About The Respawn Rig
Hey, I’m Rotem. I built The Respawn Rig because I kept running into the same problem: every time I wanted honest information about a gaming handheld, I had to dig through ten Reddit threads and a stack of YouTube videos to piece together a real answer. Half of it was outdated. The other half was vague opinions with nothing behind them.
So I started testing devices myself and writing up what I actually found.
Devices I’ve Personally Used
I have spent real hands-on time with the following devices:
- Steam Deck LCD and OLED
- ROG Ally and ROG Ally X
- Retroid Pocket 5
- Anbernic RG556
- Lenovo Legion Go
- AYN Odin 2
- Anbernic RG35XX H
That hands-on time includes running battery life tests across different power modes, testing real-world microSD card speeds (not just spec sheet numbers), going through the full EmuDeck setup process, performing the Steam Deck SSD upgrade, and configuring emulators for PSP, PS2, GameCube, and PS3 on multiple devices.
How I Review and Test
Every review and guide on this site comes from one of three sources: direct hands-on testing, verified community data from sources like ProtonDB and the r/SteamDeck community, or manufacturer specifications cross-checked against independent benchmarks.
For battery life numbers, I run games at the settings I specify in the article and time sessions with the screen at consistent brightness. I do not quote manufacturer claims without testing them.
For performance figures, I use the in-game performance overlay available in SteamOS and report the frame rates I actually see during gameplay, not synthetic benchmarks.
For emulation compatibility, I test ROMs personally or cross-reference with compatibility databases like RPCS3’s compatibility list and community test results. I note when a result is from community data rather than personal testing.
What This Site Is For
The goal is simple: give you the clearest, most honest information possible so you can make a good decision about which handheld to buy, which accessories are worth the money, and how to get the most out of the device you already own.
I write for people who are genuinely interested in portable gaming — not for search engines, not for affiliate commissions, and not to sell you something you do not need. If a product is not worth buying, I say so.
Affiliate Disclosure
The Respawn Rig participates in the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate programs. Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. This never influences which products I recommend or what I write about them. I only link to products I would genuinely recommend to a friend.
Accuracy and Updates
The handheld gaming market moves fast. I update articles when prices change significantly, when new firmware improves or breaks compatibility, or when better alternatives arrive. If you spot something outdated or incorrect, email me at therespawnrig@proton.me and I will fix it.
Contact
You can reach me at therespawnrig@proton.me. I read every email, though I cannot always reply to every one.