Another Code: Recollection brings two cult classic puzzle adventure games to the Nintendo Switch. Containing both the Nintendo DS game Trace Memory (which was titled Another Code: Two Memories over in Europe and Japan) and its Nintendo Wii sequel Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories, this collection represents the very first time that this latter title has been officially released in the US.

Far from being simple ports, however, Another Code: Recollection offers two full-on remakes that don’t shy away from making some pretty surprising changes to their source material. All of the puzzles across the two games have been fully reworked to take better advantage of the Nintendo Switch hardware and a smattering of additional scenes have been added to the first game.

The biggest alterations are evident in the new version of Another Code: R, however, which is substantially shorter than its original incarnation. A lot of work has also been done to try and bridge the gap between what was otherwise two quite mechanically and thematically disparate titles, including a significantly changed ending that, while still very in keeping with the tone of the original, makes it very difficult to declare whether this reimagining should be considered the definitive version.

Short and sweet

Set on the remote Blood Edward Island off the coast of Washington State, Trace Memory sees you take control of Ashley Robbins - a young teenager who has traveled to the island to reunite with her missing father. She’s joined by her aunt Jessica, who promptly goes missing in the grounds of the island’s mysterious ancient mansion leaving Ashley to try and get to the bottom of things.

Armed with the DAS (a suspiciously Nintendo Switch-shaped device that can take photos and store useful tidbits), you navigate around the environment and solve a series of puzzles to progress. You’re soon joined on your adventure by D, a young amnesiac ghost of a former mansion resident, and the pair agree to team up to find Ashley’s family and recover D’s lost memories. 

While the DS game was played from a top-down perspective, Another Code: Recollection shifts the camera to a more modern third-person view with a full 3D version of the world to explore. It’s a major change, but one that seems like an appropriate way to help modernize what would otherwise be an unapologetically old-school adventure game. There are still some clear hallmarks of the portable format, however, like the small cast of characters and focus on compact interior areas.

It’s in some of these interiors that the new camera can become a little awkward, too. It’s extremely slow by default (which can mercifully be adjusted in the settings menu) and often hovers a little too close behind Ashley for comfort. Navigation is cumbersome when her upper body takes up so much screen space and, although it’s by no means a complete dealbreaker, it definitely detracts from the overall presentation at times. 

Dialogue fares much better though, as it plays out in charming visual-novel sequences with shifting manga panel-style boxes and chunky bubbles of text as characters go back and forth. It’s a pleasant visual effect that perfectly compliments the attractive, painterly art direction and greatly enhances what would otherwise be a plain barrage of text. The new addition of voice acting similarly introduces a more cinematic quality to most scenes, though the very occasional instance of less-than-stellar line delivery during major narrative sequences is jarring.

The pace of events is often extremely slow, thanks in no small part to the sheer abundance of explanatory dialogue. However, Ashley and D make for a compelling pair, and the constant trickle of new clues makes it very difficult not to become wrapped up in their mystery if you’re a fan of a more traditional adventure. With supernatural elements and a hearty dose of sci-fi, it all pays off wonderfully in a memorable ending, too.

 Pleasant puzzling 

Given how much Another Code relied on DS hardware for its puzzle solving, making particular use of the stylus and touch-screen, it’s not too surprising that Another Code: Recollection takes things back to the drawing board in this respect. There’s a good variety of mechanics in the changed puzzles here, including the surprisingly frequent use of motion control for everything from tilting a stuck key through a miniature obstacle course to using a candle to uncover a hidden message on heat-sensitive paper. 

These mechanics work well when they appear and the difficulty of the puzzles overall is almost perfectly balanced. Intriguing clues are hidden around the environment and there's plenty of optional character dialogue to help guide you.

If that’s not enough, some new settings do a great job of making the game more approachable. A handful of hints can be displayed on-screen at any time, walking you through each puzzle before finally revealing the complete answer - a great option to have if you’re entirely stumped. There’s also an optional navigational assist mode that highlights key items and adds a prominent compass around Ashley’s body that always points you in the right direction.

