The world of handheld gaming has experienced a remarkable resurgence, with enthusiasts and newcomers alike seeking portable devices to enjoy their favorite titles on the go. As someone with a deep appreciation for gaming history, the allure of reliving classic experiences on modern hardware is undeniable. When the Miyoo Mini Plus arrived courtesy of LITNXT, a company specializing in retro handheld game consoles and accessories, I was eager to delve into this compact device and see how it stacks up in the current landscape. My sincere thanks go to LITNXT for providing this unit for review. Their dedication to the retro gaming community is evident in their wide selection of products, and you can explore their offerings further at https://www.litnxt.com/. For those specifically interested in the Miyoo Mini Plus, you can find more details on their product page. My time with the Miyoo Mini Plus has been focused on exploring my personal library of games, aiming to provide a thorough review of this intriguing handheld.
Along with the Miyoo Mini Plus, LITNXT also included a few accessories. A glass screen protector was provided, which I opted not to install as I prefer the original look and feel of the screen and plan to keep the device in a case when not in use. They also sent a LITNXT-themed clamshell case with a zipper. While functional and offering protection, I found myself not reaching for it. However, another accessory truly stood out: the 3D-printed grip case from LITNXT. This grip case has significantly impacted my experience with the device.
Design and Build Quality: Small But Mighty Feel
The Miyoo Mini Plus immediately evokes a sense of nostalgia, its vertical form factor and button layout reminiscent of beloved handhelds from the past, particularly the iconic Game Boy Color. Picking it up, the device feels surprisingly solid despite its all-plastic construction. While the use of plastic is likely a factor in keeping the price point accessible, it doesn’t feel cheap in the hand. The device has a pleasant weight, contributing to a sense of quality that belies its size. The buttons are nicely positioned and offer a satisfying click when pressed, suggesting a good level of responsiveness.
One of the most striking aspects of the Miyoo Mini Plus is its incredibly compact size. It truly lives up to the “mini” moniker, easily slipping into a pocket, making it an ideal companion for gaming on the go. This portability is a significant advantage for those looking to sneak in some gaming during commutes or short breaks. The built-in speaker, while functional, is perhaps the least remarkable feature. While some might find it adequate for casual play , others may find the audio lacking in depth and clarity, suggesting that headphones might be preferred for a more immersive sound experience. The device also includes a convenient USB-C port for charging, a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio, and a microSD card slot for expanding storage with your personal game library.
Design and Build Quality Score: 9/10 – The Miyoo Mini Plus strikes a good balance between a nostalgic design, solid build quality for its price, and exceptional portability. The speaker is a minor drawback, but overall, the device feels well-made for its intended purpose.
Screen Quality: Small Size, Impressive Visuals
The Miyoo Mini Plus boasts a vibrant 3.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 640×480. This resolution, coupled with the 4:3 aspect ratio, is an excellent match for the retro consoles it’s designed to play, ensuring that classic games look crisp and clear. The IPS panel technology provides good viewing angles and generally vibrant colors. While there can be slight variations in color accuracy or brightness based on individual preferences and comparisons with other devices, the overall visual experience on the Miyoo Mini Plus is quite impressive for its size.
The device also features remarkably narrow bezels around the screen. This design choice not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also maximizes the viewing area, making the 3.5-inch screen feel more expansive and immersive during gameplay. The sharpness and clarity of the display make revisiting classic titles a genuine pleasure, bringing a new level of visual fidelity to games that were originally displayed on much lower-resolution screens.
Screen Quality Score: 9/10 – The Miyoo Mini Plus features a sharp, vibrant IPS display with excellent resolution for retro gaming and impressively narrow bezels, making for a fantastic visual experience despite its small size.
Performance and Playing My Games: Reliving the Classics
The Miyoo Mini Plus is designed to handle a wide array of classic gaming platforms from your personal library, ranging from the early 8-bit and 16-bit consoles to handheld systems like the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance, and even the 32-bit era with the original PlayStation 1. My experience playing games from the NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis eras has been smooth and enjoyable, with games running without any noticeable performance issues. The handheld classics from Nintendo and Sega also perform admirably, allowing for hours of nostalgic gameplay without slowdown or graphical glitches.
