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My AYN Thor (lemmy.world)

AYN recently got in touch with me, asking if I'd like to review the AYN Thor in an article, and...naturally I said 'yes'. I've been super excited, seeing that there's a new boom in DS retro handhelds, hoping that this might mean a viable alternative to the older genuine Nintendo hardware.

I'll just give you a tldr here:

For me, this really is the alternative. There are some caveats, but they're so few, and those it does have really don't affect me much. This can handle all the consoles I need, I've been enjoying Wind Waker HD, MGS 2, Mario Odyssey and so many DS and 3DS games (Metroid: Samus Returns has been a blast!)

If you'd like to read my full review, the link is here. Plenty of pics in there too. I chose the white model, since it was the closest look to my DSi (my fav of Nintendo's handhelds!)

Regardless, this is a handheld I recommend if you can afford the higher price point!

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[-] pory@lemmy.world 2 points 23 hours ago

I know there are some cool new ways to run PC games on stuff like this. If you have them, how does this run the PC versions of games like Isaac, Gungeon, Slay the Spire, or Vampire Survivors? I know these all (or mostly) have Android or Switch ports but for one reason or another (usually mod support) the PC version is superior. I'm looking into this device as a lower weight, lower power alternative to a Steam Deck, so support for 2D indie PC games is a must.

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago

Yes!

You can use things like GameHub/GameHub Lite (a community fork which strips the telemetry), or Winlator. This can run far, far more taxing games than just the little indies. Tomb Raider (2013), Halo MCC, Fallout New Vegas, Silksong, Dave the Diver, Hades II and so on. There is tinkering sometimes, but its getting more and more impressive as time goes on.

Its up to you if you want to plan for the future and buy the 'Max' version (with more RAM), but for all that's possible now, the 12GB version (the Pro model) is more than enough.

It will 100% play small indie games, but remember some games are weird. They're fickle and refuse to work (I think one of the Deus Ex games refuses to play, I might have read that somewhere?). So it might be a case-by-case basis. If it helps, do a search for AYN Odin 2 (or AYN Odin 2 Portal) + GameHub or Winlator. They share the same chip and have plenty of users sharing their experiences!

Hope this helped :)

[-] pory@lemmy.world 1 points 13 hours ago

How's performance in Isaac with some workshop mods specifically? Locked 60 even with a bunch of crap on screen

[-] Hasherm0n@lemmy.world 53 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Hol up, DS is now old enough to be considered retro‽

Why does my back hurt so much? Unrelated I'm sure.

[-] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 10 points 3 days ago

The original DS released almost 21 years ago. Because of that, the patent is now in the public domain, hence why products like this can be sold now

[-] SnotFlickerman 41 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Damn it can play Mario Odyssey?? I am a little surprised it can emulate Switch games, but damn that's cool.

I understand why it's Android but that also feels so limiting in a way...

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 37 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Yes! It depends on which Switch games, of course Switch emulation is a slippery slope of diving into drivers, settings and builds. But a lot of games run well!!

Even more surprising was WiiU (since that emulator is quite recent on the scene!), and PS3! WipEout HD: Fury was fun to play!

Little edit: I've actually got an article on Eden emulator coming up soon, I interviewed two of the devs, and I'm writing things up now. So if you're interested in the 'main' Switch emulator being built and maintained, then keep an eye out for when I post it! You can just bookmark my author link here and when it's up, it'll appear there

[-] Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip 13 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

the bigger wall with switch emulation on android is that mobile companies are terrible at writing gpu drivers when compared to conventional desktop/laptop graphics vendors. its why for example the older snapdragon gen 2/3 outperform their newer snapdragon elite counterparts in emulation.

theres significantly more setup time on mobile because some of the jank doesnt "just work"

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 8 points 4 days ago

The Snapdragon 865 is the undisputed winner of all for the Switch, even now after so much time has passed. Time will change that, and the community is what drives changes, but it's definitely a unique scene!

[-] SnotFlickerman 5 points 4 days ago

If the SD865 is the undisputed champ does that mean that the Lite version is actually the best for Switch Emulation since that's the one that ships with SD865?

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[-] carotte 33 points 4 days ago

often I think to myself "damn, i should buy one of these dual screen handhelds to emulate 3DS games!"

…and then i remember that i have a 3DS lol

[-] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 31 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Review Sample? You're an influencer now :P

[-] DupaCycki@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

Looks great. I might be interested in something like that. In your article you mention it's running Android, so I immediately started wondering... how will this and similar devices be impacted by the upcoming 'sideloading' restrictions? And honestly, any potential future changes to Android's policies.

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

From what we know (its not definitive, but 99% so), its only for Google Play Protect 'certified devices'. And none of thes handhelds have that.

You can find the full list of manufacturers here:

https://www.android.com/certified/partners/

[-] BurgerBaron@piefed.social 11 points 4 days ago

I don't miss the crab claw pain trying to play with anything in the DS form factor and that d-pad placement looks rancid.

[-] yermaw@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

For sure you'd need to get grips immediately for it to resemble a controller.

[-] Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 16 points 4 days ago
[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 40 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

For fuck's sake.

