Powkiddy X18s Review

For what seems like an eternity now we’ve had one retro emulation handheld after another churned out by Anbernic and Powkiddy using the same chipset each time which is fine as (especially with Anbernic) they’re generally excellent machines providing great performance for everything PS1 and below, however they’ve always stuggled with PSP, Dreamcast, Saturn and N64.  That is all about to change as the next generation are upon us with a much more powerful chipset and considerably better performance on these higher end machines.  

Step forward the first of these, the Powkiddy X18s, a clamshell Android 11 powered handheld boasting some serious power.  I took delivery of mine last week and am seriously impressed thus far, however we have to address the elephant in the room, no Google Play Store (although an update is promised) meaning any emulators have to be downloaded and installed using APK files online, this however is quite easy to do and apart from issues with Retroarch and Mame everything else has worked.

The build quality of the X18s is good, feels great to hold and use and has a nice weight to it, and the performance of N64, Dreamcast, PSP and Saturn really surprised me, it’s pretty much perfect, there are some minor issues but generally all is good.  For the first time I’m able to play one of my all-time favourite games, Nights into Dreams on the Sega Saturn perfectly, also for the Saturn I’ve got Sega Rally and Athlete Kings working for the first time.  I’ve come across no issues on N64, even Goldeneye which traditionally has really struggled on less powerful machines runs perfectly! No issues either on Dreamcast, all runs well and at full speed.   

Also for the first time on these devices it is also possible to play GameCube games which is something I’ve been waiting for for a long time, I was pleasantly surprised, it struggles a little with the demanding F-Zero GX (although it is playable) - everything else I’ve thrown at the Dolphin Emulator so far it’s played with ease.

Being an Android handheld and with currently no Google Play Store it does take a lot more setting up than the Anbernic and Powkiddy devices before it but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort you’ll be handsomely rewarded.  I’m excited to see what Anbernic have planned for later this year with their rumoured RG552, watch this space!