PC gaming handhelds are available in all styles and sizes now, however this N97 Elite from Sugar Cubes is perhaps one of many smallest that really works. Taking inspiration from the basic Nokia N97 sliding cellular phone, this intelligent system drops the total keyboard for easy gaming controls, and whereas it received’t be difficult the Steam Deck for energy, it’s a enjoyable novelty merchandise that has me very curious.
Most of the greatest handheld gaming PCs need to stability energy, practicality, and compatibility. That is the place the Steam Deck excels, because it’s removed from probably the most highly effective handheld in the marketplace, but it surely makes up for it elsewhere. The N97 Elite, as intriguing because the idea is, would finally fall quick on all three fronts, but it surely’s a pleasant journey down reminiscence lane for somebody who as soon as purchased a really related telephone solely to find how woefully impractical it was.
The N97 Elite is powered by the Snapdragon 855+ which is a six-year-old SoC and wasn’t essentially a frontrunner in energy even on the time of launch. It’s, nevertheless, nonetheless one of many higher chips for emulation.
This handheld backs up the dated cell chip with 12GB of RAM and a whopping 512GB of storage. As for the show, it’s a 4.7-inch panel, bigger than the three.5-inch show or the unique Nokia N97, that may be slid as much as reveal the fundamental gaming controls beneath. Within the Nokia N97, that is the place a full keyboard could be positioned.
It may very well be argued {that a} lack of ordinary controls, like analog sticks, means that this micro handheld isn’t essentially well worth the hand cramp you’ll endure attempting to play fashionable video games on it.
Reception to the system has been blended within the West on locations like Reddit, with excessive reward for the idea however heavy criticism of the execution. Even on bilibili, some video opinions have translated titles like “The primary product I remorse shopping for”.
My emotions are related in relation to the surface-level impressions in that whereas paying homage to an iconic piece of tech just like the Nokia N97 is enjoyable, the dimensions of the venture ought to have been addressed to make this handheld viable for contemporary gaming.
The N97 Elite will quickly make its strategy to markets exterior of China however its worth is but to be confirmed. It’s at the moment being offered for 1,499 CYN (Chinese language yuan renminbi) which might convert to round $206 or £164.
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