These are superb additions for newcomers that could come in especially handy as you move into the much larger environments of the second game, Another Code: R. Set two years later, it takes place in a sunny camping resort called Lake Juliet. You meet an older, stroppier version of Ashley who has been roped into a family camping weekend when she would much rather be at band practice with her friends. Things take a strange turn after she encounters a young runaway, however, and she begins to uncover a conspiracy that’s intimately connected with both her past and the history of the resort.

The more open structure of this sequel gives you a little greater freedom to explore at your own pace, taking in the lush scenery of the forest setting. Several new mechanics are introduced, including the RAS - a wrist-mounted version of the DAS that has you completing quick-time-event style code-breaking sequences to open electronic doors. Most of the puzzles are not hugely different from those found back in the mansion, though some stand-out favorites - like a segment that sees you trying to recover a floating briefcase with a remote control boat - offer more than enough variety to keep things fresh.

The approach taken with the story of Another Code: R is a little baffling, though. While it’s safe to say that the original runtime of over 15 hours was far too long, cutting about nine hours of content and dramatically changing the ending is a bold choice for a remake. Thankfully, the new story elements feel right at home and the cut content consists mainly of quite repetitive sections. However, it’s still easy to see why some might prefer the original version and, while it makes Another Code: Recollection considerably more interesting for returning players, it’s difficult not to think that newcomers are missing out on the ‘true’ experience.

Either way, Another Code: Recollection is still an enjoyable adventure with plenty of puzzles and a narrative that makes it well worth experiencing - especially now that it’s more approachable than ever.

 For more Nintendo Switch game recommendations, see our guides to the best Nintendo Switch games or the best cozy Switch games. 

A Highland Song is an enchanting platform adventure game from developer Inkle that whisks you through the Scottish highlands on a quest to find your uncle by the sea before Beltane - the Gaelic May Day celebration that marks the beginning of Summer. On the surface, it appears as a simple adventure that rewards exploration of its environments, but what lies beneath is a journey of resilience and self-discovery embedded within an immersive atmosphere that sinks its hooks into you from the second your character, Moira, sneaks out of her bedroom window. 

Throughout the adventure, you learn to manipulate depths using background illustrations like rocks or small cliff faces to open up the game’s environment, immersing you further into the game. In addition to this, the protagonist Moira narrates elements of the journey, and retells family anecdotes or stories that Hamish (her uncle) would tell her growing up. As these gently interrupt the calming music in the background, you start to feel incredibly involved with Moira’s internal monologue and once again sink further into A Highland Song. 

While a time limit somewhat restricts the completion of the adventure, you quickly learn that A Highland Song travels at its own pace. It offers something akin to the phrase “the world is your oyster” and allows you to wander until you feel like you can wander no more. This sensation is accentuated by the game’s day/night cycle and Moira’s limited stamina, but, generally, A Highland Song feels like an incredibly open experience.  

Keep to yourself 

The moment you take control of Moira running from her family home, you’re left to your own devices and encouraged to explore the treacherous Scottish highland landscape. From the get-go, one thing A Highland Song doesn’t deliver is any sort of guidance or handholding in terms of which direction to go in, and while this is frustrating at first since the twists and turns of crags and caves are overwhelming, you soon learn that this gets to exactly what the game is about - exploration. Then, once you’ve soothed the frustration, you learn to appreciate just how much detail is put into creating different layers for you to scale and depths for you to discover.

Even though you walk alone, the hills are home to several characters you can interact with along the way. You’re given plenty of opportunities to chat or ask questions, and occasionally these characters will help you by providing a map or unveiling a path you may have otherwise missed. Generally, once you’ve got either a map or a path from them, you won’t need to speak to them again. But asking questions does help develop your understanding of the setting since they sometimes offer fun slices of lore to help you feel more connected to Moira and her reasons for making the journey. 

There are moments when this exploration becomes incredibly difficult. You simply won’t have enough stamina to climb rocks and mountains at points, especially when the weather turns, and you’re yet to rest and nurse Moira back to full health. With a constant timer hanging over you, it can be aggravating to have to constantly stop and take cover under a tree or in a cave mouth since this feels like a waste of precious seconds. But, it is realistic. Moira is a teenager, and while she’s insistent that she’s hard as nails, even she needs to rest now and then. 

