MY HANDHELD BLOG

Discovering the Powkiddy brand

October 25, 2024

A device I had to find my love for.

My search did not stop with Miyoo brand I tried 2 of these devices and it was time to switch to a different brand. This time I decided it was time to get myself a Powkiddy. I have to admit that I really like buying these handheld devices even if it’s a hit or miss sometimes. The collection is growing slowly this way too.

When I saw the Powkiddy V10 online it looked like a nice device and I bought it. This device comes with a firmware that is called ArkOS and that is a new firmware for me. I also ordered a Mirco-SD card with this device because I am curious what games Powkiddy puts on their Micro-SD card. I know that cards the brands have all have similar games but I always think who knows what kind of game I find and not know about.

My first impression was actually a little disappointed I have to admit that it was part my own fault. I thought I ordered the SNES grey color but ended up ordering the Khaki color how silly of me. When it arrived there was another thing that was actually a little bit disappointed. The plastic shell this device has feels really cheap. For example, the Anbernic RG35xx or Miyoo Mini feel sturdy but with the Powkiddy V10 it feels more fragile.

Something that I was amazed about it that this device does not have sounds buttons. Of course, you can adjust sound but you either have to do that with hotkeys designed for it or just simple in the menu. Most of my time on this device I do not play games without sound so I do not miss the buttons.

So, first time starting this device up. I was very interested in the firmware ArkOS it is my first time having this firmware on a device. It is quite decent and looks really nice. It did take me a while to get used to even if it’s actually not that different from some other firmware. For example, shutting it down is still the same as for example in Knulli you both have to go to the start menu and hit quit and shut down system. Still, it took me a while to get used to, not that it’s bad. I think it’s actually really well made it works and does what it needs to do. I think I am just a little bit spoiled by MuOs nowadays.

The unbranded micro-SD card that came with the Powkiddy is to say at least interesting, and not in a very good way. I saw some titles I never heard of for example Star of Kabi scary dreams 2. Turned out that was a Kirby game. When I started the game, the name made sense in a way but in the end, I am not a fan of the Powkiddy Micro-SD card. I think that Anbernic still wins with their Kioxia Micro-SD cards.

I changed the original card with a scandisk Micro-SD card and added my stash of games. I wanted to know if I still was a little disappointed after spending some time gaming on this device seeing if it would change my first impression of it. I mostly tried playing Gameboy Advance and Color games on it simply because I thought it would fit best for this device and I also added SNES games.

I can say that after 2 weeks of gaming on this device I am happy that I got it. It feels a little less cheap then when I first picked it up, but gaming on it is really enjoyable specially with your own card full of games on it. I mostly enjoy playing Gameboy advance games on it but you can play other games and emulators on it just as well. One thing that I was actually really disappointed about is that you cannot access Wi-fi without a Wi-Fi adaptor. I am really wondering why they did not build an internal one in this device. I mean for the price range you are looking at there are better devices out there then but that is just my opinion.

The last thing I want to point out on this device is the screen. It’s slightly larger than the Anbernic RG35xx. I really like that this device just gives the games a little more somehow. I can’t really explain but it does the trick for me.

For beginners unless you don’t mind a Micro-SD card with some weird names on it. Prefer a somehow bigger screen and don’t mind not having Wi-Fi without an adapter. You could buy this. Thou for just a little more money there are better devices with better cards in my opinion. For example, this device is around 45 euro now and for around 54 euro you can get a RG40xxH on AliExpress.

Till the next blog everyone

Alexia