Tag: Retroid Dual Screen

  • Add a Second Screen to Your Steam Deck for Just $69

    Add a Second Screen to Your Steam Deck for Just $69

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Retroid dual-screen add-on enhances gaming on handheld devices, including the Steam Deck, despite it not being officially supported.
    2. Connecting the add-on to the Steam Deck is easy and reliable, making it suitable for emulating dual-screen games like those on Nintendo DS and Wii U.
    3. Games benefit from the second screen, with improved gameplay for titles like Mario Kart, although some Pokémon games have awkward menu navigation.
    4. Limitations exist, particularly for games relying on touch controls and gyroscope features, but overall performance is smooth and stable.
    5. Compatibility with smartphones is limited, with few workarounds available, reducing the accessory’s broader usability.

    The Retroid dual-screen add-on is a cool accessory that can be added to a Retroid handheld or any other third-party device, allowing for a second screen experience while gaming. Although its official documents don’t say it works with a Steam Deck, it actually does.

    Testing the Accessory

    YouTube channel GameXData did a test on this add-on. In a recent video, the YouTuber mentioned that connecting the display to the Steam Deck was super simple. It attached securely and had no connection issues, making it especially handy for emulating dual-screen systems like Nintendo DS, 3DS, or Wii U.

    Gaming Experience

    GameXData reported that games like Mario Kart really benefited from having maps and item information on a separate screen, while Pokémon games worked fairly well, though some menus felt a bit awkward. The YouTuber also said that the Steam Deck’s trackpads helped to fix some touchscreen scaling problems seen on external displays using Arch Linux, making the navigation easier and quicker than just using touch.

    Limitations

    However, not everything was flawless. GameXData pointed out that games with a lot of touch controls, like Pokémon Ranger, were still hard to play, and games needing heavy gyroscope controls could feel clumsy. Even so, the YouTuber called the combination of stable performance, the Steam Deck’s design, and its flexible controls one of the most smooth portable dual-screen setups they had ever tried.

    Interestingly, GameXData mentioned that the device Retroid specifically labels as unsupported could actually be the best non-Retroid handheld for this display. They also confirmed that Windows compatibility was good, which means that pairing the add-on with handheld PCs like the Asus ROG Ally could offer an affordable dual-screen emulation setup, especially when compared to dual-screen handhelds that cost more than $1,000.

    Limitations with Smartphones

    The YouTuber also pointed out that support for Android and iOS is a big limitation. There are some workarounds, like using SF Rotate on Android, but the lack of broader plug-and-play compatibility restricts the accessory’s potential for use with smartphones.

    If you’re interested in seeing how the Retroid dual-screen display works with the Steam Deck and other handhelds, check out GameXData’s video linked below. The video goes into more detail about the setup, performance, and quirks when playing different games.

     

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    Add a Second Screen to Your Steam Deck for Just $69

     

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  • Retroid Resolves Dual Screen Add-on Latency, Delays Shipping 3 Days

    Retroid Resolves Dual Screen Add-on Latency, Delays Shipping 3 Days

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Retroid Dual Screen’s shipping has been delayed by 3 days to implement a fix for lag issues.
    2. Initial assessments showed a significant 3-frame latency, which has now been reduced to “almost zero.”
    3. A firmware update for the Dual Screen and an OTA update for handheld devices are required to apply the fix.
    4. Some units may have shipped without the fix, but affected customers will receive a free cable for the update.
    5. There is uncertainty about the timing of the OTA update and no guide for manual firmware updates is available yet.

    The Retroid Dual Screen was meant to start shipping today, August 19, after a two-week hold-up. However, Retroid has revealed yet another delay, but this one has a positive twist.

    Lag Issues Addressed

    In an early assessment of the Retroid Dual Screen by Retro Game Corps (see video below), they found that there was a significant lag when the Dual Screen accessory mirrored the primary display. Retroid’s official statement clarified that the 3-frame latency was thought to be impossible to fix at first. Fortunately, their team has managed to reduce it to “almost zero.”

    Update Required for Fix

    To implement this fix, a firmware update for the Retroid Dual Screen is necessary, as well as an OTA update for the handheld device in use, like the Retroid Pocket Mini V2, which is sold on Amazon for $229. Retroid intends to update the Dual Screen Add-on before shipping out orders, but this unfortunately means a delay of 3 days in shipping.

    The manufacturer’s statement also hints that some units may have already been dispatched without the fix. Retroid mentioned that they would send a special cable (free of charge) to those customers, which will be used to update the Retroid Dual Screen Add-On. However, future orders will be shipped with the fix already included.

    Uncertainty About Updates

    The press release did not specify whether the OTA update for the handheld devices, which will include the fix, is the same as the one scheduled for this week or if it’s a different update entirely. There’s also no guide available yet on how to manually update the firmware of the Dual Screen Add-On. It’s unclear if the firmware update for the Retroid Dual Screen will be adequate for those who buy the version designed for non-Retroid devices.

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