A Highland Song’s main objective - getting to Hamish before the celebration of Beltane - feels impossible to achieve in your first playthrough. You’ll get lost in the hills and simply won’t make it to the sea in time. However, you’re free to repeat yourself and retrace your steps in multiple attempts to make it with time to spare. Because of how relaxing the entire experience of trudging through the hills is, I felt inclined to try again rather than give in to frustration and feel the need to throw in the towel, which is part of the charm of A Highland Song. There’s no pressure, but you will feel a burning desire to succeed.  

A musical guide 

Although A Highland Song doesn’t provide a huge number of signposting, there are a few subtle hints that you learn to keep an eye out for. One of these, and something that’s my favorite part of the entire game, is a deer that accompanies you on part of your journey. Once you’re close enough to it, the deer will bolt, and you will sprint alongside it while music swells at the same time, triggering a rhythm game quick time event.  

As you run across the hilltops and the music continues to build, you’re challenged to hit specific keys or buttons in time with the music. These match up perfectly with the melody, making it all the more satisfying to ensure you’re performing well, but if you miss you will also stumble and fall, losing some of your stamina. You’re not punished for missing a beat in terms of having to restart the section, and you have a few opportunities to regain your rhythm before the event ends, but when it does end, the deer will dash ahead, leaving you in the dust and to your own devices once more. 

These musical interludes don’t make up a huge amount of the adventure, but you’re in for a treat when you do come across one. Generally, they’re a great way to tell whether or not you’re on the right track since a deer and an open stretch of hill mean you’re heading in the right direction. Although short, they connect you further with the game’s environment, and with the concentration required to hit each corresponding button at the right time, you feel intimately responsible for Moira and ensuring she gets to the next place without losing too much morale. 

The more time you spend with A Highland Song, the further into its painterly landscape you’ll sink. It’s an incredibly easy game to lose yourself in for hours at a time, with its gorgeous environments, well-paced narration, and gentle musical accompaniment. Mixing this with the laid-back gameplay, rather than pressuring you to complete the journey in a restrictive timeframe, is what helps A Highland Song really shine. Although elements of its exploration are frustrating, and you will lose your way at first, there’s enough charm in A Highland Song to keep you coming back for more to see what secrets you might uncover next.  

We’ve got a list of the best indie games if you’re looking for alternative adventures to lose yourself in. We’ve also got a list of the best cozy Nintendo Switch games which might point you in the direction of another relaxing experience too.  

The Nintendo Switch is no stranger when it comes to fun controllers and accessories, and PDP is usually the brand behind the majority of the eye-catching designs. With products like the PDP Rematch Glow boasting a beautiful Mario-inspired aesthetic, and the Rock Candy series offering translucent casings spotlighting some of your favorite characters, the company offers budget-friendly controllers that would work just as well as display pieces as they do practical hardware. 

So it comes as no surprise that the PDP REALMz series follows in hot pursuit, offering the first look at a set of collectible clear controllers with tiny figures embedded in and layered, thematic designs inside. This gamepad is certainly a visual treat, and while the selling point for many will be the appearance, it’s hard to fault its performance, especially as a budget-friendly controller - and we've spent a lot of time with the best Nintendo Switch controllers. It’s responsive, simple to set up, and feels good to use with solid sticks and buttons, despite not boasting any fancy or 'pro' features.

But, with all budget-friendly products, it's important to remember that certain features - especially on the Nintendo Switch - have been ruled out. The PDP REALMz controller doesn’t have gyro controls, which could be pretty integral for someone who utilizes this ability in games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Splatoon 3. Nor does it host any rumble features which diminishes its feature set slightly for more casual players. But, generally, it’s still a surprisingly decent controller given how heavily it leans on the singular selling point of its excellent aesthetic. 

Price and availability

The PDP REALMz Sonic controller is available for purchase right now for $39.99 / £34.99 from a variety of retailers. Players in the US will be able to purchase it through the official PDP store, or places like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. In the UK, it’s available to buy from popular online retailers like Argos and Amazon. Alongside the Sonic design, Knuckles and Tails are also in the Sonic range, and a leafy green Pikmin controller is also available.

Compared to other PDP controllers available, and alongside other competitors in the market such as PowerA, the REALMz controller is only slightly more expensive than its fellow budget-friendly alternatives. For example, a wired PowerA controller with a special design will usually cost around $27.99 / £20.99, but I’ve always found the designs to be a little too vivid and the decals scratch off fairly easily. The build quality alone is enough to set the PDP REALMz collection above other offerings. And, for its collectible nature and solid performance, it’s a fantastic controller to add to your bank of gamepads and makes for a great talking point if you’re an avid collector of all things Sonic. 