The Miyoo Mini Plus is also capable of playing many titles from my PlayStation 1 library. While the performance is generally good, some more demanding titles might occasionally exhibit minor issues such as slight loading delays or audio anomalies. However, for the majority of the PS1 games in my collection that do not heavily rely on analog controls (which the Miyoo Mini Plus lacks), the experience has been quite satisfactory. Games load quickly, allowing for minimal downtime between sessions. A standout feature for retro gaming on this device is the inclusion of save states. This modern convenience allows players to save their progress at any point in a game and resume later, a feature that was not available on the original hardware and significantly enhances the overall experience. The device also supports platforms like PICO 8, further expanding the possibilities for enjoying a variety of personal game libraries.
Performance and Playing Games Score: 9/10 – The Miyoo Mini Plus delivers excellent performance for a wide range of retro systems, with smooth gameplay and quick loading times. PlayStation 1 performance is generally good but can vary. The inclusion of save states is a major plus.
Software and User Experience (OnionOS): A Game Changer
While the Miyoo Mini Plus does come with a stock operating system, the true potential of this handheld is unlocked with the installation of custom firmware, particularly the highly acclaimed OnionOS. My experience with the device has been entirely via OnionOS, and it’s clear why this custom firmware is so highly regarded within the retro gaming community. OnionOS provides a clean, intuitive, and highly customizable user interface that makes navigating through game libraries and system settings a breeze. One of my absolute favorite features of OnionOS is its seamless “pick up and play” functionality. When holding the power button down during gameplay, the Miyoo Mini Plus automatically saves the current game state and powers down. Upon powering the device back on, it instantly resumes exactly where I left off. This feature truly embodies the spirit of handheld gaming, allowing for quick gaming sessions without the need to manually save and load states.
Beyond this, OnionOS also includes a convenient game switcher, which allows for seamless and rapid switching between recently played games, picking up right where you left off. This functionality greatly enhances the pick-up-and-play nature of the device. OnionOS also includes a convenient package manager, enabling easy installation and management of various platforms and applications. The ability to update the system over-the-air via Wi-Fi is another significant advantage, ensuring that the device stays up-to-date with the latest features and improvements. Additionally, OnionOS offers extensive customization options, including a variety of themes to personalize the look and feel of the operating system. Other features such as a web interface for managing files and the option for retro achievements further enhance the overall user experience. Overall, OnionOS significantly elevates the Miyoo Mini Plus, transforming it into a polished and user-friendly retro gaming powerhouse.
Software and User Experience Score: 9.5/10 – OnionOS is a game-changer for the Miyoo Mini Plus, offering a clean interface, seamless game switching, extensive customization, and valuable features like over-the-air updates and a package manager. It significantly enhances the overall user experience.
Battery Life: Decent Endurance for Portable Fun
The Miyoo Mini Plus is equipped with a 3000mAh battery. During my testing, the battery life proved to be quite decent for a device of this size, generally lasting between 4 to 6 hours of gameplay on a single charge. The actual battery duration can vary depending on several factors, including screen brightness, the type of game being played (more demanding titles will naturally consume more power), and Wi-Fi usage. For instance, playing older 8-bit or 16-bit games with moderate screen brightness will likely yield closer to the higher end of that range, while diving into PlayStation 1 titles might drain the battery a bit faster.
Charging the device takes approximately 3 hours using a standard 5W charger. It’s worth noting that some users recommend against using fast chargers and suggest sticking to older USB-A to USB-C chargers or charging directly from a computer’s USB port to ensure battery longevity. The battery indicator, while generally reliable, might exhibit some minor fluctuations or not always reach a full 100% charge. Overall, the battery life of the Miyoo Mini Plus is sufficient for enjoyable portable gaming sessions without constantly needing to be tethered to a power outlet.
