had rattles

[@JonathanVoyce]

Did you name your pokemon nemesis "Butt"?

[@8bitbongo]

Yes, I always name him "Butt", I thought everyone did.

[@FloydWarren13]

You are selling yourself short by not using ArkOS. ArkOS takes a great hand held and makes it significantly better. If you love the hand held now, you will be mad at yourself for not switching over to ArkOS before now. It is super simple and quick to install.

[@piplup7995]

Rg35xx H or this?

[@bongoosebondman7065]

I would not recommend it as it has serious charge issues.

[@piplup7995]

@@bongoosebondman7065 thank you, as stated by other people, it has some build quality issues too i suppose

[@bongoosebondman7065]

@@piplup7995 yes. I wonder if rk2023 also has these issues cause I am looking for a good handheld on this under 100 dollar price category. I have steam deck and switch but owning a handheld not too much bulky but smart I what I feel I'm missing.

[@8bitbongo]

I haven't tested the RG35xxH, I wasn't aware of the charge issues but that is something I'll be looking out for when i end up testing it out.

[@piplup7995]

@@8bitbongo thank you

[@garyhilton656]

Why are we still saying “real estate” 🤢🤢🤢

[@marktepper3440]

Personally I think it sucks. The software is buggy and none of the N64 games worked. Impossible to connect it to the wifi. An easy return.

[@GaryCrant]

The problem was probably in front of the device or the device was faulty. Works fine for me