Design and features

The main appeal of the PDP REALMz Sonic controller is its design. Boasting a clear shell with a multi-layered print of the iconic Green Hill Zone, it’s an impressive-looking piece of hardware. The print doesn’t feel as though it can be scratched off easily, which is helped by the multi-layered design being concealed behind the plastic shell.

The left grip contains a small Sonic figure which highlights the quirky collectible side of the series, which also goes for the other controllers containing Tails and Knuckles - so there is an incentive to collect them all. Even though it does lean on the gimmicky side with its appearance, it’s pretty enough to add to your collection.

When in use, the controller also features some white lights to help spotlight its design. The color of these lights can’t be changed, unlike controllers like the GameSir T4 Kaleid and the Gioteck SC3 Pro, but they’re effective in tying together the aesthetic. You can, however, increase or decrease the brightness with the use of the face buttons, but that’s it in terms of personalization. 

Outside of its design, the features of the controller follow the routine of everything you’d expect from a budget pad. The build quality is decent, with the plastic shell offering a sturdy form factor. The bright red buttons and thumbsticks stand out nicely, too. Given its collectible gimmick, you’d expect quality to be sacrificed in favor of the design, but generally, the PDP REALMz controller offers an overall solid design.

Performance

There isn’t much to fault when it comes to the performance of the PDP REALMz controller either. It isn’t trying to usurp the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, so don’t expect a wealth of ancillary features, but that’s not to say its performance doesn’t meet our expectations for a PDP controller. 

Its wired connection means you don’t have to worry about battery life when in use. The included cable is 6.5ft (2m), which is more than enough length for you to sit a comfortable distance away from your setup too. 

Occasionally the all-plastic build does feel cheap, mostly felt through its face and directional buttons. But when in use you don’t think about the weight and feeling of the buttons since the overall quality of the controller is good enough. Generally, buttons feel responsive and satisfyingly clicky which is especially noticeable when you’re repeatedly pressing them. 

The only real drawbacks I found with the controller are the lack of rumble, which isn’t essential but adds to a game’s immersion, and no gyro aiming. With that said a lot of third-party controllers lack both of these features for the Nintendo Switch, and the absence of them doesn't wreck the entire experience. So, even though it’s not offering groundbreaking performance, it’s perfectly solid given its price. 

SHOULD I BUY THE PDP REALMZ SONIC NINTENDO SWITCH WIRED CONTROLLER?

Generally, if you’re looking for a controller to add to your setup that boasts an impressive design without breaking the bank or offering any excessive lighting and features, then the PDP REALMz is well worth considering. It’s not the cheapest controller for the system, but it is a fantastic choice for anyone with a love for Sonic and charming hardware. It makes a perfect gift for younger players, and a great conversation starter for collectors of all ages, but generally - it’s another hit from PDP even if it won’t be your primary controller for the console.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the PDP REALMz Sonic controller

I tested the PDP REALMz Sonic wired controller with my Nintendo Switch OLED over a few weeks, using it for multiple games on the system including Key-We, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Bubble Bobble, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I'm used to using wireless controllers during play sessions with the Nintendo Switch, be it through the Joy-Con or third-party products like the Gioteck WX4 wireless controller, so it was a refreshing change of pace to not have to worry about the battery life, too. In addition to this, with my longest one-sitting session running about four hours, I can happily say the PDP REALMz controller never felt uncomfortable, unlike the Joy-Con usually would during a session this long. 

For a more general guide to making the most out of your Nintendo Switch, you might want to check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch accessories. However, if you find yourself constantly on the go, you might want to check out the best Nintendo Switch carry cases too. 

Building on the great work of its predecessor, the Ayn Odin 2 arrives as the premier handheld games console for anyone looking for an Android-based gaming device. It improves upon the original Ayn Odin in almost every way, from its faster chipset to its more ergonomic controls - not to mention capitalizing on the broader growth of Android as a gaming platform. 