Battery Life Score: 8.5/10 – The Miyoo Mini Plus offers a respectable battery life of around 4 to 6 hours for typical usage, with charging taking approximately 3 hours. Battery life can vary based on usage patterns, and it’s recommended to use standard chargers for optimal battery health.
Comfort and Ergonomics: Fits in the Pocket, But What About the Hand?
Given its ultra-portable design, the Miyoo Mini Plus naturally prioritizes fitting into a pocket over offering extensive ergonomic features for extended play sessions. For short bursts of gaming, the device is quite comfortable to hold. However, during longer playtimes, the small vertical form factor can lead to hand cramps or discomfort, particularly for users with larger hands. Many users find themselves adopting specific grip styles to try and alleviate this.
This is where the 3D-printed grip case from LITNXT truly shines. This accessory completely transforms the ergonomics of the Miyoo Mini Plus. It provides a much more substantial and comfortable surface to hold, making those longer gaming sessions far more enjoyable and significantly reducing hand fatigue. The grip case also offers excellent protection against scratches and scuffs, including safeguarding the screen when placed face down. Despite the added bulk, it remains surprisingly pocketable, maintaining the device’s core appeal for on-the-go gaming. What I particularly appreciate is its understated design; it essentially turns the Miyoo Mini Plus into a small, unassuming black box, so it doesn’t immediately scream “game console” to onlookers. For anyone planning to spend a significant amount of time gaming on their Miyoo Mini Plus, I wholeheartedly recommend this grip case.
The placement of the shoulder buttons on the back of the device can also be a point of contention. However, the 3D-printed grip case completely alleviates this issue for me. With the Miyoo Mini Plus in the grip case, my index fingers naturally rest on the L1 and R1 shoulder buttons, making them comfortable and easy to press, even during fast-paced games. The L2 and R2 buttons, positioned slightly higher, are also readily accessible.
Comfort and Ergonomics Score: 9/10 – The Miyoo Mini Plus is comfortable for short gaming sessions and excels in portability. However, its small size can lead to discomfort during extended play. The 3D-printed grip case from LITNXT is a fantastic addition that significantly improves ergonomics and protection, making longer gaming sessions much more comfortable.
Buttons and Controls: Responsive for Retro Action
The face buttons (A, B, X, Y) on the Miyoo Mini Plus have a satisfyingly tactile feel, and I’ve found them to be very responsive, which is crucial for the precise inputs needed in many retro games. The D-pad is another highlight for me; it feels accurate and comfortable, especially for directional movements in classic titles and fighting games. The start and select buttons also provide a nice tactile response when pressed.
As mentioned in the “Comfort and Ergonomics” section, the shoulder buttons initially felt a bit less ideal due to their placement on the back of the device. However, with the 3D-printed grip case, this is no longer an issue. The grip case allows my fingers to naturally fall onto the shoulder buttons, making them easy to use during gameplay.
Buttons and Controls Score: 9/10 – The face buttons and D-pad on the Miyoo Mini Plus are responsive and well-suited for retro gaming. The 3D-printed grip case has significantly improved the usability of the shoulder buttons for me.
Final Verdict and Score: Is the Miyoo Mini Plus Right for You?
The Miyoo Mini Plus is a charming and capable little handheld that excels at providing a portable gateway to a vast library of classic games. Its compact size and impressive screen make it a joy to take on the go, and the power to play games up to the PlayStation 1 era is remarkable for such a small device. The real star of the show, however, is the community-driven OnionOS, which elevates the user experience to a level far beyond the stock firmware, offering a wealth of features and customization options, including the incredibly convenient automatic save and resume.
While the Miyoo Mini Plus shines in many areas, its ergonomics might not be ideal for everyone, especially during extended play sessions. However, the availability of accessories like the fantastic 3D-printed grip case from LITNXT completely resolves the ergonomic concerns, particularly the accessibility of the shoulder buttons, and enhances the overall experience. For retro gaming enthusiasts who prioritize portability and are willing to embrace custom firmware, the Miyoo Mini Plus offers an exceptional value proposition. It’s a tiny time machine that fits right in your pocket, ready to whisk you away to the golden age of gaming.
