Here’s the latest in my super long running series of developer interviews, this time with the team behind Cocoon, the Android frontend for retro handheld gaming systems (or phones!)

I find their team especially interesting because the trio have such distinct roles: development, UI/UX design and sound. I was so fascinated to learn early that they’ve even commissioned musicians and instruments specifically for Cocoon’s menu music. I mean, everything else as well, but that was taking things to the next level for me.

Anyway, it’s a super long and super detailed interview, so if you’re interested in software development, UI/UX, sound design, dual-screen handhelds, their history and how Cocoon is made, or just getting a behind-the-scenes look at how projects like this are done, there’s a lot to dig into here. Hope some here enjoy it :)

Thank you so much!

You mean why do I share a post in more than one community?

I prefer each community having their own post. It gives that space its own chance to shat about it. I just…don’t personally like cross-posting, that’s all

I’m glad you enjoyed her story!

Well now I wish that was a thing!

(Sorry for any confusion!!!)

This is a small interview (by my usual standards!) with Jiayu, a girl in China who runs MagiGamer, a business she started making custom buttons and controls for various gaming handhelds. Tech, but with a custom twist :)

She makes buttons for things like the Nintendo Switch, 3DS & DS handhelds, the Steam Deck and her recent favorite: AYN’s Thor (as well as the Odin 3), and more.

I chatted to her a bit for some quotes to use in my AYN Thor article I shared here yesterday, but this is the full chat, only because I love the work she does and how she gives people an option to truly make a console unique for everyone. I thought it deserved to be shared :)

There’s plenty of behind the scenes pictures of the effort she goes to, and detailed pictures of the handhelds with her buttons installed. I thought this was a fun little one to share, hopefully you like it too!

___

If you followed the link above, that is for the Thor Pro, which runs them really quite well.

Plenty of YouTube demonstrations if youre curious. It has a strong chip, so it handles them well. Not quite Odin 3 levels (SD Elite), but, really well. PC emulation is a big thing for these handhelds.

I’m pretty sure the official TPU case does a lot of the work to keep it even when it closes:

https://www.ayntec.com/products/thor-tpu-shell

Back when I reviewed the Pro before release, that was a main point of concern for people (well, not so much the force of it as you write, more how it all hinges on one center point to diffuse the force!)

This case is raised on the edges, so when you close it, the edges of the screen rest on it, rather than having the sides of the top screen not in contact with the base of the handheld

I hope this makes sense with how I am describing it

I am so excited to share my interview with her!!! She’s the best :)

Here is a link for you to EmuReady, a friend’s site where users upload their own experiences and settings for running games. I have already filtered it by AYN Thor Pro and only games which run Great and Above, on Windows, so have a look! You might get an idea of what is possible!

If you don’t have the Pro, then use the drop-down box to filter it to your Thor model :)

I hope so too! I really enjoy it, but as we all know, the prices on original 3DS consoles are just constantly going up (esp the ‘New’ series)

After all, this kind of dual screen device was thought impossible just two years ago, so there’s always a chance we’ll see some kind of true 3D brought in at some stage :)

Thank you!!!

I know this is a huge read, but I hope there’s some interesting things in there for you :)

I’m glad I could help!!!

(Nice to see a Swiff user in the wild, too!)

I had the luck to stumble across Swiff recently, a project that brings Flash games back to modern Android devices, and its developer NaviVani was kind enough to let me interview her for both this piece and an upcoming article.

Swiff is a really interesting project for anyone who grew up with Flash games, but also for those who never got to experience that super weird but also super creative era of the internet. In my interview, we talk about NaviVani’s own history with Flash games, the challenges of preserving and running them today, the retro handheld community, her love of the RG Rotate, and where she hopes to take Swiff in the future.

If you have any fond memories of Flash games, or just want to discover some of what the old web had to offer, I think you’ll enjoy this one :)

Are you running stock, or NextUI? I’ve certainly not had that kind of battery loss!

A dedicated Game Boy Advance console, literally designed to be a love letter with thumbsticks just doesn’t feel right to me! Luckily for you though, they make GBA-esque one with the sticks: the RG34XX SP

Here’s my own review of the Rotate, just for some context:

https://gardinerbryant.com/hands-on-with-the-anbernic-rg-rotate/

But yes, the RG Rotate is far more powerful. It’ll run your PSX games upscaled. This one has 3GB RAM, which is a far cry from the RGSP’s 1GB, so you’ll have the benefits of:

• Upscaling the PlayStation (or N64, or DC) games without an issue
• Having enough overhead to run whatever shaders you like. I only tried a few, because shaders are just not my thing. But they’ll absolutely be happier on the Rotate
• Enough power in the to run some fun Android games. I know, you’re looking for specifically retro, but it is nice to have options.
• It is also beautifully unique. I love the rotating screen. I just had another delivered actually. Anbernic sent me the metal one to review back on release, but I just got the plastic version for a follow-up article I’m working on right now! My most recommended apps, programs and some physical accessories.

If GBA is your dream, you just can’t beat the RGSP. If you want DC/N64/PSX without compromises? Then the Rotate is your answer. I do just love them both though, just for different reasons.

Have you tried Aliexpress?

From what I’ve seen, that is the option which saves the most on shipping. Anbernic’s own site adds way too much with shipping, but when they sell on Aliexpress that drops so significantly. I’ve seen a few users saying it is the way to go, so maybe it is worth a look!

Have you tried Aliexpress?

From what I’ve seen, that is the option which saves the most on shipping. Anbernic’s own site adds way too much with shipping, but when they sell on Aliexpress that drops so significantly. I’ve seen a few users saying it is the way to go, so maybe it is worth a look!

(And I totally understand, with those handhelds the power to run GBA games is well in hand, but the form factor of this RGSP is a beautiful nod to the original!)

If you’ve got some nostalgia for playing the Game Boy Advance back when it was the thing, then this might scratch that nostalgia itch you didn’t know you had :)