With the full Android app store at your disposal, the Odin 2 lets you tap into pretty much every conceivable aspect of gaming: whether you’re looking to stream from Xbox Game Pass, or fire up an old-school classic with emulators, it’s only limited by your patience to learn the intricacies of, and configure, varying gaming applications. 

And that’s even before considering all the other handy Android things it can do, from streaming Netflix to browsing the web. There’s a lot to love - and a lot to get through, so let’s crack on with what makes it so great. 

Ayn Odin 2 review - Price and availability

Like its very popular predecessor, the Ayn Odin 2 has been fully funded via an IndieGogo campaign. It's still available to order ahead of mass production, with early backers set to receive their units in December 2023, before it goes on general release.

The Ayn Odin 2 comes in three different configurations, with each also available currently at a pre-release early bird pricing. Here’s a rundown of every model and pricing level:

• Odin 2 Base: 8GB RAM / 128GB storage, $332 / £274 (Early Bird pricing $294 / £242)
• Odin 2 Pro: 12GB RAM / 256GB storage, $435 / £358 (Early Bird pricing $371 / £306)
• Odin 2 Pro: 16GB RAM / 512GB storage, $511 / £422 (Early Bird pricing $447 / £369)

Five color schemes are available: a Wii-like white, a SNES-like grey with purple buttons, an all-black model, plus purple and blue transparent options. All other specs remain the same across all three models.

For this review, we’re looking at the Odin 2 Pro, the middle-of-the-range option. We’d say this is the sweet spot here for price to performance - while more storage is always welcome, you’ll be hard-pressed to find Android gaming experiences that take advantage of the 16GB of RAM found in the Max model.

The Ayn Odin 2 is on the premium end of the scale for Android devices of this kind but is priced favorably against similarly-spec’d Android smartphones, and doesn’t look too bad against the attractively-priced Steam Deck either - though that Linux-based PC gaming device, while serving a similarly entertaining purpose, is quite a different proposition in practice.

In addition, Ayn offers a ‘Super Dock’, a USB-C dock ($64 / £53) for hooking up external displays and controllers. However, a standard USB-C dock gets the job done just as well.

Ayn Odin 2 review - Design and features

The Ayn Odin 2 is, effectively, an Android phone wrapped in a gaming controller. That’s not as unusual a concept as it was when the original Ayn Odin launched in early 2022, with many rivals (such as the Anbernic RG552) and controller grips for your smartphone (like the BackBone One) available. But the Ayn Odin 2 beats out all these alternatives, and its trail-blazing forebear, thanks to excellent ergonomics and powerful internals.

Let’s look at what’s going on inside first. Every model of the Ayn Odin 2 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, with a 64-bit Kyro CPU and Adreno 740 GPU. It’s a beefy chipset - though it’s coming up to a year old, it’s still one of the most high-performance options out there, similar to the guts behind flagship devices including this year’s Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Depending on the model you opt for, that’s backed by 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of built-in storage. The 12GB / 256GB Pro model we’re reviewing is the sweet spot between price and performance in our eyes. Storage expansion is easily afforded via a microSD slot.

It’s no slouch in connectivity terms, too. A speedy and stable Wi-Fi 7 connection makes for a super game streamer from services like Game Pass, while Bluetooth 5.3 is onboard for hooking up wireless controllers and gaming earbuds. There’s no cellular connection here despite the smartphone-like underpinnings, but there is a gyroscopic sensor for any apps that support them.

The build holds up just as well externally. A solid 6-inch 1080p touchscreen display in landscape orientation sits in the center of the device. It’s colorful and responsive, and reasonably bright, too - though, strangely, there isn’t a huge degree of difference between its brightest and dimmest setting, which can be slightly annoying during late-night play.

The Ayn Odin 2 uses Hall Sensor analog sticks in an asymmetrical (Xbox-style) arrangement. Hall Sensors use electrical resistance rather than physical contact between parts to interpret movement, and are excellently smooth in operation, protected from the dreaded stick-drift that’s plagued Nintendo’s Switch over the years. Adjustable LED lights, which can be set to any RGB color with adjustable brightness, sit both under the joysticks and around the edges of the device. They add some flair to an otherwise reserved design but can be switched off entirely if you find them distracting.

