The Powkiddy X55 Gaming Console Review: Unboxing and Gameplay Experience
The Powkiddy X55 is a versatile and feature-rich handheld gaming console designed for retro gaming enthusiasts, offering a blend of performance, ergonomics, and affordability. Here’s a detailed look at what you can expect from this device.
Unboxing Experience
When you unbox the Powkiddy X55, you'll find it comes in a well-designed cardboard box with a magnetic clasp, making it a nice storage solution for the console. Inside, you'll get the console itself, a USB-C charging cable, a screen protector, and an instruction manual.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The Powkiddy X55 features a lightweight and ergonomic design, making it comfortable to hold for extended gaming sessions. The console is made of blue plastic, which, while not premium, is solid and free from flex or creaking. The shell clips are strong enough to keep the device together without screws, and the overall build feels firm.
The placement of buttons, however, has some minor drawbacks. The start and select buttons are positioned somewhat awkwardly, and the volume controls are reversed from what you might expect, with volume up on the left and volume down on the right.
Display
One of the standout features of the Powkiddy X55 is its 5.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1280×720. This screen offers vibrant colors, good viewing angles, and high brightness, making it suitable for indoor use. The display is flush with the frame, eliminating any light bleed, and it can be adjusted for contrast, brightness, gamma, and hue in the system settings.
Controls and Buttons
The console includes a directional pad, two analog sticks, four buttons with a Switch-like layout, and triggers. The controls are generally comfortable, although some users might find the triggers a bit noisy and the volume button placement less than ideal.
Software and Performance
The Powkiddy X55 runs on the JELOS Linux platform, which provides a smooth and user-friendly interface. The system supports EmulationStation themes and has been updated to improve performance and add features like true deep sleep mode, which helps conserve battery life. The console can emulate games from over 30 different systems, including CPS, FBA, FC, GB, GBA, GBC, NEOGEO, SFC, MD, PS, N64, and PSP, among others.
The device is powered by the Rockchip RK3566 CPU, which offers decent performance for emulating games up to the PSP level. It also features integrated WiFi and Bluetooth, allowing for multiplayer gaming and the use of Bluetooth controllers.
Battery Life
The Powkiddy X55 is equipped with a 4000mAh battery, which provides around 3-4 hours of gaming time on a single charge, depending on the screen brightness and other usage factors.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The console includes several connectivity options, such as HDMI output for connecting to TVs or monitors, a headphone jack, and two USB-C ports (one for charging and one for OTG). These features make it versatile for both handheld and TV gaming experiences.
Gaming Experience
The Powkiddy X55 supports a wide range of emulators and games, ensuring that you can play your favorite retro titles smoothly. The device has been tested with various games, including Doom, Doom 2, Duke Nukem 3D, Sonic CD, and Sonic Mania, all running at full speed without issues.
The console also features save and load game progress, game search, recent game history, and the ability to save favorite games for easy access, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ergonomic Design: Comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Quality Display: 5.5-inch IPS screen with good viewing angles and high brightness.
- Open Linux System: Allows for customization and use of various emulators.
- HDMI Output: Versatile for both handheld and TV gaming.
- Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth: Supports multiplayer gaming and Bluetooth controllers.
Cons:
- Improvable Directional Pad: Some users might find it less than ideal.
- Noisy Triggers: Triggers can be a bit loud.
- Uncomfortable Volume Position: Volume buttons are reversed from the expected layout.
Overall, the Powkiddy X55 offers a compelling package for retro gaming enthusiasts, balancing performance, ergonomics, and affordability.