Elephant in the room? Yeah, the Project X isn’t a PlayStation Portal. Normally I’d use the word “inspired by” but the Project X retro handheld isn’t so much “inspired by” more than it is “outright copyright infringement.”
Coming in at just $30, the Project X is a super budget as they come. Its list of issues is long enough to fill an end credits scene, but in spite of this, the Project X manages to offer up enough that justifies its purchase. It won’t rival the best retro handhelds, but if you’re after a way to get into emulation without breaking the bank, or you’re after something affordable for the kids, the Project X is a solid place to start.
Design
Before I get into this, I need to stress there are a lot of things wrong with the Project X handheld. In fact, almost every element of the Project X has a downside. But, we need to keep that $30 price in perspective at all times. It’s super-budget and designed cheaply, so all these different elements need balancing before you make any purchasing decisions.
Moving on, have you ever seen those mass-produced $1 toys in random shops? That’s how the Project X feels. It’s sturdy, for sure, but the plastic feels, well, cheap. That’s going to be a running theme here. At this price point, you aren’t going to get that premium feel found in the likes of the AYN Odin 2 or even the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. What I will say is despite the trashy feel, the Project X is deceptively comfortable. The pseudo-PS5 controller fits snuggly into the hand, and while the triggers aren’t large enough to hang over the console, they’re still easily pressable.
The four face buttons offer up a decent amount of bounce, and don’t move in the case. They are perhaps a little higher than other devices, but it won’t be a problem for most. The d-pad, however, is one of the worst I’ve ever used. Not only does each directional button move in the case, they’re also far too high. I tried playing Street Fighter II to get an idea of how well those directions translate to specific presses and the results were shameful. Trying to perform a fluid quarter-circle input (that’s down, diagonal, then right) simply isn’t possible. Out of around 40 attempts, only one input was able to fully register. The sticks are an improvement and feel great, but again they struggle to register full inputs. Performing my quarter-circle input once again, I was able to hit one in every 20 attempts. It’s an improvement over the d-pad, but still rubbish compared with every other handheld I’ve reviewed.
It’s a real shame because the sticks actually feel great. They’re concave so your thumbs rest in the stick rather than on it like with Switch controllers, and the small knobs let you know where your finger is resting. The upside, if you can call it that, is it’s only really fighting games that are affected by the poor design. Platformers, shooters, and racing games all work with minimal issues.
Emulation Performance
The Project X makes use of the ATM 7051 processor alongside 2GB of RAM. It’s fine if you’ve never heard of it. I hadn’t either.
To put this in perspective, I’d place this combo in between the TrimUI Smart and the Miyoo Mini Plus in terms of power. What that looks like in action is up to PS1 is possible, although PS1 is pushing it a little too hard. I was able to play Tekken 3, but the sound constantly crackled and performance was anything but fluid.
If you’re after smooth PS1 emulation, I’d still go with the Miyoo Mini Plus ($70) or the Anbernic RG35XX Plus ($61). Both those devices offer solid performance but they are pricier and aren’t horizontal handhelds.
Advice: If you’re after smooth PS1 emulation, I’d still go with the Miyoo Mini Plus ($70) or the Anbernic RG35XX Plus ($61). Both those devices offer solid performance but they are pricier and aren’t horizontal handhelds, they’re verticals like the original Game Boy.
So, where exactly does the Project X excel? That’d be in 16-bit and below. SNES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and anything below run at mostly full speed with minimal issues. Although there is a problem with certain games simply crashing or freezing. Most work, but don’t expect 100 percent playability.
As for the screen, it’s super washed out so colors don’t pop as well as they should. That said, having reviewed other devices from the same price bracket, the screen quality is good enough.
What’s the Project X’s secret weapon? That same screen, while imperfect, is also the Project X’s biggest win. Normally with horizontal retro handhelds, companies opt for a 16:9 screen. While that looks great on paper, when it comes to systems that utilize a 4:3 aspect ratio, you’re left with massive black bars on either side of the picture that looks horrific. Where the Project X differs from everything else out there is through the use of an 800×480 resolution. That’s a 5:3 aspect ratio, meaning black bars on either side of the picture are much smaller and if you choose to increase the picture size to fill the void, it doesn’t look overstretched.
This is the first handheld I’ve reviewed that’s used this ratio and it’s a smart choice. Normally handhelds either come in at 16:9 or 4:3, so seeing one that almost fixes the problem of black bars on a larger screen makes the Project X a joy to play on.
| Project X Specs | |
|---|---|
| Processor | ATM 7051 Quad Core |
| RAM | 2GB DD3 |
| Battery | 2500 mAh (4 to 5 hours) |
| Emulation | PS1, MAME, CPS, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, NES, SNES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear, Master System. |
| Size | 20 by 10 by 2.5 (CM) |
| Screen | 4.3-inch HD IPS at 800 x 480 (5:3) |
| Storage | 8GB (expandable up to 12 |
| Output | Mini HDMI to HDMI |
Operating System
If, like me, you end up with a Project X that’s in Chinese, click on the settings gear icon, then the fourth option down is the language setting, albeit in Mandarin. Click that and then on the word “English” and you’re good to start playing.
I’ve played with a lot of different operating systems over the years, from Steam Deck to AYANEO and every version of Linux in between. The Project X’s operating system isn’t as ugly as something like the TrimUI Smart, but it’s also sluggish and generic. Emulators are front and center, which is great for ease of use, but it does feel like everything has been shoved onto the individual screen without any real care. There’s also a bizarre choice to have the ‘A’ button close a game when the RetroArch menu is opened instead of, you know, close the menu. Who thought that would be a good idea?
Info: You can access the RetroArch menu by pressing Start and Select.
Alternatives to Consider
- For people on a budget: The Anbernic RG35XX Plus ($61).
- For people after more power: The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro ($199).
- Best of the Best: The AYN Odin 2 ($299).
Verdict
The list of problems here is long: Cheap plastic, a poor screen color gamut, buttons that can’t register diagonal inputs, OK speakers, the ugly operating system, and I can’t use a fast charger to charge it. But in spite of a near-endless list of reasons to dislike the Project X, what it gets right combined with a ludicrously low price makes this device a steal.
Playing retro 8-bit and 16-bit games on this device is enjoyable if you’ve nothing to compare it with. On anything else, the screen ratio would be weird. But on this device, where the main focus is old-school retro offerings, it works. Pair that with a lush style of comfort and a solid battery life of four to five hours, and for that $30 price tag you get a lot to be happy about.
The Project X isn’t going to feature in anyone’s Top 10, but if you’re new to the scene or want to relive the classics, this is an exceptional starting point.
How I Tested
I ordered the Project X from AliExpress for $30. It arrived around a week later, then I spent three weeks testing out it out fully.
I discharged the battery several times to test for safety issues, and I tested multiple different games across a range of different systems and emulators.
Disclosure: Review unit purchased by RetroResolve | To learn more about our review policy click here. | Alternatively, click here to find out why you can trust me.