An excellent D-Pad, perfect for a swift Street Fighter shoryuken, sits under the left stick, while well-sized A, B, X, and Y buttons, arranged in the Nintendo style, sit above the right stick. These buttons are a touch smaller than you’d find on an Xbox or PlayStation pad, but have just the right amount of resistance, and are responsive in play. They’re very similar to what you’d find on a Steam Deck. Start and Select buttons sit at the top of the front face, and are easily reachable. Stereo speakers sit along the lower edge and are surprisingly loud and clear given the size of the device.

For anyone familiar with the Ayn Odin 2, there are two significant changes. The first is a physical ‘Return’ (or ‘Back’) button below the right analog stick (a ‘Home’ button sits below the D-Pad on the left-hand side). This Return button wasn’t present on the last model and is a handy additional way of navigating the Android interface without resorting to swipes and touchscreen gestures (the more you can avoid touching the screen, the less often you’ll be cleaning fingerprints off it). 

The second, and perhaps more important change, is the overall depth of the device. The controller grips are deeper than the previous model, and though it makes for a fatter device, it also makes for a more comfortable one. It gives you more to wrap your fingers around, giving you a better hold of the device, and easing fatigue over long play sessions. It’s a fair trade against making for a bigger overall device.

Around the top edge, you’ll find the R1 and L1 buttons, and analog R2 and L2 triggers, capable of discerning between slight taps and full presses. Along the top is also a volume rocker and a fingerprint-scanning power button, a microSD slot, a micro HDMI-out for hooking up to a TV, and a vent for pumping hot air from the internal fan.

The bottom of the device keeps things simple with a 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C 3.1 charging port. That port also features Display Port out functionality, letting you easily hook it up to a monitor and power from a single cable.

Turn the device over and you’ll find a large air intake grille, with an active cooling fan keeping the Odin 2 from getting too toasty. Sitting where your fingertips rest are two programmable buttons which can be set as shortcut buttons.

With measurements of 8.9in x 3.9in x 0.7in / 225mm x 98mm x 17mm and a weight of 15.17oz / 420g, it’s not a pocketable handheld, and a touch chunkier than the original Odin. But its weight distribution and ergonomic grips mean it’s comfortable to play with for hours without much strain. It’s way more portable than a Steam Deck, at any rate.

Overall it’s an impressively comfortable and well-constructed build. There’s no sense of flex to the chassis, smooth travel to all buttons, and no worries about the device overheating, even under the most intense load.

Ayn Odin 2 review - Interface

The Ayn Odin 2 runs off a relatively bloat-free version of Android 13 - so you get full access to the Google Play Store, pre-installed Chrome, the standard Android file browser, and other stock Android apps. You could essentially just live in this view of the device. But Ayn has also tweaked Android with some smart gaming-focused additions courtesy of the pre-installed Odin launcher.

Accessed initially like any other app, it makes for something approaching a more console-like interface. Apps are arranged into a grid and can be organized and sorted by category type (such as Games, Entertainment, and Productivity). Swiping from the left lets you access these different app groupings, as well as letting you tweak the RGB lighting and cycle through three different performance modes for when you want to push the chip a bit harder. Swipe from the right and you can access connectivity options, check storage, tweak brightness, clear the RAM cache, and change device behavior when hooked up to an external screen. The aforementioned performance options, LED settings connectivity and brightness tweaks can be accessed by swiping from the top too, as well as letting you cycle through three fan settings (plus switching them off). However I rarely found the need to go beyond the default performance and fan settings, such is the power and thermal efficiency of the chipset. If you like what the Odin launcher offers, you can set the device to launch straight into it from boot.

When in an app, a swipe from the right also opens up a performance overlay. Here you can check FPS readouts, temperature readings, CPU and RAM usage, and another brightness slider, as well as live streaming app shortcuts, screenshots, and screen capture options. There’s another RAM cache toggle here too, plus a notifications toggle. But the most important part of this interface is the keymapping software - turn it on, and you get a drag-and-drop interface that lets you tie the device’s physical buttons to touch-only games’ touchscreen buttons. It’s a great, intuitive feature that works really well, with profile support letting you test out any number of button mappings for each game.

