Retro on the Go: Exploring the Miyoo Mini Plus

Posted on Edited on In Word count in article: 392 Reading time ≈ 1 mins.

While many people are nostalgic about handheld gaming devices like the Game Boy Advance or Nintendo DS, I never quite shared the same attachment.

Growing up, I spent most of my time gaming on a computer or console, leaving little room for portable gaming systems.
The closest thing I had to a handheld was my father’s old Nokia phone, where I spent hours playing Java games (the pastime I still fondly remember). Despite my lack of direct experience with classic handhelds, I’ve always been captivated by the concept of a portable device capable of running emulators. So, when I came across the Miyoo Mini Plus, I knew I had to try it.

Aliexpress history

First Impressions

Let me start by saying, I wasn’t expecting much. I mean, this is a handheld that costs less than $50, right? But to my shock, the Miyoo Mini Plus actually doesn’t suck. The build quality is solid for the price (don’t expect an iPhone here, people), and the buttons have that satisfying clicky feel that makes you think, yes, this is going to be the start of something beautiful. The screen? Surprisingly good. I mean, I could actually see what was going on—without squinting or pretending I’m in some kind of retro horror game.

The software

The default UI is simple and easy to navigate, with a selection of pre-installed emulators. It supports a wide range of systems up to PlayStation 1 ( though performance can vary depending on the game).

Being the tech-savvy genius that I am, I didn’t stop there. I immediately ditched the default MinUI for OnionOS—because why settle for basic when you can have extra crispy? OnionOS is like the cool older sibling, packed with more features, a shinier interface, and—wait for it—support for NDS and Java games. Remember Java games? If you do, you do. They are the best.

Conclusion

The Miyoo Mini Plus is a fun little device that offers a lot of value for its price. It’s a great way to experience retro games on the go, and I’ve been enjoying my time with it so far. If you’re a fan of retro gaming or just looking for a portable emulator, I highly recommend checking it out.