Verdict: Strong launch deals in a shaky parts market
Retro gaming handheld deals on the Retroid Pocket Nova and ModRetro M64 offer launch pricing, bonuses, and discounts that look appealing before expected component cost hikes push prices higher for later buyers.
If you care about classic games more than the latest AAA blockbusters, both launches are worth a close look. The Retroid Pocket Nova lands as a 4:3, OLED-based retro gaming handheld, while the ModRetro M64 focuses on faithful Nintendo 64 play with FPGA hardware. The key question: buy now or wait? With Qualcomm planning “double digit” price increases on chips and Retroid openly warning it may have to adjust prices, current Nova pricing is unlikely to go lower in the short term. On the M64 side, the limited early-buyer USD 30 (approx. RM140) discount looks like the cheapest way to get its premium N64-focused hardware.
In one line: the Pocket Nova is a solid-value Android retro handheld today, and the ModRetro M64 is a justifiable splurge if you want high-end N64 emulation at below rival prices.
Retroid Pocket Nova: OLED 4:3 handheld with price stability promises
The Retroid Pocket Nova is an Android 13 retro gaming handheld built around a 4.5-inch OLED display with a 4:3-friendly 1280 x 960 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 5,000 mAh battery for long sessions. It is powered by a Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS8550 chip and can be configured with up to 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, giving it headroom for demanding emulation workloads and Android titles.
Pre-orders opened with pricing from USD 229 (approx. RM1,050) to USD 274 (approx. RM1,260), depending on configuration. According to a Discord post from the company, Pocket Nova units begin shipping starting with the Black colorway, followed by six other colors in rotation to clear the backlog. The same post notes that a pre-order bonus of a bumped back shell and tempered glass screen protector remains available until August 1, making this the best-value window if you are already leaning toward a purchase.
Retroid says it aims to keep prices “stable” even as Qualcomm plans double-digit chip price hikes but concedes it may have to consider changes later. Given that this device already “looks like it may be the go-to 4:3 retro handheld on the market,” locking in launch pricing plus the free accessories is a reasonable move if you want a general-purpose budget emulation device.
ModRetro M64: Early-bird discount on an N64-focused FPGA console
The ModRetro M64 is an FPGA emulation console built specifically to play original N64 cartridges with low latency and high accuracy, outputting at 720p, 1080p, or 4K resolution. It uses one of AMD’s Spartan UltraScale FPGA+ chips on a 16nm process, and its PSRAM-based architecture enables higher overclocks than some rivals to squeeze more performance out of classic titles.
ModRetro’s M64 launch is accompanied by a USD 30 (approx. RM140) early-buyer discount for those who signed up for the Early Bird Waitlist; these buyers receive an email with a purchase link and exclusive code redeemable on the brand’s website. Orders are said to ship immediately, though the company advises allowing a week for processing due to demand. At launch, the console, its Pro Controller, and four games (Xeno Crisis, Xibalba 64, Extreme-G Turbo Fusion, and Buck Bumble) are available to purchase.
In testing, the M64 feels like a premium product with a translucent shell and quality build, and it is more affordable than the competing Analogue 3D while matching or exceeding it with 4K output and overclocking options. It works with both wired and Bluetooth controllers, plus ModRetro’s own Pro Controller, which also supports the original N64 hardware.
Why these launch prices matter for nostalgic gamers
Both the Retroid Pocket Nova and ModRetro M64 are aimed squarely at nostalgic players who want affordable hardware tuned for older games rather than modern blockbusters. The Nova leans on Android flexibility and a sharp OLED 4:3 screen to handle a wide range of classic systems, while the M64 focuses on giving N64 cartridges a modern, lag-free home on your TV.
Qualcomm’s planned double-digit chip price increases put pressure on devices like the Nova that rely on its silicon, and Retroid’s comment about possibly needing to revisit pricing later underscores that risk. On the M64 side, the waitlist-only USD 30 (approx. RM140) discount is limited by definition and tied to early sign-ups. Taken together, these factors suggest that the current launch window is the most favorable moment for buyers who are already sold on the concept of a dedicated retro gaming handheld or budget emulation device.
If you are still unsure, the safe move is to decide based on your library: pick the Nova if you want a pocketable Android handheld for many systems, and consider the M64 if N64 carts are your core hobby and you want cleaner output than original hardware without paying Analogue 3D prices.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the Retroid Pocket Nova if you want a portable retro gaming handheld with a 4.5-inch 4:3 OLED screen, Android 13, and launch pricing from USD 229 (approx. RM1,050) plus pre-order bonuses before August 1.
- Skip the Retroid Pocket Nova if you do not care about a 4:3 OLED display or Android emulation and would prefer to save for a more powerful modern gaming device.
- Buy the ModRetro M64 if you own N64 cartridges and value FPGA-level accuracy, 4K output, and a USD 30 (approx. RM140) early-bird discount that makes it cheaper than the Analogue 3D.
- Skip the ModRetro M64 if you do not have a significant N64 library or would rather put your budget toward a more general-purpose console or handheld instead of a focused N64 machine.
- Buy the Retroid Pocket Nova if you want a budget emulation device that can handle multiple classic platforms with up to 12GB RAM and 128GB storage while prices are still stable.
- Skip the Retroid Pocket Nova if talk of potential future price changes makes you uncomfortable and you prefer to wait for longer-term user reviews before buying.