The joy of being Android based of course is that there are plenty of other ways to customize the device, from home screens to widgets. If you’re running lots of apps, streaming services, or emulated retro games, it’s worth considering configuring a front-end launcher, which can be used to organize your apps and games into a jukebox-like library, complete with game box art, manuals, and other metadata. I’ve had great fun using the Daijishō retro launcher (free, pictured up top) and Launchbox (free, with in-app purchases). But remember that a side effect of tapping into the many apps available, created by different developers, means the experience isn’t as unified as you’d get with a traditional console. 

Ayn Odin 2 review - Performance and battery life

If it runs on Android, it runs on the Ayn Odin 2. It’s the best possible praise you can give a device like this - no matter what you throw at it, the Ayn Odin 2 will take it on at the maximum performance settings.

If you’ve got a mind to indulge in retro gaming emulation, there’s no better Android device out there. Using apps like Retroarch or standalone emulators, you’ll be able to play anything from 8-bit classics up through and beyond the 128-bit sixth-generation consoles like the Gamecube and PS2. Not only that, there’s enough power to considerably upscale these later-day systems, as high as 4K resolutions for outputting on a 4K TV. Though the original Odin could touch upon these 3D systems, performance was a mixed bag, and upscaled resolutions of these advanced consoles would cause the Odin to stutter. Here, it’s almost flawless - better in some ways even, than on original hardware, given the resolution bumps. 

The complicating factor, beyond the legal grey area emulation sits in, is that the apps that make this possible aren’t always immediately intuitive. But the retro handheld scene is a growing one, and you’ll find plenty of guides and documentation online to talk you through getting started if you’re interested.

High-end Android gaming is a breeze with the Ayn Odin 2, too. Demanding titles like Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, and Diablo Immortal can be run at their highest resolutions and graphical settings without dropping frames. More lightweight games like Vampire Survivors benefit from a traditional physical control scheme. And if you’re not a fan of touchscreen controls, you can use the launcher’s keymapping tools to bring the physical controls into play on games even where they’d otherwise be unsupported. 

If you want to play the latest console or PC games, they’re not out of reach either, provided you’re set up with subscriptions to streaming services. I had lots of fun streaming titles directly from my Xbox Series X and PS5 to the Odin 2, as well as from the cloud over Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now. Wi-Fi 7 ensures a smooth experience provided your broadband speed is up to the task, and latency is an increasingly minor side effect of the non-native gaming experience. 

Taking streaming into account, the Odin 2 has the potential to be a whistlestop tour from the earliest days of gaming right through to modern releases, and being able to have them all on one portable device feels like magic.

And of course, being an Android device, other experiences are open to you, too. You’ll be able to browse the web, stream films from Disney Plus or Netflix, listen to music and audiobooks, catch up on your YouTube subscriptions, plug in a keyboard and mouse, and much more. Like I said - if it runs on Android, it runs on Ayn Odin 2. 

As for the battery, it’s a whopper. With a capacity of 8,000mAh, it’ll last as long as 24 hours between charges. It’ll vary depending on the intensity of the application you’re using. A retro gaming session will take baby sips at the juice, while high-end Android games or 3D emulation will see it drain far quicker - perhaps as quickly as six or seven hours. But even at the low end of the scale that’s a respectable performance. You’ll get a full recharge in around two hours with 65W quick charge. Regardless, the Ayn Odin is going to be an excellent travel companion. 

Should I buy the Ayn Odin 2?

Whether you’re looking to play the latest, most graphically-intensive Android games, stream from your console or the cloud, or tap into gaming’s rich past through its wide-ranging emulation capabilities, the Ayn Odin 2 puts awesome power at your fingertips. Take the time to learn the Odin 2’s every trick and you’ll be unlikely to ever need another handheld.

Buy it if...

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How we tested the Ayn Odin 2

I spent two weeks with the Ayn Odin 2, using it daily as my main gaming machine during that period. I tested it with Android gaming apps including Call of Duty Mobile, Vampire Survivors, and Genshin Impact, streaming apps such as Xbox Game Pass and Moonlight, as well as emulator apps including multi-system emulator Retroarch. 

I was also able to take the Odin 2 away on a flight during a trip to put its portability and battery life through its paces, as well as compare its performance directly against the first-generation Odin, which I previously reviewed for TechRadar and have also used extensively over the past year.

For more portable options, see how the Odin 2 compares to the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED.