So while writing up a full review on AYN’s new Odin 3 handheld, one of my teeth decided to give up the ghost and deliver me with agony and trepidation.
Somehow I’ve managed to finish this one, but I also want to share that I’ve got a bunch more articles and things on the way. Some interviews with developers (one is a big program/project if you’re in the Steam Deck space!), some features, retrospectives and more reviews for upcoming handhelds too (the RG DS which is…going to be a hard one).
I felt like this needed to be a bit of an explanation/apology, normally I share my things here regularly but tooth time is the worst time.
(this is me, discovering tooth shittiness)
Anyway, you can either follow the link to my full review, or just go for my tl:dr here:
If you’re a first-time user of these Android retro handhelds then this won’t be for you. Being a Snapdragon Elite chip powering it, the compatibility with emulators and games is in its infancy. This will change in time, but for now…it’s simply not plug-and-play.
If you’re into tinkering, enjoy the setting up, testing and finding the perfect settings to make things work well? If you want to be at the bleeding edge of where Android gaming is heading (literally, this thing plays AAA Steam and GOG games. Its mind-blowing!), the this really is for you.
AYN sent me the Odin 3 Max version to test and review, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time. There’s some frustrations, but if you’re anything like me and wish you were around for The Homebrew Computer Club back in Steve Wozniak’s time - hacking and testing and trying every little bit to eke out the best of a crazy future of tech? Then the Odin 3’s a safe bet for you.
I hope you enjoy this, it’s a fair read, but here is the link to my full review!
So now, keep an eye out for more ‘regular’ articles and interviews from me, and for all that is good in this world, keep your fingers crossed for me when I get to the dentist. Ugh.
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I really like your reviewing style! I also had no earlier insight into arm handhelds. Very educational 😊
I should play Windwaker again
Ok, but what is your review of the banana?
Sadly that review will never be posted. Potassium isn’t good for me, due to an autoimmune disease!
So a 0/ 10 then?
I’m thinking the steam frame will open up pc gaming on arm completely and enable devices like this to go full power.
Its going to be a very interesting time with these retro handhelds when that happens. Still, its amazing to be able to play full AAA Steam & GOG games on Android before that even happens.
Its exciting!
Things like this are why I seriously think the next steam deck may include an ARM based version. Possibly a smaller, lighter, more switch like device alongside something more like a z1e equivalent device.
Steam Frame may do a lot for VR but also for ARM gaming.
My secret hope though is risc-v also somehow gets on the map.
ARM version probably wouldn’t play many steam games though
Edit: play them well, I mean
Valve would build a compatibility layer and likely try to provide some incentive for game developers to provide ARM versions of their games.
a compatibility layer would involve dedicated hardware in the soc itself, like apple did with the m series chips
Really interesting review, thank you.
When you say this isn’t ready for most people, is that because the software needs more time, or the hardware isn’t there yet?
If I bought one of these today, could I expect to see better compatibility over the next 6 months to year with Steam games, or will it still be mostly for Android games and old system emulators?
Really interesting review, thank you.
Thank you for saying so! I really appreciate that :)
When you say this isn’t ready for most people, is that because the software needs more time, or the hardware isn’t there yet?
100% its the software. Drivers just aren’t there yet, but they’re being actively worked on as we speak, so early 2026 will be a solid assumption. Most PC games I tried worked incredibly well, out of the box without anything needed. But yes, as drivers improve and release, that compatibility will only get higher and higher.
As it stands:
- PC games are the best thing on the Odin 3. They work so well.
- Switch games are a gamble, a lot work beautifully but there’s still a lot which haven’t got the right support yet. But my friend who is a developer of Eden (Switch emulator) was sent an Odin 3 Max to help with development. So that’s only a matter of time.
- PS3 is the same as Switch, some work, some do not.
- PS2, all the games I tried were fantastic. Played SO nicely, upscaled and perfect. But there’s still a handful that will need some of that community driver goodness.
- Older-older systems are fine in dedicated emulators, but in RetroArch, its a mess.
The hardware is phenomenal and ahead of its time. We’re just waiting for the support for the Snapdragon Elite to play catch-up now. But after spending so long testing it, if you’re someone who likes to be at the forefront of things, then it’s a solid investment. I’d buy one, if I wasn’t sent a review unit. But I have the benefit of testing for so long to come to that conclusion!
If I bought one of these today, could I expect to see better compatibility over the next 6 months to year with Steam games, or will it still be mostly for Android games and old system emulators?
Yes. 100% yes. Keep an eye on EmuReady.com also, there’ll be more and more compatibility reports for the Snapdragon Elite as the days and weeks pass, a good way to know if the PC games you love are running well. And you can always ask me to test out and try some games that you love most too, if you’d like!
That’s great to hear because, well… I’ve just bought one.
I’m so glad to hear my review helped! Youre going to love the Odin 3!
give up the ghost
Du bist entlarvt
I like a big screen. 3.5" doesn’t do it for me.
That banana feels like its cheating on the banana for scale scale
Aside from the config this looks cool
I bought a Retroid 3+ a while ago. It was an interesting experiment, but ultimately a pain in the ass to configure.
Ideally I just want to select a rom or game and play. I really don’t enjoy spending hours in settings and tweaking every detail to get a have to run decently. I don’t need AAA, but GameCube and PS2 would be cool.
Is that a thing? Or am I doomed to hangout in RetroArch settings?
GameCube and PS2 are a breeze to set up. I never use RetroArch for either of them, all you need to do is set the bios for PS2, change the input (AYN will automatically be set, but I find its better safe than sorry as it can make the odd error when configuring input for you!), choose your upscaling and go!
GCN was even easier, input and upscale, then play!
I’ll be writing up a thorough guide/games/settings post, I’ll find you an link you when I do if you’d like? But for PS2 and GCN its the work of 2 mins at the most on each :)
No RetroArch. At all.