Go and look at my post history on Lemmy. I'm more than established on here, as I am on Mastodon. I'm not a ad, this wasn't a paid review. They sent me the device and had no idea what I'd write about it. If it was terrible, I'd have said so. That's...how this works. In the case of the AYN Thor, it's just genuinely a VERY good handheld. I stand by what I've written. You would too, if you got one.

I loathe that you don't know me, didn't check my history with Lemmy, and just called me a paid shill. Fucking shitty.

As to reviewing this handheld and liking it. Its like if you got sent a Steam Deck, and gave it a good review...would you consider that an ad? A product which holds up to scrutiny? My findings seem to be pretty in-line with others who have reviewed the device.

Ugh.

[-] lightnsfw@reddthat.com 8 points 4 days ago

I would consider them giving you the device for free to be putting their finger on the scale at the very least.

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[-] carotte 7 points 4 days ago

half this community is "${game} released on steam!", these are just as much ads as this post is

[-] MystValkyrie 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I feel like in the 2000s before the monetization of the internet became the norm, people were more able to share their art and writing in forums. There were entire sites dedicated to grassroots art-sharing without any profit motive.

Yes, grifters exist, but we're all so cynical these days, not just at the corporations, but everyone. I miss people just sharing things with each other without any suspicion that dark money is involved.

I looked at the blog and it looks like a mere $182 changed hands for the month, and I assume most or all of it goes to Gardiner Bryant and not the OP. Is that comparable Instagram "influencers" hawking Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop in a paid sponsorship deal? Maybe this is just a person who was excited enough about a new console that they decided to write about it, and honestly, good for them.

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I assume most or all of it goes to Gardiner Bryant and not the OP.

I make no money from Gardiner's site, or any other way I've done these articles. They're just because I love to write and because I love the gaming scene. Thanks for realizing that!

[-] BobDendry@masto.fediverse.games 3 points 3 days ago

Absolutely beautiful looking device.

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

It is! I love how closely it resembles my (very loved) DSi. The clean white look makes me so happy!

[-] WolfLink@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 days ago

Does it have a 3D display?

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

No, Nintendo is the only one who managed that! This is just straight AMOLED

[-] Karjalan@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I mean... The 3D idea was pretty cool, and it worked surprisingly well, but I realistically never used it other that for fun occasionally.

I've just hacked and started reusing my old 3DS and it's great fun! Can download most games abs cool hacks/mods to modify them.

Is this able to hook up with the same software as 3DS so I could do the same on it?

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

You don't need that same software. The principle is still the same though, you're loading ROMs of games on there. The 3DS console method simplifies it because they created their own freeshop, but with this, you're going to load the ROMs yourself.

[-] spicehoarder@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago

That's not true, there are other companies making glasses free 3D displays. For me, no 3D is a deal breaker for a device like this

[-] nupo@quokk.au 14 points 4 days ago

Can they send me one to review too?

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 33 points 4 days ago

I think it's the history of my posts. I've been interviewing developers from programs and projects for a couple of years now. From Heroic to Lutris to EmuDeck, RetroDECK, Junk Store to things like RomM and Minigalaxy. These and articles on the scene...I don't know, I guess it's just because I've established my voice as one in this gaming scene.

It's not as loud as some, but it certainly was nice to have some validation that a company wanted me to review their product!

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 3 days ago

Great review, as always I love your content! You mentioned a higher price point but I don't think you mentioned the actual price anywhere in the review. Or did I miss it? I guess it's just a quick search away.

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Oh. You're absolutely right! I'm going to have to go back in and add that, somehow it just passed me by!!!!! Thank you!

[-] OozingPositron@feddit.cl 8 points 4 days ago

Does it have an SD card slot?

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

Yes, it does! I'm running all my ROMs via a 512GB Samsung card.

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[-] BJ_and_the_bear@lemmy.world 7 points 4 days ago

I wish it (or something similar) had a cellular modem for calls/sms. I would love to replace my phone with something like this, even if it’s a bit large

[-] Bane_Killgrind@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 4 days ago

Relegate all the telephony stuff to a smartwatch/earbuds pair and that would be great.

[-] HorreC@lemmy.world 8 points 4 days ago

I didnt read your article (I did goto their page on the device) but I was wondering to anyone that did, did they disclose what type of sticks they use. For this price if its not hall effect and we get drift (even tho I am sure they would give us better access to the sticks and we could map a custom dead zone to fix it) I would be upset.

[-] HorreC@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago

never mind I just saw in the buying text (not the specs area) 'hall sticks'. Sorry for being a dolt.

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 15 points 4 days ago

Glad you found the info!

For a handy stats sheet, this was included too:

[-] bitwolf@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago

What is the game UI you're running in the top picture?

Or is it a different retroarch theme?

[-] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Daijishō is the launcher up top!

[-] frank@sopuli.xyz 6 points 4 days ago

Super super cool. I don't have a need for this since I have a nice modded 3ds lite, but the youtube on one screen and gaming on the other is absolutely sick. The screen size and color depth looks great too.

Does it have an SD card slot? I didn't see it on their site but I assume so.

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[-] pat277@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

The temptation to get the 12gb model has been so bad.... I would love it...

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this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2025
491 points (100.0% liked)

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